So, where will you be? Soon, even the most stalwart resistors of all hype millennial will be forced to answer this daunting New Year’s Eve question. Assuming you’re not one of those who years ago planned a cruise to the International Date Line in the South Pacific, or unless you plan on riding it out in your titanium-walled Y2K/Apocalypse-proof bunker, then you’re probably like me. In other words, you don’t have a clue.
But there’s no need to end the century cold, hungry and alone, not with all the great live jazz going on in New Orleans that night. At Storyville District, for example, trumpeter Nicholas Payton will unveil a ten-piece big band to celebrate not only the new millennium, but also the music of Louis Armstrong, who would have turned 100 in the year 2000 (although many historians believe that Armstrong was actually born in 1901). The big band will include stellar players such as trumpeter Lew Soloff, saxman Tim Warfield, pianist Anthony Wonsey, and drummer Adonis Rose, all backing Payton, whose brilliant tone, technique and expressiveness truly honors Satchmo’s legacy. Simultaneously in Storyville’s other room, Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Allen Toussaint will crank out his signature Crescent City soul. Gregory Davis & Friends and the Mahogany Brass Band will warm things up, and, of course, expect a killer Ralph Brennan buffet. The event will be broadcast nationally over National Public Radio (in New Orleans, local affiliate WWNO) and on international TV via the “Millennium Day Broadcast Consortium,” airing from 24 different worldwide time zones to showcase each region’s unique celebrations. A lot of people will be listening and watching, many of them wishing they could be in New Orleans.
Other jazz-oriented shows include the ever-stimulating Astral Project, who will light up Snug Harbor for two shows; Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown & His Big Band with special guests at House of Blues; Jeremy Davenport at the splashy Red Room; a blowout brass band show with Michael Foster Project at Donna’s (music from 11:30 p.m. into the early morning hours); Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers at Tipitina’s French Quarter; and Rebirth Brass Band at the Maple Leaf, which will undoubtedly be a wild scene, judging from how that place jumps at Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.
A Super “Superjam”
The people at Superfly Productions have put together an outstanding aggregation of talent for December 4th at the Howlin’ Wolf: John Medeski (keys), John Scofield (guitar), George Porter, Jr. (bass), Zigaboo Modeliste (drums), and a horn section featuring Roger Lewis (baritone sax) and Gregory Davis (trumpet) of the Dirty Dozen and Clarence Johnson (tenor sax). The idea to combine the original Meters rhythm section (Porter, Modeliste) with two masters of jazz fusion (Medeski, Scofield) and a killer New Orleans hon section is brilliant to say the least. Adding to the excitement, this is the first, and possibly only time they will perform as a group.
The show is the sixth installment of the popular “Superjam” series. These are essentially well-promoted all-star jam sessions which, even if all the players on stage aren’t coming out of the jazz idiom (and usually at least a few do), thrive on the kind of spontaneous interaction and virtuosity associated with jazz. The dramatic success of these shows (people are still talking about the sold-out ’99 Jazz Fest “Superjam,” which also featured Medeski) is ample proof that live music audiences remain hungry for the most essential element in jazz, improvisation.
Hot Show From Hot Men
Los Hombres Calientes lived up to their name on November 7th at House of Blues with a three-hour marathon showcase of the music on their new record. In addition to the absorbing solos and tasty grooves from around the world for which they have become known, Los Hombres reached new heights with guests such as Brazilian percussion group Casa Samba, who amazed the crowd during “Blues De Enredo.” They remained on stage for “A Comer Y Descargar” and were joined by singer Fredy Omar and three additional horn players to create an incredibly rich, textured sound. At one point later in the show, the horn section, composed of trombonist Stephen Walker, alto saxophonist Aaron Fletcher, trumpeter Leon Brown, and, of course, Los Hombres frontman, trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, began to trade successively hotter solos, until the song seamlessly morphed into a classic New Orleans style polyphonic brass blowout. Similar surprises are planned for the band’s next local appearance on December 17th at Tipitina’s Uptown and at Live Bait on the 18th.Those who attended avant-garde violinist Billy Bang’s performance at the Zeitgeist Center on November 10th were also treated to some special guests. In the second set, local saxophonist Kidd Jordan and trumpeter Michael Ray came out, providing ideal tonal counterpoint to Bang’s searing and agile violin. Musical tributes were made to late greats Dennis Charles, Sun Ra and Lester Bowie, who had just passed away the Monday previous.
Vocalist Christina Machado has started to turn heads locally with her sweet, textured voice, displaying the influence of her family’s Cuban heritage and the rhythms of her native New Orleans. Recently, she went into the studio with local jazz lions Roland Guerin, Adonis Rose, Brice Winston and Michael Esnault to record her debut album, due out early next year. In December, check Machado out at Le Meridien on the 10th, Storyville District on the 3rd (6-9pm) and the new cabaret club Le Chat Noir on the 16th with Peter Martin.
In club news, proprietor Richard Rochester has sold his share of the Funky Butt. Chris Collins, who has been doing booking and promotions for the club, will remain as a managing partner. Collins says there are no plans to dramatically alter the format, just to improve and expand the jazz club. December will be a “transition month,” he says, but there will still be fine shows with Jason Marsalis’ group holding court from the 6th through the 9th and the Irvin Mayfield/Delfeayo Marsalis group from the 15th through the 19th (expect several noteworthy guests during this stint).
