Weekly Beat - April 24, 2008

It's time for the music orgy to begin!

Hope you're going to make it down to this year's Jazz Fest. The OffBeat staff is raring to go, and they're out there at the Fairgrounds making sure that everyone who wants one will get a copy of "The Jazz Fest Bible." You can get your copy free from our helpful distribution workers, at the Seahorse Saloon, at your local hotel, or at the OffBeat HQ at 421 Frenchmen St., corner Decatur.

We're having a First-Day-of- Fest-Party at the Seahorse Saloon on the opening Friday of Jazz Fest from 7pm-9pm with music by the Free Agents Brass Band. Sponsored by Renew Our Music, Miller Beer and Absolut. The Seahorse is at the corner of Fortin and Gentilly Blvd. near the main entrance at the Fairgrounds.

Click here for a searchable schedule by artist, day, time etc. Or if you're into your phone and handhelds, try out OffBeatNOLA.mobi by txting the word "offbeat" to 33669. Carry the schedules with you without all the paper!

See you there!

Read Jan Ramsey's monthly commentary "Mojo Mouth".

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival begins starting Friday, and as usual, enthusiastic OffBeat representatives will be around the Fair Grounds distributing copies of our Jazz Fest Bible (which just came in earlier today, looking very impressive). We're also celebrating the start of Jazz Fest with a First Friday Party at the Seahorse Saloon (across the street from the Gentilly entrance). When the festival ends, The Free Agents Brass Band will join us, playing on the street and in the bar, so keep the party going and be there as well. What else would you do? Sit in traffic? Renew Our Music, Miller Beer and Absolut Vodka are sponsoring the event, so it's safe to assume a good time will be had by all.

In other festival news, the Ponderosa Stomp returns to its traditional two-night schedule this year, with music on three stages at the House of Blues Tuesday and Wednesday. Unfortunately, Dave Bartholomew won't perform this year as previously announced. This year also marks the debut of the Ponderosa Stomp Music Conference at the Cabildo from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. At this free event, musicians, businessmen, producers and historians will be there to tell the stories of rock and soul's history. Among the figures celebrated will be Harold Battiste and Cosimo Matassa, along with a drum summit that will include Bob French, Smokey Johnson, Earl Palmer (pictured), John Boudreaux and Zigaboo Modeliste.

And the numbers are in for French Quarter Festival attendance, and over the weekend of April 11-13, organizers estimate that 435,000 people flocked to the Quarter for the food and music.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation presents its annual Gospel is Alive concert Monday at 10 a.m. in Dixon Hall on the Tulane campus. The show presents the Wilberforce University Choir and the Mahalia Jackson Youth Choir, and admission is free. The Wilberforce choir will also appear at Jazz Fest Sunday.

Interested high school seniors can also audition for the Wilberforce University Choir. Auditions take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at the NOCCA Riverfront campus (2800 Chartres St.) in the Ellis Marsalis Jazz Studio. Auditioners interested joining the choir and attending the school in Ohio-the oldest private African-American university in the country-should be able to apply to the school, sing a piece of music a cappella, and discuss their musical aspirations. Students will be considered for scholarships including the Ray Charles Scholarship Endowment in Music and Arts, a fund established by Charles in 2006 when he gave Wilberforce $2 million for the scholarship and the Ray Charles Chair in Music.

Some of the most encouraging stories told since Hurricane Katrina have come from the non-profit organizations working to help people return to New Orleans and stabilize their lives. Sweet Home New Orleans and Renew Our Music have worked toward this goal for musicians, Mardi Gras Indians and social aid and pleasure club members, and last week they merged to make their assistance more comprehensive and efficient. At the same time, insurance provider Assurant contributed $500,000 to the newly combined organization(s).

"Sweet Home began as a collaboration of local and national agencies," says Executive Director Jordan Hirsch. "Renew Our Music has been an integral part of our success. Now, as a Sweet Home program, ROM will continue to evolve to meet the needs of our music community."

We have two huge weekends of music coming up around town, and in the true spirit of Jazz Fest we have multiple ticket giveaways for the upcoming weekends. Good luck to everyone, and to the lucky winners we hope you enjoy the show!

On Wednesday night April 30 the upbeat jazz trio Soulive will perform at One Eyed Jacks. We have two pairs of tickets for this show to the first two people to answer the following questions:

What member of Soulive is also in the band Lettuce? And where is Lettuce playing this Jazz Fest?

On Sunday April 27 Tipitina's will host Leo Nocentelli's Rare Funk Gathering featuring Bernie Worrell of Parliament Funkadelic, and Doug Wimbush and Will Calhoun of Living Colour plus Rebirth Brass Band. OffBeat has two pairs of tickets to this show to the first two people who can correctly answer the following question:

What famous New Orleans band did Leo Nocentelli play in and what very prestigious award did they win in 2001?

And our final giveaway for this week...this Saturday the Latin, hip-hop, rock band Ozomatli will appear at the Howlin' Wolf. The first two people to answer the following questions correctly will get a pair of tickets.

Where does the band name Ozomatli come from?

Please email your answers to Promotions@offbeat.com no later than 3pm on Thursday April 24, 2008.

Good luck to all, and Happy Festing!

The May 2008 "Jazz Fest Bible" issue of OffBeat is now on the street locally and is in the mail to our subscribers worldwide.


OffBeat's annual Jazz Fest issue features the Neville Brothers, with a special thanks to the Angela King Gallery for providing the image.

Our cover this month features the Brothers Neville, with artwork done by Patterson & Barnes. "P&B"'s compositions incorporate many mediums including acrylic, watercolor, India ink, collage, and constructions to capture the imagery and emotional power of Southern culture and blues music. The two met late in the 1980s in Birmingham. During that time they painted separately but began to critique each other's work and began collaborating in 1990. Their popularity quickly extended to New Orleans and into corporate collections in the U.S. and Europe, and private collectors including Jimmy Buffett, Chris Rock, Whoopi Goldberg, John Sebastian and actor Peter Weller. They have created commissioned paintings for the House of Blues, VH1, The Blues Foundation, Northwest Airlines, Warner Avalon, The Country Music Association, the Umbria Jazz Festival and the University Press of Mississippi. In addition, the McIlhenny Company, the makers of Tabasco, commissioned a portrait of Buddy Guy for the cover of their cookbook with The House of Blues--Cookin' Up The Blues. Delmark Records and Malaco Records have also commissioned paintings for album art work. Between gallery shows in New Orleans and commissions Patterson & Barnes spend time at their studios in coastal Florida and rural Alabama.

So we've got some famous guys by some famous artists on this month's cover. Visit the Angela King Gallery at 241 Royal Street to see more of their work, or click right here.

