Ooh, boy, is there some good music coming your way.

Of course, there’s the Best of The Beat Awards, which we’ve been hyping non-stop. This is not mere puffery:  We’ve got a fanastic line-up for this show, including a tribute to our Lifetime Award in Music Recipient, Dave Bartholomew, by Deacon John and his big band; a set with Ivan Neville & Dumpstaphunk, Chubby Carrier, a tribute to Alex Chilton featuring former members of his band and performers like Theresa Andersson, Susan Cowsill and Dave Pirner; “the real Davis” Rogan and his band, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, Red Bull Street Competition winners, the Stooges Brass Band, Soundclash Allstars wth Lyrikill, the Creole String Beans, and Washboard Rodeo, with a lot of surprises. Something for every taste, and with the ticket you get to eat the food from 20 New Orleans restaurants. VIPs will get seating, goodie bags, special drinks and premium catering.

Shamarr Allen at the 2009 Best of The Beat Awards...Great music awaits!

As I write this, I’m sitting here listening to a preview disc of the upcoming CD based on Dan Baum’s wonderful book, Nine Lives. I can understand why a lot of people envy me because I get to hear this brilliant stuff as part of my job! I urge you to read the book and look forward to the upcoming double CD, the product of writers Paul Sanchez and Colman DeKay. I hope they make it to Broadway!

Speaking of Broadway, OffBeat is glad to be a part of Joint’s Jumpin’, the musical revue that glorifies our New Orleans classic R&B.

Joint's Jumpin' in New Orleans on January 29.

Local impresario Bill Johnston—once one of the owners of the famous Warehouse venue—is the brains behind the show. Johnston wrote the book, put the show together, and selected songs from the greatest New Orleans Rhythm & Blues artists: Fats Domino, Lloyd Price, Clarence “Frogman” Henry, Chris Kenner, Erinie K-Doe, Jean Knight, Professor Longhair, the Meters, the Dixie Cups, and many, many more. He found the local New Orleans talent, which includes Larry Sieberth, Luther Kent, Gina Brown, Johnny Vindigni, Rick Trolsen, “Jellybean” Alexander, and many more (the complete band list is here) performing songs like  “Barefootin’ ,” “I Know,” “Blueberry Hill,” “Mr. Big Stuff,” “Stagger Lee,” “Carnival Time,” “Chapel of Love,” and a lot more (check out their “jukebox”).

The high-energy show premiered at Harrah’s New Orleans, and since then has been on the road throughout the US. Johnston is bringing Joint’s Jumpin’ back to New Orleans on January 29 at the Sugar Mill on Convention Center Boulevard. You can get more information on the show, as well as purchase tickets here.

To make things a little sweeter on Best of The Beat weekend, we are giving the first two people who purchase VIP tickets to the Best of the Beat on Friday, January 28 two free tickets to Joint’s Jumpin’ on Saturday, January 29. That way you’ll have an unparalleled weekend of great music from the past, present and the future of New Orleans. What could be better?