OffBeat Magazine April 2017

French Quarter Fest YOUR complete guide

Aaron Neville The Soul Warrior

Makes His French Qua ter Fest Debut |

Andrew Hall’s High Society |

Musical Daughters LOUISIANA MUSIC, FOOD & CULTURE—APRIL 2017 Free In Metro New Orleans US $5.99 CAN $6.99 £UK 3.50

BLAST FROM THE PAST

From the Calliope to the Farm

“Aaron Neville”

Aaron Neville tells it like it is.

Page 32

LETTERS

6

MOJO MOUTH

8

FRESH

10

Five Questions with artist and musician Tony Green; The Music Maker Relief Foundation gives $62,000 to Louisiana musicians; My Music with Tim Robinson; Calvin Johnson’s Preservation Hall series; Nick Pino and Alejandro de los Rios converge to form local film company DumbSmart Industries and more.

PHOTO OP

PHoto at top: sarah a friedman

English import Andrew Hall celebrates 50 years of his Society Brass Band.

www.OFFBEAT.com

38

Our A to Z guide to French Quarter Festival.

OFFBEAT EATS 18

20 22

54

56

Lawrence Cotton is In the Spot at Guy’s Po-Boys and Peter Thriffiley reviews Nine Roses Cafe.

REVIEWS

58

Chloe Feoranzo and Tom McDermott, Banu Gibson, Tim Laughlin, Seva Venet, Smoking Time Jazz Club, the Revealers, Sam Price and the True Believers, Chris Thile and Brad Mehldau, Elvin Bishop and more.

LISTINGS

63

Plan A: Radiohead

Three musicians from three iconic fathers now set their own stage.

HIGH SOCIETY

FQF IQ

Kirk Estopinal at Cafe Henri mixes up Oliver and Al for Al “Carnival Time” Johnson.

Greg Schatz likes the crowd to be surprised.

NEXT LEVEL

28

Photographer Michelle Elmore’s three new books.

IN THE SPIRIT

Photographer Christopher Briscoe explores Salvador Giardina’s workshop.

BOOKING THE FESTIVAL

BIG BITES OF STREET CULTURE

26

BACKTALK Alynda Lee Segarra of Hurray for the Riff Raff

53

by Kalamu Ya Salaam March 1990 In our 1990 interview with Aaron Neville, Kalamu asks: What makes you unique as a singer? Neville responded, “I don’t try to copy anybody. I’ve developed my own style, but I did copy at one time. I used to listen to people like Nat King Cole.”

To read more, this issue can be purchased at www.offbeat.com/issues/ march-1990/.

A PRI L 2017

O

5

Letters Billie Davies Billie Davies and her team of jazztronauts lace together a bittersweet story of adventure on the boulevard of broken dreams that is as much dripping in nostalgia as it is taking the listener to new auditory places never before visited—all while wrapping you up in its very sexy sound and style. The whole album [February 2017 Reviews; A Nu Experience: On Hollywood Boulevard] puts me in a unique mood as if the nostalgia I am feeling were my own! Love it!

—Raphaelle O’Neil, New Orleans, Louisiana

Rarely Heard in Germany My name is Gerhard Rack from Mönchengladbach, Germany. I am 76 years old.

After the war in the years 1960 through 1985 I heard British and American jazz by the British forces that were stationed here—particularly the jazz from New Orleans. Unfortunately today it is rarely heard in Germany. Surely I never will come to New Orleans, I am too old. But today I can enjoy the bands on YouTube. The Loose Marbles and Tuba Skinny are wonderful jazz, I love them.

And now I have a big request. I have heard a few recordings under YouTube, but no titles are given. Could you please send me the titles per e-mail? Attached are my references. I would be very happy if you could help me.

—Gerhard Rack, Mönchengladbach, Germany Jason Jurzak, tuba player for Tuba Skinny and Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, and formerly with the Loose Marbles, responds: The Loose Marbles: “Bill Bailey, Won’t you Please Come Home” youtube.com/watch?v=uK U7pKePTAo&index=15&list=RDzX99Mdsq8b4 Loose Marbles with Chance & Amy: “Hear Me Talkin’ To Ya” youtube.com/watch?v=bqEov92Z OOM&index=13&list=PLCC19795A6306843B Loose Marbles: (a very fast) “Canal St. Blues” youtube.com/watch?v=EAIe7IQYXgc Loose Marbles: “Shake It and Break It (Weary Blues)” youtube.com/watch?v=yTrFhOL lRg8&list=RDyTrFhOLlRg8 Loose Marbles: “Sobbin’ Blues” youtube. com/watch?v=nMYDj5vyuWQ&list=RDnMYD j5vyuWQ

“I was poisoned throughout my childhood by these disgusting statues glorifying the heroes of slavery and racism. New Orleans and its creolized population never deserved this humiliation.”

—Gwendolyn Midlo Hall, Guanajuato City, Mexico The Loose Marbles with Meschiya Lake: “When I Get Low, I Get High” youtube.com/w atch?v=hUeI4Q9ePEg&index=1&list=PLCC197 95A6306843B I’m glad bro enjoys these!

Removing Confederate Monuments The following letters are in response to Jan Ramsey’s blog post, “Buh-Bye General Lee?” about the removal of Confederate monuments.

I was poisoned throughout my childhood by these disgusting statues glorifying the heroes of slavery and racism. New Orleans and its creolized population never deserved this humiliation. So I am delighted they will finally be removed. And I’d like to see them replaced not just but musicians but by the real heroes who fought slavery and racism like San Malo, the black troops who fought for their freedom, and Roudanez. And the black and white heroes and martyrs of Reconstruction. Yes, I support Medicare for all too.

—Gwendolyn Midlo Hall, Guanajuato City, Mexico This is outrageous. Political correctness rears its ugly head. These men were so much more to the history of the South than a war and deserve better. We had planned a trip later this year but I think we need to find something else.

—Gene M. Maynor, Dunlap, Tennessee If this were a statue commemorating a slave uprising where hundreds of white men, women and children were slaughtered, would you feel the same way about removing it? Would you bring your children there? Would you be capable of explaining the symbolism? Now imagine that you’re black.

—Gene Marks, Cleveland, Ohio

Pretty Lights Beautiful writing. Pretty Lights live is far more than music, it’s a bridge that spans through all of our energy and shoots through the air into light.

It’s so addicting and has such a strong gravitational pull—you’ll never be the same again. Congrats to the posse for their achievements, and congrats to the big man for creating something so alive that it will always live within me. Much love!

—Sean Hardani, Tulsa, Oklahoma

OffBeat welcomes letters from its readers—both comments and criticisms. To be considered for publication, all letters must be signed and contain the current address and phone number of the writer. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for length or content deemed objectionable to OffBeat readers. Please send letters to Editor, OffBeat Publications, 421 Frenchmen St., Suite 200, New Orleans, LA 70116.

6

O

APRIL 2017

Louisiana Music, Food & Culture

April 2017 Volume 30, Number 4 Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Jan V. Ramsey, janramsey@offbeat.com Managing Editor Joseph L. Irrera, josephirrera@offbeat.com Consulting Editor John Swenson Food Editor Elsa Hahne, elsahahne@offbeat.com Listings Editor Katie Walenter, listings@offbeat.com Contributors Laura DeFazio, Frank Etheridge, Elsa Hahne, Alex B. Johnson, Brett Milano, Tom McDermott, Jennifer Odell, John Swenson, Peter Thriffiley, Michael Patrick Welch, Geraldine Wyckoff Cover Golden G. Richard, III (photo) Elsa Hahne (illustration) Art Director/Food Editor Elsa Hahne, elsahahne@offbeat.com Web Editor Sam D'Arcangelo, sam@offbeat.com Copy Editor Theo Schell-Lambert, theo@offbeat.com Advertising Sales Maggie Doussan, maggie@offbeat.com Promotions Coordinator Camille A. Ramsey, camille@offbeat.com Advertising Design PressWorks, 504-944-4300 Business Manager Joseph L. Irrera Interns Alex Guior, Brittney Karno, Elina Tons Distribution Patti Carrigan, Doug Jackson OffBeat (ISSN# 1090-0810) is published monthly in New Orleans by OffBeat, Inc., 421 Frenchmen St., Suite 200, New Orleans, LA 70116 (504) 944-4300 • fax (504) 944-4306 e-mail: offbeat@offbeat.com, web site: www.offbeat.com facebook.com/offbeatmagazine twitter.com/offbeatmagazine Copyright © 2017, OffBeat, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. OffBeat is a registered trademark of OffBeat, Inc. First class subscriptions to OffBeat in the U.S. are available for $45 per year ($52 Canada, $105 foreign airmail). Back issues are available for $10, except for the May issue for $16 (for foreign delivery add $6, except for the May issue add $4). Submission of photos and articles on Louisiana artists are welcomed, but unfortunately material cannot be returned.

MOJO MOUTH

French Quarter Festivals, Inc. names a new Executive Director By Jan Ramsey

T

he French Quarter Festival is now in its fourth decade.

FQF started many years after the Jazz Fest, with none of the same intentions—that is, to preserve New Orleans and Louisiana music and culture. It was a relatively small event planned by then-mayor Dutch Morial in an attempt to attract locals back to the Quarter. Sidewalk and many street improvements for the 1984 World’s Fair had prevented almost everyone from visiting our beautiful Vieux Carré.

The festival was an attempt to showcase the Quarter again. From

8

O

APRIL 2017

there, FQF grew over the years to become an annual event—a true music and culture festival—that’s grown from a tiny event in 1985 to attracting well over a half-million festivalgoers in 2016.

While FQF has been a favorite of locals over the years (its free admission, local bands and stellar food guarantee that), it’s now become popular worldwide and is bringing in more and more people from all over the U.S. and the world. This can do nothing but increase with the opening of New Orleans to international

markets via new direct flights from London and Frankfurt.

FQF was headed up for years by a very small staff led by Sandra Dartus (who retired after 20 years and then resurfaced to work on promoting FestiGals). The organization went through several directors until it settled on Marci Schramm, who recently left FQFI, the festival’s umbrella organization, to spend more time with her family and work with her husband’s business.

We’re proud to introduce you to the newest President and CEO of French Quarter Festivals, Emily Mitchell Madero. Madero was the CEO of the Idea Village for almost 10 years and recently organized the very-successful Entrepreneur Week.

Madero is originally from Maine

but went to Tulane and moved permanently to New Orleans in 1998.

“I made New Orleans my home because of the people: We dance to the beat of our own drum. New Orleans music, food and culture has inspired me. I loved working with the Idea Village because it’s focused on creating positive change in New Orleans. In a lot of ways, it parallels French Quarter Fest in that its purpose is to elevate and invest in our future. I see FQFI as being a conduit to investment in our culture makers. I’m excited about bringing my background in leading nonprofits to FQFI’s team that’s been so successful in building this great New Orleans event.”

We’re looking forward to great things from you, Ms. Madero! O

www.OFFBEAT.com

FRESH

Photo: marissa altazan

Buku Music + Art Project

SOUNDCHECK

OffBeat.com

Photo: RAFFAELLA TOSO

Five Questions with artist and musician Tony Green

W

hat is it about Django Reinhardt’s guitar playing that so hooked you as a young musician?

Starting off as a teenager, I was into rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly.

I played in a power trio with a wall of amps that terrorized the whole neighborhood. I loved the blues of Chicago’s Chess Records and the acid groups out of California. I was totally into the hippie thing and as life went on, I got the wanderlust. I traveled to Bruges, Belgium and decided to live there and began playing gigs as Tony Green and the House Rockers. Out in the city one night, I found these four guys playing gypsy jazz and the music just punched me in the face. Such virtuosity and musicianship—they totally turned my head around. I gave up the wall of amps and got myself a Selmer-style guitar.

How would you say gypsy jazz differs from other jazz styles?

Gypsy jazz has its origins with the nomadic musicians who came from all over Europe and gravitated toward urban centers. Munich. Paris. They were playing popular pieces of the day, so when the American records started coming over— bringing Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald—jazz worked its way in and soon became part of their culture. The gypsy tradition is heard in the music in how it’s phrased. It’s a language, gypsy, passed on from generation to generation, just like jazz in New Orleans.

You split your time between your native New Orleans and Italy.

How does it feel it when you come back to your hometown?

I love to see the renaissance after the utter devastation of Katrina. The city is on an upward trajectory—more restaurants, more places for my musician friends to play. There’s a lot of carpetbaggers around, though.

