Weekly Beat - April 17, 2008

By OffBeat staff

OffBeat Weekly Beat Newsletter GETTING READY FOR THE BIG ONE! April 17, 2008 Volume 6 No. 16

ON MY MIND... I was really impressed by the crowds at the French Quarter Fest this year. Wow. If anyone doubts that this city is back and that there's a lotta love for the French Quarter, local music and food...well, this was a big confirmation of that love. The figures aren't in yet, but I'll bet it was the biggest and best ever. Because of the crowds, I think it's time the French Quarter Festival considers expanding its reach a bit. We need a stage on Frenchmen Street. And an ideal place to put in a stage (or two, or three) with a lot of food booths is Armstrong Park. Maybe--once that's done and will surely be successful--the city will have more of an incentive to revitalize the park. In fact, maybe the French Quarter Festival should take Armstrong Park on as a civic opportunity and devote some funding and a foundation to "Save Armstrong Park. "It makes a lot of sense. We just sent our "Jazz Fest Bible" to press; we're all exhausted, but raring to go to this "Big Daddy" of local festivals. This summer is going to be a good one, with the PopLuckCon Audio Conference taking place in New Orleans on June 6-8 at the Sheraton New Orleans. This an event devoted to those who are "serious and passionate about recording and production": studio owners, engineers, producers, musicians, techies and many more from around the globe. More on the event and registration is available here. We also can look forward to Essence in July-- which this year will have a lot of local artists performing; the Swamp Pop Fest in Gonzales in mid-July; and Satchmo SummerFest in August. It may be hot, but then when it's hot here, we just keep on cookin'! Thansk to you who sent me suggestions for Armstrong Park last week. If you ahve any ideas on how we can improve Armstrong Park, I'd still love to hear them...email me and let's come up with something: janramsey@offbeat.com. Read Jan Ramsey's monthly commentary "Mojo Mouth". Thanks for supporting Louisiana music and culture! Jan Ramsey, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER FESTIVAL The Baton Rouge Blues Week starts Saturday night with the Slim Harpo Awards, presented by the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation. They start at 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Executive Center Cypress Room, and honorees include Silas Hogan, Marcia Ball (pictured), Lil' Ray Neal and broadcaster Nick Spitzer. One Mo' Time featuring Floyd Patterson provide the entertainment. For tickets, go to BRBluesFoundation.org. Also that night, Chris LeBlanc plays the Roux House and Chris Thomas King-who has a new album, Live on Beale Street-plays Chelsea's Café. Over the course of the week, the Iguanas, Marva Wright, Geno Delafose, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Luther Kent, Henry Gray, James Johnson, Tabby Thomas, Terrance Simien, John Lisi and Delta Funk, Tab Benoit, Lazy Lester, Kenny Neal, Smoky Greenwell, Papa Grows Funk and Larry Garner are just some of the performers who will play free outdoor events or night-time club shows in the Baton Rouge area. For details, go to LouisianasMusic.com/brbw05/. Here in town, Vibes Fest starts Sunday at noon on Algiers Point near the ferry landing, where the Uptown Jazz Projekt, DJ Freaky Fred, Jamal Batiste and the Jam All-Stars, DJ Rock-a-Dread(locks), Ambush Reggae Band, Voices of the Big Easy including Chuck Perkins and Mardi Gras Indians, will perform. The day will end with a late night pow wow with DJ Real and DJ Black Pearl, and entertainment's free, with food, drink, arts and crafts for sale. And in Jazz Fest news, Austin's Alejandro Escovedo-No Depression's Artist of the Decade for the 1990s-was added to the festival's lineup late last week. He is currently scheduled to perform Saturday, May 3 at 11:30 a.m., but we won't be surprised if that changes. Who's Alejandro Escovedo?

THE ESSENCE OF IT The talent lineup for this year's Essence Music Festival was announced last week, and Rihanna (pictured), Keyshia Cole (who'll also be at Jazz Fest this year), Musiq and LL Cool J will headline, along with Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Chris Rock, Chris Brown, Jill Scott, Morris Day and the Time, and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. This year's festival returns to the Superdome July 4, 5 and 6, and the Superlounges will bring more jazz, gospel and New Orleans than we saw last year with Big Sam's Funky Nation and the New Orleans Funk Soul Explosion, Terence Blanchard, Peabo Bryson, Mint Condition, Raheem DeVaughn, Grandmaster Flash, Gill Scott-Heron, Lyfe Jennings, Kermit Ruffins' Tribute to Louis Armstrong, Ledisi, Irma Thomas and the Professionals, Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Chrisette Michele, Nicholas Payton Quintet, Preservation Hall Jazz Band's Gospel Revival, Rebirth Brass Band, Christian Scott, Solange and Marva Wright. The empowerment seminars return as well.