OffBeat's Jazz Fest issue also includes features and interviews with Leo Nocentelli. Shamarr Allen, Terrance Simien, Rob Wagner, Jazz Fest food, Gal Holiday, the Ponderosa Stomp, and so much more! OffBeat gives you the inside skinny on Jazz Fest performances, food and what's happening in the city throughout the month of May, post-Fest.

Look for your free copy of the "Jazz Fest Bible" in locations all around New Orleans, including all local hotels and motels, and of course, at Fairgrounds entrances. Each issue of OffBeat's "Jazz Fest Bible"contains not one but two stage schedules (one a fold-up pocket-sized guide), as well as a pocket guide to what's going on at local clubs throughout Jazz Fest. OffBeat is all you need to enjoy Jazz Fest and music after the fest!

Thank you so much for supporting New Orleans and Louisiana culture by reading OffBeat and the Weekly Beat.

Normally in this space we rhyme off some of the week's highlights, but every club has a week of highlights, and the overlap with our listings would be endless. Check them to see what's going on around town this week.

Still, we'd be remiss if we didn't draw your attention to Friday and Saturday nights' shows with Betty Harris at the Old Point Bar. The soul icon killed at the Old Point last summer, and she's back Friday with guests Theresa Andersson and Susan Cowsill, and Saturday with guest Ernie Vincent.

Monday night's improvised music show with saxophonist Peter Brotzmann and percussionist Han Bennink at the Big Top. These two heavyweights in the European free improve scene performed together for 12 years starting in 1968, then after 24 years apart, started collaborating again in 2004. Advance tickets are going quickly, and they're available for $15 by emailing anxmf@hotmail.com.

Wednesday, ChazFest returns to the Truck Farm (3020 St. Claude Ave.). The Bywater-centric festival features food and entertainment from the neighborhood starting at noon with Schatzy and going until 10 p.m. when the Morning 40 Federation closes the show. In-between, there will be performances on two stages by Clint Maedgen, King James, Loose Marbles, TBC Brass Band, Wazozo, Tin Men and the Valparaiso Men's Chorus, Redwomen, the Happy Talk Band and the Geraniums.

Sunday night, there's a benefit at the Strand Theatre in Shreveport for Buddy Flett of the Bluebirds. Flett was hospitalized for several weeks diagnosed with viral encephalitis, and this show of support from the Shreveport blues community also includes performances by Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Hubert Sumlin.

In other Shreveport news, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Ted Moser's Picture Car Warehouse have rebuilt a 1972 Dodge Charger, and Hot Rod TV filmed the process for the Speed Channel. The show and unveiling of the car will air Saturday; check your listings for the time.

New DVDs, some more goodbyes, and what the Replacements' covers told us.

Check "Pop Life" daily for Jazz Fest and Ponderosa Stomp recaps.

In the new issue, some of New Orleans' finest photographers contributed to our photo gallery of Louisiana musicians. Two of them, Zack Smith and Greg Miles (whose shot of Herman Leonard is pictured), also have shows up during Jazz Fest. Smith's work will be on display at Slice Pizzeria (1513 St. Charles Ave.), and Miles' will be up at the W New Orleans (333 Poydras St.). The opening for Miles' show is Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. in the W's courtyard. The NOCCA Jazz Ensemble will perform with guests Roy Young and Irvin Mayfield, and Miles will donate 20 percent of all artwork sales to NOCCA.

Nashville recording artists the Readings are touring to raise money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation after the disease-a form of blood cancer-killed their mother. They're touring Borders Books around the country, and they'll be at the Borders retail tent at Jazz Fest Saturday.

MUSIC TYPE CODES
(AC) A Cappella; (AU) Acoustic; (BG) Big Band; (BL) Blues; (BU) Bluegrass; (BB) Brass Band; (SH) Cabaret/Show; (KJ) Cajun; (KS) Christian; (CL) Classical; (CR) Classic Rock; (KR) College Rock; (CO) Comedy; (CW) Country; (DN) Dance; (DG) Dance Group; (FE) Folk/Ethnic; (FR) Folk Rock; (FK) Funk; (FS) Fusion; (GG) Girl Group; (GS) Gospel; (MJ) Contemporary Jazz; (TJ) Traditional Jazz; (JV) Jazz, Variety; (LT) Latin; (ME) Metal; (OL) Oldies; (OR) Originals; (PK) Piano, Keyboards; (PP) Pop / Top 40 / Covers; (PR) Modern Rock; (RG) Reggae / World Beat; (RH) Rap / Hip-Hop; (RB) Rhythm & Blues; (RC) Rockabilly; (RR) Rock; (SI) Swing; (SKA) Ska; (SS) Singer Songwriter; (SW) Spoken Word; (TC) Techno / Electronic; (TG) Thrash /Grunge; (VR) Variety; (VF) Vocals, Female; (VM) Vocals, Male; (ZY) Zydeco.

THURSDAY APRIL 24
Apple Barrel: Dave Gregg & the Odd Man Band (BL) 8p, Margie Perez (BL) 10:30p
Balcony Music Club: Sketchy comedy improv (CO) 9p, Ready Teddy & his All-star Band (BL) 11p
Blue Nile: Stanton Moore Trio feat. Stanton Moore, Brian Coogan and Will Bernard (FK) 9:30p, Gravity A (FK) 2a
Bombay Club: Phil Melancon (PK) 7p
Café Beignet: Steamboat Willie Jazz Band (JV) 6p
Café Granada: John Lawrence flamenco guitar (LT) 7p
Carousel Lounge (Hotel Monteleone) : John Autin (PK) 9p
Carrollton Station: Mark Miller, Karen Bailey, Chris Bailey & Friends (RR) 10p
Checkpoint Charlie: call club
City Park: Music in the Garden feat. Lynn Drury (BL) 6p
Club 300 Jazz Bistro: Steve Masakowski Jazz Quartet (JV) 7:30p
d.b.a. : Paul Sanchez (OR) 7p, Anders Osborne (RR) 11p
Dos Jefes: John Brewer Trio (JV BL) 9:30p
Dragon's Den: Bassbin Safari, Capitol Offense (FK) 10p
Fritzel's: Ryan Burrage & his Rhythmakers (TJ) 9p
Funky Pirate: Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters (BL) 8p
Hi Ho Lounge: James Singleton, Brian Coogan, Scott Bourgeois, Justin Peake (JV) 10p
Hookah Café: Super Cool DJ Kazu (RB) 9p
House of Blues (The Parish) : Tristan Prettyman, Whitley (SS) 8:30p
Howlin' Wolf: Brass Band Blowout feat. Rebirth Brass Band (BB) 10p
Kerry Irish Pub: Hurricane Refugees (BL) 9p
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: Jeff "Snake" Greenberg (PK BL VR) 6p
Le Bon Temps Roule: Soul Rebels All-Night House Party (BB) 11p
Live Bait: T'Canaille, Joe Hall & the Cane Cutters (KJ) 6p
Maple Leaf: the Trio feat. Johnny Vidacovich, George Porter, Jr. and guests (FK) 10p
Margaritaville: Eddie Parino (RR) 7p
Michaul's: Jeannie Beazealle & Friends (OR) 6p
Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl: Zydeco Night feat. Geno Delafose and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas (ZY) 8:30p
Mulate's: La Touche (KJ) 7p
Ogden Museum: Ogden After Hours feat. Henry Gray (PK) 6p
Old Point Bar: Marc Stone & West Bank Mike (BL) 6:30p, JD Hill & the Jammers (BL) 9p
Palm Court Jazz Café: Crescent City Joymakers (JV) 7p
Polo Club Lounge (Windsor Court Hotel) : Michael Pellera (PK) 7p
Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette) : Clarece Denias (KJ) 7p
Preservation Hall: Wardell Quezergue's New Orleans R&B Revue (JV) 9p
Ray's Room on Frenchmen St. : Rebirth Brass Band (BB) 9p
Red Velvet Hookah Lounge: live belly dancing (DG) 7p
Rivershack Tavern: John Lisi (BL) 7p
Snug Harbor: Samarabalouf (MJ) 8 & 10p
Tipitina's: JJ Grey & Mofro, New Mastersounds (FK) 10p
Tropical Isle Beach Club: Waylon Thibodeaux (PP) 5p
Tropical Isle Bourbon: Corey Michael (VR) 5p, Debi & the Deacons (PP) 9p
Tropical Isle Original: Dwight Breland (PP) 5p, Late as Usual (PP) 9p
Vaughan's: Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers (MJ) 10:30p

