With a career spanning more than seven decades, banjo virtuoso Danny Barker is credited with mentoring generations of New Orleans musicians and is the namesake for the 4th Annual Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival. Taking place January 9 through 14, the 2018 installment aims to celebrate Barker’s life’s work with performances, educational clinics, panel discussions, interviews and more in an impressive collection of venues across the city. This year, live music will be provided by revered Haitian guitarist and educator Claude Carré and Senegalese kora master Morikeba Kouyate.
January 9’s kick-off concert will set the tone, as Ellis Marsalis performs solo piano repertoire. Other performers rounding out the evening include the all-star quartet of drummer Herlin Riley, bassist Mitchell Player, guitarist/banjoist Detroit Brooks and trumpeter Will Smith. Their performances will be joined by a screening of choice video segments featuring Barker and Blue Lu Barker, created by filmmaker Matt Martinez. Music journalist Gwen Thompkins will deliver a short presentation about Barker’s revised 2016 autobiography, A Life In Jazz, all of which will be rounded out by a very special appearance by the Ellis Marsalis Kids. The kick-off concert takes place at the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music (1901 Bartholomew St.).
Other notable inclusions are the Danny Barker Birthday Bash on January 11 at Snug Harbor, where two shows featuring Gregg Stafford, Freddy Lonzo, Detroit Brooks, Mari Matanabe, Kerry Lewis, Jerry Anderson and Topsy Chapman will celebrate music associated with Barker.
Kermit’s Treme Mother-in-Law Lounge will host the Danny Barker Traditional Jam, starring James Andrews, Glen David Andrews, Gregg Stafford, Donald Harrison Jr., Freddy Lonzo, Leroy Jones, Wendell Brunious, Roger Lewis and more.
On January 13, the official Second Line for Danny kicks off from the New Orleans Jazz Museum and ends at Bullet’s Sports Bar, led by the Hot 8 Brass Band and Sons of Jazz Brass Band. Also included will be various school bands and other local musicians.
It all culminates with the Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival grand finale on January 14 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Indoor and outdoor stages will house performances, screenings and more including sets from John Boutte, the UNO Jazz Ensemble with Steve Masakowski, Charmaine Neville, Kermit Ruffins, Leroy Jones Quartet and many more.
By week’s end, attendees will be treated to a series of educational events including a panel discussion with Gregg Stafford, Fred Johnson, Herlin Riley, Ellis Marsalis and others about Barker’s profound contributions, on January 10 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum; a performance from the Harry Sterling Quartet accompanied by storytelling about Danny and Blue Lu Barker from Jon Pult, Jan Ramsey, Chris Sylvain and more on January 11 at Rhodes Family Services (3933 Washington Avenue); and banjo/guitar clinics on various dates and at various locations.
The full event schedule and ticket information can be found at http://www.dannybarkerfestival.com/
