May 2023
Mojo Mouth
- Mojo Mouth
I read every word that’s published in OffBeat’s “Bible.” One theme that recurs is that many musicians were influenced as children…
Cover Story
- Give Me Back My Loving: Leo Nocentelli’s stripped-down and soulful other side
Leo Nocentelli, Saturday April 29 at 2:45 p.m., Gentilly Stage There’s one side of Leo Nocentelli that everybody knows. That would…
BackTalk
- Nick Spitzer of American Routes Talks Back
Nick Spitzer interviews the Campbell Brothers Saturday April 29 at 1 p.m., Alison Miner Stage Nick Spitzer is rarely at a…
Features
- Cumbia de Nueva Orleans: Los Guiros brings the beat
Los Güiros, Saturday May 6 at 1:25 p.m., Jazz & Heritage Stage Los Guiros is a psychedelic cumbia band whose time… - Diggin’ Her New Hometown: Dee Dee Bridgewater is a vocal powerhouse
Dee Dee Bridgewater Saturday May 6 at 12 p.m., Alison Miner Stage Saturday May 6 at 4:05 p.m., Jazz Tent Three-time… - Blurring Boundaries: Molly Tuttle is respectful of tradition but is not bound to it
Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway Friday May 5 at 1 p.m., Alison Miner Stage Friday May 5 at 4:15 p.m., Fais… - Once Upon a Time in the Soul Chamber: Soul Rebels' Lumar LeBlanc from A to Z
The Soul Rebels plus Wu-Tang Clan Friday April 28 at 5:40 p.m., Congo Square Stage The Soul Rebels, Friday May 5… - A Joyous Celebration: Michael Doucet avec Lâcher Prise let things happen organically
Michael Doucet & Chad Viator avec Lâcher Prise Thursday May 4 at 12:20 p.m., Fais Do-Do Stage Side projects involving your… - Exuberance and Passion: Angélique Kidjo makes a lot of music
Angélique Kidjo, Saturday April 29 at 4:05 p.m., Congo Square Stage Angélique Kidjo is rapturously, ravenously eating crawfish, stuffing her mouth… - Hey Hey, All Together: Ivan Neville’s Touch My Soul is his first solo album in 19 years
Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk Sunday April 30 at 1:35 p.m., Festival Stage If you’re a renowned New Orleans artist and you want… - Jazz Icon Ellis Marsalis’ ELM Records: David Torkanowsky pays tribute to the ELM Music Company
David Torkanowsky: A Tribute to The ELM Music Company Sunday May 7 at 2:40 p.m., Jazz Tent It's actually a rarity… - This is Latin Jazz: Charlie Sepulveda’s jazz journey started with Louis Armstrong
Charlie Sepulveda & The Turnaround Thursday May 4 at 3:20 p.m., Jazz Tent Trumpeter-bandleader Charlie Sepulveda brings a lifetime of Latin… - Dead & Company Will Play Jazz Fest Debut
Dead & Company, Saturday May 6 at 4:30 p.m., Festival Stage The Grateful Dead goes on forever. The Jerry Garcia-led band… - A Joyful Thing: Renee Rosnes and ARTEMIS capture the heart of jazz
ARTEMIS, Thursday May 4 at 4:05 p.m., Jazz Tent As Renee Rosnes describes the various attributes of members of ARTEMIS, the… - Loose Cattle (Finally!) Set for First Jazz Fest
Loose Cattle, Thursday May 4 at 4:20 p.m., Lagniappe Stage I’ve been a Loose Cattle devotee since 2017, when they debuted… - Soul Food: Dustin Dale Gaspard plays songs to tell his stories
Dustin Dale Gaspard, Friday May 5 at 2:50 p.m., AARP Stage Dustin Dale Gaspard makes his Jazz Fest debut this year.… - South Louisiana Marsh Blues: Michael Juan Nunez is an incredibly inspired songwriter
Michael Juan Nunez, Friday May 5 at 4:15 p.m., Lagniappe Stage No matter how you slice and dice it, 2022 was… - Mystic Shredding: Mikey Coltun of Mdou Moctar - We’re just a loud rock band.
