May 2017
BackTalk
- Tank and the Bangas
Over 6,000 acts entered NPR’s 2017 Tiny Desk Contest, but when the 10 judges convened for a vote they landed on…
Cover Story
- Confident and In Control: Mia Borders is doing something right
Some artists’ Jazz Fest debuts are triumphs, some are disasters, and some are life-changing experiences. It was all the above for…
Features
- Marco Benevento Debuts at Bayou Boogaloo
“Idefinitely come from a lot of different places,” understates keyboardist/songwriter and now vocalist Marco Benevento. The New Jersey native, onetime Brooklynite… - Pink Magnolias followed their own paths to New Orleans
The Pink Magnolias may be atypical, but they’re certainly no novelty act. The Japanese three-piece is the real deal, with a… - Where Y’acht aims to take over the Southeast
The tides have recently returned smooth music from its ’70s and ’80s island outpost to an eager and growing audience. Steely… - My Music: Alfred Banks
"The tour is going great—I’m traveling to Fort Wayne [Indiana] right now, heading to Atlanta tomorrow. As far as having bigger…
Fresh
- Soundcheck: Five Questions with Greg Hicks, proprietor of Melt and trombonist of Bonerama and Funk Monkey
What made you decide to enter New Orleans’ culinary scene? I have worked in restaurants from the time I was 14.… - PBS’ American Epic debuts in May
American Epic, a three-part music documentary series debuting May 16 on PBS, traces the music industry’s early–twentieth century quest to find… - Glenn Fields: New Director Carries Two Big Sticks
"I’m the kind of guy who needs a project,” admits Glenn Fields. Besides being the drummer of the popular swamp pop… - Soundcheck: Five Questions with Maggie Belle
Your music has been described as soul, blues, funk, R&B and even at times hip-hop. How do you describe your sound?…
In The Spirit
- Emma Jane Kulowski at Paladar
“I love Kermit—a lot. He’s one of my top five people. He embodies everything I love about New Orleans—fun, good times.…
Letters
- Letters to the Editor
No Cuba As a holder of a Lifetime subscription I’ve never been disappointed by an issue of OffBeat, but I guess…
Mojo Mouth
- Red Hot Harris
I started getting involved in the music industry in the early 1980s. The transition from a fan/freak to someone who tried…
Dining Out
- Blue Oak BBQ
When the sun set on the ninth annual edition of Hogs for the Cause on Saturday, April 1st, Ronnie Evans, Philip…
The Spot
- Martin Krusche Hits the Spot
What are you eating? I always get the Pho Tai, with the thinly sliced raw beef that’s just dropped in the…
Reviews
- The Ellis Marsalis Quintet, "The Ellis Marsalis Quintet Plays the Music of Ellis Marsalis" (ELM)
Ellis Marsalis is known as an extraordinary pianist, influential jazz educator and the patriarch of the renowned Marsalis musical dynasty. His… - Paul Sanchez and the Rolling Road Show , "Life Is a Ride" (Independent)
For a lot of New Orleans musicians, the flood and forced depopulation of the city after Katrina was a slow motion… - Doombalaya, "Pants on Fiya" (Independent)
A band like Doombalaya more or less lives to take challenges and turn them into art, which is what you come… - Extended, "Extended" (Independent)
Bassist Booth offers a quieter mood and slower tempo on “Before Grey” while Webb’s drums maintain a tap-dancing rhythmic undercurrent. Rossignoli’s… - Soul Science Lab, "Plan for Paradise" (Independent)
Soul Science Lab’s Plan for Paradise—featuring New Orleans native Asante Amin—is likely the most eclectic hip-hop record out this year. Somehow… - Heads of State, "Four in One" (Smoke Sessions Records)
This is real hard-boppin’ jazz played by some of its legendary masters: saxophonist Gary Bartz, pianist Larry Willis, drummer Al Foster… - Various Artists, "Cajun Accordion Kings" (and the Queen) (Valcour Records)
On Cajun Accordion Kings (and the Queen), producers Joel Savoy and Steve Riley turn back the clock and give the accordion—and… - Maurice Brown, "The Mood" (Ropeadope)
Maurice “Mobetta” Brown boasts a signature sound that stems from the soulfulness of his trumpet playing and, in many cases, his… - Will Payne Harrison, "East Nashville Blues" (Independent)
Anyone who thinks a musician’s life is nothing but free rides and cashed checks should press play on the title track… - Canebreakers, "Still Lives" (Independent)
With its members now spread across the Pelican State, the Lake Charles–rooted Canebreakers didn’t have months to record a new album… - Jon Cleary, "Live at Chickie Wah Wah" (FHQ Records)
This is Jon Cleary’s first solo piano album. Since Jon is as good as anyone at performing the New Orleans R&B/funk… - Shawn Williams, "Shadow" (Independent)
If you’ve ever been to the “Stella”-shouting contest that happens in Jackson Square to honor Tennessee Williams every March, you’ll understand…