FRIDAY APRIL 25
Apple Barrel: Kenny Holladay & Rick Westin (BL) 8p, the Claim Jumpers (BL) 10:30p
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits: Magnetic Ear (OR) 6p
Balcony Music Club: comedy club (CO) 9p, Ready Teddy, EOE (BL) 10:30p
Blue Nile: Boom Boom Room presents Dr. Lonnie Smith, Skerik, Will Bernard, Simon Lott, Donald Harrison, Jr. (FK) 9p, Robert Mercurio, Jeff Raines, Simon Lott, Joe Ashlar (FK) 1:30a
Bombay Club: Tim Laughlin & Quartet (JV) 9:30p
Café Beignet: Steamboat Willie Jazz Band (JV) 6p
Carousel Lounge (Hotel Monteleone) : John Autin and Lady BJ (PK) 8p
Carrollton Station: Paul Sanchez (RR) 10p
Checkpoint Charlie: 16, Haarp, Hawg Jaw (RR) 10p, Nervous Duane (RR) 2a
Chickie Wah Wah: Bonerama, Da' Truth Brass Band (BB FK) 9p
Circle Bar: the Bally Who?, Kip Cairo (RR) 10p
Club 300 Jazz Bistro: Chip Wilson (JV) 6:30p, Mary Jane Ewing Jazz Quintet feat. Tony Dagradi (JV) 8:30p
Crescent City Brewhouse: New Orleans Streetbeat (JV) 6p
d.b.a. : Ingrid Lucia (SI) 8p, CC Adcock & the Lafayette Marquis feat. Doyle Bramhall and special guests (RR) 12a
Domino Sound Record Shack: Hot 8 Brass Band (BB) 6:30p
Donna's: Mama Digdown's Brass Band (BB) 10p
Dos Jefes: Rick T., Gringo do Choro (JV BL) 10p
Dragon's Den: Jealous Monk feat. Kirk Joseph, Swank Sinatra, Zydepunks, NoMadic Bellydancers, Polka Madre (FK RB RR) 10p
Fair Grinds Coffeehouse: Benefit for Renew Our Music feat. Olivia Greene and Joe Ashlar (JV) 7p
Frat House: BandCamp (RR) 10p
Fritzel's: Ryan Burrage & his Rhythmakers (TJ) 9p
Funky Pirate: Mark & the Pentones (BL) 4p, Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters (RR) 8p
Hi Ho Lounge: James Singleton String Quartet (MJ) 9p, Guitar Lightning Lee, Li'l Freddie King (BL) 11p
Hollywood Casino (Baton Rouge) : Floyd Brown (RR CW) 9p
Hookah Café: Ladies Night feat. DJ EF Cuttin (RH) 10p
House of Blues (The Parish) : Sonny Landreth, the Iguanas (RR LT) 9p
House of Blues: Dr. John, Shannon McNally (FK BL) 9p
Howlin' Wolf: Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk feat. the Headhunters, the Meters Experience feat. Leo Nocentelli with Stanton Moore, Rich Vogel and Nick Daniels (FK) 10p
Kerry Irish Pub: Gerry Murphy (BL) 5p, Chip Wilson & Friends (BL) 9p
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: Jeff "Snake" Greenberg (PK BL VR) 6p
Le Bon Temps Roule: Big Sam's Funky Nation (FK) 11p, Billy Iuso & the Restless Natives (BL) 2:30a
Legends: Local Option 2 (PP) 10p
Live Bait: the Fuzzy Dice (RR SI OL) 8:30p
Mandeville Trailhead (Mandeville) : Maggie Brown, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes (RR FK) 7p
Maple Leaf: 101 Runners, Papa Grows Funk & the Dirty Notes (FK) 10p, Groovesect (FK) 2a
Margaritaville: Danny T. (KJ) 7p
Michaul's: Beau Basin (KJ) 6p, Walter "Wolfman" Washington and Matthew Schilling (BL) 10:30p
Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl: Tab Benoit, Rockin' Dopsie, Amanda Shaw (BL ZY) 9p
Mulate's: La Touche (KJ) 7p
Mystick Den (Royal Sonesta) : Julia LaShae (JV) 9p
Old Point Bar: Betty Harris (BL) 10p
One Eyed Jacks: Houseman's House of Lounge (OR) 9p
Palm Court Jazz Café: Palm Court Jazz Band feat. Thais Clark (JV) 7p
Pelican Club: jazz pianist (PK) 7p
Polo Club Lounge (Windsor Court Hotel) : Michael Pellera (PK) 7p
Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette) : Woody Daigle (KJ) 7p
Preservation Hall: Preservation Hall Jazz Band feat. Terence Blanchard (JV) 8p, Dirty Dozen Brass Band (BB) 12a
Ray's Room on Frenchmen St. : Soul & Spirit Band (BB) 6:30p, Fredy Omar (LT) 10p
Riverboat Creole Queen: the Radiators, Forgotten Souls Brass Band (RR BB) 7:30p
Rivershack Tavern: Christian Serpas & Ghost Town (BL) 9:30p
Rusty Nail: the Clyde Albert Band (RR) 10p
Seahorse Saloon: Free Agents Brass Band (BB) 6p
Snug Harbor: Ellis Marsalis Quartet (MJ) 8 & 10p, Amina Figerova Sextet (MJ) 1a
Southport Hall: Marcia Ball (BL) 10p
Steamboat Natchez: Dinner Jazz Cruise feat. Dukes of Dixieland (TJ) 7p
Tipitina's: A Funky Miracle feat. Zigaboo's Funk Revue feat. "Trombone Shorty," Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Donald Harrison, Jr., Big Sam and Marva Wright (FK) 9p, Disco Biscuits (FK) 2a
Tope la' Restaurant (Hammond) : Patrick Catania (BL) 8p
Tropical Isle Beach Club: Waylon Thibodeaux (PP) 5p, Willie Locket (PP) 9p
Tropical Isle Bourbon: Corey Michael (VR) 5p, Debi & the Deacons (PP) 9p
Tropical Isle Original: Al Hebert (PP) 5p, Late as Usual (PP) 9p