NEWS YOU CAN USE MUSIC AND WORK American Routes host Nick Spitzer will talk about music and work with musical tradesmen Friday at 8 p.m. at the Sound Café (2700 Chartres St.). He'll be talking to Don Vappie, finish carpenter/piano player Eddie Bo (pictured), tinsmith/trumpeter Lionel Ferbos, sax player Alonzo Bowen and plasterer Earl Barthé. The event is sponsored by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Community Partnership Grant program and part of a Center for Black Music Research conference on the black music diaspora that is being hosted by the Music Department of Xavier University on Saturday, April 19. HIGHER EDUCATION The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation presents its annual Gospel is Alive concert Monday, April 28 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, April 27. Interested high school seniors can also audition for the Wilberforce University Choir. Auditions take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26 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. MOET ON MAGAZINE Saturday from 5:30 to 9 p.m., the Magazine Street Merchants Association is hosting "Spring Fling: Moet on Magazine." Stores from the 700 block to the 6100 block of Magazine will be open and serving free Moet champagne courtesy of Moet and Glazer's of Louisiana. INDIANS IN THEIR OWN WORDS The Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians will tell the story of the gang Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Louisiana Humanities Center at Turners' Hall (938 Lafayette St.). The talk will be moderated by Bruce Raeburn of the Hogan Jazz Archive. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RECORD STORE Here, there aren't many record store choices-Louisiana Music Factory, Domino Sound Record Shack and a handful of others, though we also see signs of life in Tower's old spot where Peaches is going in-but around the country, music retailers are drawing attention to their plight on Saturday on National Record Store Day. Who's participating and what are they doing? Go to RecordStoreDay.com to find out. OUR BEST? Your make the call. The new issue of Blender includes "The 16 Best New Orleans Songs." Some usual suspects, some surprises. Who did Blender choose?

MORE KIDS IN THE HALL Adam Shipley resigned from his post at Tipitina's last year, and this week Preservation Hall Creative Director Ben Jaffe signed Shipley as Director of Preservation Hall. He'll be in charge of day-to-day operations of the venue, and will curate shows and special events. "Preservation Hall is New Orleans and I am honored to be a part of its storied legacy," Shipley says. "Being part of the Preservation Hall family gives us the opportunity to tap into an endless stream of opportunities both locally and throughout the world." In other Preservation Hall news, Terence Blanchard has agreed to serve as the Artist-in-Residence for the Hall's "Midnight Preserves" concert series, held in conjunction with this year's Jazz Fest. Blanchard will sit in on a number of sets including one with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band April 25, one with George Wein and the Preservation Hall All-Stars April 26, and a performance by the Thelonious Monk Jazz Institute Ensemble. What's happening during "Midnight Preserves"?

TICKET GIVEAWAY!! On Thursday night May 1 Sam Bush is playing at Tipitina's during their Fess Jazztival concert series. Sam is a mandolin virtuoso known by many as the "King of Newgrass." His music is a combination between rock n' roll grooves and extended breathtaking jams. OffBeat has two pairs of tickets to give away for this event. A pair of tickets will go to each of the first two people to correctly answer the following question: What band did Sam Bush play with most in the 70's and 80's Email your answers to Promotions@offbeat.com no later than 4pm on Thursday April 17. What else is going on at Tipitina's?

SUPPORTING LOUISIANA AND NEW ORLEANS MUSIC & CULTURE FOR 20 YEARS! Subscribe to OffBeat to support local music and culture! The April 2008 issue of OffBeat is now on the street locally and is in the mail to our subscribers worldwide. OffBeat's annual French Quarter Festival issue also covers Festival International in Lafayette, and has a great interview with Ellis and Jason Marsalis. Some of our readers may have heard the recent NPR Morning Edition 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 both 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 will increase on 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. Now is the time to renew or purchase a new subscription at the lower rate! As of April 22 our subscription prices will be: NEW DOMESTIC 1 year $39; 2 year $60; 3 year $90. NEW CANADIAN 1 year $45; 2 year $85; 3 year #125. NEW 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 WORD 1 year $80; 2 year $155; 3 year $220. LIFETIME, 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. Subscribe to OffBeat.

