Music
Honey Island Swamp Band: Custom Deluxe (Color Red)
The live and studio versions of Honey Island Swamp Band have always been very different: Onstage it’s all about stretching out, and I’ve seen them play a full Jazz Fest set with only four songs. Studio albums are for keeping the songs concise and varying the groove from track to track. Their sixth full-length is no exception but may be the strongest one yet, coming after a six-year recording break that brought changes in both label and personnel.
The Secret Six Jazz Band: Centennial Tribute To King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band (Independent)
The Secret Six Jazz Band is at it again. Barely ten months after the release of their fourth album, Chicken You Can Roost Behind the Moon, clearly the most prolific neo-trad band in New Orleans is back with a new one, recorded live at the New Orleans Jazz Museum on April 6, 2023.
Troy Sawyer: Rock Your Soul (Independent)
The cover photo of trumpeter Troy Sawyer’s debut album—the artist at his doorstep, barefoot, grinning broadly and holding a sno-ball—perfectly sums up the feel of the album. It’s a disc that exudes equal parts local color and good spirits.
Johnette Downing: Jumpin’ Jitters It’s Halloween (Wiggle Worm Records)
Right in time for October 31, Johnette Downing has a Halloween record out that will entertain both kids and adults.
Buckwheat Zydeco, Jr. & The Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band: New Beginnings… (Bloodline Music)
It’s almost a curse being the son of a famous musician, especially when yo’ big daddy is the legendary Buckwheat Zydeco, who elevated Zydeco to worldwide prominence. If you don’t measure up, there will be plenty happy to cut you down to size. Sir Reginald Dural understands that but embraced the challenge anyway by assuming the stage name of Buckwheat Zydeco, Jr.
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.
Julian Primeaux: Songs For The Heart of Sister Flute (Nature & Grain Music)
If you’ve only seen Julian Primeaux as zydeco accordionist Corey Ledet’s slingin’ sideman guitarist, Songs For the Heart of Sister Flute is the artistic side he’d prefer you to hear. It’s the fiery blues rocker’s fourth album and the second of a loosely themed trilogy regarding how emotional experiences affect the heart.
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.”
Gregg Hill: Bayou St. John (Skippy Records)
Bayou St. John is Gregg Hill’s sixth overall record and second since relocating to the Crescent City in 2018. It’s also his first album recorded in New Orleans.
Leftover Salmon: Grass Roots (Compass Records)
Leftover Salmon’s Drew Emmitt shared recently in an interview that original material wasn’t being written fast enough to hit the studio. So, bassist and producer Greg Garrison suggested an album of covers, the kind bluegrass upstarts Leftover String Band and Salmonheads played in their early days at the Telluride festival campground before those bands merged and became Leftover Salmon.