SATURDAY APRIL 26
Apple Barrel: Sneaky Pete (BL) 8p, Coco Robicheaux & the Swamp Monsters (BL) 11p
Balcony Music Club: Gal Holiday (CW) 8p, JJ Muggler (BL) 10:30p
Big Top: Fatter than Albert, Mike Park, O'Pioneers (RR) 6:30p
Blue Nile: Boom Boom Room presents Robert Walter, Stanton Moore, Will Bernard, Eddie Roberts, Jonathan Batiste, Topaz and Big Sam (FK MJ VR) 9p, New Mastersounds (FK) 2a
Bombay Club: Johnny Angel & the Swingin' Demons (JV) 9:30p
Café Beignet: Steamboat Willie Jazz Band (JV) 6p
Café Granada: John Lawrence flamenco guitar (LT) 7p
Carousel Lounge (Hotel Monteleone) : John Autin and Wanda Rouzan (PK) 8p
Carrollton Station: Theresa Andersson (RR) 10p
Checkpoint Charlie: the Mike Darby Band (RR) 2a
Chickie Wah Wah: Papa Mali's "Stoned Soul Picnic IV" (RG) 9p
Circle Bar: Three Hibachi Stranglers, American Suicide (RR) 10p
Club 300 Jazz Bistro: Soul Project (FK) 8:30p
Crescent City Brewhouse: New Orleans Streetbeat (JV) 6p
d.b.a. : John Boutte (JV) 8p, Happy Talk Band, Morning 40 Federation (RR) 12a
Donna's: Banu Gibson (JV) 10p
Dos Jefes: Sunpie Barnes (JV BL) 10p
Dragon's Den: Easy Tease, Sage Francis (JV RH) 10p
Frat House: Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes (FK) 10p
Fritzel's: Ryan Burrage & his Rhythmakers (TJ) 9p
Funky Pirate: Mark & the Pentones (BL) 4p, Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters (RR) 8p
Hi Ho Lounge: Skerik's Maelstrom Trio feat. Coogan and Lott, Illuminasty Trio feat. Singleton and Dillon (FK) 10p
Hollywood Casino (Baton Rouge) : Aaron Radatz (VR RR) 9p
Hookah Café: E.O.E. (RH) 9:30p
House of Blues: Juke Joint Jamboree feat. Bobby "Blue" Band and the James Cotton Blues Band (BL) 9p
Howlin' Wolf: Ozomatli, Hot 8 Brass Band (LT VR) 10p
Kerry Irish Pub: Balsawood Flyers (BL) 5p, Rites of Passage (BL) 9p
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: Jeff "Snake" Greenberg (PK BL VR) 6p
Le Bon Temps Roule: Thousand $ Car (RR) 11p, Groovesect (FK) 2:30a
Legends: Clockwerk (PP) 10p
Live Bait: T'Canaille (KJ) 12:30p, Hiptonz (PP) 9:30p
Maple Leaf: Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Bonerama (FK) 10p, Johnny Vidacovich, George Porter, Jr., Mike Dillon and Skerik (FK) 2a
Margaritaville: Irving Bannister's All-stars (RB) 4p
Michaul's: Skeeters Swamp Pop Band (RR) 6:30p, Latin Night feat. Fredy Omar (LT) 10:30p
Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl: Sonny Landreth, Jon Cleary, Kermit Ruffins (RR BL MJ) 9p
Mulate's: Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys (KJ) 7p
Norwegian Seamen's Church: Crawjam feat. New Orleans Jazz Vipers and Gunhid Carling (JV) 7:30p
Old Point Bar: Betty Harris (BL) 10p
One Eyed Jacks: Rotary Downs, Supagroup, Dave Pirner, a Living Soundtrack (RR) 9p
Palm Court Jazz Café: Palm Court Jazz Band feat. Lionel Ferbos (JV) 7p
Pelican Club: jazz pianist (PK) 7p
Polo Club Lounge (Windsor Court Hotel) : Michael Pellera (PK) 6p
Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette) : Woody Daigle (KJ) 9a, Gervais Matte & the Branch Playboys (KJ) 7p
Preservation Hall: George Wein & the Preservation Hall All-stars feat. Terence Blanchard (JV) 8p, Benevento/Russo Duo (AU RR) 12a
Ray's Room on Frenchmen St. : Soul & Spirit Band (BB) 8p, Kid Merv (JV) 10:30p
Rivershack Tavern: Bryan Lee (BL) 10p
Rusty Nail: Joe Krown Trio feat. Russell Batiste, Eric Krasno and Barbara Mason (BL) 10p
Snug Harbor: Allen Toussaint Project (MJ) 8 & 10p, Delfeayo Marsalis (MJ) 1a
Southport Hall: Radiators (RR) 10p
Steamboat Natchez: Dinner Jazz Cruise feat. Dukes of Dixieland (TJ) 7p
Tipitina's French Quarter: Big Sam's Funky Nation, Benjy Davis Project (FK MJ) 10p
Tipitina's: Down in New Orleans feat. Blind Boys of Alabama, Allen Toussaint, Preservation Hall and guests (FK) 9p, Galactic feat. Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5) and Lateef the Truth Speaker (FK RR) 2a
Tope la' Restaurant (Hammond) : Ched Reeves (BL) 8p
Tropical Isle Beach Club: Waylon Thibodeaux (PP) 5p, Willie Locket (PP) 9p
Tropical Isle Bourbon: Corey Michael (VR) 5p, Debi & the Deacons (PP) 9p
Tropical Isle Original: Al Hebert (PP) 1p, Dwight Breland (PP) 5p, Late as Usual (PP) 9p