How would you compare creating music versus paintings?

It’s the same process. It has to do with first knowing the fundamentals.

In music, you have to know scales, how to play in time, and it’s important to be awake and aware when you’re playing so you can respond to the moment. In painting, the same thing, you have to know color theory, composition, negative space. But those artistic concepts often work in both—Thelonious Monk, he was the master of negative space.

Do European audiences have a better appreciation of jazz?

I wouldn’t say better—it’s more exotic for them. Growing up in New Orleans, it was background music to your shenanigans, an outgrowth of who we were. Lately, I’m less interested in playing in public. Social media, smartphones, have ruined audiences. I want human connection when I’m playing, that circular energy that spirals upward on a good night.

—Frank Etheridge Tony Green painted the official 2017 French Quarter Festival poster.

His Gypsy Jazz combo performs at the festival on Sunday, April 9.

10

O

APRIL 2017

SWEET TWEETS @IvanDragoUSA Some go to church on Sundays to be inspired. I go to see @ GalacticFunk @ezlusztig (Elliott Lusztig) Cost of security for Trump Tower: $183 million/year. Budget for National Endowment Arts/Humanities: $148 million/year. Let them eat diamonds. @NekoCase Having delivered for Meals on Wheels, I’m livid. SO many depend on food AND the human contact. People would cry they were so happy to see you. @mpatrickwelch The original intention of the confederate monuments was to ERASE HISTORY by falsely recasting the losers as winners. @WendellPierce Important to our cityscape? Yet we demolished Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet’s homes. Far greater contribution to NOLA. @AmyTrailSongs Excited to announce that I’ll be playing the newly formed songwriter stage at French Quarter Fest 2017. @mcbridesworld Words can’t possibly describe the contributions this great musician made to the world. We must all bow. RIP Chuck Berry, 1926-2017. @m_tisserand (Michael Tisserand) Mount Rockmore [Lewis, Berry, Richard, Domino].

www.OFFBEAT.com

FRESH

FLOOD AID

MY MUSIC

The Music Maker Relief Foundation gives $62,000 to Louisiana musicians

Tim Robinson

Baton Rouge community organizer and band leader Harvey Knox has received assistance from the Music Maker Relief Foundation

S

even months after unprecedented rainfall flooded Southeast Louisiana, musicians across the state are still struggling to get back on their feet, having lost homes, studios, instruments, gear and gigs to the disaster.

Thanks to organizations like the Music Maker Relief Foundation (MMRF), the burden of that struggle is a little lighter. The blues-focused, North Carolina–based nonprofit recently announced it has raised and disbursed more than $62,000 in emergency aid to support the needs of Baton Rouge– area musicians like Henry Gray, Larry Garner and Kenny Neal.

“They’re starting to get back in action and get their lives going again, but it’s still difficult,” said MMRF Executive Director and cofounder Tim Duffy, who founded the organization to “preserve the musical traditions of the South by directly supporting the musicians who make it,” according to the group’s website.

Marshalling financial support from other foundations as well as from MMRF board members, including Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Pete Townshend, the organization began its aid efforts by sending checks to flood-affected musicians in and around Baton Rouge. Neal and Gray were among the first to receive assistance, Duffy said, followed by 40 artists identified by the Baton Rouge Blues Society as being in need of help. In some cases, artists were also given monthly stipends.

“Everyone loves a handout, but it’s more about a hand up,” said Duffy.

In an effort to follow through on that notion, Duffy’s team is now working to set up gigs for area musicians. Along with the Jazz Foundation of America, MMRF co-sponsored the Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival when it was in danger of being canceled. When Neal takes the stage at Jazz Fest on April 29 with the Baton Rouge Blues Revue, the foundation has committed to matching what the festival is paying each musician, Duffy said.

Amid lobbying efforts by Gov. John Bel Edwards for a bigger payout from Congress (which earmarked only $1.6 billion for the state after Edwards’ initial $4 billion request), other groups have stepped up. As of early March, MusiCares had provided approximately $100,000 worth of assistance to nearly 100 Louisiana musicians. Locally, Preservation Hall refocused its fundraising efforts to assist musicians in Southeast Louisiana affected by the flood. The Hall also teamed up with Aaron Scruggs to present the Red Stick Revival benefit concert, which followed a day of Hall-organized debris cleanup in Baton Rouge. The concert and fundraising efforts garnered $4,000.

—Jennifer Odell

12

O

APRIL 2017

“S

ome people know me only from the Dirty Mouth days. Some people might know me from the concert music, some from Bourbon Street, some might not know me at all. I’m comfortable with all these things. I’m not much of a networker, I just like people.

I think the whole Dirty Mouth thing has changed over the past few years. Instead of harassing the audience so much, we harass them with our choice of material. Like, we do ‘Chug All Night’ by the Eagles. That might be the worst song of all time. I feel like I could put a tie on and make a pretty good academic argument as to why that’s the worst song of all time.

I guess my approach to writing is, I’m fascinated by certain things, so all those things tend to make it in there. Like the record I did, I got very fascinated with the concept of, what if you had no choruses? What if you took out every piece of what you felt was extraneous? I had nine songs under two minutes.

The other thing I was fascinated by is if you have an odd number of beats, and you either double-time those beats or half-time those beats, the amount of beats or the amount of cycles to line itself back up. I hate when people call them odd time signatures. I’m not into that concept. They’re just numbers. It’s just beats.

The way I make a living is, I work on Bourbon Street. I have for years and years and years. I also play with Amanda Shaw. I like that band a lot. I like her a lot. As far as someone with a name, I’ve never dealt with anyone who’s easier to deal with—especially onstage. And I get to play jobs I wouldn’t have access to in the rest of my career. Somewhere

right around 2004, I started only listening to concert music for my own personal enjoyment—mostly twentieth century. I just stopped listening to everything except for that. And I’m still kinda that way. I don’t know why.

So I started dabbling in it. And then Katrina happened. We were in North Jersey, and I just needed a purpose.

Basically I got on a search engine looking for composition teachers.

I finally found Daron Hagen. In that world, he’s pretty famous. He got me into competitions, he got me into festivals. Even after I moved back, I would fly up there and study with him.

People like to label other people. No one gets famous for being multifaceted. Not that fame is necessarily the end game, but I’m saying—you know, Eric Clapton’s famous for being Eric Clapton. Eric Clapton would struggle with my gig. He really would.”

—Laura DeFazio www.OFFBEAT.com

FRESH

TIMELESS TRADITION

Photo: james demaria

Calvin Johnson’s Pres Hall Series

“O

ne of his mantras that he would always say to me,” Calvin Johnson Jr. recalls of his uncle—the late, great jazzman Ralph Johnson—from Preservation Hall’s courtyard offices, “was, ‘The world is just waiting for that melody. Until you have it, shut up.’”

Johnson is laughing as he recounts stories from a childhood steeped in such lessons learned in the method only New Orleans musical family hierarchies can teach. He was first brought to Preservation Hall at age six by his father, Ralph’s younger brother and one of six children in a family where all the boys played music. Now in his thirties and a well-established saxophonist and composer best recognized for his work in Chapter:SOUL and his own Native Son project, he recalls that experience: “I sat down on the bench directly adjacent to the drum set and I watched [Albert] ‘June’ Gardner on drums.”

“I caught Kid Sheik [George Colar] playing trumpet in the last eight months of his life, Gregg Stafford, John Brunious—‘Ya gotta shake that thing’—Carl LeBlanc strumming it out on banjo,” Johnson continues of his formative Preservation Hall concerts. “That’s just stuff you never forget.”

A NOCCA alum, Johnson came to the Hall for countless lessons growing up as well. “Lessons in school are very different from hanging around professional musicians,” he says. “They believed music was a reflection of life, not something like a science, and jazz wasn’t taught in a school environment when they were learning it.”

He is now at work “drawing from that firsthand experience and knowledge of that material.” The inaugural event is scheduled for Saturday, April 15. “The Hall came to me a few months ago and said they were looking to create a new concert series,” Johnson explains. “They asked me, ‘What are some things truly in your heart, musically speaking, that you want to say here?’ That was the inception of this mutual concept.”

Saying he wants to keep the band members and song selection a secret (an element designed to create a connect-the-dots game for local jazz aficionados), Johnson will play in the ’90s-era Hall instrumentation with himself on soprano sax in a band rounded out by cornet, trombone, banjo, upright bass, tuba, drum set and piano.

“The stories I’m going to tell, the melodies I’m going to give,” Johnson says, “are not an abridged copy. They’re coming straight from a third-generation jazz musician sitting in the same exact seat where I learned to play.”

—Frank Etheridge Catch Calvin Johnson & Native Son Threauxback to the Great Pres Hall Bands of the ’90s on Saturday, April 15 at 3 p.m. at Preservation Hall (726 St. Peters St.).

14

O

APRIL 2017

www.OFFBEAT.com

FRESH

DUMBSMART INDUSTRIES

Local creatives form film company

“W

e had been working on stories before Nick had equipment,” New Orleans musician and actor Derrick Freeman explains of video/film collective DumbSmart Industries, which he co-founded a few years ago with like-minded conspirators Nicholas Pino and Matthew Zarba.

Rapping under the name M@ Peoples and directing the musiceducation nonprofit Upbeat Academy, Zarba joins Freeman (who plays lead as a down-and-out chef in the coming short Richie Broke?) in bringing a street-wise music pedigree—along with a shared flair for absurdist, satirical comedy—to DumbSmart. Pino has established himself around town as DJ Jermaine Quiz and brings a visionary narrative quality to balance the team’s creative equilibrium in addition to his obvious talents for shooting film, composing scores, and editing. “I have a very basic set of equipment and a lot of ideas,” Pino says. “I try not to let equipment dictate what we do. Getting the equipment was just a means to an end. I wanted to write and I wanted to find someone to film and direct.”

Pino filmed and directed the video for Lyrics Born’s collaboration with Preservation Hall, “That’s It,” which earned Best Video at the 2016 Best of the Beat Awards. Additionally, a commercial for Juan LaFonta featuring Big Freedia earned him Best Use of Local Music or Musicians in Advertising at the 2017 Best of the Beat Business Awards. He recently shot concert

footage for the Revivalists’ New Year’s Eve show at the Orpheum, joining clients Nigel Hall, Dumpstaphunk and others in further cementing DumbSmart as local musicians’ go-to choice for film/video needs.

Pino teamed up with Alejandro de los Rios two years ago and now the duo “write and direct everything together,” Pino says.

De los Rios explains that he was “bartending to support my journalism habit” when they were introduced via de los Rios’ work on a brass-band documentary that featured Freeman as narrator. A gig with ESPN the Magazine taught him video skills, and he played the lead role in Jalapeño Andretti, which debuted last month at Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival in Lafayette.

“Being able to collaborate with such creative people has proven very productive for me,” says de los Rios. “We have a lot coming up as far as commercial work, and that’s great, but we’re working to have that support our creative work.”

—Frank Etheridge

16

O

APRIL 2017

www.OFFBEAT.com

PHOTO OP

Photographer

Christopher Briscoe

M

Luthier—one who builds or repairs string instruments. y feet were blistered and aching after two weeks of nonstop walking through the French Quarter. It was the last day of my stay in New Orleans. Salvador Giardina was on my long list of interesting characters to photograph for my book project. A street musician known as the Bob Dylan Girl told me, “One night I was on my bike headed home.

My light was out. I got hit. I was okay, but my mandolin broke in half. Sal fixed it for a really good price.”

I’d been wanting to meet Sal for a long time, so I dialed his number, half expecting to be put off and told to call back another time. Instead, Sal said, “Come by any time. I go to lunch between noon and one o’clock.”

Twenty minutes later, after a taxi ride up Canal Street into Old Metairie, I found his tiny shop. As soon as I stepped through the door, I thought I might be on the set of Storage Wars, but in fifteenth-century Europe—in a room filled with piles of decaying wooden instruments waiting to be restored. Violins, guitars, banjos, bases, ukuleles—even dulcimers—were stacked everywhere. A few looked like works of art. Others looked as if they’d just been rescued from a garbage can. I had to carefully pick my spot to stand on a floor sprinkled with wood shavings. I tried to make sense of it all, scanning the walls, where more violins, guitars and mandolins hung high above shelves piled with tools, bottles of glue, stains and violin bows. Every inch of the place was covered in a gentle snow of fine Renaissance sawdust.

