Local jazz veteran Kermit Ruffins knows a thing or two about partying New Orleans-style and this Saturday, June 8, Basin Street Records, Ruffin’s label, will hold an album release party for the new CD, We Partyin’ Traditional Style! at Tipitina’s. OffBeat gave readers a preview with a first listen just a few weeks ago of “Over the Waves,” a jazzy march tune with waltz-like influences and a revitalized swing beat, on May 21 in anticipation of the new record, which was fully reviewed in last month’s OffBeat Jazz Fest Bible 2013 print issue here.

On the disc, Ruffins’ band the Barbeque Swingers are joined by traditional New Orleans artists including Shannon Powell on drums, Steve Pistorius on piano, Richard Moten on bass,  Lucien Barbarin on trombone, Tom Fischer on clarinet, Don Vappie and introducing vocalist Mykia Jovan. New Orleans native Jovan is an expressive singer who is a newcomer to Ruffins’ band.

The CD’s tracks mix between traditional swing and smooth jazz; Ruffins’ superior trumpet playing shines through and the collaboration with the other artists livens up the album in a way that is uniquely New Orleans. The album dropped in a funky way worldwide on May 28 and was the No. 1 seller at Louisiana Music Factory during Jazz Fest and hit No. 9 on Billboard’s Traditional Jazz Chart.

The album can be purchased on the Basin Street Records site here, or through iTunes here.

The “We Partyin’ Traditional Style” CD Release Show
Date: Saturday, June 8
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Location: Tipitina’s (uptown)
501 Napoleon Ave. (map)
Admission: $15 | Tickets Here
Ages: 18+