SUNDAY APRIL 27
Apple Barrel: Rollin' Hills (BL) 6:30p, Coco Robicheaux & the Swamp Monsters (BL) 8:30p, Marc Stone (BL) 11p
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits: the Jackals (OR) 6p
Balcony Music Club: Ready Teddy & his All-stars feat. Irving Bannister and Ray Brooks (BL) 10:30p
Blue Nile: Boom Boom Room presents Dr. Lonnie Smith, Stanton Moore, Donald Harrison, Jr. and Will Bernard (FK) 8p, John "Papa" Gros NOLA Keyboard All-stars (FK) 12a
Bombay Club: Phil Melancon (PK) 7p
Café Beignet: Steamboat Willie Jazz Band (JV) 6p
Café Negril: Smoky Greenwell & the Blues Gnus (BL) 9:30p
Carousel Lounge (Hotel Monteleone) : John Autin and Jeff Spence (PK) 8p
Carrollton Station: Anders Osborne, Papa Mali (RR) 10p
Checkpoint Charlie: A Hanging, Rwake, Suplecs (RR) 8p
Chickie Wah Wah: 7th Annual Blues Harmonica Show feat. Johnny Sansone, Sunpie Barnes, Ben Maygarden, Harpo Gelder, Bob Brewbaker and Thomas Walker (BL) 9p
Circle Bar: the Geraniums (RR) 10p
Club 300 Jazz Bistro: Jason Marsalis (JV) 7:30p
d.b.a. : Linnzi Zaorski (SI) 5p, Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen (FK RB) 8p, Stanton Moore Trio (FK) 12a
Donna's: Shannon Powell's Traditional New Orleans Jazz Show feat. Evan Christopher and Orange Kellen (JV) 9p
Dos Jefes: John Royen (JV BL) 9:30p
Dragon's Den: Rob Wagner & Hamid Drake (JV) 10p
Emeril's Delmonico: Julia LaShae (JV) 6:30p
Frat House: Paula & the Pontiacs CD-release party (BL) 9:30p
Funky Pirate: Mark & the Pentones (BL) 4p, Willie Locket (BL) 8p
Hi Ho Lounge: Theresa Andersson, Mike Dillon (RR) 10p
Hollywood Casino (Baton Rouge) : Van Broussard (RR) 4p
Hookah Café: Vavavoom (JV) 9:30p
House of Blues: Etta James & the Roots Band, Zac Brown Band (BL) 9p
Howlin' Wolf: Sun Fest All-stars feat. George Porter, Jr., Ivan Neville, Russell Batiste, Skerik and Eric Krasno with PBS and special guests (FK) 10p
Kerry Irish Pub: Dave James Band (BL) 9p
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: Jeff "Snake" Greenberg (PK BL VR) 6p
Le Bon Temps Roule: Sol Fiya (FK RR JV) 11p, Juice (FK RR) 2:30a
Live Bait: Kenny L. & Friends (PP) 12:30p
Maple Leaf: Joe Krown Power Trio feat. Walter "Wolfman" Washington and Russell Batiste (FK) 10p, the Headhunters feat. Bill Summers (FK) 2a, Big Sam's Funky Nation (FK)
Margaritaville: Irving Bannister's All-stars (RB) 4p, Eddie Parino (RR) 7p
Marigny Brasserie: Pfister Sisters (JV) 11:30a
Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl: Sonny Landreth, John Mooney, Roddie Romero (BL RR VR) 9p
Mulate's: Hot Sauce (KJ) 7p
Muriel's Jackson Square: jazz brunch feat. Joe Simon (JV) 11a
Norwegian Seamen's Church: Gronnes Bad og Jazz (JV) 11a
Old Point Bar: Dr. Funk (BL) 7:30p
One Eyed Jacks: the Bingo! Show (RR) 9p
Palm Court Jazz Café: Sunday Night Swingsters feat. Lucien Barbarin (JV) 7p
Polo Club Lounge (Windsor Court Hotel) : Rachael Van Voorhies (JV) 12p
Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette) : Clarece Denias (KJ) 11a, Gervais Matte & the Branch Playboys (KJ) 7p
Ray's Room on Frenchmen St. : Nickle-a-Dance feat. Charlie Miller & the Big Bam Boom Jazz Band (JV) 4p, Soul & Spirit Band (BB) 7p, Athena (OR) 8p
Snug Harbor: Henry Butler Quintet (MJ) 8 & 10p
Tipitina's: Leo Nocentelli's Rare Funk Gathering feat. Bernie Worrell, Doug Wimbish, Will Calhoun and Rebirth Brass Band (FK BB) 10p
Tomatillo's Mexican Joint: Julio & Cesar (LT) 7p
Tropical Isle Beach Club: Waylon Thibodeaux (PP) 5p
Tropical Isle Bourbon: Corey Michael (VR) 5p, Debi & the Deacons (PP) 9p
Tropical Isle Original: Al Hebert (PP) 9p

MONDAY APRIL 28
Apple Barrel: Sam & Domenic (BL) 8p, Washboard Lissa (BL) 10:30p
Balcony Music Club: Gal Holiday and the Honky-Tonk Revue (CW) 8p, JJ Muggler (BL) 10:30p
Big Top: Peter Brotzmann, Han Bennink (OR) 9:30p
Blue Nile: Boom Boom Room presents Groovesect with Eric Krasno plus Topaz (FK) 9p
Bombay Club: Phil Melancon (PK) 7p
Checkpoint Charlie: the Fens (RR) 10p
Circle Bar: Theresa Andersson (OR RR) 10p
Club 300 Jazz Bistro: Chip Wilson (RB) 7:30p
Carousel Lounge (Hotel Monteleone) : John Autin and Dennis Cavalier (PK) 8p
d.b.a. : Jeremy Lyons & the Deltabilly Boys (BL) 4p, Rob Wagner Trio (FK) 8p, New Orleans Klezmer All-stars (JV) 11p
Donna's: George French Band feat. Germaine Bazzle & Sharon Martin (JV) 10p
Dos Jefes: John Fohl (JV BL) 9:30p
Dragon's Den: open turntables, Hip Drop II feat. DJ Matty, Tony Janda, DJ Brice Nice, Ericka Schiche and more (VR) 10p
Funky Pirate: Willie Locket (BL) 8p
Hi Ho Lounge: Red Beans & Bluegrass (BU) 8p, Skerik's Saucefest 2008 feat. Maelstrom Trio, McTuff, Malachy Papers, Singleton (FK) 11p, Simon Lott Pain Relief (FK) 3a
House of Blues: Piano Night - A Benefit for WWOZ Patron Party (VR) 5p
Kerry Irish Pub: Foot & Friends (BL) 5p, Kim Carson (BL) 9p
Louisiana Music Factory: John Boutte (JV) 12p, Rob Wagner Trio (FK) 1p, Chubby Carrier (RR) 2p, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio (BL) 3p, Big Daddy 'O' (BL) 4p, Doyle Bramhall & C.C. Adcock (RR) 5p, Amanda Shaw (KJ PP) 6p
Maple Leaf: Papa Grows Funk (FK) 10p
Margaritaville: Brint Anderson (BL) 7p
Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl: Snooks Eaglin, Anders Osborne (RR) 9p
Mulate's: La Touche (KJ) 7p
Norwegian Seamen's Church: Ytre Suloens Jass Ensemble (JV) 7:30p
Old Point Bar: Algiers Open Jazz Jam Session (BL) 8p
Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette) : Les Freres Michot (KJ) 7p
Ray's Room on Frenchmen St. : Red Hot Brass Band (BB) 6:30p, Bob French & Friends feat. Ellen Smith and Yolonda Winsay (JV) 8p
Snug Harbor: Charmaine Neville (MJ) 8 & 10p
Tipitina's: Instruments a Comin' feat. Little Feat, Donald Harrison & the TIP Interns, Dragon Smoke, Leo Nocentelli, Galactic, Johnny Vidacovich and many, many more (VR FK) 7:30p, Walk of Fame Induction of Ivan Neville and Johnny Vidacovich (FK VR) 8:30p
Tropical Isle Bourbon: Partytime Band (PP) 9p
Tropical Isle Original: Bruce Bono (PP) 9p