Sal greeted me with the warm sandpapered hand of a craftsman.

He smiled, standing behind a cluttered counter, working on the bridge of a splintering bass. Sal’s weathered face and long hair reminded me a little of Neil Young, his skin sepia-toned, aging like the rest of the stained orchestra behind him.

Sal grinned, confessing, “I’m an artist. One thing I’m not is neat.

You can shoot as many photos as you like, but I’ve got to keep working. I get so far behind trying to get this stuff out. Customers come in and yell at me, ‘You know how long you’ve had my instrument?! When is it going to be finished?!’ I just tell them, ‘It will be done when it’s done.’” He shrugged, adding, “I never know. I don’t own this shop. I don’t run it. It runs me.”

Salvador Giardina’s workshop is in Old Metairie at 101 Focis Street, 504-832-4955.

A PRI L 2017

O

19

GREG SCHATZ

Booking It

L

ocal musicians are rarely given any real power or influence. Musicians generally don’t own nightclubs.

Music journalists don’t often make music themselves.

But in 2008, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Greg “Schatzy” Schatz managed to infiltrate the French Quarter Fest and become its entertainment manager. Schatz has since been one of the voices that shape the fest’s music each year—among his many other less glamorous duties at FQF, Satchmo Summer Fest and Christmas New Orleans Style.

“I’ve been lucky to be a professional musician in this town since 1995,” says Schatzy. “But for a few years there things had been a little spotty, workwise.

I had played a lot with Jeremy Lyons; 80 percent of my work was with him. So after he moved away in 2005, I went with him to New York for a little bit, and soon I came back down to New Orleans, looking at various options.”

When musicians try to switch careers, they often realize the downside of having worked their whole life to sharpen their chops in just one area. But Schatzy got lucky.

“I interviewed for this position and found out they wanted someone who related to musicians, and would understand both sides of it,” he says.

“Whereas, being on this side of it has really helped me understand, as a musician, what people who are organizing things go through.

This job just seemed oddly suited for my skill set—though I’ve learned a lot too.”

Schatz is just one of 11 people on the committee that decides which musicians to officially book. “If I or someone on the

20

O

APRIL 2017

committee likes something, we’ll suggest it, and if someone is really gung-ho about something, then it often gets in. But more than anything, we like a lot of variety,” Schatz explains. “We sometimes book music that may not fit our own personal tastes, but we know it’s important to have at the festival. I like the crowd to be surprised, because I myself like surprises.”

With so many iconic New Orleans musicians to choose from, Schatz says that keeping the fest fresh sometimes presents a challenge. “Within that framework you have the favorites people want to hear year after year, but then you don’t want the same festival every year. So it’s a bit of a balancing act.” He points out that, this year, FQF will feature over 40 debut performances.

“Usually it’s at least 20, but we doubled that this year,” says

By Michael Patrick Welch

Schatz. “Aaron Neville has, to my knowledge, not played French Quarter Fest with his solo project before. Then Thursday at the Abita Stage we have Louisiana LeRoux. And I’m excited about Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole, and Cedryl Ballou & the Zydeco Trendsetters, the Nayo Jones Experience, Tonya Boyd-Cannon, Washboard Rodeo—which is Washboard Chaz’s country swing band—and Love Evolution.”

Adds Schatz, “Hopefully, if I am not putting out a fire somewhere at the fest, I can check out these new artists.”

Schatz says the duties of entertainment manager at FQF have changed a bit over the course his nine years. “It’s everything from overseeing the application phase, then working with the entertainment committee, which comes up with who [we] want where and when.

Then the actual booking and

scheduling is sort of where a lot of my time gets spent. I make the phone calls and emails to fit them all into the puzzle.”

This year Schatz will coordinate four different sound companies providing sound to 23 different stages. “Well, two of the stages are actually venues that are our partners for whom I don’t have to the do the production or booking work. Then of course Preservation Hall is acoustic, so I don’t have to worry about them,” Schatz qualifies, making his job sound no less daunting.

His work for FQF has kept “Schatzy” too busy to ever perform his own music for the crowds, though he has managed to participate in one-off sets backing Jeremy Lyons or Little Freddie King on a song or two.

As a musician who has hauled his own heavy gear to the Earth’s ends, Schatz has concerned himself more with issues such as including more and more parking spaces for musicians playing FQF. “I coordinate parking for like 500 musicians in five different ground lots and garages. I am the one who gives everyone directions from those areas to three stages—though we try to make the lots as close as possible… This year we at least have a little more parking for them than last year.”

Schatz admits that his day job is not quite as electrifying as its end result. “We sit here hunched over our computers for months on end,” he says, “but when it actually happens, when the fest is going on, it’s a very exciting thing! When I am finally out there in the Quarter, working in the great outdoors, it really hits me like, ‘Oh yeah, all those emails and spreadsheets, they actually translated into something really fun!’”

O www.OFFBEAT.com

PHoto: elsa hahne

Greg Schatz likes the crowd to be surprised.

DAUGHTERS IN MUSIC

Next Level

N

ew Orleans is known for its great musical families and jazz lineages where music is a craft, a business and a passion passed on from one generation to the next.

April offers an excellent chance to catch the diverse talents of three musicians, all daughters of prominent musician fathers, as they present their respective projects—ranging from rock to big band to electronica—that both honor paternal inspirations and explore new sonic territory.

Profiled below, these secondgeneration talents are now recognized on their own merits, and by their own names, as they rise in star power in both local nightclubs and on the national scene.

“I love jazz but my interests are somewhere else.”

It might have taken Sasha Masakowski moving to New York City to find her voice.

“It’s very much on and off between here and New Orleans,” the 30-year-old daughter of Astral Project guitarist and University of New Orleans Chair of Jazz Studies Steve Masakowski says by phone from her home in Brooklyn. “It was a good move.

It’s been amazing—I’ve met and collaborated with some incredible musicians.”

Noting that she has “been doing some really cool stuff” musically of late, Masakowski explains that delving into the realm of electronic music while in New York has led to her new project, Tra$h Magnolia. “It’s my alter-ego, electronic, art-rock vehicle for all these songs I’ve been writing,” the singer—and now producer and multiinstrumentalist—says. “I have

22

O

APRIL 2017

Sasha Masakowski, daughter of Steve Masakowski

complete control over everything: all the drum programming, the synthesizer parts, the sampling.”

Though adding that she’s always been interested in that style of music, pointing to Hildegard, her collaboration with local guitarist Cliff Hines, she admits it wasn’t until moving to New York City that she “dug deeper” into the genre. “When I first got up here, I just figured I’d do the jazz thing, since that’s my background, my history,” she says. “But I wasn’t really feeling

By Frank Etheridge

the modern-jazz scene here and decided I didn’t want to put my time and focus there.”

While home over Mardi Gras, Masakowski brought Tra$h Magnolia to the Ace Hotel on Lundi Gras to a rabid crowd response. In April, she returns to New Orleans for two gigs at Blue Nile’s Balcony Room with Tra$h Magnolia (on April 19 and 26).

An April 30 jazz showcase is also scheduled at Mag’s 940.

She’s assembled top local talents for the project, local

players adding electronica flourishes to fill out the experimental sound: a jazz drummer will incorporate effects, while saxophonist Rex Gregory and bassist Max Moran will play their instruments through synthesizers.

While Masakowski’s childhood included going to hear Astral Project at various festivals, it was the sound of her mother, Ulrike, practicing piano as she went to sleep that stands as her earliest memory of music. “It was a really comforting thing to her,” she says of her mother’s piano play.

Having studied at UNO under her father, who she calls a “harmonic freak genius,” Masakowski says she felt some outsider expectations “that I’m going to be the next jazz singer.

I love jazz but my interests are somewhere else. My career is going to be what I determine it to be.”

Yet, along with brother Martin, she’s made a jazz album with her father, N.O. Escape, and last month performed with the family band (plus Paul Thibodeaux on drums) in New York City and Atlanta. “It’s great—really fun and super easy,” Masakowski says of recording and playing with her family. “Gorgeous, haunting songs that are all of my dad’s original compositions with lyrics by Jay Griggs based on the novel A Confederacy of Dunces.”

“As a family we do a record every two years—which is great because it documents where we are at a certain point in time as we’re all always getting into new styles of music” she says. “Sometimes we get a little disorganized, so it can be hard for us to handle the business side of things. But that’s because we’re not business people—we’re all musicians.” www.OFFBEAT.com

PHoto: amy lithimane

Three daughters from three iconic fathers now set their own stage.

I US NM

C

PHoto: jerry moran

“As long as we’re playing, I’m happy.”

Darcy Malone Boye went to her first Jazz Fest when she was still in the womb. Now 38, she has her own kid in tow when she sets out to experience live local music: four-year-old Elliot David Boye, his middle name a homage to his paternal grandfather, rocking Radiators icon Dave Malone.

Talking over coffee at a spot not far from the Lakeview home she shares with husband/ bandmate Chris, the vocalist/ bandleader says that her son has already shown a proclivity for painting. Allowing space for artistic pursuits is a family trait, her first musical memories consisting of Rads shows on the Tulane quad and Sundays spent with her mother, original Pfister Sisters member Susie Malone.

Boye would accompany her mom on her Sunday gig circuit from Gazebo Café to Café Sbisa on lower Decatur Street before hitting Snug Harbor. It was at the

www.OFFBEAT.com

H UG DA

Darcy Malone of Darcy Malone and the Tangle, daughter of Dave Malone

SI TE R

Frenchmen Street jazz club where she would first sing on stage.

“I was seven and it was with Charmaine Neville,” Boye says with a giggle to introduce the tale. “They couldn’t get me off stage. I sang ‘Sleepy Time down South’ and when it was done I just busted into [Whitney Houston’s] ‘Greatest Love of All.’ It was a cappella. And Charmaine was like, ‘Just let her finish.’”

The gracious communal camaraderie among New Orleans musicians that allowed Boye on stage as a child is a spirit that’s always surrounded her and one that inspired (and sustained) her band, rising cross-pollinated rock outfit the Tangle. When she first

A PRI L 2017

O

23

DA

UG H TE

RS I N

MU SI C

“My dad’s the guy I call when I don’t know what the heck is going on in the music business—which he told me to stay out of, saying it can be awful and ugly and horrible.” ­—Darcy Malone

met her future husband 14 years ago, the guitarist was involved in an instrumental project. They soon began putting together different band variations, “but it never really clicked,” Boye recalls, “and when we went to Austin after Katrina, it all fell apart.”

This exile in Texas taught a valuable lesson. “I love Austin, it’s great, but the music scene is really disconnected,” Boye explains.

“And competitive. Like, ‘I’m a musician and I don’t want to talk to you because you’re another musician.’ Here in New Orleans, it’s more, ‘What can I do to help you?’

“This city has a soul like no other city in the world,” she continues, “especially as a musician or artist of any kind, as life is just magnified in New Orleans. You can’t escape that soul and it creates this heartbeat that connects us all.”

After returning home, such creative connectivity began to build the Tangle. Drummer Billy Schell was recruited from brother Johnny Malone’s band, the Boondoggles, while “diamond in the rough” bassist Craig Toomey came from Craigslist. Sax/keyboard player Jagon Eldridge played in Dang Bruh-Y?, who Boye used to dig during punk shows at the now-closed Abstract Cafe.

Rounded out by lead guitarist/ vocalist JP Carmody, Darcy Malone and the Tangle head into spring and summer with a lot of momentum.

The group just wrapped recording sessions at the famed Studio in the Country in Bogalusa for upcoming album Make Me Over, produced

by Ben Mumphrey and recorded on tape, not digitally, to capture the band’s raw live-show rock prowess. After Jazz Fest, the band will embark on a lengthy East Coast tour highlighted by a slot opening for Rebirth Brass Band at the Brooklyn Bowl in June.

24

O

APRIL 2017

Lena Prima, daughter of Louis Prima

Being the daughter of Dave Malone has advantages when charting music-career territory. “My dad’s the guy I call when I don’t know what the heck is going on in the music business—which he told me to stay out of, saying it can be awful and ugly and horrible.

He teaches me a lot. And he’s my musical hero. He’s not only a great songwriter and singer, but he’s also very captivating on stage, and having always wanted to emulate that, now he helps me do what I do.”

Given her from-the-cradle musical education and current band success, Boye has good reason for her optimism. “The sky’s the limit,” she says when asked what’s next for the Tangle.