IN THE CLUBS Text the word "offbeat" to 33669" to get all the info you need sent to your cell phone or PDA. Thursday night, OffBeat cover boys Tom McDermott and Connie Jones play at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art with OffBeat editor Alex Rawls conducting the interview. Also that night, the Magnetic Ear plays two shows at Snug Harbor, Chris Ardoin and Nu Step are at the Rock 'n' Bowl, and Phil DeGruy and Alex McMurray play the Saturn Bar. Tipitina's presents a Homegrown Music night with Emergency Vehicle, Spite, Barisal Guns and Snip Snap All-Stars. Friday night, the Mary Jane Ewing Jazz Quintet with Tony Dagradi plays Club 300, and MC Jealous Monk plays upstairs at the Blue Nile. Egg Yolk Jubilee has a new album coming out, and it'll be at d.b.a. Bipolaroid's at the Circle Bar, Lynn Drury's at Le Bon Temps Roule, and the Morning 40 Federation and the Valparaiso Men's Chorus-one of the high points of this year's Best of the Beat Awards with its performance of sea shanties-play One Eyed Jacks. Saturday night, Ministry stops in New Orleans at the House of Blues on what it claims is its last time around. Its most recent album, Cover Up, is an album covers done Ministry's way, including hits by Deep Purple, T. Rex, ZZ Top, and Louis Armstrong. Also on Saturday, Kenny Neal plays a CD-release party at Tipitina's and Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives play a CD-release party at Le Bon Temps Roule. Marc Stone plays the Balcony Music Club, and the Lost Bayou Ramblers are at d.b.a. Sunday night, Snug Harbor hosts a CD-release party for Tom McDermott and Connie Jones' Creole Nocturne, and Café Negril presents Smoky Greenwell and the Blues Gnus. Schatzy's at the Circle Bar, and the Hi Ho Lounge features an improv-oriented night with Steve Masakowski, Jason Marsalis, Rex Gregory and Vadim Neselovskyi, the pianist with the Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz Ensemble. Tuesday, the Treme Brass Band is at Ray's, the Johnny Vidacovich Trio is at d.b.a. with Anders Osborne and Kirk Joseph, and the Samir Zarif Quartet featuring Jason Marsalis plays the Dragon's Den. Wednesday starts early with Wednesday in the Square when the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Big Sam's Funky Nation play Lafayette Square at happy hour. Also that night, Lars Edegran, Topsy Chapman and Evan Christopher play the Palm Court Jazz Café, the Delfeayo Marsalis and Marlon Jordan Jazz Quintet play Club 300, and Kustbandet plays the Norwegian Seamen's Church. At UNO's Flambeau Room in the University Center, the Funkadelic Ensemble and Tarik Hassan's Three-Thirty Combo play at 7:30 p.m. Check out OffBeatNOLA.mobi to keep you up-to-date on your PDA or mobile phone.

FOR THE LOVE OF LIONEL Saturday night, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art hosts two concerts celebrating Lionel Hampton's Centennial. The Lionel Hampton Big Band will perform with guest vocalist Stephanie Jordan and guest vibes player Jason Marsalis at 7 and 9 p.m. in the Ogden's Patrick F. Taylor Library on Howard Street at Lee Circle. The early show has sold out, but there are still tickets available for the second show. Reserved seats are $50 and include a copy of the new book Flying Home Lionel Hampton: Celebrating 100 Years of Good Vibes. General admission is $25. Sunday at 2 p.m., the Ogden will present a panel discussion with members of Hampton's band (free to Ogden members, $10 for non-members), and a show of photographs from the book will be on display until July 31. More on the Centennial.

POP LIFE OffBeat editor Alex Rawls opines on music and life in general...only online in the Weekly Beat! The blues, the faith, and people talking about music. Click here to read "Pop Life."

