Issue Articles
Brass Brass Everywhere: Original New Orleans Brass Fest at Armstrong Park
New Orleans Original Brass Fest at Armstrong Park
Eponymous Debut Redux: Davis Rogan celebrates 25 years since All That’s debut
Davis Rogan first had visions of the band that would become his groundbreaking hip hop, brass band, funk hybrid All That while still in college. The 1985 Ben Franklin graduate matriculated through Reed College in Portland, Oregon. But before graduating, he took a year off and returned to New Orleans.
The Secret Six, Chicken You Can Roost Behind the Moon (Independent)
The Secret Six continue to be one of the most prolific bands recording in New Orleans today. This new collection of traditional jazz and blues goes deep into the well of old-time music, while also bringing back a couple of tunes that ought to be covered more often.
Geovane Santos, Ciranda (Independent)
New Orleans-based Afro-Brazilian guitarist Geovane Santos returns with his first album of all original music.
Ranky Tanky, Live at the 2022 New Orleans Jazz Festival (Munck Mix)
I was fortunate enough to see Ranky Tanky’s debut set at the fest and wrote about it in my recap saying, “…South Carolina-based Gullah musicians Ranky Tanky brought so much spirit it felt at times as if we were in jazz church. The band sang and played their hearts out much to the delight of the smallish crowd.”
David Bandrowski and the Rhumba Defense, French Onion Superman (Independent)
Dave Bandrowski is a legend among a certain subset of New Orleans music lovers. The tenor banjo player is known as a musician’s musician. His album, the whimsically titled, French Onion Superman, is a testament to both of those facts.
Leo Forde, Double Whiskey (Independent)
Leo Forde, Double Whiskey. The record features trad jazz standards as well as tunes outside the genre, such as “Just A Gigolo,” performed in the hot jazz style. The band features the cream of the crop of local players including the strong rhythm section of pianist David Boeddinghaus, rhythm guitarist John Rodli and bassist Nobu Ozaki.
Chunky Hustle Brass Band, CHuBB (Independent)
Chunky Hustle Brass Band, CHuBB. I’ve got good news and bad news about the debut album from the cheekily named Chunky Hustle Brass Band. First off, the San Diego outfit has written some songs that could be destined to be part of the brass band canon. They also have an original touch with cover songs.
Russell Welch Hot Quartet, Time On My Hands (R8T Records)
The title of the album says it all. Guitarist Russell Welch certainly had time on his hands, like we all did, during the pandemic. He put it to better use than most by recording 17 songs in his studio in the Faubourg Marigny—an effort he calls “a collection of quarantine recordings.”
Hanna Mignano, Interplay (Independent)
Violinist and vocalist Hanna Mignano returns with her second release, Interplay, featuring Pete Roze on guitar and Roy Brenc on bass. Her first record, which was reviewed in OffBeat in November 2019, featured a quartet with different supporting players.
