Issue Articles
Royce Osborn, 1958-2017
“This is the story of New Orleans’ black Mardi Gras,” says filmmaker Royce Osborn at the beginning of his award-winning 2003 documentary, All on a Mardi Gras Day. Focusing on […]
Tony Dagradi, “Oneness” (Astral Music)
Saxophonist Tony Dagradi, who remains most noted as a founding member of New Orleans’ all-star modern jazz ensemble Astral Project, multi-tasks as leader on Oneness. On an album of self-penned […]
Joe Lastie’s New Orleans Sound, “Jazz Corner of the World” (Independent)
Drummer Joe Lastie, a member of New Orleans musical Lastie family who perhaps remains most recognized for his years with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, steps out as leader of […]
Second Lineage: The season of the street begins
When the second line season ends in June each year, enthusiasts of the city’s social aid and pleasure clubs’ annual anniversary parades often find Sunday afternoons a bit empty. So […]
Dolores Ferdinand Marsalis, 1937-2017
Dolores Marsalis was a remarkable woman—beautiful, intelligent, determined and funny. She and her husband, pianist/educator Ellis Marsalis Jr., raised six boys—Branford, Wynton, Ellis III, Delfeayo, Mboya and Jason—on the salary […]
Obituary: Isaac “Mr. Ike” Edward
When Isaac “Mr. Ike” Edward sat in a chair on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard watching the 2015 and 2016 Uptown Indian Super Sunday parades, his continued love of the […]
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, “Diaspora” (Ropeadope/Stretch Music)
Trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah continues his exploration of what he describes as “stretch music,” as he did on his 2015 album of the same name and another release this […]
B.J. Jansen, “Common Ground” (Ronin Jazz)
Jansen leads a strong group of musicians who were handpicked for the album and jive together well during ensemble work and stand out during frequent solos. Bassist Dezron Douglas gets […]
Guitar Slim Jr., “The Story of My Life” (Orleans Records)
Originally released in 1988, Guitar Slim Jr.’s The Story of My Life earned a Grammy nomination in the Best Traditional Blues category. The album sounds just as good now as […]
A Celebration of Culture: The 19th Annual Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Awards
The scene at the Oretha Castle Haley Elementary School when the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame first presented its awards almost 20 years ago was a sweet, significant ceremony […]
