Music
Little Freddie King: Things That I Used to Do (Newvelle Records)
Three minute, 12-bar, Delta style blues remain the staple of guitarist and vocalist 84-year old Little Freddie King. Born in Mississippi and the cousin of the famed Lightnin’ Hopkins, King’s honest approach to the genre has remained true throughout and has been embraced by local audiences during the many years he has called New Orleans his home.
Michael Wolff: Memoir (Sunnyside Records)
Pianist and composer Michael Wolff, who beyond his acute abilities as a leader, has performed and/or recorded with an ace list of jazz artists including saxophonists Sonny Rollins and Cannonball Adderley, bassist Christian McBride and many more. He might be most widely recognized as leading the band for the now long-defunct late-night television program “The Arsenio Hall Show.”
What’s Up Boss? Kermit Ruffins: A Jolly Birthday
New Orleans, like most of the rest of the country, enjoys Santa Claus as a favorite icon of the Christmas season. However, the Crescent City, being its usual quirky self, also favors its own Yuletide personalities, the snowman-like Mr. Bingle and, yes, trumpeter, singer and the always jolly Kermit Ruffins. When the holiday draws near, Ruffins is quick to don a Santa hat and as soon as early November he’s been known to fill his club, Kermit’s Treme Mother-In-Law Lounge, with his favorite Christmas tunes much to the amusement of those coming through the door.
James Evans/Lawrence Sieberth: Standardized (Independent)
In this duo setting, saxophonist and clarinetist James Evans and pianist Lawrence Sieberth celebrate material from the American songbook on the aptly named Standardized with shared musical temperaments. Though the two come from varied backgrounds and geographies, they thoughtfully come together with mutual respect, gentle touches and intuitive improvisations on ten timeless standards.
Jovin Webb: Drifter (Blind Pig Records)
Singer, songwriter and harmonica player Jovin Webb represents the soulful style of blues that abounds in his home state of Louisiana and particularly in the Baton Rouge area.
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.
Evolution of Rebelution: Soul Rebels “Walkin’ round in the 6th Ward…”
The highly successful and internationally renowned Soul Rebels have been around the world and, as they say, back again. The progressive, innovative, horn-heavy, eight-piece band that first caused a commotion on the brass band scene in 1991 and killed with its socially conscious, jamming anthem “Let Your Mind Be Free”—“free your mind with education, help build a better nation”—has faithfully returned to perform in its hometown of New Orleans and in particular at its long time gig at Le Bon Temps Roule.
Matt Booth: Sun Prints (Ears & Eyes Records)
Matt Booth is perhaps best known in New Orleans as a member of the exceptional ensemble simply called Extended. Leading his own group on Sun Prints, the bassist and
composer, who now resides in Durham, North Carolina, gathered like-minded musicians—pianist Oscar Rossignoli, trumpeter Steve Lands, drummer Ricardo Varnado and saxophonist Sam Taylor (now living in Chicago)—who have contributed in making this city’s jazz scene thrive.
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.
Bringing Baton Rouge Blues to the Crescent City: Kenny Neal at the Blues & BBQ Festival
Those who missed Kenny Neal’s killer Jazz Fest performance this year get another chance to catch the multi-talented, Grammy-winning bluesman at his set at the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival.
