Issue Articles
Danilo Pérez: Musician, social activist and teacher
“When we play together we feel Wayne is with us on the stage,” says Danilo Pérez of the late, legendary saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter.
Sharing Gospel’s Joy
In Louisiana, musical families prevail throughout many genres and enjoy the inclusion of multiple generations in their harmonic journeys. Gospel music is, of course, no exception. Two outstanding examples performing in the Gospel Tent at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, as they’ve done for many years, are the Dynamic Smooth Family and The Bester Singers.
Charles Lloyd: The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow (Blue Note Records)
Saxophone giant Charles Lloyd’s new album, The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow, his 11th on the Blue Note label, opens dramatically with just the mellow, tonally plush sounds of drums provided by “our own,” Shreveport, Louisiana native Brian Blade.
Erica Falls & Vintage Soul: Emotions (Independent)
Without a doubt, Erica Falls has the vocal range, modulation and passionate delivery to really belt out a song. Her New Orleans background, that style that leans towards old-school rhythm and blues and soul rather than contemporary, makes her very accessible to wide audiences especially those who enjoy hitting a dance floor.
Ben Fox: Wrong Impressions (Independent)
Bassist and leader Ben Fox, a long time New Orleans transplant, changes musical eras from the modern rhythms of last year’s release, the aptly titled Ben’s Bop, and looks back to traditional jazz flavors on Wrong Impressions.
Kerry “Fatman” Hunter (1970-2024)
The devastating news of the tragic death of the beloved snare drummer Kerry “Fatman” Hunter profoundly impacted those in the New Orleans music and Black cultural communities, family, friends and all of those who loved and respected him as an artist and a beautiful person. A New Orleans native, Kerry “Fatman” Hunter, died on February 13, 2024, at the age of 53.
Donald Harrison: The Art of Passion (Ropeadope Records)
National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Donald Harrison, who was recently voted as New Orleans’ top saxophonist in OffBeat Magazine‘s annual Best of the Beat Awards, presents a three-cut […]
The Spirit of Fi Yi Yi: Victor Harris, Sr. hits the streets for the last time
“For me, it’s a blessing,” declares Victor Harris on having his “given spiritual cultural anatomy” revealed to him as the Spirit of Fi Yi Yi 40 years ago. “I’m a chosen one, I’m a servant of God. I want that joy and healing to spread around the world.”
Andy Page Quartet: Mobius (Independent)
Saxophonist Andy Page assembled an A-list of “next generation” New Orleans jazz musicians, pianist Oscar Rossignoli, drummer Jason Marsalis and bassist Robin Sherman, to explore his challenging original material for Mobius. Let’s just say his compositions and progressive approach aren’t your usual fare.
Sullivan Fortner: Solo Game (Artwork Records)
Pianist Sullivan is perhaps better known nationally than in his hometown of New Orleans. That’s because the pianist headed out so soon after graduating from the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) to attend Ohio’s prestigious Oberlin College and Conservatory and then traveled to New York’s Manhattan School of Music.
