Music
Basher, Doubles (Sinking City Records)
Basher Doubles. First an explanation of the name of the New Orleans-based band, Basher, and the title of the album, Doubles. Saxophonist Byron Asher acquired the nickname Basher when he was in high school, and it stuck.
The Headhunters, Speakers in the House (Ropeadope)
New Orleans more thoroughly invades The Headhunters on Speakers in the House that boasts locals, including founding member, percussionist Bill Summers, Donald Harrison as the sole saxophonist and trumpeter Ashlin Parker, onboard for the first time.
For the Love of Charmaine: Davell Crawford Celebrates Charmaine Neville
Davell Crawford and Charmaine Neville share a story of love and support that goes back decades. The pianist and vocalist a child prodigy whose talents, vulnerability and sensitive nature awoke the instinctive nurturing side of Neville, who, almost 20 years his senior, was an established vocalist. As we learn, their bonding seems almost immediate.
Louis Armstrong, Louis Wishes You a Cool Yule (Verve/UMe)
Naturally, trumpeter and vocalist extraordinaire Louis Armstrong swings the holidays on Louis Wishes You a Cool Yule, a compilation of material from previously released albums and singles from the 1950s. It gets jumpin’ on the fun-filled title cut on which he’s backed by a big band as he is on most of the selections.
Meryl Zimmerman, A Very Meryl Christmas (Independent)
As a collection of holiday favorites, A Very Meryl Christmas holds, as might be expected, few surprises. Vocalist, Meryl Zimmerman, who is originally from Long Island, New York and for the last decade has been a resident of New Orleans, sings the mostly familiar material fairly straight-ahead, enriched by the arrangements by her co-producer, bassist Ed Wise and guitarist Eric Merchant.
Mike Clement, Unfinished Business (Independent)
Organ trios, the combination of organ, guitar and drums, have long been a popular means of expression in jazz, perhaps best exemplified by the master of the Hammond B3 Jimmy Smith. On Unfinished Business, guitarist Mike Clement makes good use of the format’s stylistic versatility as he teams up with like-minded musician’s organist Joe Ashlar and drummer Shannon Powell.
Nicholas Payton, The Couch Sessions (Smoke Sessions Records)
Nicholas Payton continues his quest to record with some of those jazz giants who he has long admired. On his 2021 album, Smoke Sessions, the title of which unusually duplicated the name of the label on which these meetings have been captured, he teamed with the great bassist Ron Carter.
Best Of The Beat: Heartbeat Award – Benny Jones, Sr.
Best Of The Beat: Heartbeat Award – Benny Jones, Sr. Benny Jones Sr. is best known around the world as a drummer and leader of the world-renowned Treme Brass Band. However, in New Orleans and particularly among this city’s brass band community, his reputation looms large as a kind man of remarkable patience and one dedicated to tradition and the culture.
Best Of The Beat: Lifetime Achievement In Music Business – Mark Samuels
Best Of The Beat: Lifetime Achievement In Music Business – Mark Samuels. As a teenager, Mark Samuels played in school bands that at one time or another included trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, and reedman Victor Goines. Naturally jazz and a greater appreciation of the music was bound to rub off on him.
