Issue Articles — Fresh
Sweden’s Jonas Bernholm Publishes His Soul Odyssey: U.S. 1968
In his native Sweden, Jonas Bernholm is known as Mr. R&B. A music researcher, writer and record label owner, Bernholm became enraptured with American rhythm-and-blues and rock and roll music in the late 1950s. He began writing about music in the late 1960s, publishing much of his work in the Swedish blues magazine Jefferson. In 1976, he launched the first of his many reissue record labels.
Vintage vinyl treasures (Episode 45)
It is now time to move forward to 1970 from a vintage vinyl collection place in time. Like the year before, covered in earlier installments, there were some great releases this year from some of our favorite artists of the day. Here are five gems, still well worth a listen during these crazy days of an “old world,” listed in chronological order by date of release.
A Tribute To The Queen: Producer Sonny Schneidau’s tribute promises to be special
Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for Tipitina’s to give thanks to its favorite local legends. The past six seasons (skipping one for covid) have seen tributes to Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Fats Domino and others. But this year’s tribute to Irma Thomas promises to be a little special. For one thing, it features a one-time convergence of many of New Orleans’ greatest voices, all of them belonging to women. For another, the honoree herself will be among the performers.
Smiling Drummers: A Benefit for Shannon Powell presented by Herlin Riley
When Shannon Powell walked up the back stairs to the stage at the recent Treme Fall Festival, he wore a golden crown on his head. The drummer, singer, tambourine man and regaled “King of Treme,” had been scheduled to lead his band, the Traditional Jazz All Stars. Most in the crowd, however, didn’t expect Powell to perform on this day as it was widely known that in early August the drummer had suffered both a stroke and a heart attack.
Review, 2024 NOLA Funk Fest: New Orleans Jazz Museum
To invoke the name of another popular festival, the NOLA Funk Fest was hardly strictly funk. True, there was plenty of uncut funk in the weekend lineup—but with the weekend’s headliners including the wildly eclectic Tank & the Bangas and the diva of bounce Big Freedia, it mostly honored funk as a cornerstone of the wider realm of New Orleans music. And with an audience including a fair share of out-of-town visitors, it also served as a mid-season Jazz Fest fix for the faithful.
Vintage vinyl treasures (Episode 44)
Another five vintage vinyl gems from 1969 that I believe might just be favorites of my favorite big sister currently residing over Texas way. We both make our way back to New Orleans whenever possible with our one set annual pilgrimage etched in November stone. She brings the wit and intelligence, and I bring the records, plenty of them. I have listed this month’s five in chronological release date order, and I am betting that one or if you are an aficionado, then several below will bring more fond memories of special days gone by all too soon just like the proverbial winds on the plains.
Celebrating & Elevating: New Orleans Music Month Returns
As we come out of summer hibernation, New Orleans Music Month kicks the Crescent City into overdrive. It’s quickly become an annual highlight, what with organic partnership-based growth and unique must-see events.
NOLA Funk Fest is Back, Baby
After last year’s successful debut launched NOLA Funk Fest to the elite tier of the fall festival circuit, it’s returning even bigger in 2024 with a dynamic lineup. Taking place over three days from October 18–20 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum complete with food trucks, face painting, drinks, a special exhibition, symposia, and VIP show alongside the live music. NOLA Funk Fest is intended to showcase the potential of the Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience: a large-scale, immersive museum conceived by music philanthropist and activist Chris Beary to showcase the full story of Louisiana’s music.
The Blues Tells a Story: NOLA Funk Fest amplifies Louisiana blues—past, present, and future
The second annual NOLA Funk Fest returns to the New Orleans Jazz Museum while also heralding support and awareness for the Louisiana Music and Heritage Experience—an upcoming large-scale museum project devoted to comprehensively telling the history of Louisiana’s music.
Nickel A Dance: A Million Dollars’ Worth of Music
The free, popular Nickel-A-Dance series, which started in 1994, is an annual fall event. The series, now presented by the New Orleans Jazz Celebration, runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Sunday through October 27, 2024.