TUESDAY APRIL 29
Apple Barrel: Wendy Darling (BL) 8p, Kenny Schwartz & the Palace of Sin (BL) 10:30p
Balcony Music Club: Kirk Joseph & the Backyard Groove (FK) 10:30p
Blue Nile: Boom Boom Room presents Dragon Smoke 2008 feat. Stanton Moore, Ivan Neville, Eric Lindell, Robert Mercurio (FK) 9:45p, New Mastersounds and Karl Densonad (FK) 2a
Bombay Club: Phil Melancon (PK) 7p
Café Granada: John Lawrence flamenco guitar (LT) 7p
Carousel Lounge (Hotel Monteleone) : John Autin and Big Daddy "O" (PK) 8p
Carrollton Station: acoustic open mic (AU) 9p
Checkpoint Charlie: open mic feat. Jim Smith (RR) 9p
Chickie Wah Wah: Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue, Jeff & Vida, Ingrid Lucia, Johnny Sansone (CW BL VR) 9p
Club 300 Jazz Bistro: Jessie Boyd Trio feat. Michael Pellera and Troy Davis (JV) 7:30p
d.b.a. : Lynn Drury (BL) 4p, Joe Krown Organ Combo (FK) 8p, Johnny Vidacovich Trio feat. Marco Benevento and Matt Chamberlain (FK) 11p
Donna's: Leon Brown & Chocolate City (JV) 10p
Dos Jefes: Carl LeBlanc and Ellen Smith (JV BL) 9:30p
Dragon's Den: Jeremy Lyons (RR) 10p
Funky Pirate: Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters (BL) 8p
Hi Ho Lounge: Skerik's Saucefest 2008 (RR) 10p
Hookah Café: Deep House SIN Night feat. Kazu (VR) 9p
House of Blues: 7th Annual Ponderosa Stomp feat. the Collins Kids, Mary Weiss, William Bell, Travis Wammack and many more (VR) 6:30p
Irish Garden Club: live music (VR) 7p
Kerry Irish Pub: Denise Marie (BL) 9p
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: Jeff "Snake" Greenberg (PK BL VR) 6p
Louisiana Music Factory: Tom McDermott & Connie Jones (JV) 12p, Walter "Wolfman" Washington (BL) 1p, Ingrid Lucia (SI) 2p, Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen (FK) 3p, Little Freddie King (BL) 4p, Paul Sanchez (OR) 5p, Marcia Ball (BL) 6p
Maple Leaf: Rebirth Brass Band (BB) 10p
Margaritaville: Brint Anderson (BL) 7p
Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl: Rosie Ledet (ZY) 8:30p
Mulate's: Lee Benoit (KJ) 7p
Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette) : Woody Daigle (KJ) 7p
Ray's Room on Frenchmen St. : Treme Brass Band (BB) 8p
Snug Harbor: Maurice Brown and Jesse McBride & the Next Generation (MJ) 8 & 10p
Southport Hall: live band karaoke feat. members of the Molly Ringwalds, Chee-weez and Marc Broussard (PP) 10p
Sweet Lorraine's Jazz Club: Jazz & Poetry (JV SW) 9:30p
Tropical Isle Bourbon: Partytime Band (PP) 9p
Tropical Isle Original: Dwight Breland (PP) 9p

WEDNESDAY APRIL 30
Apple Barrel: Sista Ottis (BL) 8p, Andre Bouvier & the Royal Bohemians (BL) 10:30p
Balcony Music Club: Jason C. Howell (OR) 10:30p
Blue Nile: Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and the Quartet feat. Deitch, Daniels, Neville and Big Sam (FK MU) 10p
Bombay Club: Phil Melancon (PK) 7p
Carousel Lounge (Hotel Monteleone) : John Autin and Theresa Andersson (PK) 8p
Carrollton Station: Twangorama, Woodenhead (RR) 10p
Checkpoint Charlie: Kenny Holladay & the Rolling Blackouts (RR) 10p
Chickie Wah Wah: Kirk Joseph's Sousapalooza feat. Rebirth Brass Band (BB) 9p
Club 300 Jazz Bistro: Delfeayo Marsalis and Marlin Jordan Jazz Quintet (JV) 7:30p
d.b.a. : Jeff & Vida (BU) 4p, the Iguanas (LT RR) 8p, Walter "Wolfman" Washington (BL) 11p
Donna's: Loose Marbles feat. Tom McDermott (JV) 10p
Dos Jefes: Bob Andrews (JV BL) 9:30p
Dragon's Den: Dancehall Classics feat. DJ T-Roy (RG) 10p
Fritzel's: Ryan Burrage & his Rhythmakers (TJ) 9p
Funky Pirate: Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters (BL) 8p
Hi Ho Lounge: Dana Abbott (OR) 10p
Hookah Café: DJ Soul Sister (FK RB) 10p
House of Blues: 7th Annual Ponderosa Stomp feat. Ronnie Spector, Roky Erickson, Question Mark & the Mysterians, the Green Fuz, Syl Johnson and more (VR) 6:30p
Howlin' Wolf: Megalomaniacs Ball feat. Garage a Trois with Stanton Moore Trio, Mike Dillon's Go-Go Jungle, Skerik's Maelstrom Trio and Marco Benevento Trio with Matt Chamberlain and Reed Mathis (FK) 10p
Kerry Irish Pub: Chip Wilson (BL) 9p
Lafayette Square: Pine Leaf Boys, Marcia Ball (CW BL) 5p
Le Bon Temps Roule: Country Fried (CW) 10p
Louisiana Music Factory: Kenny Bill Stinson (OR) 12p, John Ellis (JV) 1p, Theresa Andersson (RR VF) 2p, Irvin Mayfield (MJ) 3p, Dr. Michael White (JV) 4p, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes (FK) 5p, Big Sam's Funky Nation (MJ) 6p
Maple Leaf: the Never Was Brothers feat. Neville Brothers Alumni Willie Green, Brian Stoltz, Tony Hall and many more (FK) 10p
Margaritaville: Brint Anderson (BL) 7p
Michaul's: Jeannie Beazealle & Friends (OR) 6p
Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl: Keith Frank (ZY) 8:30p
Mulate's: Lee Benoit (KJ) 7p
Old Point Bar: Chris Klein's Harmonica Showcase (BL) 9:30p
One Eyed Jacks: Soulive (RR) 9p
Palm Court Jazz Café: Tribute to Mahalia Jackson feat. Juanita Brooks, Topsy Chapman and Lars Edegran's Palm Court Jazz All-stars (JV) 7p
Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette) : Woody Daigle (KJ) 7p
Preservation Hall: Robert Walter Trio feat. Johnny Vidacovich, James Singleton and Donald Harrison, Jr. (JV) 9p
Ray's Room on Frenchmen St. : Pinettes Brass Band (BB) 8p
Rusty Nail: Papa Mali (RG) 10:30p
Snug Harbor: Marcia Ball, Tom McDermott, Joe Krown (PK MJ) 8 & 10p
Southport Hall: Radiators (acoustic show) (RR AU) 10p
Spotted Cat: Pfister Sisters (JV) 6:30p
Tipitina's: Injuns a Comin' feat. Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles, Apache Hunters, Creole Wild West, Hardhead Hunters, 101 Runners, New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Rhythm Section, Ninth Ward Hunters, Wild Tchoupitoulas and Wild Mohicans (FK) 9p
Tropical Isle Bourbon: Partytime Band (PP) 9p
Tropical Isle Original: Dwight Breland (PP) 9p
University of New Orleans: Maurice Brown with the Test directed by Ed Petersen (JV) 7:30p

