Issue Articles
Guitar Gumbo: The New Orleans International Guitar Festival
With the theme “Guitar Gumbo,” the 2024 New Orleans International Guitar Festival takes place March 5 through March 8. This year’s eclectic array of international artists includes Cuarteto de Guitarras de la Ciudad de Mexico, Jose Angel Perez Puentes, Geovane Santos, Alexis “Papo” Guevarra, Rafael Padron and the NOLA String Kings. The festival includes the Elias Barreiro Young Artists Competition, named in honor of the 93-year-old founder of Tulane’s guitar department.
2024 Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival: A conversation with featured artist Corey Harris
Corey Harris, the blues and beyond singer-guitarist who lived in New Orleans in the 1990s, is returning to the city for an appearance at the Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival. A Virginia resident since 1997, Harris and his band will also perform March 8 at Snug Harbor.
Pat Metheny talks back
The always exploring jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny is bringing his first solo tour to New Orleans. The international Dream Box tour, which reaches the Orpheum Theater on March 16, follows last year’s release of Metheny’s Grammy-nominated solo album of the same name.
The 100th anniversary of Slim Harpo: Baton Rouge’s most successful blues recording artist
This year is the 100th anniversary year of Slim Harpo’s birth. Although 1924 is the agreed upon year of his birth, the month of his birth is widely misreported. This identical disagreement—regarding the month a famous Louisiana musician was born—has also existed for Mac Rebennack, a.k.a. Dr. John, and Louis Armstrong.
Yo La Tengo’s James McNew Talks Back
A shining, surviving example of 1980s indie-rock, the New Jersey-spawned Yo La Tengo is 40 years into its continuously creative existence—singer and guitarist Ira Kaplan and his wife, singer and drummer Georgia Hubley, co-founded their shared life’s work in 1984. Bassist James McNew joined the couple in 1991, coming aboard in time to record 1992’s May I Sing With Me and write as well as play for the album cited as the trio’s first masterpiece, 1993’s Pain.
The Return of the Dew Drop Inn
More than fifty years after the Dew Drop Inn’s reign as “the swankiest spot in the South,” the resurrection of the fabled nightclub, restaurant and hotel is at hand. Although the meticulously refurbished Dew Drop complex at 2836 LaSalle Street in New Orleans hasn’t set a grand opening date yet, hotel rooms are available beginning January 19.
Searching for Stardom: Barbara Barnes Sims participated in Sun Records’ Golden Years
Barbara Barnes Sims’ firsthand account of Sun Records presents an insider’s view of the legendary Memphis label. From 1957 to 1960, Sims worked at Sun, promoting and publicizing Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich and the company’s lesser-known acts. Even though Elvis Presley left the label two years before Sims’ arrival, much more rock and roll history was made after his departure.
Here’s Little Richard: A complicated character with a complicated story
Last year saw the release of two documentaries and a book about Little Richard. British music journalist Jordan Bassett wrote Here’s Little Richard, an entry in the 33 1/3 book series based on classic albums.
Lucinda Williams Talks Back
Last year was one of accomplishment and resilience for Lucinda Williams. In June, the Louisiana-born singer whose songs drip with poetic Southern-laced realism released a new album, Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart. In April, Random House published her truth-telling memoir, Don’t Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You. Both projects received major media coverage and acclaim. The memoir debuted at number five among The New York Times bestsellers and the album appeared on year-end best lists.
Have Yourself A Merry Little “Bayou Christmas” with Serabee
Have Yourself A Merry Little “Bayou Christmas” with Serabee