“The idea behind the Tangle was

to get all these genres together and create this sound. When we started, it was indie rock with no direction, and now it’s funk meets rock meets soul meets pop. It’s a big sound. I’m really excited about where I see this going, but really, as long as we’re playing, I’m happy.”

“I try to emulate what he did as far as quality in the music.”

“There’s a lot of creative energy coming out of me,” Lena Prima explains of her pursuit of creative self-expression as both a musician and jewelry designer.

“The music thing for me is the love and energy I’m giving out,” the singer says. “I’m feeling that for myself, too, but also care so much

about the people I’m performing for. When I’m making jewelry, it’s like I’m being filled back up. It’s my outlet that allows me to go out and do music again.”

While that other outlet is captured in exquisite fashion in Prima’s 2016 book, Wanderlust: Travel-Inspired Jewelry, she’s been on the music scene since birth.

“My first memories of music are being up on stage and watching my dad,” she says of worldrenowned singer, bandleader and composer Louis Prima (1910– 1978). “I’d be with him when he traveled around and I just loved his music—I listened to him a lot when I was kid. Then I got into the rock ’n’ roll—Ann Wilson from Heart taught me how to sing. Then, living in Las Vegas, I started singing in heavy-metal bands in the ’80s, really having a lot of fun.”

Though the 53-year-old Prima spent much of her adult life in Las Vegas, she was born to her father’s fifth wife in New Orleans.

She grew up here, off and on, with memories of her father’s apartment on Esplanade Avenue and house along the golf course, Pretty Acres, he developed in Covington.

While she says Las Vegas provided “around-the-clock work” for her rock bands in the ’80s and ’90s, the scene moved toward DJs and circus shows and soon offered “no places for bands to play.”

In 2010, Jazz Fest honored Louis Prima on the centennial of his birth. Coming into town two weeks around her appearance as part of that tribute set, Prima landed gigs at the Roosevelt Hotel’s Blue Room, Hotel Monteleone and Royal Sonesta.

“Music everywhere—I had an amazing time,” she remembers.

“I didn’t want to go back to Las Vegas. As soon as my husband and I got back there, we said, www.OFFBEAT.com

DAUGHTERS IN MUSIC

‘Let’s move to New Orleans.’ We got here Christmas of 2010 and I played French Quarter Fest for the first time in spring 2011. That’s why I always love playing French Quarter Fest—it’s a symbol of coming back home for me.”

Prima co-wrote her first album after returning to New Orleans, 2014’s Starting Something, with her husband of 11 years, Tim Fahey. “It’s a great, wonderful relationship,” she says. “We’re best friends but we also work really well together as a team— and rarely does that kind of thing happen. We love travelling. We love writing music and making music.”

Last year, Prima released Live at the Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall. “It was sold out, the energy was amazing and we were just on fire,” Prima says of her band, featuring Fahey on bass, Thad Scott on tenor sax, Justin Pardue on trombone, Mike Fulton on trumpet, Larry Sieberth on piano and Cori Walters on drums.

“I like to do a high-energy show,” Prima says. “And I tell people about my dad, about travelling around the world with him, and soon as I hit ‘King Louie’ from Jungle Book, all the phones come out, people wanting a piece of this New Orleans legacy.

But, you know, I’m honored to represent that and the music is just so great and fun.”

Prima describes her father as “a genius who wrote amazing songs,” and says that, coming from a “beautiful, warm-hearted” family of Sicilian immigrants, “I grew up watching my dad and how he also did things in a very quality way.” “He inspires me. I try to emulate what he did as far as quality in the music. And, like him, I try to give 110 percent every time I perform.”

O www.OFFBEAT.com

A PRI L 2017

O

25

ANDREW HALL

High Society English import Andrew Hall celebrates 50 years of his Society Brass Band.

A

ndrew Hall met David Bowie on just one occasion.

“Wild, that was,” says Hall, sharing with textbook British dry wit the story of Bowie’s afterparty for the 1970 “Night in New Orleans” concert at London’s Rainbow Theatre, which featured headliner Dr. John plus the Meters on a bill that also included Hall’s Preservation Hall-inspired Society Brass Band. “It was when [Bowie] had his hair in all different stripes of color. His wife had the exact same coloring. They hosted the party at the Café Royal on Regents Street. Everybody came—Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney. The only time I met any one of them was when they came to see us play.

Amazing, that was.”

Wearing pressed dark slacks, button-down Oxford shirt and tweed jacket, Hall talks while seated in the parlor room at Rose Manor, a bed-and-breakfast his friends own in Lakeview. He turns 73 in October and his voice arrives altered by the removal seven years ago of a vocal chord in a surgery to remove cancer cells. Hall is at Rose Manor to talk about the Society Brass Band, which he formed in 1967 in Nottingham, England—50 years ago, and three years before he would move to his adopted hometown of New Orleans.

“It’s quite funny,” Hall responds when asked what first brought him to New Orleans. “I was upstairs in a pub in Birmingham, England. This is 1966. There was a band from London in there playing and I went in and sat in on piano. They said, ‘You sound just like Billie.’ I said, ‘Who’s he?’

They answered, ‘Not he. She. Billie Pierce is a woman.’ They were talking about Billie Pierce, who was the main attraction at Preservation Hall for years. I went

26

O

APRIL 2017

and found their record the next day and I said, ‘I just have to go and meet these people.’ And so I did and I stayed 35 years.”

Hall’s 35-year mark in New Orleans was met by Hurricane Katrina, which forced him back to the home he still owns in Newark, England. During his childhood there, Hall’s first instrument was piano, beginning when he started school, before he joined a cadet band at age 12 and started drumming. “The snare drum—that’s what got me into the brass band music,” he says.

“I became exposed to it by listening to records and talking to people that I knew that had been to New Orleans. I heard it and thought it was different than any music I heard before.”

Also raised on the rock ’n’ roll sounds of Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and, of course, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, Hall started the Society Brass Band as a 22-year-old in Nottingham. “The response was good,” he says. “We played some carnivals—not as flamboyant as such things here—some museum

By Frank Etheridge

openings, weddings. The personnel, the instrumentation were based on the New Orleans sound.”

Upon arriving in New Orleans in 1970 to find his Preservation Hall heroes, Hall thought, “‘I need to get a band together that does the old style of music,’” he recalls. “By the mid-’70s, my band was doing very good. We played the Maple Leaf the day it opened—February 23, 1974. We were regulars there until 1981. We still play there the Friday over every French Quarter Fest, going there after we play the opening parade that afternoon.”

Present-day drummer (and fellow Englishman) Barry Martyn moved to town and joined the Society Brass Band in the mid’80s. Martyn “brought a lot of experience in brass bands, got us organized, and happened to have the musical scores from one of the bands—Eureka Brass Band, maybe, or Onward Brass Band—that in the 1950s were playing funerals the same way they played funerals in the 1800s. Every French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest, we’ll play one or two numbers that same way, too. A

lot of that tradition comes from the way of doing things in Sicily. It all kind of blends together here in New Orleans. Everything goes in.”

At French Quarter Fest, Hall will be joined in the Society Brass Band

by Martyn (drums), Clive Wilson (trumpet), Marla Dixon (trumpet, Shotgun Jazz Band), Tom Sancton (tenor sax), Lucien Barbarin (trombone) and Tommy Fischer (alto sax), and will be led at Friday’s parade by their grand marshal, Andrew LeBoeuf. Hall points out with noticeable pride past Society players in Jesse Charles, Reginald Cola, Albert Walters, bass drummer Charlie Barbarin and Kid Sheik.

“I’m surprised it lasted this long,” Hall says of his brass band—the band gold-stitched SOCIETY for his hat, which also makes 50 this year. “The sad note, if there is to be one, is that so many of the guys I’ve played with are dead. Because I had some of the best brass band musicians play with me for years and years.” O The Society Brass Band plays French Quarter Fest at 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, April 9 at the Old U.S. Mint. www.OFFBEAT.com

MICHELLE ELMORE

Big Bites of Street Culture Photographer Michelle Elmore’s three new books.

T

here’s a black and white photo of Glen David Andrews, clad in a crisp suit and brass band hat, hanging in a breakfast and lunch joint called The Hummingbird in the Northern California town of Fairfax. The restaurant’s owner, Michelle Elmore, took the picture one night more than a decade ago under her porch light in Treme.

Like the name of her restaurant (homage to the now defunct Hummingbird diner on St. Charles Avenue) and the crawfish omelets and chicory coffee she serves there, the photo serves as a reminder of the community that welcomed her and inspired her work documenting

28

O

APRIL 2017

New Orleans street culture beginning in the late 1980s.

It’s also one of thousands of images slated to appear in a new set of art books due out in April.

In Come See About Me, Elmore’s camera captures the faces, outfits and moves she saw most Sundays on second line parades across town.

Let’s Go Get ‘Em is culled from her work with members of the Mardi Gras Indian community. The third book, Ya Heard Me, shines a light on the blinged-out grills and daily life moments of local rappers and their crews in the early to mid–’90s.

Published by Artvoices, the set serves as a mid-career survey for Elmore. As Larry Blumenfeld

By Jennifer Odell

explains in the foreword to the books, the images collected within them speak to the photographer’s development as a person as much as they reflect her artistic path. “[The photos] document the friendships that, for Elmore, transformed alienation into a sense of community, of family,” Blumenfeld writes. “They suggest joy and pain in elegant balance. And they pay tribute to the city that turned Elmore into the artist she sought to be, and that lent her art meaning.”

Over the years, that art took on a variety of focuses, but much of the work Elmore produced grew out of and along with personal relationships with the people she was shooting.

In a way, she said in a recent phone call from Fairfax, “I based it all on sentimental energy.”

A self-taught photographer whose work has appeared at the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Contemporary Arts Center, London’s Museum of Natural History and galleries around New Orleans and across the country, Elmore left New Orleans after losing most of her belongings to the flood that followed Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

A couple of weeks prior to the storm, she had moved her negatives to storage elsewhere—a move that ultimately allowed her to publish the books after Artvoices’ Terrence Sanders encouraged her to do so. www.OFFBEAT.com

M

IC H EL

LE E

LM OR E

Andrews’ grandmother’s reaction to that one image in particular fed her affection for it, too: She said Elmore made Andrews “look like Martin Luther King.”

“The first intent was to do one book of my street photography from New Orleans. But I went through 12 baker boxes, I had, like, over a million negatives,” she recalled.

“I picked out 8,000 I liked and had them scanned. And then tried to narrow it down to one book.”

She ended up with three.

Of all the images that made it into the books, the photo of Andrews that Elmore keeps in her restaurant remains one of her favorites, in part, she says, because she knew when she shot those photos of Andrews outside her house that night in Treme, they represented some of the best pictures she’d ever taken.

Andrews’ grandmother’s reaction to that one image in particular fed her affection for it, too: She said Elmore made Andrews “look like Martin Luther King.”

“Definitely the highest compliment I’ve ever had,” Elmore said. “So I hung it in the restaurant like he’s Martin Luther King.” She and Andrews, who has since performed at The Hummingbird, remain friends.

There are more stories with special significance to Elmore embedded in the books’ photos, too, like the invitation she once got from Rebirth Brass Band trombonist Stafford Agee to photograph his Black Feather Mardi Indian tribe from the beginning until the end of St. Joseph’s Night. Or her impetus for beginning the series on New Orleans grills—when another musician friend told her a New Orleans grill is specifically identifiable because “we actually file our teeth off like they’re solid gold teeth rather than a piece of jewelry that you just put on top.”

Other photos in the set are bittersweet, like the image of late Hot 8 trombonist “Shotgun

30

O

APRIL 2017

Joe” Williams, whose 2004 shooting death at the hands of New Orleans police inspired the Stooges’ powerful song, “Why Dey Had to Kill Him?” Like many of the faces in the pages of the books, Elmore studiously included the people whose presence was essential to the worlds they inhabited at the time, making the set of books as much a historical document as a work of art.

Asked what it feels like to come back to the same streets 20 years later, Elmore cracked a joke about St. Joseph’s Night feeling “like the Oscars” because so many cameras are out there now, adding that she was astounded to see a guy selling beer on the second line with a city-issued permit in his grocery cart. But those are minor details.

“It’s heartbreaking,” she said.

“The people I knew are gone.”

In a way, these books bring them back.

O www.OFFBEAT.com

From the Calliope to the Farm

By Geraldine Wyckoff

Aaron Neville tells it like it is.

