Issue Articles — Features
Amis du Teche: They’ll Play Music Forever
Fiddler Adeline Miller and acoustic rhythm guitarist Amelia Powell of the Cajun quartet Amis du Teche—average age 20—couldn’t be happier. For the first time ever, Amis du Teche is slotted to play Jazz Fest and also has performed at French Quarter Festival this year.
New Orleans Klezmer All Stars: Celebrating Over Three Decades Together
The New Orleans Klezmer All Stars are celebrating 33 years together. When one thinks of Klezmer and the Crescent City, they’re solely the ones who come to mind, and in doing so they’ve expanded the New Orleans sound in turn. They have the musical chops and vision to pull Yiddish dance music in a modern age while being wryly respectful of tradition. Befitting a multi-talented band with in-demand members, getting them all in a room is not an easy task, but lo and behold, they’re playing shows in support of Tipish, their new album, just in time for Jazz Fest. I hiked the Maple Street construction zone along with Glenn Hartman and Jonathan Freilich to discuss the new album and more.
A Whole Lot of Funk: Tower of Power returns to Jazz Fest
Fifty-six years makes for a whole lot of funk. And in Tower of Power’s case, a whole lot of people as well. More than 60 bandmembers have passed through the ranks in that time, but the soulful essence of the band has been consistent.
Sisterhood: Troy Sawyer knows That Girls Play Trumpets Too
Troy Sawyer has been a noted New Orleans trumpet player and bandleader for years. In recent times he’s added film scores to his repertoire, but his music education non-profit organization Girls Play Trumpet Too is what’s been making the recent buzz. We found a spot at Church Alley Coffee to talk about it.
Alex McMurray Band & Tin Men: The Most Eagerly Anticipated
Alex McMurray is so deeply woven into the fabric of New Orleans music and culture, it’s hard to imagine his adopted hometown without him. He’s also no stranger to Jazz Fest, where he’s been performing in multiple configurations for 31 years.
Unique and Energetic: André Bohren is busy with a multi-tiered career
Last year at the Jazz Fest Kids’ Tent, André Bohren and the Electric Yat Quartet performed Peter and the Wolf, Sergei Prokofiev’s symphonic work for children. This year Bohren and the string quartet will present an encore of Peter and the Wolf as well as a new segment, music trivia for youngsters. The trivia part of the show will include music from the animated feature film Toy Story, the Beatles’ children’s song, “Yellow Submarine,” and more melodies plucked from pop culture.
Quite A Ride: Samara Joy, the new Ella Fitzgerald
“Oh man,” Samara Joy sighs, pulling her hair back, her eyes widening behind a pair of glasses. “Um, it’s been quite a ride.”
Cajunize: 50 Years of BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet
In February, the world’s most famous Cajun band celebrated its 50th anniversary year with two nights of concerts. The Grammy-winning BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet invited a stage full of friends and collaborators to the hometown party at the Acadiana Center for the Arts in Lafayette. Guests included Sonny Landreth, Don Vappie, Dickie Landry, Steve Conn, Tiff Lamson, Annick Colbert, Gary Newman, Chad Viator and former BeauSoleil members Tommy Alesi and Jimmy Breaux.
A Flower of the Forest: Saxophonist Charles Lloyd’s spiritual pilgrimage
It can hardly be denied that saxophone master Charles Lloyd has long been most widely recognized for his composition, “Forest Flower” that appears on his 1966 release Forest Flower—Live at Monterey. It was one of the rare jewels that shined beyond jazz realms and into the popular mainstream. With so much great jazz out there, why did this beauty break the genre barrier?
Cimafunk’s Star Power
Cimafunk, the band, is a nine-piece treasure with skills in their steps and joy in their souls. This translates well to their sound and live shows. They’re also the sweetest people you could meet and are thoroughly enjoying their upward trajectory. It makes sense, since the mindset of music, work, and community is typified from top-down by the rockstar frontman himself who goes by Cima.