A FULL WEEK OF CLUB LISTINGS Go to www.OffBeatNOLA.mobi to get this sent to your cell phone or PDA! 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 17 Apple Barrel: Dave Gregg & the Odd Man Band (BL) 8p, Sam Price (BL) 10:30p Balcony Music Club: Sketchy comedy improv (CO) 9p, Marc Adams Band (OR) 11p Blue Nile: DJ T-Roy (RG) 11p, West Bank Mike (upstairs) (BL) 10p 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 Checkpoint Charlie: When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth (RR) 11pv Circle Bar: Hurray for the Riff Raff, Sing Sing, Bret Gand is Dead (RR) 10p City Park: Music in the Garden feat. Paul Soniat with Albinas Prizgintas and John Rankin (JV) 6p Club 300 Jazz Bistro: John Mahoney Big Band (JV) 7:30p d.b.a. : Coco Robicheaux (BL) 7p, Corey Henry & the Youngfellas (BL) 11p Dos Jefes: the Courtyard Kings (JV BL) 9:30p Dragon's Den: Finest Dearest (OR) 7p, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth (VR RR) 10p Fritzel's: Ryan Burrage & his Rhythmakers (TJ) 9p Funky Pirate: Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters (BL) 8p Hi Ho Lounge: the John Dobry Group (RR) 10p Hookah Café: Super Cool DJ Kazu (RB) 9p House of Blues (The Parish) : Mae, the Honorary Title, Between the Trees, Far-Less (RR) 8p Kerry Irish Pub: Dave Hickey (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 Maple Leaf: the Trio feat. Johnny Vidacovich 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. Chris Ardoin (ZY) 8:30p Mulate's: La Touche (KJ) 7p Ogden Museum: Ogden After Hours feat. Tom McDermott and Connie Jones (JV) 6p Old Point Bar: Marc Stone & West Bank Mike (BL) 6:30p, Andre Bouvier & the Royal Bohemians (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: Paulin Brothers Brass Band (JV) 8p Ray's: Rebirth Brass Band (BB) 9p Red Velvet Hookah Lounge: live belly dancing (DG) 7p Rivershack Tavern: Soul House (BL) 7p Saturn Bar: Phil Degruy and Alex McMurray 10:30p Snug Harbor: Martin Krusche & Magnetic Ear (MJ) 8 & 10p Tipitina's: Homegrown Night feat. Emergency Vehicle, Spite, Barisal Guns and Snip Snap All-stars (RR) 9p 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 18 Apple Barrel: Kenny Holladay & Rick Westin (BL) 8p, the Claim Jumpers (BL) 10:30p Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits: Schatzy (OR) 6p Balcony Music Club: Treme Brass Band (BB) 10p Big Top: Friday Night Music Camp (VR) 5p Blue Nile: Otra (LT) 10:30p, Jealous Monk (upstairs) (BL) 9p, DJ Real and Black Pearl (upstairs) (FK) 12a Bombay Club: Lisa Lynn & Quartet (JV) 9:30p Café Beignet: Steamboat Willie Jazz Band (JV) 6p Carousel Lounge (Hotel Monteleone) : John Autin (PK) 9p Carrollton Station: MNSKP (RR) 10p Checkpoint Charlie: call club Circle Bar: Bipolaroid, DJ Matty (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. : Hot Club of New Orleans (JV) 6p, Egg Yolk Jubilee (RR) 10p Dos Jefes: Eric Traub (JV BL) 10p Dragon's Den: Smiley With a Knife, Hi-Five, Soul Rebels Brass Band, NoMadic bellydancers (RR BB VR) 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: Box 100s, Joecephus & the George Jonestown Massacre (RR) 10p Hollywood Casino (Baton Rouge) : Stormy (RR) 9p Hookah Café: Ladies Night feat. DJ EF Cutin (RH) 10p Howlin' Wolf: Southern Whiskey Rebellion, Hammer On, Lure (RR) 10p Kerry Irish Pub: Gerry Murphy (BL) 5p, Dave James Band (BL) 9p Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: Jeff "Snake" Greenberg (PK BL VR) 6p Le Bon Temps Roule: Lynn Drury (BL) 11p Live Bait: Johnny J. & the Hitmen (BL) 9:30p Mandeville Trailhead (Mandeville) : Pine Leaf Boys Trio, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas (ZY RR) 7p Maple Leaf: Fred Wesley featuring Groovesect (FK) 10p Margaritaville: Danny T. (KJ) 7p Michaul's: Beau Basin (KJ) 6p, Walter "Wolfman" Washington and Matthew Schilling Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl: Clockwork Elvis, J. Monque'D (BL) 9p Mulate's: La Touche (KJ) 7p Norwegian Seamen's Church: Topsy Chapman & Solid Harmony (JV) 7:30p Old Point Bar: the Space Heaters (BL) 9:30p Palm Court Jazz Café: Palm Court Jazz Band feat. Thais Clark (JV) 7p Polo Club Lounge (Windsor Court Hotel) : Michael Pellera (PK) 7p Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette) : Gervais Matte & the Branch Playboys (KJ) 7p Preservation Hall: Jazz Masters (JV) 8p Ray's: Soul & Spirit Band (BB) 6:30p, Fredy Omar (LT) 10p Rivershack Tavern: Mark Carson (BL) 9:30p Rusty Nail: Juice (FK RR JV) 10p Snug Harbor: Ellis Marsalis (MJ) 8 & 10p Tipitina's: Iguanas (RR LT) 10p 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 19 Abita Springs Opry: Abita Springs Opry feat. the Petty Bones, High Ground Drifters, La Las and more (VR) 7p Apple Barrel: Sneaky Pete (BL) 8p, Coco Robicheaux & the Swamp Monsters (BL) 11p Balcony Music Club: Marc Stone (BL) 10p Big Top: art opening feat. the Other Planets (RR) 9:30p Blue Nile: Vivaz (LT) 11p, DJ Real and Black Pearl (upstairs) (FK) 12a Bombay Club: Lillian Boutte (JV) 9:30p Café Beignet: Steamboat Willie Jazz Band (JV) 6p Café Granada: John Lawrence flamenco guitar (LT) 7p Café Negril: Smokey Greenwell & the Blues Gnus (BL) 10p Carousel Lounge (Hotel Monteleone) : John Autin (PK) 9p Carrollton Station: Drew DeLaune Band, Dana Abbott, Andy Cale (RR) 10p Checkpoint Charlie: Joe Sephus (RR) 6p, All Rise, Capitol Offense, Capital Scam (RR) 10p, the Mike Darby Band (RR) 2a Circle Bar: Brass Bed CD-release party (RR) 10p Club 300 Jazz Bistro: AsheSon (LT) 8:30p Crescent City Brewhouse: New Orleans Streetbeat (JV) 6p d.b.a. : John Boutte (JV) 7p, Lost Bayou Ramblers (RR KJ) 11p Dos Jefes: George French (JV BL) 10p Dragon's Den: DJ Wally, DJ Pish Posh (VR) 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: Fay Wray, Steve Eck (RR) 10p Hollywood Casino (Baton Rouge) : Parade of Stars feat. Tommy McLain, Clint West, Charles Mann and more (VR) 9p Hookah Café: G-String Quartet (JV) 10p House of Blues: C U LaTour feat. Ministry, Meshuggah and Hemlock (ME) 8p Kerry Irish Pub: Balsawood Flyers (BL) 5p, Lynn Drury 9p Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: Jeff "Snake" Greenberg (PK BL VR) 6p Le Bon Temps Roule: Billy Iuso & the Restless Natives CD-release party (BL) 11p Live Bait: T'Canaille (KJ) 12:30p, Frank & Genny Caronna (PP) 9:30p Maple Leaf: John Gros Saturday Night Special (FK) 10p Margaritaville: Irving Bannister's All-stars (RB) 4p Michaul's: Skeeters Swamp Pop Band (RR) 6:30p, Latin Night feat. Fredy Omar (10:30p) Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl: Rockin' Dopsie (ZY) 9:30p Mulate's: Hot Sauce (KJ) 7p Mystick Den (Royal Sonesta) : Julia LaShae (JV) 9p Old Point Bar: Zydepunks (RR ZY) 10p Palm Court Jazz Café: Palm Court Jazz Band feat. Lionel Ferbos (JV) 7p Polo Club Lounge (Windsor Court Hotel) : Michael Pellera (PK) 