PHoto: sarah a friedman

E

nvironmentally and culturally, New Orleans’ Calliope Projects stood a long way from a 12-acre farm in New York State. Yet Aaron Neville, 76, who, from the age of one until he was 13, lived with his family in the projects and now resides in Pawling, New York, speaks glowingly of the diverse locales. Each, in their time, became havens in providing just what was needed for happiness.

“The Calliope was like an oasis to us,” remembers Aaron, a multiple Grammy–winning, legendary vocalist who will make his debut appearance leading his quintet at the French Quarter Festival on Thursday, April 6. “It was our town, our village—that was our world.”

Back in Aaron’s day, the grassy central courtyard of the newly constructed Calliope (erected from 1939–1941) was the perfect spot for kids to play baseball, and the oval sidewalk that surrounded it worked for skating or riding bikes.

The Calliope, and thus the Nevilles’ apartment, was also a hotbed of musicians, many of whom, like Aaron and his brothers, Art, 79, Charles, 78 and Cyril, 68, would go on to enjoy successful musical careers.

“Art was my first inspiration of all time,” Aaron declares. “He was a singer. He had a doo-wop group in the Calliope. They would go around and win all the contests and get all the girls. I used to go up and try to sing with them and they’d say, ‘Get away from me, kid.’

One day one of the singers, he used to call me Kevin for some reason, said, ‘Hey Kevin, come here and hit this note.’ And I came and hit the note and it was on then. They showed me how to do the harmonies and all that.”

“In the early days, we had a doo-wop group together with Aaron, Art and some other guys in the neighborhood,” recalls saxophonist Charles Neville, who presently performs with Aaron’s quintet and is heard on his brother’s latest album, Apache. “There were certain artists that he listened to like Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters and Sam Cooke and the lead singer of the Orioles. For a while he would sing Larry Williams [of “Bony Moronie” and “Short Fat Fannie” fame].

“At first he was copying the styles of those guys but his voice was unique, it was his. What developed was not any one of those things but a kind of compilation of the different styles—but he didn’t sound like anybody else. He could sing like other people if he wanted to but his singing was just him.”

“For a long time in my life, Aaron was my idol,” says youngest brother Cyril. “Other kids had movie stars as idols, I had them in real life. Aaron, me and my sister, Athelgra, would be in our kitchen [on Valence Street] practicing harmonies. The influences are all over the place starting with Art who, I imagine, influenced Aaron. The cats that www.OFFBEAT.com

Aaron introduced me to like Scarface John also have a lot of to do with how I perform on stage.”

Aaron references hanging at the Dew Drop with Scarface John and Mac Rebennack (Dr. John) in the lyrics of his tune “Stompin’ Ground” on his 2016 album, Apache, released on his own Tell It Records label.

John “Scarface” Williams was a chief of the Apache Hunters Mardi Gras Indian gang and a member of Huey Piano Smith’s backup vocal group, the Clowns. Later, he led his own band, the Tick Tocks.

Scarface John was also the inspiration for the tune “Brother John,” first recorded by the Wild Tchoupitoulas led by the Neville’s uncle, George “Big Chief Jolly” Landry on their 1976 self-titled album. Jolly was a force in all of the brothers’ lives and his bringing them together for this historic recording sparked the formation in 1977 of the Neville Brothers, a band that ruled New Orleans and stirred the world for some 40 years. His influences on the brothers, however, predated and went beyond that notable event.

Aaron, who never had any music instruction inside or outside a classroom, credits his Uncle Jolly for him picking up both the tambourine and piano.

“Before we were born, him and my mom were a song and dance team,” Aaron explains. “They were the best dancers—lindy hoppers— in New Orleans. They were offered to go on tour with [bandleader] Louis Prima but my grandmother wouldn’t let them go because she was afraid they wouldn’t be treated right because of the Jim Crow laws. My mother said she would never stop any of us from doing anything we wanted to do and let Charles go on the road when he was just 15.”

“The cowbells and tambourines, all that came from Jolly,” Cyril agrees. “He didn’t go nowhere without a tambourine and didn’t knock on a door; he banged that tambourine.”

Not only was the sound and excitement of the Mardi Gras Indians a part of Aaron’s and his family’s life, but they also boast Native American blood. Their great-grandmother came from Martinique and settled in Convent, Louisiana, an area that was home to the Choctaws.

Aaron once said that he has a picture of his grandmother right next to one of the legendary Geronimo and they look like brother and sister. Aaron remembers too that whenever there was a Thanksgiving play at school, he’d be cast as a Native American because of his high cheekbones.

That brings us to Apache, Aaron’s nickname since childhood, the name that’s tattooed across his broad back, the title of his latest album and perhaps, most importantly to Aaron right now, the moniker of A PRI L 2017

O

33

CO V

ER S TOR Y

“If something was bothering me, I’d write about it and it would make it alright... I had a paper bag full of poems.

I didn’t really think they were worth anything.”

his constant companion—his often-photographed, little Shih Tzu Pomeranian dog. According to Charles, who lives in a wooded area in Massachusetts, Apache has even gone on some tours. “Aaron’s always posting pictures and videos of Apache on Facebook,” Charles says with a laugh.

“When I was a teenager we used to play football out in the streets in the hot sun and my skin would turn red,” says Aaron when explaining his nickname. “They started calling me redskin, and Red Apache and Apache Red, and shortened it to Apache. I used to have a license plate with Apache on it. People that know me still call me that.”

Beyond his remarkable voice and spine-tingling falsetto, Aaron is noted for his love of doo-wop groups and singers like Nat “King” Cole and Sam Cooke. His local influences beyond brother Art include the great Johnny Adams— “he made me want to hit the high notes”—the Spiders’ Chick and Chuck Carbo and more. “I loved all the New Orleans musicians that came up around my era,” Aaron adds, mentioning Ernie “The Pastor” K-Doe, Benny Spellman, and the Del Royals, fellow Calliope residents.

Aaron is also renowned for his muscular physique, which, he says, was always just how he was. “People always thought I worked out because my body was already built,” says Aaron, who first experimented with weightlifting at age 13 when his brother Charles got into it. “So they’d be asking me how much I was benching. I’d say, ‘I ain’t benching nothin’.’ The first time I actually started going to the gym was in the 1960s. Once I started, it was like, ‘Oh yeah.’ I just liked it. I liked to be in shape.”

“In jail you do a lot of push-ups and whatever,” adds Aaron, who, when he was 18, spent six months in prison for auto theft. “Me and my boys would steal cars and take a joy ride in ’em. They were so easy to take it was ridiculous. That was all part of me growing up—I’m still growing up. The guys I was hangin’ with, if you had a dare, you were going to take that dare.”

Laughingly, Charles remembers his kid brother as being “adventurous.” “He liked being outside and going places and doing things. He liked exploring.”

Aaron, who often looks at the bright side of life, doesn’t disparage his time behind bars. “I had fun in there, it was like crazy,” he surprisingly declares. “You’d be clownin’ around and singing. There were a lot singers back there too.” When asked whether he made any reforms following his incarceration, he again has a surprising, yet frank answer. “I wasn’t quite ready yet then, I don’t think. That was back then, it’s who I was and where I came from to make me who I am.” (To Make Me Who I Am is the title of his 1997 release on A&M Records.)

Aaron seriously pursued working out, which he’s continued to do throughout his life. It was an asset when he began working on the New Orleans docks. “I was strong—you had to be,” he says. “The docks was a great job—you got paid good, you knew what you had to do, and nobody was over you. They’d tell you in the morning what you were supposed to do. We’d go on a shift and they’d have sacks of coffee or cotton bales or rubber bales or oil drums. Dudes would be

34

O

APRIL 2017

showin’ off out there. It was a good payday and if you worked three days on the river you were all right. All that’s changed now.”

When Aaron was living on Valance Street, near the family home in the 13th Ward, which many consider Neville Headquarters, he met Tazzie Colomb. The highly respected bodybuilder, then just 17 years old, began acting as Aaron’s physical trainer. She continued to work with him when Aaron and his wife and childhood sweetheart, Joel, who passed on in 2007, moved to Eastover. “It’s always nice to have a trainer to give you that push,” he says. After moving to an apartment in New York City with photographer Sarah Friedman, who he married in 2010, Aaron continued to have a trainer to inspire him. And though there is a gym in their home in Pawling, Aaron says, that now rather than a trainer, it’s just him and Apache that head upstairs to the workout room. “Every time I get on the bench, Apache wants to get up on the bench with me,” Aaron says with a laugh.

“I like to do bench presses and curls and cardio on the treadmill and listen to music—a lot of doo-wop stuff, Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley.

When I listen to a Neville Brothers concert from when we were on tour with the [Grateful] Dead and at Tip’s way back in the game, I can run.”

It was in the late 1950s and early 1960s when Aaron began writing poems, many of which would later become lyrics to songs. “If something was bothering me, I’d write about it and it would make it alright,” he remembers. “So I started doing that and through the years I had a paper bag full of poems. I didn’t t really think they were worth anything.”

The first 45 that Aaron recorded with Allen Toussaint, “Every Day,” a beautiful song that remains much-demanded in his repertoire, he wrote while incarcerated in Parish Prison. Toussaint wrote the flip side, the equally popular “Over You.” Aaron recalls that the Del Royals, a favorite of his whose members came from the Calliope, were in the studio that day recording a song he really wanted to do, the solid “Who Will Be the One.” One listen to that tune, released on the Minit label, makes it clear that it is right up Aaron’s doo-wop alley. “‘Yellow Moon’ was a poem that I wrote on me and Joel’s 25th anniversary,” Aaron recalls. “She had a chance to go on a cruise with her sisters and while she was gone and the moon was sitting up there one night it inspired me to write ‘Yellow Moon.’ I can’t plan to write.

I’ll wake up and I just put it [a poem] on my iPhone. I don’t write with pencil and paper any more. Sometimes, I wonder if I can still write. I can sign my autograph and sign a check but uh...”

Aaron says that he would sometimes bring his poems to the studio with perhaps a rhythm in mind but not a set melody “to see if anybody liked them.” “[Record producer] Daniel Lanois liked ‘Yellow Moon” and ‘Voodoo,’” he remembers. “He was the type of guy who wasn’t trying to create anything, he just wanted to use what was there. Between us and the musicians we got the groove on.”

On Apache, Aaron’s poems were lovingly set to music by producer/ guitarist Eric Krasno and Dave Gutter.

According to Aaron, things changed “big time,” for him and the Neville Brothers after meeting and then teaming with vocalist Linda Ronstadt. www.OFFBEAT.com

COVER STORY

V ER CO

RY ST O

“I met Linda at the [1984] World’s Fair when me and the brothers were playing at Pete Fountain’s club. She was playing at the amphitheater and came to see us after her show.

Somebody told me she was in the audience so I dedicated a song to her and I called her up on stage to sing some doo-wop with us. Afterward, I asked her for her autograph and she said, ‘To Aaron, Love. I will sing with you any time, any place, anywhere and in any key.’ That was around the time that me and Allen Toussaint started [the nonprofit organization] New Orleans Artists Against Hunger and Homelessness and we were having a benefit the next day so I asked her to come down. The first thing me and her sang together was harmonizing on ‘Ave Maria.’

Our voices blended so good and management was there and said, ‘Wow, you should do something together.’ And I said, ‘I agree!’”

“She came down in 1985 to do a Hunger and Homelessness benefit and we talked about going into the studio. It took a few years, but it was right on time. We got in the studio in 1989 and we did ‘Don’t Know Much’ and I said ‘See you at the Grammys.’ And sure enough.”

Touring with Ronstadt offered the Neville Brothers, who opened the shows for her, larger audiences in arena settings. Aaron would perform with the Brothers and then do several numbers with the headliner. Ronstadt also produced Aaron’s first solo album, 1991’s Warm Your Heart on the A&M label. The recording included the hit “Everybody Plays the Fool,” a cover of the chart-topping tune by the Main Ingredient. Two years later, Aaron released The Grand Tour (A&M), a country and western www.OFFBEAT.com

A PRI L 2017

O

35

PHoto: sarah a friedman

CO V

ER S TOR Y

flavored number that opened doors for both him and the Neville Brothers to country music fans.

Aaron, a very spiritual man who found inner strength from his devotion to St. Jude, has celebrated his faith through his music and his life. His rendition of “Ave Maria” brought reverence and goose pimples to thousands of people regardless of their religious associations or lack thereof.

