Music
Mikayla Braun: Drift (Independent)
Singer/songwriter Mikayla Braun has been working in the trenches of New Orleans music for over a decade, carving a place for herself and connecting with musicians in the tight-knit circle of players breaking out of the “New Orleans music” mold.
New Orleans Electronica Funk: Gravity A announces reunion at the Toulouse Theatre
Sometimes bands in New Orleans make a big splash, earn some press and develop a following. Then they seemingly disappear. Gravity A made more than just a splash in a relatively short time. Though the band’s recorded releases were limited, they burst onto the live local scene with a scintillating blend of rocking funk and electronica, alternately being dubbed “homegrown jamtronica” and “space rock” by this magazine.
The Secret Six Jazz Band: Centennial Tribute To King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band (Independent)
The Secret Six Jazz Band is at it again. Barely ten months after the release of their fourth album, Chicken You Can Roost Behind the Moon, clearly the most prolific neo-trad band in New Orleans is back with a new one, recorded live at the New Orleans Jazz Museum on April 6, 2023.
A World Music Movement: Global Grooves Music Series at Blue Nile
Jeff Klein, the percussionist, world music impresario and Global NOLA founder, succinctly summed up the goal of his new music series in the balcony room of the Blue Nile, “We want to make the balcony a haven for world musicians and people of all cultures.” Dubbed “Global Groove,” the Saturday night performances begin in October and shows are scheduled through early December.
The Flóki Sessions: Boots in Place (Floki Studios/Color Red)
Eddie Roberts, the guitarist for the New Mastersounds and the mastermind behind the innovative label Color Red, presents Boots in Place, the second in a series of albums recorded in Iceland.
Gov’t Majik: The Bass Age (Independent)
Gov’t Majik’s new release, The Bass Age, opens with a percolating keyboard riff amid the relentlessly funky bass work of the band’s leader, New Orleans music scene veteran Bru Bruser.
Start It!: In-demand saxophonist Jason Mingledorff’s solo effort
Saxophonist Jason Mingledorff has a vast resume playing in New Orleans and touring with a diverse cast of musicians including his long tenure with Papa Grows Funk, his work with Galactic in the early days of that band and of course, his Grammy award-winning effort with the New Orleans Nightcrawlers. Though he has appeared on over 100 albums, his debut as a leader, Start It!, was released in May 2023.
The Garden of Joy: Bouncin’ Around (Big Tone Records)
The Garden of Joy, a traditional jazz band led by banjoist, guitarist and vocalist Hunter Bergamy, recently released their debut album. If that name sounds familiar it’s because Bergamy has been featured in OffBeat for his work with Fritzel’s Jazz Pub’s releases and recordings by the Secret Six.
Ivan Neville: Touch My Soul (Mascot Label Group/The Funk Garage)
Keyboardist, vocalist and Neville family scion Ivan Neville has released his first solo album in nearly 20 years. Best known more recently for Dumpstaphunk, and for special guest appearances with a huge variety of musicians, many of his musical friends and family return the favor by guesting on an album chock full of them.
Smiloh: Kaleidoscape (Independent)
Emily Mikesell is the mastermind behind Smiloh. She is a fast-rising trumpeter and vocalist who is a member of Trumpet Mafia and has played with a wide range of local players since moving to town.
