Issue Articles
Jazz & Heritage Concert Series: Gladney kicks off contemporary jazz series
“I’m a sixth generation native of the Lower 9 so we’ve been here a bit,” Gladney proudly offers and then laughs.
Best of the Beat: Heartbeat Award – Fred Joseph Johnson Jr.
Fred Joseph Johnson’s life has been dedicated to serving the Black community in his hometown of New Orleans. He’s excelled as a force in uplifting the spirit and outcome of people’s lives throughout his four major endeavors—as a spyboy with the Yellow Pocahontas Mardi Gras Indians, working with the Tambourine & Fan youth organization, as co-founder and president of the Black Men of Labor and heading the non-profit New Orleans Neighborhood Development Foundation.
Aaron Neville: Tell It Like It Is: My Story (Hachette Book Group)
Aaron Neville relates his life story like he sings a song; he makes it very sincere and personal.
Loving the tempo of New Orleans: Ricardo Pascal considers New Orleans the Disney World for musicians
It seems almost inevitable that Ricardo Pascal became “omnipresent” on the New Orleans music scene.
Walter “Wolfman” Washington: Feel So at Home (TIpitina’s Record Club)
The late, great guitarist and vocalist Walter “Wolfman” Washington could be accompanied by a string section, as he is on several cuts on this newly released album, I Feel So at Home, backed by a combo or alone with his guitar, his voice and style remain immediately identifiable. It’s called soulfulness.
Russell Batiste Jr. (1965-2023)
Drummer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Russell Batiste Jr. had been scheduled to lead his band, Russell Batiste & Friends, at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the recent NOLA Funk Fest. Sadly, only his powerful musical spirit emanated from the stage as an array of musicians paid tribute to their late friend, collaborator and mentor. Batiste, born David Russell Batiste Jr., passed away on September 30, 2023, at the age of 57.
Sounds of Freedom: Pianist and composer Courtney Bryan chosen for the MacArthur Award
“They do a good job of surprising you,” Courtney Bryan says with a laugh on how she learned she’d been chosen to receive a very prestigious 2023 MacArthur Fellowship award, colloquially known as the “genius grants.”
Joshua Redman featuring Gabrielle Cavassa: Where Are We (Blue Note)
Joshua Redman, certainly one of the most renowned saxophonist and composers of this era, gathers together an ace quartet and features vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa on Where Are We.
Stephen Walker: Midnight Cocktails (Independent)
One can almost hear trombonist, composer and bandleader Stephen Walker saying, “Hey, kick it off, Herlin” to drummer Herlin Riley on Midnight Cocktails’ hot opening number, “Blues Walker.”