“He introduced me to all of the gospel stuff,” remembers Cyril, mentioning classic groups like Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers, the Swan Silvertones and the Highway QCs.” In 2000, Aaron released Devotion, an album of gospel and spiritually uplifting songs such as the beautiful “Mary, Don’t You Weep” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” It was a project he’d long wanted to do, just as he desired to someday record an album of doo-wop classics and favorites from his youth. He fulfilled that desire with his 2013 release of My True Story.

“His approach to everything in life is very spiritual and so is mine,” says Charles. “We know that music is a gift and that we are privileged to share the gift with other people.”

“I am more a spiritualist than religious,” Cyril offers. “Everything that we [the Neville brothers] do is about spirit. That’s how we grew up. Jolly wasn’t just my uncle, he was my spiritual guide too. You can feel our spirituality in our music and you can hear our concerns for humanity in our music. That’s a family thing. We basically know what we have is a gift and it was given to us.”

While Aaron now sings to the birds flying around his farm rather than with his brothers and buddies in the projects and on Valence Street, his quintet—his working band who makes the tour dates— remains primarily New Orleans musicians. It includes Charles Neville on saxophone, pianist and old Neville family friend Michael Goods, and drummer/vocalist Earl Smith Jr., with David Johnson on bass and vocals.

“We started doing the quintet before the Neville Brothers dissolved [officially in 2015],” Charles explains. “It’s been pretty much the same members since the beginning. The way he works with his recorded tunes is that he wants them to sound just like they do on the records.

So pretty much that’s the way it is.”

Charles’ favorite part about working with Aaron’s quintet is that the band doesn’t perform just one style of music. “We do his new stuff, his old stuff, some old Neville Brothers stuff, some doo-wop stuff and some of the old rock ‘n roll tunes. It’s such a variety of things that we play. The gigs are always fun—they never seem like work. We’re always having a good time.”

Life and times change. The road, which the Neville Brothers often traveled, can become difficult and tiresome. Health considerations

36

O

APRIL 2017

become a factor in decisions concerning where and how to live, and love and marriage enter into the equation. Aaron and each of the Neville brothers remembers their past glories as a group and family while they continue to explore and enjoy their individual lives and musical pursuits.

“I miss the thing with the Neville Brothers period,” Cyril declares. “I was missing the other stuff that Aaron and I used to do while we were the Neville Brothers. The good part about that was that everybody could still be an individual and then you came together and made this magic. There never was a dull moment.”

“One thing about being on stage with my brothers,” Aaron says thoughtfully, “is that I could look around and look at each one of them and see some of our ancestors in them—our mother and father and Jolly in their faces.”

Last year, Aaron Neville celebrated the 50th anniversary of the release of the song, “Tell It Like It Is,” that put him on the musical map. And no, he’s not tired of singing it; rather, it remains his favorite song to perform. “I’ve sung it for 50 years—you do the math.”

O www.OFFBEAT.com

FQF IQ

FQFIQ Your French Quarter Festival from A to Z.

F

STAGE CODES 700 700 Bourbon Stage (ABS) Abita Beer Stage (Riverfront – Berger Great Lawn) BB Popeyes/OffBeat Magazine Stage: Brass Band Jam Stage (Barrack St side of Old U.S. Mint) CHV Chevron Stage: Cajun & Zydeco Showcase (Bienville Triangle, Conti, Decatur & N. Peters Streets) CLS St. Mary’s at the Old Ursuline Convent Classical Music Stage (1116 Chartres) FMS French Market Stage (Traditional Jazz Stage) GE GE Digital Stage (Big River Stage near Canal Street entrance to Aquarium Plaza) HOB House of Blues Voodoo Garden Stage (225 Decatur) INT French Market International Stage (Dutch Alley at St. Philip) JAC Jackson Square Stage (Jackson Square) JD Jack Daniels Stage (Jax Parking Lot at 600 Decatur St) KID Chevron Children’s HQ (National Park Service Kids Stage) MB MorrisBart.com Stage (400 Royal) OMN Omni Royal Orleans Stage (500 Royal) PAL New Orleans Magazine Cabaret Stage at the Palm Court (1204 Decatur) PAR Parade (lineup on Iberville St. at Bourbon St., parade to Jackson Square) PH Preservation Hall Stage (726 St. Peter) ROU Rouses Stage (700 Royal) SCH Schoolhouse Stage (1000 Royal) SON Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta Hotel (300 Bourbon) SS Songwriter Stage at the Arsenal (600 St. Peter) TJ French Market Traditional Jazz Stage (French Market Place at Gov. Nicholls Street) TRO Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage (Riverfront – Woldenberg Park) WWL WWL-TV Stage: Esplanade in the Shade Stage (Esplanade side of the Old U.S. Mint) ZAP Zapp’s Potato Chip Stage (600 Bourbon) Performers new to French Quarter Fest this year are marked as NEW

38

O

APRIL 2017

PHoto: zack smith

rench Quarter Fest 2017 will feature more than 1,700 local artists on 24 stages spread throughout the Quarter. Our comprehensive and definitive guide to this year’s festival will help you plan your attack.

# A

NEW 504Ever All Stars, 4/8, PH, 3p: Preservation Hall presents some of the Crescent City’s best.

NEW Aaron Neville, 4/6, ABS 3:45p: The goldenvoiced Neville brother, whose classic “Tell It Like It Is” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame collection for 2015, makes his French Quarter Festival debut. His latest CD Apache won OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Award for Best R&B/Funk album.

Adam Crochet, 4/9, SS, 1:15p: The singer, songwriter, and guitarist blends

classic blues, R&B, funk, soul, and roots music into moving arrangements that he’s dubbed “Louisiana smooth blues.”

He also backs the Wild Magnolias and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles.

NEW Airpark (ex Apache Relay), 4/7, HOB, 4:30p: Ben Ford and Michael Ford Jr. launched this duo last year after the dissolution of their previous band, Apache Relay. The two brothers newest project offers a minimalist approach to pop-rock.

Alex McMurray, 4/8, GE, 2p: McMurray’s wit-spiked and often

gleefully dark songwriting takes centerstage in a band that both showcases new work and harkens back to the guitarist’s Royal Fingerbowl days, lineup and repertoire-wise.

Alexandra Scott, 4/9, SS, 12p: The quirky, versatile folk guitarist spins out songs that can be heartrending, achingly lovely, and optimistic all at once.

Alexis and the Samurai, 4/7, WWL, 12:30p: This is a band led by two of the brighter talents on the local rock scene, singer-songwriter Alexis Marceaux and multi-instrumentalist

www.OFFBEAT.com

FQF IQ Sam Craft. The two of them also work together in Sweet Crude, and Marceaux was a finalist on NBC’s The Voice.

Amanda Shaw, 4/7, CHV, 7:30p: This Cajun fiddle prodigy has been in the spotlight since age 10. Her sets can jump from teen-friendly pop to straightup Cajun, with a classic rock cover or two thrown in. Her latest self-titled CD won OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Award for Best Singer/Songwriter Album.

Amy Trail, 4/9, SS, 11a: This singer-songwriter is equally adept at playing originals with her own band or fielding requests from the crowds at Pat O’Brien’s.

Anaïs St. John, 4/9, MB, 3p: St. John is an accomplished singer specializing in jazz, torch songs, and cabaret tunes. She currently plays Saturday nights at the Windsor Court Hotel bar.

Andre Bohren, 4/8, CLS, 12:30p: After making a name for himself as a drummer and percussionist with Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes, Bohren began developing a strong solo career on his father Spencer’s instrument, the piano.

Andrew Hall’s Society Brass Band, 4/9, BB, 11:15a: Hall is a skilled traditional jazz and R&B pianist who has performed with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Dr. John, and the Olympia Brass Band. He is celebrating his band’s 50th year and is featured in this issue.

Andy J. Forest Treeaux, 4/7, PAL, 12p: Blues master Forest has mellowed out in recent years and the result offers a window into his keen lyric writing skills without compromising the power of his abilities as a harmonica player and guitarist.

Arrowhead Jazz Band featuring Kristina Morales and Sam Kuslan, 4/9, KID, 3p: Pianist Sam Kuslan performs with vocalist Kristina Morales in an all kids program. Kristina Morales can be heard on Frenchmen Street on Friday’s at the Marigny Brasserie and Sundays at the Spotted Cat. Arrowhead Jazz Band featuring Sam Kuslan, 4/8, KID, 4p: Pianist and vocalist Sam Kuslan performs the great American songbook from Cole Porter to Bob Dylan. You can find Sam performing at the National Park Service every Sunday.

NEW Ashlin Parker Quarter, 4/7, SON, 5p: Ashlin Parker takes charge of a trumpet onslaught as leader of Trumpet Mafia, but his quartet finds him taking a different approach with his horn.

Astral Project, 4/9, WWL, 5:30p: All four members of this band— guitarist Steve Masakowski, saxophonist Tony Dagradi, bassist James Singleton and drummer Johnny Vidacovich—are influential bandleaders in their own right. Together, they’ve been one of New Orleans’ premiere jazz groups for three decades. Johnny Vidacovich received OffBeat’s Lifetime Achievement in Music in 2016.

www.OFFBEAT.com

A PRI L 2017

O

39

FQF IQ The Asylum Chorus, 4/8, GE, 11a: The St. Cecilia’s Asylum Chorus has shortened their name to just the Asylum Chorus. They are a vocal sextet doing traditional hymns and highly non-traditional material by Duran Duran, Amanda Palmer and others.

Solo artists Amy Trail and Alexandra Scott are among the cast.

Audacity Brass Band, 4/7, BB, 11:15a: This traditional group formed to play at French Quarter Fest 2008 and includes talented locals Tom Fischer, Charlie Fardella and Freddie Lonzo.

Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses, 4/8, TJ, 11a: Inspired by Sidney Bechet and Django Reinhardt, singer/ saxophonist Nealand is a bright young player whose non-Roses work spans performance art-inspired improvisation and the rockabilly of Rory Danger and the Danger Dangers.

Babineaux Sisters Band, 4/9, CHV, 2p: Sisters and songwriters Gracie and Julie Babineaux lead this south Louisiana roots rock band.

Their first CD covered “All Along the Watchtower” (“Le Tour de Garde”) was inspired more by the Hendrix version than Dylan’s original and featured lyrics sung in Cajun French.

Bag of Donuts, 4/6, TRO, 5:25p: Known for their outlandish costumes, Bag of Donuts delivers an unusual take on popular songs of the ’60s onward, as well as tunes from TV, film and commercials. They were named the Best Cover Band at the 2016 Best of the Beat Awards.

Bamboula 2000, 4/9, MB, 12:15p: “Bamboula” was originally a form of drum and dance ceremony held in Congo Square. Bamboula 2000’s leader Luther Gray brings that spirit into the present with a troupe of players and dancers.

Banu Gibson & the New Orleans Hot Jazz, 4/7, JAC, 12:45p: A singer/ dancer who specializes in the Great American Songbook and has been captured by caricaturist Al Hirschfeld, Gibson has been instrumental in popularizing the New Orleans Traditional Jazz Camp. Her latest CD By Myself (reviewed in this issue) features standards from the ’30s and ’40s.

Barbara Shorts, 4/8, OMN, 3:30p: Vocalist Barbara Shorts has appeared in One Mo’ Time and fronted the Gospel Soul Children.

Benny Grunch & the Bunch, 4/6, JAC, 2:20p: This jovial crew is responsible for the carnival sendup “Ain’t No Place to Pee on Mardi Gras Day,” plus a bunch of seasonal albums built around the regional standard “12 Yats of Christmas.”

Big Chief Bo Dollis, Jr. & the Wild Magnolias, 4/8, GE, 3:45p: Big Chief Bo Dollis, Jr. carries on the legacy of his father, leading the Wild Magnolias’ impassioned, funk-inspired Mardi Gras Indian music.

Big Easy Playboys, 4/6, CHV, 12:30p: Locally-based Big Easy Playboys

B

40

O

APRIL 2017

take roots rock and blues and blend it with their Cajun and zydeco sounds.

NEW Big Frank & Lil Frank and the Dirty Old Men, 4/8, TRO, 12:30p: This father and son singing duo combines modern day hip-hop sensibilities with old school R&B flavors.

Big Sam’s Funky Nation, 4/7, GE, 7:15p: The charisma of former Dirty Dozen trombonist Sam Williams makes him an able focal point for a musical party that blends brass, Meters-style funk, hip-hop and rock. The band has toured hard and earned a following in the jam band world.

