Issue Articles
Quintessential Louisiana Cool
In certain places and times there have been those among us who have been so proficient in expressing their unique inner fires that even while pushing everything to the edge […]
The Roots of Jazz, Part Two
While many people think of jazz strictly in terms of brilliant soloists, the heart of jazz remains essentially an ensemble music of collective improvisation that swings and employs “blue notes.” […]
Keeping One’s Cool
“Summertime and livin’ is easy…” Who said that? Well, it is kind of easy you know, because in this kind of tropical climate you simply must take it easy. Push […]
Mondo Cool: Origin of the Species, Its Rise, Demise and Future
“As soon as a sentiment rises to the tonality of fire, as soon as it becomes exposed in its violence to the metaphysics of fire, one can be sure that […]
Reggae: Rastaman Vibrations in the Park
The types of music whose genealogical trees are rooted in New Orleans are about as many as the number of bands you can see on any Saturday night. Blues, jazz, […]
The Roots of Jazz, Part One
New Orleans is internationally famous as the birthplace of jazz. From jazz’s birth at the turn of the century to its diverse manifestations in contemporary times, our congressionally-declared “national treasure” […]
Steamboats: An American Legend Lives On
“Tote that barge. Lift that bale. Get a little drunk and you land in jail…Ole Man River, he just keeps rollin’ along…” Those famous lyrics sung by Paul Robeson in […]
Decatur: The Street Where Dreams Meet
Decatur Street. For a New Orleanian of some vintage, the mere mention of the name conjures a variety of colorful associations, sensations of the sort ordinarily found only on foreign […]
Local Color
During the spring, festivals are a way of life here. Locals bop from festival to festival celebrating everything from the strawberry harvest to Cajun music to New Orleans culture. For […]
Jazz Fest: Time to Get Out the Sunblock
Here it is—the complete schedule of what’s happening at the 20th Annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the greatest music, food and crafts event in the country. Almost 3,000 musicians, […]
