Michael Ray & the Cosmic Krewe returned from Greece last month where they performed 15 nights in clubs from Athens to Thessaloniki. The band reported that they met enthusiastic crowds and many of the dates were played to packed houses. Congratulations. Ray’s latest CD, Funk if I Know, is on Monkey Hill Records.
Superfly Productions is busy in 1999 with two shows at the Howlin’ Wolf. On Jan. 16, it’s Frank Black and the Catholics and on Jan. 22, it’s the John Spencer Blues Explosion. As always, doors open at 9 p.m. with the show starting at 10 p.m.
Attention Accordionists! A few months back, New Orleans played host to the American Accordionists’ Convention annual meeting and a few of our local boys, including the Klezmer Allstars and Tony Delafose, showed the visitors a thing or two about accordion-playing. Well, the long and short of it is that some of the talent people from the Welk (as in Lawrence) organization were here. Now they’re out searching for the Hottest Accordionist in America. To enter, accordionists should submit a VHS video tape, between 15 and 20 minutes in length, of their accordion performances to: Welk Resort Center & Champagne Theatre, c/o Mr. John Bahler, Conductor, 1984 State Hwy. #165, Branson, MO 65616. Deadline is Feb. 10. For complete contest rules and more information, check www.accordions.com or 1-800-505-WELK.
Even as you’re reading this, it’s time to make your plans for the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, TX. The entire SXSW festival runs from March 12-21, with the musical portion running from March 17-21.
Go to www.sxsw.com for more information.
The Mississippi: River of Song, a four-hour PBS documentary, will air on consecutive Wednesdays beginning on Jan. 6. The show follows the Mississippi from its headwaters in upper Minnesota to Delacroix Island with stops in Minneapolis, St. Louis, Memphis and, of course, New Orleans examining the music indigenous to each location. Among the Louisiana artists featured are Irma Thomas, D.L. Menard, David & Roselyn, Geno Delafose and more. Last month, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings issued a two-CD, 36-track companion album for the series (see Reviews, page 98). On Jan. 13. St. Martin’s Press will publish River of Song: A Musical Journey Down the Mississippi, a book written by the series’ producer/director, John Junkerman, and writer Elijah Wood. In addition, a seven-hour version of River of Song, featuring additional music recorded during the filming of the PBS shows, begins airing this month on many Public Radio International affiliates. The PBS documentary is narrated by singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco.
Krewe du Vieux’s 13th Annual Parade will once again wander through the streets of New Orleans on Sat., Jan. 30. The Krewe’s usual flights of fancy will take off at 7 p.m., following its traditional parade route through Faubourg Marigny and the French Quarter on its way to this year’s ball at the State Palace Theater. For more information, call (504) 522-1011 or 943-7970.
Clubs A-Poppin’…Ponchartrain Beach House opened its doors last month in West End Park offering brunches and blues with a view. The entertainment complex is located in the old “Bounty” building next door to Jaeger’s. The waterfront music club and restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Blues City, an all-new lineup of blues players including present or former members of J.J. Muggler, Blues Fury and the Continental Drifters, entertains. For more information on the club, call 283-7900.
The New Orleans Ballet Association will present Jazz Train, the latest evening of dance and music created by choreographer Donald Byrd, for one show only on Saturday, January 23, 1999 at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts. Jazz Train will feature an original trio of jazz scores commissioned by the highly-acclaimed musicians, Max Roach, Gerl Allen and Vernon Reed. Tickets for the show range from $20.50 to $66.50 and can be purchased through the ballet association at (504) 522-0996, or at Ticketmaster.
Late last month, Rodrick Natteel, a 21-year old New Orleans man with a criminal record, was booked in the October slaying of singer Raymond Myles. Police believe that robbery was the motive for the killing.
Due to a legal dispute with a United Kingdom band of the same name, Tin Star is now Motorway.
Gary L. White, known to many in the business as “The Singing Barber,” is putting the finishing touches on his new CD. White brought in an all-star roster of musicians to play on the CD including: Nelson Blanchard, David Hyde, Theresa Andersson, Brian Brignac, Chris Belleau, Todd Kayton, Sam Broussard and Doc Hearl. White gigs three nights a week on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Louisiana Jukebox, the “Best Local Music TV Show” for the second straight year in “Best of the Beat” balloting, announced the following performers for January 1999 (all listings are subject to change): Levon Helm & His All-Star Band, Sharon Martin and Tony Green & Gypsy Jazz (Jan. 7); Jeremy Davenport (Jan. 14); Wanda Rouzan and Polaris (Jan. 21); and Kim Carson & the Casualties (Jan. 28). Louisiana Jukebox can be seen on Cox Cable Channel 10 every Thursday at 10:30 p.m. (with repeats during the week).