Bill Summers & Jazalsa, 4/9, GE, 5:20p: Known for his membership in Los Hombres Calientes and Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, legendary percussionist Summers explores Latin and world music with his Jazalsa band.

Billy Iuso, 4/9, GE, 11a: Funk rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Billy Iuso formed the funk jam band Brides of Jesus in the ’90s. He has collaborated with Anders Osborne, George Porter Jr. and many others. His current band Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives’ latest release, Overstanding, was well received.

Borderland Jazz Band, 4/8, INT, 4:15p: Traditional jazz by way of Austria. This band has hit town in the past to play at Fritzel’s.

NEW Boyanna Trayanova and Divak, 4/8, ROU, 1:45p: Divak is an exciting new Balkan music project from acclaimed drummer Boyanna Trayanova, a native of Bulgaria who has found a lot of love in the Crescent City music scene.

Brass-A-Holics, 4/6, GE, 5:20p: Formed by ex-Soul Rebels trombonist Winston Turner, this band created its own genre of “go-go brass funk,” combining New Orleans music elements with the strong grooves of Washington DC’s go-go scene.

Brian Carrig, 4/9, INT, 12p: From Great Britain, clarinetist Brian Carrig leads his band in traditional jazz favorites.

Brint Anderson Trio, 4/9, HOB, 12p: This smoky-voiced country singer charted on Hot Country Songs with his 2011 debut single, “Amy’s Song.” He has backed legends such as Dr. John, Art Neville, George Porter, Jr., John Lee Hooker, Albert King and many others.

His latest release Covered in Earl is homage to Earl King.

Brother Tyrone & The Mindbenders, 4/6, TRO, 3:50p: Charismatic R&B vocalist “Brother Tyrone” Pollard has shared the stage with greats such as Jessie Hill, Ernie K-Doe, and Walter “Wolfman” Washington.

Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, 4/7, CHV, 3:45p: A New Orleans-reared Cajun, this self-taught accordion player has hosted the Sunday Cajun session at Tipitina’s for decades, and at the Maple Leaf before that. His latest CD Bienvenue Dans le Sud de la Louisiane was released to critical acclaim.

Bucktown All-Stars, 4/9, ABS, 12:35p: This nine-piece rhythm and

www.OFFBEAT.com

FQF IQ blues band from Metairie covers the soul classics, adding their own funky grooves. They have won OffBeat’s Best of the Beat award for Best Cover Band nine times.

Calvin Johnson and Native Son, 4/9, OMN, 3:30p: Saxophonist/composer Calvin Johnson, Jr.’s latest CD Native Son includes Bechet’s “Petite Fleur.” He blows from his heart with knowledge of the New Orleans tradition.

Carl LeBlanc, 4/8, SCH, 3:15p: A versatile banjo player and Preservation Hall regular, LeBlanc has worked closely with the likes of Sun Ra, studied with Kidd Jordan and mentored local jazz guitarists like Jonathan Freilich.

NEW Cary Hudson, 4/8, HOB, 2p: Hudson’s Americana guitar sound blends musical elements from Louisiana and his native Mississippi.

NEW Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole, 4/6, CHV, 5:30p: A popular young fiddler, accordionist and singer, this four-time Grammy nominee boasts equal parts star power and skill. His influences range from Creole and Cajun to West African music and beyond.

NEW Cedryl Ballou & the Zydeco Trendsetters, 4/7, CHV, 2p: Led by drummer/accordionist/vocalist Cedryl Ballou of Lake Charles, this five-piece band delivers zydeco tunes that will keep you on your feet.

Cha Wa, 4/6, ABS, 12:35p: Veteran Mardi Gras Indians (Irving “Honey” Bannister, J’Wan Boudreaux, Kerry “Boom Boom” Vessell) and local musicians (Joe Gelini, John Fohl, Wes Anderson) perform a mix of groove-soaked funk and soul.

Chance Bushman and the Ibervillianaires, 4/9, FMS, 11a: Bushman, a tap dancer and singer, leads this small combo through a mix of classic New Orleans jazz tunes like “Bourbon Street Parade” and the occasional rocker.

Charlie Halloran and the Quality 6, 4/9, FMS, 2:30p: Halloran, a prolific trombonist who also plays with the Panorama Brass Band and Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, leads his own traditional jazz septet.

Charmaine Neville, 4/7, JAC, 5:20p: This vocalist and bandleader, a member of the famed Neville family, dishes out spicy versions of New Orleans blues and R&B favorites.

Chegadão, 4/7, GE, 2p: Samba-funk, forró and jazz concepts blend seamlessly in this innovative and unique collective made up of New Orleans-based players from Mexico, Brazil and the U.S. Chris Ardoin & Nustep, 4/8, CHV, 7:30p: The soulful young singer, producer, and zydeco accordionist helped create “nouveau zydeco”, a genre that incorporates rap, hip-hop, and reggae. He’s toured extensively around the world.

Christian Serpas & Ghost Town, 4/8, TRO, 11a: This band plays “boot stompin’ American music,” with lots of revved-up, high-volume country twang.

C

www.OFFBEAT.com

Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, 4/6, CHV, 3:45p: One of the most energetic zydeco groups around, Carrier and his band won the 2010 Cajun/Zydeco Grammy for their album Zydeco Junkie. Their latest is Zydeco Stuff, released in 2015.

Clive Wilson’s New Orleans Serenaders, 4/9, ZAP, 3p: Known for their lively interpretations of old New Orleans classics by Armstrong, Kid Ory, and others, the members of the Serenaders have played together in various musical contexts since the ’60s.

NEW Cole Williams Band, 4/9, WWL, 12:30p: This soul and rockloving Pimps of Joytime alum sings, writes, plays piano and percussion, teaches music and---since relocating from Brooklyn to New Orleans in 2015--volunteers as a DJ on WWOZ. Colin Lake, 4/8, JD, 3:45p: With his soulful voice and innovative use of the lap-slide guitar, Colin Lake puts on a captivating blues/roots show.

Confetti Park Players, 4/8, KID, 12p: Led by songwriter Katy Hobgood Ray, the Confetti Park Players form New Orleans’ own children’s choir. Their material is a mix of traditional New Orleans music, nursery rhymes, and songs by contemporary Louisiana songwriters.

Corey Henry’s Treme Funktet, 4/7, JD, 7:15p: Since founding the influential Lil’ Rascals Brass Band back in the ‘80s, this dexterous trombonist has collaborated regularly with Galactic and Rebirth. He’s come into his own with the Funktet, which now holds down the Thursday night slot at Vaughan’s.

Corey Ledet, 4/9, 5:30p: Ledet was already two years into his music career when he switched from drums to accordion at age 12. His 2013 release Destiny saw him exploring new musical terrain with both his singing and his song choice.

Creole String Beans, 4/9, WWL, 2p: Fronted by photographer Rick Olivier, alongside former Iguanas and Cowboy Mouth members, the Creole String Beans began as a “Yat cover band” doing vintage local gems before moving on to write similarly-styled originals.

Crescent City Hot Six Jazz Band, 4/8, PH, 2p: Clarinetist and saxophonist Louis Ford leads this Preservation Hall presentation.

Cullen Landry and the Midnight Streetcar Band featuring Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, 4/7, ABS, 11a: Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee Cullen Landry (original bassist for the Jokers) and his band team up with Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee Al “Carnival Time” Johnson for set of oldfashioned R&B and rock ’n’ roll.

Cupid, 4/7, ABS, 7:15p: Born and raised in Lafayette, this R&B singer— whose given name is Bryson Bernard— has released four studio albums, but he’s best known for spawning a dance craze with the 2007 hit “Cupid A PRI L 2017

O

41

FQF IQ Shuffle.” You may not think you know it, but you probably know it.

Dancing at Dusk with Tom Saunders and the Tomcats, 4/9, MB, 6p: Led by Tom Saunders, this classic-model big band does hot jazz and swing from the 1920’s and ‘30s.

Darcy Malone & the Tangle, 4/6, GE, 12:30p: Led by the daughter of the Radiators’ Dave Malone, husbandand-wife team Darcy Malone and Christopher Boye blend their tastes for soul and indie rock.

Dash Rip Rock, 4/8, WWL, 5:30p: Known for their high-octane roots rock and founded by frontman and songwriter Bill Davis, Dash Rip Rock brings on a party every time.

Dayna Kurtz, 4/7, PAL, 2p: Singer and guitarist Kurtz’s big, warmly textured voice seems to stretch for miles in whatever direction she dares to take it – a powerful addition to her proclivity for sharing intimate truths, no matter how raw.

Debauche, 4/7, WWL, 3:45p: In their own words, Debauche is “a Russian Mafia Band” that plays great punk rock hooligan Russian street songs with stomping energy;” the recent addition of multi-reedist Rob Wagner adds a new layer of depth.

Debbie Davis and the Mesmerizers, 4/7, PAL, 1p: Davis sings blues, jazz, and showtunes with brassy candor and a twinkle in her eye. Her collaboration with pianist Josh Paxton will soon be released.

NEW Dick Deluxe, 4/8, SS, 1:15p: Guitarist, singer and songwriter Dick Deluxe is a troubadour worthy of the title. He’s played everything from blues and punk rock to modern jazz and Grateful Dead covers over the years, but these days he’s focused on his own new material, much of which was just released on his Best of the Beat Award-nominated 2016 album Turning 61 on Highway 61.

Dixie Cups, 4/7, ABS, 2:10p: New Orleans’ contribution to the ’60s girlgroup sound, they scored nationally with “Chapel of Love,” its even-better follow-up, “People Say,” and the Mardi Gras Indian-derived “Iko Iko.” Founding sisters Barbara Ann and Rosa Lee Hawkins remain two-thirds of the group.

Don Jamison Heritage School of Music, 4/9, MB, 11a: These student players aged 11 to 17 hail from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s principal education program and study under the artistic direction of Kidd Jordan.

Don Vappie & the Creole Jazz Serenaders, 4/9, MB, 4:30p: This eclectic banjo player and singer has made a career of exploring his Creole heritage through music, whether it’s traditional jazz, island music, or joining bluesmen in the Black Banjo Project.

Dr. Michael White, 4/6, JAC, 12:45p: Clarinetist and jazz scholar White frequently fuses traditional and modern styles. He recently produced

D

42

O

APRIL 2017

an album’s worth of new recordings tracing the history of modern New Orleans brass band music for Smithsonian Folkways.

Dukes of Dixieland, 4/8, JD, 2p: More than 40 years after their debut, the Dukes of Dixieland continue to weave pop, gospel, and country into their own brand of traditional jazz. The Grammynominated group is a staple on dinner cruises aboard the Steamboat Natchez.

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, 4/8, CHV, 5:30p: This second-generation accordion slinger carries on the blues-infused style of his dad Dopsie Sr., often with a whole lot of added speed and volume. Dwayne Dopsie was named the Best Zydeco Artist at the 2016 Best of the Beat Awards.

Ecirb Muller’s Twisted Dixie, 4/8, MB, 3:45p: Trumpeter Dr. Brice Miller pays homage to fictional jazz pioneer Ecrib Muller as he leads this band through updated renditions of New Orleans’ trad jazz repertoire.

Ellis Marsalis, 4/6, JAC, 5:30p: The premier pianist, educator and patriarch of one of the city’s top musical families is still an active performer who you can hear every Friday at Snug Harbor and at other venues around the city.

NEW Eric “Benny” Bloom, 4/7, SON, 8p: Best known as a member of Brooklyn-based funk powerhouse Lettuce, trumpeter Eric “Benny” Bloom’s colorful personality and masterful horn playing have been fully embraced by the New Orleans music scene since he moved down here a few years ago.

Eric Lindell, 4/8, WWL, 3:45p: Once a California skate-punk, Lindell had more success as a blue-eyed soul and bluesman after moving to New Orleans. His tight backing band explores the slightly country-influenced edges of Louisiana roots rock on albums such as his new one, Matters of the Heart.

Erica Falls, 4/8, GE, 5:30p: This soulful R&B vocalist has sung with Allen Toussaint and Irma Thomas but her chops and songwriting skills demand attention on their own merit.

Evan Christopher’s Clarinet Road, 4/6, JAC, 3:50p: As the name suggests, Big Easy-by-way-of-California clarinetist Evan Christopher is at the center of this project. With a versatile style that takes its cues from early greats like Sidney Bechet and Barney Bigard, Christopher offers a fresh take on traditional New Orleans jazz.