6p Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette) : Gervais Matte & the Branch Playboys (KJ) 9a & 7p Preservation Hall: New Orleans Jazz All-stars (JV) 8p Ray's: Soul & Spirit Band (BB) 8p, Kid Merv (JV) 10:30p Rivershack Tavern: Kim Carson (BL) 10p Rusty Nail: Country Fried (CW) 10p Snug Harbor: Germaine Bazzle (VF) 8p & 10p Southport Hall: Molly Ringwalds (PP) 10p Steamboat Natchez: Dinner Jazz Cruise feat. Dukes of Dixieland (TJ) 7p Tipitina's: Kenny Neal CD-release party (RR) 10p 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 20 Apple Barrel: Rollin' Hills (BL) 8p, Slewfoot & Cary B. (BL) 10:30p Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits: Wazozo (LT) 6p Balcony Music Club: Chronomatics (OR) 10p Big Top: New Orleans New Music Ensemble (VR) 8p Bombay Club: Phil Melancon (PK) 7p Café Beignet: Steamboat Willie Jazz Band (JV) 6p Café Negril: Smokey Greenwell & the Blues Gnus (BL) 9:30p Checkpoint Charlie: call club Circle Bar: Schatzy (RR) 10p Club 300 Jazz Bistro: Jason Marsalis (JV) 7:30p d.b.a. : Linnzi Zaorski (SI) 6p, Sol Fiya (RR FK) 10p Donna's: Todd Duke Trio (JV) 10p Dos Jefes: Olga (JV BL) 9:30p Emeril's Delmonico: Julia LaShae (JV) 6:30p Funky Pirate: Mark & the Pentones (BL) 4p, Willie Locket (BL) 8p Hi Ho Lounge: Steve Masakowski, Jason Marsalis, Rex Gregory and Vadim Neselovskyi (JV) 10p Hookah Café: Vavavoom (JV) 9:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Chris Segar (BL) 9p Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: Jeff "Snake" Greenberg (PK BL VR) 6pv Live Bait: Monster Crawfish (PP) 12:30p Maple Leaf: Joe Krown with Russell Batiste & Walter "Wolfman" Washington (FK) 10p Margaritaville: Irving Bannister's All-stars (RB) 4p, Eddie Parino (RR) 7p Marigny Brasserie: Pfister Sisters (JV) 11:30a Mulate's: Bayou Deville (KJ) 7p Muriel's Jackson Square: jazz brunch feat. Joe Simon (JV) 11a Old Point Bar: Some like it Hot (BL) 6p Palm Court Jazz Café: Sunday Night Swingsters feat. Steve Pistorius (JV) 7p Polo Club Lounge (Windsor Court Hotel) : Rachael Van Voorhies (JV) 12p Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette) : Clarece Denias (KJ) 9a & 7p Preservation Hall: St. Peter Street Serenaders (JV) 8p Ray's: Nickle-a-Dance feat. Charlie Miller & the Big Bam Boom Jazz Band (JV) 4p, Soul & Spirit Band (BB) 7p, Athena (OR) 8p Snug Harbor: Tom McDermott & Connie Jones CD release part (TJ) 8p & 10p Spotted Cat: Rites of Swing (JV SI) 4p Steamboat Natchez: Dinner Jazz Cruise feat. Dukes of Dixieland (TJ) 7p Tipitina's: Music Workshop Series (KJ) 12:30p, Cajun Fais Do Do feat. Bruce Daigrepont (KJ) 5:30p 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 21 Apple Barrel: Sam & Domenic (BL) 8p, Washboard Lisa (BL) 10:30p Balcony Music Club: Loren Murrell (OR) 10p Bombay Club: Phil Melancon (PK) 7p Checkpoint Charlie: the Fens (RR) 10p Club 300 Jazz Bistro: Monte Banks Trio (JV) 7:30p d.b.a. : Washboard Chaz Blues Trio (BL) 10p Dos Jefes: John Fohl (JV BL) 9:30p Dragon's Den: open turntables, Dick Darby's World Hip-Hop Night (VR RH RG) 10p Funky Pirate: Willie Locket (BL) 8p Hi Ho Lounge: Red Beans & Bluegrass (BU) 10p Kerry Irish Pub: Gerry Murphy 9p Maple Leaf: Papa Grows Funk (FK) 10p Margaritaville: Brint Anderson (BL) 7p Mulate's: La Touche (KJ) 7p Old Point Bar: Algiers Open Jazz Jam Session (BL) 8p Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette) : Les Freres Michot (KJ) 7p Ray's: all age show feat. Red Hot Brass Band (JV) 6:30p, Bob French & Friends feat. Ellen Smith and Yolonda Winsay (JV) 8p Snug Harbor: Charmaine Neville (MJ) 8 & 10p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Partytime Band (PP) 9p Tropical Isle Original: Bruce Bono (PP) 9p TUESDAY APRIL 22 Apple Barrel: Wendy Darling (BL) 8p, Kenny Schwartz & the Palace of Sin (BL) 10:30p Balcony Music Club: My Graveyard Jaw (RR) 10p Bombay Club: Phil Melancon (PK) 7p Café Granada: John Lawrence flamenco guitar (LT) 7p Carrollton Station: acoustic open mic (AU) 9p Checkpoint Charlie: open mic feat. Jim Smith (RR) 10p Club 300 Jazz Bistro: Jessie Boyd Trio feat. Michael Pellera and Troy Davis (JV) 7:30p d.b.a. : Johnny Vidacovich Trio feat. Anders Osborne & Kirk Joseph (FK) 10p Dos Jefes: call club Dragon's Den: Samir Zarif Quartet feat. Jason Marsalis (MJ) 10p Funky Pirate: Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters (BL) 8p Hookah Café: Deep House SIN Night feat. Kazu (VR) 9p House of Blues: Clutch, Kamchatka (RR) 8p Kerry Irish Pub: Gerry Murphy (BL) 9p Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: Jeff "Snake" Greenberg (PK BL VR) 6p Maple Leaf: Rebirth Brass Band (BB) 10p Margaritaville: Brint Anderson (BL) 7p Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl: Glen David Andrews (RB) 8:30p Mulate's: Lee Benoit (KJ) 7p Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette) : Woody Daigle (KJ) 7p Ray's: Treme Brass Band (BB) 8p Snug Harbor: 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 Steamboat Natchez: Dinner Jazz Cruise feat. Dukes of Dixieland (TJ) 7p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Partytime Band (PP) 9p Tropical Isle Original: Dwight Breland (PP) 9p WEDNESDAY APRIL 23 Apple Barrel: Sista Ottis (BL) 8p, Big Pearl (BL) 10:30p Blue Nile: Dr. Gonzeaux (FK) 10p Bombay Club: Phil Melancon (PK) 7p Carousel Lounge (Hotel Monteleone) : John Autin (PK) 9p Checkpoint Charlie: Kenny Holladay & the Rolling Blackouts (RR) 10p Circle Bar: Future of the Ghost (RR) 10p Club 300 Jazz Bistro: Delfeayo Marsalis and Marlon Jordan Jazz Quintet (JV) 7:30p d.b.a. : Walter "Wolfman" Washington (BL) 10p Dos Jefes: Bob Andrews (JV BL) 9:30p Dragon's Den: Network, Thou (RR) 7p, 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: Wonderfarm Cabaret 10p Hookah Café: DJ Soul Sister (FK RB) 10p Kerry Irish Pub: Chip Wilson (BL) 9p Lafayette Square: Big Sam's Funky Nation, Dirty Dozen Brass Band (BB FK) 5p Le Bon Temps Roule: Gym Neighbors (OR) 10p Maple Leaf: call club Margaritaville: Brint Anderson (BL) 7p Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl: Joe Krown (SI) 8:30p Mulate's: Lee Benoit (KJ) 7p Norwegian Seamen's Church: Kustbandet (JV) 7:30p Palm Court Jazz Café: Palm Court Jazz Band feat. Lars Edegran, Topsy Chapman and Evan Christopher (JV) 7p Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette) : Woody Daigle (KJ) 7p Preservation Hall: 726 Stompers (JV) 8p Ray's: Pinettes Brass Band (BB) 8p Snug Harbor: New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (MJ) 8 & 10p Southport Hall: Bike Night feat. live music (VR) 8p Spotted Cat: Pfister Sisters (JV) 6:30p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Partytime Band (PP) 9p Tropical Isle Original: Dwight Breland (PP) 9p University of New Orleans: Funkadelic Ensemble and Tarik Hassan's Three-Thirty Combo and more (JV) 7:30p Click here for the 411 on local music!

