Music
Eddie Henderson: Witness to History (Smoke Sessions Records)
Trumpeter Eddie Henderson has been, as the title of his latest album declares, a Witness to History, a stunning release that celebrates the 50th anniversary of his debut recording as leader, 1973s Realization. At almost 83, he was on the scene with the ubiquitous “them all” and in 1949 even received an informal trumpet lesson from Louis Armstrong.
The Sparrow: Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah innovates while paying tribute to the ancestors
Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, born Christian Scott and presently known as Chief Adjuah, grew up surrounded by jazz music, the Black Indian culture and an awareness of their African roots.
Leroy Jones: New Orleans Brass Band Music Vol. 2 (with Wendell Brunious) (Independent)
Fans of traditional New Orleans style brass bands are going to dig this album that pairs two of this city’s ace trumpeters in the genre, Leroy Jones and Wendell Brunious. The selections will be 99 percent familiar to lovers of classic material and for that matter most folks in Crescent City.
Seva Venet: No Grown-Ups Here (Independent)
As the title of this album suggests, No Grown-Ups Here is directed towards children lyrically, melodically and in spirit. Seva Venet, who’s best known as a guitarist and banjoist specializing in traditional jazz, uses those skills to back up his simply delivered vocals along with a variety of well-known New Orleans artists including bassists Peter Harris and Martin Masakowski, pianist, Larry Sieberth and drummers Simon Lott and Doug Belote.
Yoshitaka Tsuji Trio: Happy Hour (Independent)
Yoshitaka Tsuji is recognized as the pianist with Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers and by his nickname Z2.
Davy Mooney: Way Back (Sunnyside Records)
On Way Back, New Orleans native guitarist Davy Mooney gets together with old friend saxophonist John Ellis creating magic as they did when they were both heavily involved in this city’s jazz scene. As informed by the album’s liner notes, Mooney’s time spent in Brazil offered him the opportunity to play with many of the talented musicians there including those heard on his new release: pianist Felipe Silveira, bassist Thiago Aves and drummer Paulinho Vicente.
Maude Caillat Quartet: Follow the Camel (Independent)
Saxophonist and flautist Maude Caillat makes her debut album leading her progressive quartet on the ambitious Follow the Camel. A native of Switzerland who also lived in the West African country of Senegal, Caillat arrived in New Orleans in 2016.
Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah: Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lightning (Ropeadope)
Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, formerly known as Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, celebrates the cultures of New Orleans Black Indians, West Africa and the African diaspora on Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lightning.
Magical Beats at the Bayou Bar: Peter Harris delivers the goods
Particularly following a hot, muggy day in New Orleans, taking refuge in the cool, darkened Bayou Bar and listening to the jazz of the Peter Harris Quartet feels like an oasis. Bassist Harris, whose reign at the club, which is located inside the Pontchartrain Hotel, began in 2019 as a one night a week gig and continued to expand with a few stops and goes in between. Since the beginning of 2022 it’s grown to an impressive four nights: Tuesdays through Fridays.