Mdou Moctar Sunday April 30 at 12:35 p.m., Cultural Exchange Pavilion Sunday April 30 at 4:10 p.m., Blues Stage Mdou Moctar,… - A Woman Out On Her Own: Maggie Koerner craves authentic connection
Maggie Koerner Saturday April 29 at 12:25 p.m., Festival Stage Saturday April 29 at 4:15 p.m., AARP Stage Maggie Koerner came… - The Timekeeper: Keeping up with Doug Garrison
Doug Garrison with Loose Cattle Thursday May 4 at 4:20 p.m., Lagniappe Stage Doug Garrison nearly missed his Jazz Fest debut… - All The Crunchberries: Something Else! is infectious soul-jazz with a powerhouse lineup
Something Else!, Friday April 28 at 4:15 p.m., Jazz Tent Vincent Herring goes off on a surprising tangent when trying to… - Music is Literally in His Blood: RAM from Haiti is now a local New Orleans band
RAM of Haiti Thursday May 4 at 12:30 p.m., Alison Miner Stage Thursday May 4 at 2:55 p.m., Cultural Exchange Pavilion… - Eclectic Jam Band: The Quickening will tear it up at the Fair Grounds
The Quickening, Thursday May 4 at 5:30 p.m., Lagniappe Stage Blake Quick, the guitarist, songwriter and founder of the Quickening, had… - Mississippi Rising: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram is sitting on top of the blues world
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram Saturday April 29 at 5:45 p.m., Blues Tent He’s sitting on top of the blues world. Christened “the… - Celebrating Puerto Rico: Jazz Fest features everything Puerto Rican from music to food
After Puerto Rico was devastated by both Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, plans were made for the island’s rich heritage… - Give Me The Power: Luther Kent puts his heart and soul into music
Luther Kent & Trickbag, Friday April 28 at 3:05 p.m., Blues Tent After 60 years on the bandstand, Luther Kent doesn’t… - A Fascinating Background: Catherine Russell will have a good time at Jazz Fest
Catherine Russell, Saturday April 29 at 4:20 p.m., Economy Hall Stage Catherine Russell may be making her Jazz Fest debut in… - Joy, Celebration and Comfort: Connie and Dwight Fitch married in life and to gospel music.
Connie & Dwight Fitch Saturday May 6 at 11:15 a.m., Gospel Tent Sunday May 7 at 4 p.m., Alison Miner Stage… - Steve Miller's Musical Garden
Steve Miller Band Saturday April 29 at 3 p.m., Alison Miner Stage Saturday April 29 at 5:30 p.m., Gentilly Stage Steve… - New Beginning: Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. is keeping his father’s legacy alive
Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. and The Ils Sont Partis Band, Friday May 5 at 11:15 a.m., Fais Do-Do Stage It’s not always… - A Forever Family: For the Continental Drifters the story is not over
Continental Drifters, Sunday May 7 at 2:10 p.m., Gentilly Stage The Flatlanders once claimed they were “more a legend than a… - Homegrown Indie Pop: Joe Adragna and The Junior League’s melodic songs
The Junior League, Friday April 30 at 11:25 a.m., Lagniappe Stage Any talk with Junior League mastermind Joe Adragna is bound… - Fresh and Unique: Christian McBride’s new thing
Christian McBride's New Jawn Friday May 5 at 5:45 p.m., Jazz Tent In 2015, Christian McBride was ready for a new…
Fresh
- Jazz Fest A to Z
From A to Z It can be daunting to choose from the panoply of cultures, rhythms and sounds available at Jazz… - What It Means To Get A Jazz Fest Gig
An essay by Kimberly Kaye of Loose Cattle. The crowd looks like a psychedelic wonderland of wildflowers. Sometimes clouds cast shadows… - Vintage Vinyl Treasures (Episode 26)
It is that time of year in the Big Easy, no doubt about it. Given another stellar line-up of Jazz Fest…
Obituaries
- Edward "Kidd" Jordan (1935-2023)
Edward “Kidd” Jordan – “I'm Playing the Song of Life” An eclectic array of wonderful music, sincere tributes and some humorous… - In Memoriam: Wayne Shorter
Master saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter It's hardly imaginable that Wayne Shorter, a legendary genius as a saxophonist and composer, would…
OffBeat Eats
- OffBeat EATS: You’re covered with these "can’t miss" food spots
Jazz Fest is here, and while it’s common knowledge that there are plenty of food options on the grounds, sometimes it’s…
Reviews
- New Breed Brass Band: Made in New Orleans (Treme Records)
New Breed Brass Band’s totally kickin' recently-released album could only be, as the title and music indicate, Made in New Orleans.… - Jenn Howard: Valiant Women (Independent)
The musical tale of Jenn Howard could be construed as the prodigal daughter returning home and eventually finding her muse. Initially,… - Johnny Vidacovich: Out Da Box (Paw Maw Music)
Johnny Vidacovich's name is magic in circles where great rhythm and finesse are king. That Out Da Box boasts the drummer's… - Brad Walker + Extended: Side By Side (Independent)
On Side By Side saxophonist Brad Walker teams up with the trio of musicians—keyboardist Oscar Rossignoli, bassist Matt Booth and drummer… - Marc Stone: Shining Like a Diamond (Independent)
If I were Marc Stone, I’d have a hard time telling people what kind of music I played. He’s certainly a… - Shawn Williams: Sulking in Love (Independent)
Singer/songwriter Shawn Williams has been prolific in recent years, and this is the least strictly country album she’s made—and the most… - Marc Broussard: S.O.S. IV: Blues For Your Soul (KTBA Records)
With a portion of the proceeds from each of Marc Broussard’s S.O.S. philanthropic album series benefitting a different nonprofit, his latest… - Krasno Moore Project: Book of Queens (Concord Jazz)
Soulful, contemplative and full of warmth, drummer Stanton Moore and guitarist Eric Krasno’s first-ever studio recording sees the frequent collaborators tackle…
