Issue Articles
Quite A Ride: Samara Joy, the new Ella Fitzgerald
“Oh man,” Samara Joy sighs, pulling her hair back, her eyes widening behind a pair of glasses. “Um, it’s been quite a ride.”
Jourdan Thibodeaux – Preservation For A New Generation
Jourdan Thibodeaux apologizes for his appearance as he signs on to a video chat. He’s taking a break from work, he explains, and he’s covered in sweat and sawdust. “We got a new business out here,” he explains, looking around at the construction he’s been doing. “Cypress Cove Landing.”
Music Brings Us Together: The Nous Foundation’s Louisiana French Cajun and Creole music project
It’s been a while since the Library of Congress has added new recordings of Cajun and Creole music to its permanent archives.
“The last major recordings of Louisiana French music were done in the 1960s,” says Scott Tilton, executive director of the Nous Foundation, a New Orleans-based organization dedicated to preserving and promoting French and Creole language and culture. “And those were wonderful musicians, but it was not exactly the most diverse slew. It’s mostly white male Cajuns.”
Judith Owen: Winter Wonderland (Holiday Edition) (Twanky Records)
If Judith Owen has released this set of holiday gems to get us ready for the singalong portion of the “Christmas Without Tears” spectacular she and hubby Harry Shearer will be hosting at the Orpheum on December 19, then she has a real cruel streak. Might as well ask us to go one-on-one with Zion Williamson.
Christmas Without Tears: Harry Shearer and Judith Owen’s Annual show benefits the Innocence Project New Orleans
Christmas Without Tears: The Christmas show with Harry Shearer and Judith Owen benefits the Innocence Project.
The World’s Premier Guitar, Sousaphone and Washboard Trio: The Tin Men Celebrate 20 Years
Chaz Leary, you know him as “Washboard” Chaz, holds the back cover of the new Tin Men album, Hit It!, up to the computer camera on a Zoom chat. He’s sitting with bandmate Alex McMurray at the latter’s house, while in another chat window is the third member of the trio, Matt Perrine.
Lost Bayou Ramblers, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra: Lost Bayou Ramblers & Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (Live) (Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra)
If you’re a Lost Bayou Ramblers fan, you’ve certainly seen fiddler-singer Louis Michot on stage at times wearing a zippered jump suit—a Cajun onesie, as some came to call it.
Bringing the Happy: Sean Ardoin teams up with the Stax Music Academy
“People ask, ‘What do you do?’” Sean Ardoin says in a chat from his Lake Charles home. His answer? “I get to provide the atmosphere for people to choose to be happy.” He pauses a fraction of a second for emphasis. “I bring the happy.”
Paul Sanchez: Between Friends … and Me (PSM)
When Paul Sanchez wrote a song, nearly 20 years ago, for Darius Rucker to sing, the Hootie frontman was not happy with its tone or title: “Nothing Here.” Rucker didn’t like the negativity, Sanchez notes now. Rucker changed the title and a few of the lyrics, and abracadabra… “Something Here.” Positively.
Jon Batiste: World Music Radio (Verve/Interscope)
Jon Batiste: World Music Radio