COMING TO YOUR TOWN BEAUSOLEIL AVEC MICHAEL DOUCET Apr 19 Schaumburg IL Prairie Center for the Arts Apr 20 Grayslake IL College of Lake County BIG SAM'S FUNKY NATION Apr 18 Houston TX Continental Club Apr 19 Austin TX Continental Club BONERAMA Apr 18 Roanoak VA 202 Market Apr 19 Greenville SC Artisphere MARC BROUSSARD Apr 17 Athens GA 40 Watts Club Apr 18 Greenville SC Artisphere HENRY BUTLER Apr 19 Roanake VA Shaftman Performance Hall CJ CHENIER & THE RED HOT LOUISIANA BAND Apr 18 Ellsworth ME The Grand THE DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND Apr 17 Dallas TX House of Blues Apr 18 Austin TX Stubb's Apr 19 Spring TX Texas Crawfish Festival Apr 20 Chicago IL Green Apple Fest THE IGUANAS Apr 17 Lafayette LA Rhythms on the River ANDERS OSBORNE Apr 18 Annapolis MD Ram's Head Apr 19 New York NY Sullivan's Hall PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND Apr 17 Wilmington DE Grand Opera House Apr 18 Courtland VA Franklin - Southampton High School Apr 19 Charlottesville VA Dickinson Theater Apr 20 The Plains VA Grace Episcopal Church Apr 21 Richmond VA Sara Belle November Theater RED STICK RAMBLERS Apr 19 Houston TX International Festival AMANDA SHAW Apr 19 Biloxi MS Crawfish Fest THE SUBDUDES Apr 19 Schaumburg IL Prairie Center For The Arts Apr 20 Grayslake IL College Of Lake County WAYNE TOUPS & ZYDECAJUN Apr 18 Houston TX Tumbleweed Apr 19 Wimberly TX Cypress Creek Need personnel for your band? Need a gig? Post a free classified here.