BIG AL & THE HEAVYWEIGHTS
Apr 26-27 Biloxi MS Crawfish Fest

SPENCER BOHREN
Apr 26 Sheridan WY WYO Theater

MARC BROUSSARD
Apr 24 Dallas TX House of Blues
Apr 25 Austin TX Antone's
Apr 26 Houston TX Warehouse Live
Apr 27 Shreveport LA The Warehouse

HENRY BUTLER
Apr 30 London UK Jazz Foundation Benefit

THE DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND
Apr 26 Oxford MS Double Decker Festival
Apr 29 Bergen NOR Bergenfest
Apr 30 Hannover GER Enercity Swinging

ELLIS MARSALIS
Apr 26 Bay Springs MS Jazz In The Grove

IRVIN MAYFIELD WITH THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Apr 24 Detroit MI Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall
Apr 26 Bloomington IN Indiana University Auditorium

NEVILLE BROTHERS
Apr 25 Denton TX Civic Center Park
Apr 26 Houston TX International Festival
Apr 27 Largo FL Central Park

PINE LEAF BOYS
Apr 24-27 Wilkesboro NC Wilkes Community College

PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND
Apr 24 Lafayette LA Festival International de Louisiane

TERRANCE SIMIEN & THE ZYDECO EXPERIENCE
Apr 26 Bartlett TN Barlett Performing Arts Center

THE SUBDUDES
Apr 25 Scottsdale AZ McDowell Mountain Music Festival

April 25, 2008
Astral Project : Blue Streak (Independent)
April 1, 2008
Imagination Movers : Juice Box Heroes (Disney Records)
Bobby Lounge : Bobby's Back In Town: Live (Abitian)
New Leviathan Oriental Fox-Trot Orchestra: From New Orleans To Constantinople On The S.S. Leviathan (Camel Race Records)
Irvin Mayfield & Ellis Marsalis : Love Songs, Standards and Ballads (Basin Street)
Washboard Chaz Blues Trio :Mix It Up (Independent)

April 8, 2008
Marcia Ball: Peace, Love & BBQ (Alligator Records)
David Egan: You Don't Know Your Mind (Independent)
Hurray for the Riff Raff: It Don't Mean I Don't Love You (Independent)
Bobby Lounge: Bobby's Back in Town: Live (Abitan)
Ellis Marsalis: An Open Letter to Thelonious (ELM Records)
The Nerostotles: Boxing the Storm (Independent)

April 15, 2008
Smoky Greenwell : Between Iraq and a Hard Place (Southland Records)
Professor Longhair : The London Concert (JSP Records)
The Pfister Sisters : Puttin' It On (Mambo Goddess)
Coco Robicheaux : Like I Said, Yesh, U Rite!: The Techneaux Swamp Sessions (Spiritland)
Jimmy Robinson : Vibrating Strings (Independent)
Rudy & the Caribbean Funk Band : My Name is New Orleans (Independent)
Robert Walter featuring James Singleton and Johnny Vidacovich: Cure All (Palmetto)

Waylon Thibodeaux: Who's Yo' Cher Be' Be' (Rabadash Records)
April 18, 2008
Bipolaroid: E(i)ther Or (Surreal But Kind)
Egg Yolk Jubilee: Labor of Lunch (Independent)
The Last Straws: Fifty Years Going and Blowing (DVD) (Independent)

April 19, 2008
Billy Iuso & Restless Natives: Paradise Lost...and Found (Independent)
Stanton Moore Trio: Emphasis! (On Parenthesis) (Telarc)
John Rankin: Last in April First in May (Independent)

April 22, 2008
Tab Benoit with Louisiana's Leroux: Night Train to Nashville (Telarc Records)
Cousin Joe: I Never Harmed An Onion (Tuff City Records)
Stanton Moore Trio: Emphasis! (On Parenthesis) (Telarc Records)
Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys: The Best Of (Rounder Records)

Walter "Wolfman" Washington : Doin' The Funky Thing (Zoho)

April 25, 2008
Theresa Andersson: I The River (Basin Street)
Astral Project : Blue Streak (Independent)
Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen: Mo Hippa Live(FHQ Records)<brRiccardo Crespo: Milonga di Nola (Independent)
Dr. Michael White : Blue Crescent (Basin Street Records) New Orleans release

April 27, 2008
Paula & the Pontiacs: Louisiana Bride (Pontiac Productions)

April 29, 2008
Henry Butler : PiaNOLA Live (Basin Street)
Amy Trail: Lushious Life (Independent)

May 6, 2008
Dr. John : The City That Care Forgot (429 Records/Savoy)
Feufollet : Cow Island Hop (Valcour Records)
Kenny Neal: Let Life Flow (Blind Pig)

