Issue Articles — BackTalk
Terence Blanchard talks back
Initially renowned as a jazz trumpeter, composer and bandleader, New Orleans native son and five-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard, 55, has since delved into music from numerous angles. He became […]
Maceo Parker Talks Back
Maceo Parker, the maestro of funky saxophone, spent much of his career as a high-profile sideman. On stage, he shared the spotlight with James Brown, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins and […]
Johnny Mathis Talks Back
In 2016, elegant pop balladeer Johnny Mathis celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of his Columbia Records debut. The golden-toned singer of “Chances Are,” “It’s Not for Me to Say” and “Wonderful! […]
George Clinton talks back
From doo-wop to the P-Funk Mothership, George Clinton has led his funky voyage through the musical universe and beyond. The journey began in New Jersey in 1955, when Clinton formed […]
Ani DiFranco Talks Back
Iconoclast singer-songwriter, indie music pioneer and social activist Ani DiFranco moved to New Orleans in 2003. A lover of the city and its music, she recruited local drummer Terence Higgins […]
Gary U.S. Bonds Talks Back
When Gary U.S. Bonds recorded “New Orleans,” his breakout hit from 1960, he’d never been to New Orleans. Nonetheless, the young singer from Norfolk, Virginia, reshaped “New Orleans,” a song […]
Derek Trucks talks back
Derek Trucks met his wife Susan Tedeschi in July 1999 in New Orleans at the Saenger Theatre. Already an accomplished prodigy and slide-guitar virtuoso, Trucks has since forged a family […]
Tower of Power’s Emilio Castillo talks back with DJ Soul Sister
In a music industry so fickle that some groups don’t make it 50 days after releasing a recording, the mighty Tower of Power will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. […]
Samantha Fish talks back
New Orleans has long been a magnet for musicians and other artists working in many disciplines. Samantha Fish, a singer, songwriter and guitarist who’s released five albums via Germany’s blues-centric […]
The Bacon Brothers [Kevin and Michael Bacon] talk back
Actor Kevin Bacon and his film-scoring brother, Michael, formed the Bacon Brothers band in 1995. Despite their busy separate careers, they keep their Americana, rock, country, singer-songwriter band going. The […]