NEW & UPCOMING LOUISIANA RELEASES NEW Louisiana Music You Should Know About April 15, 2008 Jimmy Robinson : Vibrating Strings (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) 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) June 10, 2009 Dr. Michael White : Blue Crescent (Basin Street Records) National Release 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) Buy great Louisiana music here!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS....

3RD ANNUAL BACKBEAT JAZZ FEST SERIES Series Features: SOULIVE, LETTUCE, DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND, BIG SAM'S FUNKY NATION, TROY "TROMBONE SHORTY" ANDREWS & ORLEANS AVE., IVAN NEVILLE, BONERAMA, THE DYNAMITES featuring CHARLES WALKER, TOUBAB KREWE, DJ LOGIC, JOHNNY SKETCH & THE DIRTY NOTES, U-MELT, THERESA ANDERSSON AND MANY MORE This year the Backbeat Foundation has expanded its evening series to showcase the most dynamic talent in New Orleans along side exciting national acts. For 2008, the Backbeat Foundation spreads across the city presenting more than 20 acts at 3 venues: Blue Nile (BN); Tipitina's French Quarter (TFQ); and Republic NOLA (RN). The 3RD Annual Backbeat Jazz Fest Series kicks off Saturday, April 26th and keeps the groove going through Sunday, May 4th. The Backbeat Jazz Fest Series will provide an opportunity for Festival goers to personally and intimately experience the magic of our music while supporting a worthy cause that benefits the music and culture of our city on the rise. Visit www.myspace.com/backbeatfoundation for complete details. Tickets can be purchased here.

