Issue Articles
Jon Batiste puts his musical spirit into Pixar’s “Soul”
Soul, the amusing and affecting new film from Pixar Animation Studios, adds another stellar credit to Kenner native Jon Batiste’s résumé. Batiste—the pianist, recording artist and bandleader for The Late […]
Ken Burns’ “Jazz” returns to PBS
Jazz, Ken Burns’ 10-part history of jazz music, gets a 20th-anniversary encore in January. The series’ first episode, “Gumbo,” returns to public television stations on January 7—almost exactly 20 years […]
A Win For All Of Us: The New Orleans Nightcrawlers grab a Grammy nomination
Update: The New Orleans Nightcrawlers won their first Grammy Award on March 14. For a professional musician, a Grammy Award nomination can be the news of a lifetime. In November, […]
Shemekia Copeland, Uncivil War (Alligator Records)
Blues singer Shemekia Copeland’s new album features her homage to a special friend and mentor, Dr. John. In “Dirty Saint,” a song patterned after the music of Dr. John and […]
Tom Mason, Under a Mistletoe Sky (Gas Station Music)
Tom Mason’s third Christmas album goes down easy. The Nashville and Iowa-based singer, songwriter and guitarist assumes a relaxed, good-natured tone in 10 original songs, most of them based in […]
Irma Thomas talks back
Irma Thomas’ fans are on a first-name basis with New Orleans’ first lady of soul. She considers them members of her international family. The mutual loyalty Thomas and her followers […]
The Beauty and Power of Live Music in Plague Times, Tab Benoit and Samantha Fish on the road again
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Louisiana artists Samantha Fish and Tab Benoit returned to in-person performances this fall. Rueben Williams and his Thunderbird Management Group in Larose, Louisiana manages the New […]
Lucinda Williams gives back with Lu’s Jukebox
Lu’s Jukebox, a six-episode virtual concert series performed by Louisiana native Lucinda Williams and her band, debuts October 29. A portion of the series’ ticket sales will benefit struggling independent […]
Live Music As Therapy: Kenny Wayne Shepherd releases “Straight to You: Live”
Kenny Wayne Shepherd always gives credit to Bryan Lee. A mentor to the five-time Grammy nominated blues-rock star from Shreveport, Lee died at 77 on August 21 in Sarasota, Florida. […]
Shine A Light: Kelly Lee Blackwell is determined to honor her father’s legacy
Robert “Bumps” Blackwell helped Little Richard and Sam Cooke grasp stardom. Blackwell’s daughter, Kelly Lee Blackwell, is on a mission to bring notice to his contributions to music and the […]
