Music
Wynton Marsalis, He and She (Blue Note) and Branford Marsalis, Metamorphosen (Marsalis)
Both of these albums are very effective jazz projects coming from markedly different directions, and as such, they reflect the personalities and career trajectories of these two immensely talented siblings. […]
Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives, Restless Natives Live at the Sandpiper Lounge (Independent)
The Sandpiper Lounge, a funky dive at 2119 Louisiana Ave., is the venue where guitarist/vocalist Billy Iuso holds court these days, and judging from this live recording, Iuso and his […]
Roy Rogers, Split Decision (Blind Pig)
Roy Rogers has several Jazz Fest highlight moments on his resume, particularly his incendiary special guest appearances with Bonnie Raitt and Steve Miller, but this year it will be his […]
Another Troubled Street
For the better part of a decade, Frenchmen Street has become the hot spot for locals and music savvy tourists tired of the gauntlet of identical strip clubs, T-shirt stores […]
Tom McDermott, New Orleans Duets (Rabadash)
At this year’s James Booker tribute during the Best of the Beat awards, Tom McDermott turned in what I thought was the most convincing performance of all the talented pianists. […]
Leroy Jones, Sweeter than a Summer Breeze (Spirit of New Orleans)
In 2005 during a joint interview with Kermit Ruffins and Maurice Brown, Irvin Mayfield noted that the best trumpet cutting session he’d ever heard was between Wynton Marsalis and Leroy […]
Irvin Mayfield’s Art of the Deal
It’s a beautiful Saturday afternoon in February and the French Quarter is buzzing with celebrants preparing for the first Mardi Gras parade of the season, the Krewe du Vieux. Irvin […]