BIG SAM'S FUNKY NATION NEW ALBUM AVAILABLE NOW Get ready for the FUNK - BSFN just released their 3rd albumPeace, Love, & Understanding...more information (including special guests on the album) is available here ! As always check your OffBeat local listings to find out when Big Sam is playing around New Orleans. And for those of you out of state BSFN is headed back to Texas after rocking the Continental Clubs in Houston and Austin - mark your calendar for April 18th and 19th to get yo Texas funk on. Find out more about Big Sam's Funky Nation here.

TIPITINA'S FESS JAZZTIVAL TICKETS ON SALE NOW! This years lineup includes: Zigaboo's Funk Revue, Leo Nocentelli's Rare Funk Gathering, Sam Bush, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave, JJ Grey and Mofro, Blind Boys of Alabama, Galactic, the Disco Biscuits, Instruments A Comin', Injuns A Comin', The Radiators, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Michael Franti and Spearhead, and many more. For more info or to buy tickets click here.

ABOUT OFFBEAT

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

Please support Louisiana Music and Culture by patronizing our sponsors!

Return to Previous Page

Subscribe to offBeat and receive a FREE JazzFest CD!
To order by phone with a Visa, MasterCard or American Express please call Toll Free Outside New Orleans: 1-877-944-4300, Monday-Friday, 10 am - 5:30 pm, Central time.

©2007, OffBeat, Inc. | offbeat@offbeat.com
Site Designed by dzign@datatv.com