May 8, 2008
Chris Thomas King : Live On Beale Street (21st Century Blues)

May 20, 2008
Sonny Landreth : From the Reach (Landfall Records)

June 10, 2009
Dr. Michael White : Blue Crescent (Basin Street Records) National Release

Fall, 2008
Louis Armstrong : Live in Australia 1964 (DVD) (Naxos)

Released in March, 2008
Big Sam's Funky Nation : Peace, Love & Understanding (Independent)
John Boutte : Good Neighbor (Independent)
Michael Doucet : From Now On (Smithsonian Folkways)
Johnette Downing & Jimmy LaRocca's Original Dixieland Jazz Band: Dixieland Jazz for Children (Wiggle Worm Records)
Wynton Marsalis : Congo Square (DVD: Recorded and Videotaped At The Festival International De Jazz De Montreal, 2007) (Shanachie)
Paul Sanchez : Exit To Mystery Street (Independent)
Marc Savoy : Back To Basics: Volume II - Il Faut Que Ca Va (Independent)
Frederick "Shep" Sheppard : Tradition: The Habari Gani Sessions (NY Noise)
Christian Winther : Soul House (Steeple Chase)

Released in February, 2008
Beautiful Bells: Phantom Pleasure (Mind World Records)
Free Agents Brass Band : Made it Through That Water (Independent)
Jonno : New Orleans is My Home (Independent)
Little Freddie King: Messin' Around Tha House (Made Wright Records)
Tom McDermott & Connie Jones: Creole Nocturne (Arbors Records)
Southern Sexual: Negative Value (Permanent Lifetime Records)
Jo-EL Sonnier: Real Deal (Musique de Jo-El)
Clive Wilson's New Orleans Serenaders: Heart Full of Rhythm (GHB Records)

Released in January, 2008
Big Beat Band Featuring Mr. Leroy Jones: Big Beat Junction(Big Beat Band)
Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band: Live at Knuckleheads, Kansas City (Swampadellic)
Eric Lindell: Low on Cash, Rich in Love (Alligator Records)
Magna Porta: For the Sleeping Giants (Capitalist)
Wynton Marsalis: Standards (Columbia/Legacy)
Jesse McBride presents The Next Generation: Jesse McBride presents The Next Generation (AFO Records)
David "The Nac" Naccari: Rouxminations: Musical Reflections on the History, Culture & Spirit of New Orleans (Independent)
Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys: Call It What You Want (Swallow Records)

Kermit Ruffins: Hold On Tight (Justice)
Amanda Shaw: Pretty Runs Out (Rounder Records)
Shad Weathersby & Mike Artell: Calling all Children to the Mardi Gras (I'mago Records)

Released in December, 2007
Adams Attic: Skylines and City Lights (Independent)
Big Daddy "O" : What You Gotta Go Through (Rabadash Records)
Kim Carson : Looking' Back '97 to Now (Banks Street Records)
Groovesect: On The Brim (Independent)
Donald Harrison Quintet: For Art's Sake: Recorded Live at Birdland, New York City (Candid)
Highlines: Highlines (Independent)
Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes: Big Awesome (Full Frontal Records)
Lisa Lynn: I'm No Angel (New Orleans Angel Records)
Hart McNee: MiMi's Rumba (Frenchmen Street Records)
Aaron Neville: Singles Collection Plus 1969-77 (Acrobat Music Limited)
The Savoy Family Band: Turn Loose But Don't Let Go (Arhoolie)
Slewfoot 'n' Cary B. featuring Andrew Ross: Louisiana Time (Music Maker)
Jon R. Smith: Jon R. Smith (Grand Pointe Records)
Walter Jr: Learning to Love (Crossways)

NPR Morning Edition recently broadcast a story on the demise of music magazines. If you missed this story we encourage you to listen.

Like No Depression, Paste and others, OffBeat is experiencing similar issues, with postage costs increasing considerably (with another increase due May 10, 2008) and the loss of advertising dollars from record companies. Although OffBeat maintains a strong local presence, we also have struggled to replace lost record label advertisements. Since both Tower Records and Virgin Megastore closed in New Orleans, two full page monthly advertisements that were financed primarily by record labels were lost. Music magazines like Rolling Stone are insulated by these losses because their subscription base is large enough to attract other forms of advertising. Plus, OffBeat has been steadfast in maintaining a credible editorial stance, and is not rife with the paid "advertorial" that seems to dominate a lot of local publications.

If you are reading this email but you do not subscribe to the print edition to OffBeat we encourage you to purchase a subscription. Doing so helps OffBeat sell advertising to prospective advertisers who are look at our total distribution numbers before making the commitment. The larger the distribution the more likely OffBeat will be able to attract these advertisers.

When you buy an annual subscription you receive 12 issues including the Jazz Fest Bible issue and a free unique compilation CD of Louisiana music. If you like the Weekly Beat, please consider this small investment in our ability to provide information on New Orleans and Louisiana music and culture, and to pu rchase an OffBeat subscription.

Subscription prices to increase April 22

Our subscription prices increased effective April 22. This is the first subscription price increase since the magazine began nearly 21 years ago. The average increase is about 20%. The rising cost of postage (another increase is due in May) forced the increase:

DOMESTIC
1 year $39; 2 year $60; 3 year $90.
CANADIAN
1 year $45; 2 year $85; 3 year #125.
REST OF THE WORLD
1 year $90; 2 year $165; 3 year $235.

RENEWAL DOMESTIC 1 year $35; 2 year $50; 3 year $75.
RENEWAL CANADIAN 1 year $40; 2 year $80; 3 year $115.
RENEWAL REST OF THE WORLD 1 year $80; 2 year $155; 3 year $220.

LIFETIME SUBSCRIPTIONS:
Domestic $500; Canadian $650; Rest of the World $800.

SINGLE ISSUES: Domestic and Canadian (except Jazz Fest issue) $6; Jazz Fest issue $10; Rest of the Word (except Jazz Fest issue) $10; Jazz Fest issue $12.

Thank you so much for supporting New Orleans and Louisiana culture by reading OffBeat and the Weekly Beat.

OFFBEAT HOME DELIVERY The only way to truly keep up with the musical cosmos of New Orleans (and Louisiana) is by subscribing to OffBeat. Besides having OffBeat hand-delivered to their mailboxes, OffBeat subscribers receive a variety of free CDs throughout the year, including our annual "Best of the Beat" CD. A one- year subscription to OffBeat is $29; a two- year subscription is $50 To subscribe by credit card, call (toll-free) 1-877-944-4300. We graciously accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. To subscribe by mail, send check or money order to OffBeat Subscriptions, 421 Frenchmen Street, Suite 200, New Orleans, LA 70116-2506. Or subscribe online at SubscribeOnline