Music
Gio & Dorise Blackmon/Juju Child: The Griot Series Vol. 1 (Independent)
The Griot Series Vol. 1 represents the first of three projects: this album, followed by interviews conducted with musicians resulting in a short documentary. As stated, it’s “a project based on heritage, equity and cultural relevance.”
Mike Dillon and Punkadelick: Inflorescence (Royal Potato Family)
Master percussionist Mike Dillon doesn’t need to worry about his music being branded and put in a categorical box. If it was, he’d jump right out of it and find another and another. A restless and energetic soul, Dillon, who leads his ensemble, Punkadelick, on vibraphone and marimba, teams up some with like-minded adventurers.
Kimi Djabaté – Dindin (Cumbancha)
Kimi Djabate, a native of Guinea-Bissau, a small country on the west coast of Africa that until 1973 was ruled by Portugal, remains best known as a master of the balafon that he first started playing when he was just three years old.
Saving Snug: Jason Patterson buys Snug Harbor
Because Jason Patterson booked the music at the Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro and seemingly was always at the highly regarded jazz club many people outside of those who worked or hung there, understandably presumed that he owned the business. Not so. That is until mid-December 2022 when he bought it.
Ernie Vincent, Original Dap King (Cornelius Chapel Records)
Guitarist, vocalist and composer Ernie Vincent has been a staple on the New Orleans music scene since the 1970s. One could find him and his band, The Top Notes, primarily in barrooms and special events where he’d get folks dancing to his large repertoire of original songs and New Orleans favored cover tunes.
Christian McBride, Christian McBride’s New Jawn: Prime (Mack Avenue)
Christian McBride’s much anticipated latest release, Christian McBride’s New Jawn: Prime, has definitely been worth the wait.
Fresh Twists on Mardi Gras: Delfeayo Marsalis goes to the Mardi Gras
“The essence of Carnival music is the dance groove for sure,” declares Delfeayo Marsalis. “If folks don’t feel like dancing to it, it’s not Mardi Gras.”
On Marsalis’ new release, Uptown on Mardi Gras Day (Troubadour Jass Records), the trombonist, band leader and composer and his talent-packed Uptown Jazz Orchestra continue that long-held required tradition by offering fresh twists on New Orleans much-beloved Mardi Gras classics and adding new tunes to the Carnival catalog.
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.
