Eclectic Jam Band

The Quickening will tear it up at the Fair Grounds

BY JAY MAZZA

Blake Quick, the guitarist, songwriter and founder of the Quickening, had his first inkling he might someday grace the stages of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in the beginning of high school. While looking forward to seeing some of the bigger acts in 2000, after waiting in line at Blockbuster Video for $20 tickets, he noticed some friends were playing at the Fair Grounds.

He said, “I remember seeing John Michael Rouchell on stage, [he] played with MyNameIsJohnMichael and some other bands, and being like whoa, that kid’s only a year old than me. It’s totally doable for any of us.”

His first-time playing Jazz Fest was in 2012 with Flow Tribe. But by the end of the year, his tenure with that band had ended, as Quick wanted to move in another musical direction. So, 2023 is the 10th anniversary of the founding of The

Quickening and will mark the eclectic jam band’s first appearance at the Fair Grounds. They close the Lagniappe Stage on Thursday, May 4.

As with any young group, the membership of The Quickening has shifted over the years. The pandemic also had an impact. Some of the band members made other choices based on the tenuous nature of the future of the music business in 2020.

Bassist Al Small has been with Quick for the longest of any of the current members. Quick said, “He was really enthusiastic about joining and learning the material and hasn’t missed a gig in six or seven years.” The group also includes drummer Scotty Graves, who has played with Samantha Fish, keyboardist Joe Bouché and the newest member, British-born saxophonist James Beaumont.

Quick said, “James was willing to hit the road with us when were going to Charleston for a little east coast run, pre-pandemic. He breathed a whole new life into the band … kind of instead of confusing things (when the band had pedal steel wizard Dave Easley on board). That’s when I started thinking more along the lines of, is it too much [with all of the instruments]? It started getting a little congested.”

Beaumont adds a lot to the music both in the live setting and while writing songs. Quick said, “He comes up with little melody hooks and even if I’m sitting there in the studio trying to get a solo down, he chimes in with ‘try starting off with this’ and he gives me a little melody to replicate and then says, ‘then try elaborating on that.’” The collaboration is even more apparent when The Quickening plays live.

Longtime fans of the band, as well as all the new fans that will appear after they tear it up at the Fair Grounds, will get to hear some of the new music when the group’s fourth record is released.

The yet-to-be-titled record was recorded at the studio owned by the New Orleans Suspects’ guitarist Jake Eckert during the 2023 Carnival season. The first single, out now, is called “Fool 4 U.”

Quick said, “Jake’s such a huge help with us in the studio. He helps produce a little bit, but he doesn’t overstep his boundaries at all. He lets the music roll and then adds any influence that he might feel might be necessary after that.” The Quickening also recorded their third album with Eckert.

Blake Quick is a regular at the Jazz Fest as a fan, but it’s been over 10 years since he appeared as an artist. What’s he looking forward to about the 2023 performance? He said, “Man, I’m looking forward to driving my van in there, getting cozy in the camper, and getting some oysters next to the Lagniappe Stage where we’re playing our set.” O

Saturday April 29 at 5:45 p.m. Blues Tent