Issue Articles
Pastor Jai Reed
Jai Reed loves praising, singing and helping those in need. As the pastor of the New Beginnings Church for almost 17 years and as a professional vocalist for most of his life, Reed has satisfied these passions by serving the people within and outside the walls of the church.
Terence Blanchard
It’s undoubtedly safe to say that most people, even those deep into jazz, never realize that legends trumpeter Miles Davis and saxophonist John Coltrane were born in the same year 100 years ago, 1926.
Branford Marsalis is back home in New Orleans
Saxophonist, composer, bandleader and Grammy-winner Branford Marsalis moved back to his hometown of New Orleans in January 2024. The oldest son of pianist and educator, the late Ellis Marsalis Jr., and brother of fellow musician’s trumpeter Wynton, trombonist Delfeayo and drummer and vibraphonist Jason, he headed to the east coast initially to attend the Berklee College of Music in 1979 and didn’t look back until now.
Big Tuba: The Hot 8 Brass Band sizzles
The Hot 8 Brass Band is just that. The Grammy-winning and -nominated eight-member ensemble is sizzling, having just released a new album Big Tuba. Plus, the band is touring heavily both nationally and internationally.
Blue Lu Barker Remembers
Music has always surrounded the life of Blue Lu Barker. The living room of her Sere Street home is filled with the mementos of a lifetime of jazz she shared with her husband, the late great jazzman Danny Barker. Photos and awards hang and lean from the walls and along tabletops. Boxes filled with memorabilia crowd a comer of the low-ceilinged room, while yet another room is devoted entirely to storage of similar treasures.
Little Freddie King: Things That I Used to Do (Newvelle Records)
Three minute, 12-bar, Delta style blues remain the staple of guitarist and vocalist 84-year old Little Freddie King. Born in Mississippi and the cousin of the famed Lightnin’ Hopkins, King’s honest approach to the genre has remained true throughout and has been embraced by local audiences during the many years he has called New Orleans his home.
Michael Wolff: Memoir (Sunnyside Records)
Pianist and composer Michael Wolff, who beyond his acute abilities as a leader, has performed and/or recorded with an ace list of jazz artists including saxophonists Sonny Rollins and Cannonball Adderley, bassist Christian McBride and many more. He might be most widely recognized as leading the band for the now long-defunct late-night television program “The Arsenio Hall Show.”
What’s Up Boss? Kermit Ruffins: A Jolly Birthday
New Orleans, like most of the rest of the country, enjoys Santa Claus as a favorite icon of the Christmas season. However, the Crescent City, being its usual quirky self, also favors its own Yuletide personalities, the snowman-like Mr. Bingle and, yes, trumpeter, singer and the always jolly Kermit Ruffins. When the holiday draws near, Ruffins is quick to don a Santa hat and as soon as early November he’s been known to fill his club, Kermit’s Treme Mother-In-Law Lounge, with his favorite Christmas tunes much to the amusement of those coming through the door.
James Evans/Lawrence Sieberth: Standardized (Independent)
In this duo setting, saxophonist and clarinetist James Evans and pianist Lawrence Sieberth celebrate material from the American songbook on the aptly named Standardized with shared musical temperaments. Though the two come from varied backgrounds and geographies, they thoughtfully come together with mutual respect, gentle touches and intuitive improvisations on ten timeless standards.
Jovin Webb: Drifter (Blind Pig Records)
Singer, songwriter and harmonica player Jovin Webb represents the soulful style of blues that abounds in his home state of Louisiana and particularly in the Baton Rouge area.