NEW Fortifiers, 4/8, HOB, 2:15p: Founded in 2016, this New Orleans band performs jump, swing, blues, rock, reggae and soul. At the Best of the Beat Awards they performed with Grammy winner Bobby Rush. Former House of Blues talent buyer Sonny Boy Schneidau is featured on vocals and harmonica.

NEW Fred Leblanc of Cowboy Mouth, 4/9, HOB, 6:30p: Drummer Fred Leblanc of Cowboy Mouth becomes

E

F

www.OFFBEAT.com

FQF IQ a singer-songwriter and guitarist playing some of his truly infectious tunes.

Fredy Omar con su Banda, 4/7, WWL, 2p: Once proclaimed the “Latin King of Frenchmen Street” by OffBeat, Omar is a Honduras-born singer with a sizzling band.

The Friendly Travelers, 4/9, TRO, 11a: Originally formed in 1959, this New Orleans gospel quartet was signed to the Memphis-based R&B label Malaco during the ’80s, and toured the country in that era with Gladys Knight and Al Green.

Funk Monkey, 4/9, JD, 2p: This hard-grooving crew of local funk experts was conceived of by Bonerama’s Greg Hicks and Bert Cotton. It features Jason Mingledorff (Papa Grows Funk), Rik Fletcher (Smilin’ Myron), David Pomerleau (Johnny Sketch), and Eddie Christmas (John Cleary).

NEW G and the Swinging Three, 4/7, TJ 2p: This swing quartet is fronted by vocalist Giselle Anguizola, who incorporates tap dancing and other forms of dance from the first half of the 20th century into their show.

Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue, 4/7, TRO, 12:30p: Big-voiced Maryland native Vanessa Niemann fronts one of the city’s leading Western swing bands, which plays originals, honky-tonk favorites, and less obvious choices like Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright.”

Garden District Band, 4/9, 700, 12:45p: Drummer David Hansen’s trio plays traditional and Latin jazz along with standards from the Great American Songbook.

George & Gerald French, 4/8, SON, 2p: As a bassist, French played on some landmark ’60s sessions with Earl King, Red Tyler and Robert Parker.

As a vocalist, he brings a silky touch to jazz and blues standards. He is joined by nephew drummer Gerald French.

Gertrude Ivory (Storyteller), 4/9, KID, 2p: After retiring from Charlottesville’s public school system, former assistant superintendent and teacher Gertrude Ivory returned to her hometown, New Orleans, to find a way to stay connected to education. Her love for teaching is evident in her skills at storytelling.

Gina Brown & Anutha Level, 4/7, TRO, 7:20p: Gina Brown bills herself as “New Orleans’ own soul diva,” and sings a mix of blues, jazz, oldies, hiphop and funk.

Gravy, 4/8, ABS, 11a: Gravy serves up a funk-rock mix in the traditional New Orleans style. Their 2008 debut, Said & Done, saw them joined by Ben Ellman of Galactic and Corey Henry of the Rebirth Brass Band. Their latest CD Get Busy Living was produced by Robert Mercurio and Ben Ellman.

Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestras, 4/9, CLS, 11a: Directed by Dr. Jean Montes, the goal at GNOYO is to provide every willing young person

G

www.OFFBEAT.com

in the area access to a quality and comprehensive orchestral program.

NEW Gregory Agid Quartet, 4/8, OMN, 1:45p: Arguably the most impressive young clarinetist in New Orleans today, Gregory Agid elevates his instrument every time he surrounds himself with this top-notch group of New Orleans players. OffBeat named the band’s latest album, Words Are Not Enough, one of the 50 best albums of 2016.

Gumbo JazzBand, 4/8, INT, 12p: Hailing from Maastricht in the Netherlands, their repertoire is New Orleans jazz from the 1920s and ’30s.

Gypsy Elise and the Royal Blues, 4/7, HOB, 12p: Gypsy Elise’s rich contralto voice fronts this funkinformed, ballad-friendly blues act.

Hannah Kreiger-Benson, 4/9, SS, 3:45p: Kreiger-Benson is a multi-talented pianist, singer, and trumpeter who’s also been a vocal spokeswoman for MACCNO. Harmonouche, 4/9, ROU, 1:45p: This gypsy jazz band was formed by Raphaël Bas, a French guitarist who moved to New Orleans just before Katrina. They approach the music with energy, romance and humor.

Helen Gillet’s Wazozo Zorchestra, 4/8, MB, 12:30p: The Belgian-born singer/cellist’s music falls somewhere between French chansons, ethereal pop, free jazz and the Velvet Underground, though she leans more toward quirk with the Wazozo Zorchestra big band.

Higher Heights Band Revue featuring Zion Trinity, Raging Rebelz and Early Brooks, Jr., 4/7, TRO, 5:45p: Higher Heights combines reggae, dancehall and rocksteady into a heady mix of Jamaican sounds.

Honey Island Swamp Band, 4/8, GE, 7:15p: Formed in San Francisco by Katrina exiles who’ve since returned to town, the HISB is a hard-driving rock band with roots in R&B, country and funk.

Hot Club of New Orleans, 4/8, ROU, 12p: Fronted by skilled and versatile clarinetist Chris Kohl, the Hot Club performs classics of the gypsy jazz songbook.

Hot Rod Lincoln, 4/8, TRO, 2p: Oldies cover band whose members include some prominent figures from the worlds of business and politics.

Hot Stuff featuring Becky Allen, 4/7, PAL, 3p: Allen, a charismatic female impersonator, brings the hot stuff in the form of showtunes and standards with a great sense of humor and an over-the-top attitude.

The Iguanas, 4/8, 3:45: With TexMex rock as their base, the Iguanas can swing freely into jazz, country, garage and Caribbean music.

Ingrid Lucia, 4/6, JD, 11p: A performer since childhood and a local favorite since her days with the Flying Neutrinos, the singer’s latest CD, Living the Life, with the theme, “the exuberance and strength of the

H

I

A PRI L 2017

O

43

FQF IQ human spirit in this crazy journey called life” is one of her best. She also put together a group of New Orleans finest women singers called the New Orleans Nightingales.

Irene Sage Band, 4/9, ABS, 11a: Rock/soul vocalist Sage has been a local presence since fronting Irene & the Mikes in the ’80s. She’s been a featured singer with Allen Toussaint and a collaborator with the late Coco Robicheaux.

Irma Thomas, Soul Queen of New Orleans, 4/7, ABS, 5:25p: With a career that spans more than 50 years, Thomas earned her royal nickname through innumerable contributions to the development of soul and R&B. While she still plays early hits like “It’s Raining” and “Time is on My Side,” she continues to introduce new material.

NEW Jake Landry, 4/9, HOB, 4:30p: This singer-songwriter hails from South Louisiana and is also a member of the Right Lane Bandits.

James Andrews, 4/9, TRO, 5:25p: Grandson of Jessie Hill and brother of Trombone Shorty, Andrews has gone in a funky, expansive direction. A neighborhood’s worth of players have joined the core band onstage.

Jamey St. Pierre & the Honeycreepers, 4/9, HOB, 2:30p: Frenchmen Street’s singer-songwriter and guitarist Jamey St. Pierre is joined by the Honeycreepers’ Kyle Cripps on saxophone and Dave Freeson on guitar.

Jamey’s interpretations of Bill Withers, Nina Simone and Ray Charles, along with his original compositions, are soulful and exciting.

Jane Harvey Brown Trad Jazz Stars, 4/9, PH, 2p: When she’s not playing with Sugarbear and the Jazzcats or Grand Marshalling for the Storyville Stompers, singer Brown fronts this traditional jazz group.

Jee Yeoun Ko, 4/9, CLS, 3:30p: Dr. Jee Yeoun Ko, is an award-winning Korean cellist who now makes New Orleans her home and has held an assistant chair position at NOCCA for nearly a decade.

Jeremy Davenport, 4/9, JAC, 2:20p: Schooled as the featured trumpeter in Harry Connick, Jr.’s band, the St. Louis native has carved out a solo career with a tender tone to both his playing and singing on romantic standards and originals.

Joe Cabral Thrio, 4/9, OMN, 1:45p: Saxophonist and Iguanas cofounder Joe Cabral plays baritone and sings music from a wide-ranging, light-hearted repertoire that spans rock (both Latin American and otherwise), jazz, New Orleans R&B and reimagined pop. He’s joined by his Iguanas cohort Doug Garrison and bassist James Singleton.

Joe Krown, 4/6, GE, 2p: The hardest working keyboard and organ player in New Orleans. He frequently

J

44

O

APRIL 2017

performs with drummer Russell Batiste and guitarist Walter “Wolfman” Washington.

John “Papa” Gros, 4/6, ABS, 5:20p: New Orleans funk scene stalwart “Papa Gros” took his music in a new direction after disbanding Papa Grows Funk in 2013; the powerhouse keyboardist, singer and French horn player recently released River’s On Fire.

John Boutte, 4/9, JAC, 11:15a: A local favorite with a high and haunting voice, Boutte is an inspired, passionate interpreter of songs. His acclaim spread widely after his tune “Treme Song” became the theme of the hit HBO series, “Treme.”

John Mooney & Bluesiana, 4/9, WWL, 3:45p: Known for his mean slide guitar, Mooney mixes Delta blues with a funky beat straight out of a New Orleans second lines. He’s been playing with his band, Bluesiana, since the ’80s.

John Rankin, 4/8, CLS, 3:30p: Acoustic fingerstyle guitarist in the mold of Leo Kottke or Chet Atkins.

When not performing solo, he’s part of the all-star Guitar Masters and collaborates in diverse duos and trios with Alex McMurray, Norbert Slama, Phil DeGruy, Todd Duke, and others.

John Royen’s New Orleans Rhythm Band, 4/9 700, 2:15p: Royen is credited with bringing East-Coast style stride piano to Preservation Hall in the early ’80’s, adding a syncopated ragtime beat to the traditional New Orleans sound.

Johnette Downing, 4/9, KID, 11a: Children’s author and guitarist Downing, who often performs a medley of Louisiana roots music dubbed “Swamp Romp” with Grammy-winning producer Scott Billington, presents a solo kids program.

Johnny Sansone, 4/6, GE, 11a: A multi-instrumentalist who draws from swamp-rock, blues and zydeco, Sansone has two aces in the hole: his songwriting and his gut-shaking harmonica solos.

Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes, 4/7, WWL, 5:30p: Fronted by a cellist turned guitarist, they’re a funky rock band with a few gonzoid touches.

The band’s philosophy can best be summed up by the sentiments of the single and video, “Dance Dance Dance Dance Dance.”

Joint Chiefs of Jazz featuring Frank Oxley, 4/8, PH, 1p: Drummer Oxley has led and performed with many trad jazz bands over the years and frequently plays at such venues as Preservation Hall and the Palm Court Jazz Café. He’s worked with Wendell Brunious, Danny Barker, and countless other greats.

Jon Roniger Gypsyland, 4/9, SS, 2:30a: Singer-songwriter Roniger explores melodic roots rock in both quiet acoustic and up-tempo electric modes.

www.OFFBEAT.com

FQF IQ NEW Jonathon “Boogie” Long (Trio), 4/7, HOB, 2:30p: This soulful Baton Rouge-based blues guitar slinger has opened for B.B. King and performed with Dr. John, Kenny Neal and many others.

NEW Jumbo Shrimp Jazz Band, 4/8, SCH, 1:45p: Frenchmen Street’s trad jazz all stars are more like one big, incestuous family than a collection of separate bands, and the particular combination known as Jumbo Shrimp Jazz Band fronted by trombonist/ vocalist Colin Myers is one of the best.

Kelcy Mae, 4/8, SS, 12p: Mae’s alt-country folk rock is shot through with bluegrass influences and propelled by creative lyrics that would stand on their own in print and an evocative voice. She’s been nominated multiple times in recent years at the Best of the Beat Awards.

NEW Kenneth Terry Jazz Band, 4/8, ZAP, 11a: Trumpeter and vocalist Kenneth Terry, the Satchmo of the Seventh Ward, has been performing and teaching for over 30 years. He can be found mentoring the next generation of New Orleans musicians on Frenchmen Street.

Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, 4/8, JAC, 12:45p: One of New Orleans’ most beloved trumpeters and personalities, Ruffins also runs the Mother-In-Law Lounge.

K

www.OFFBEAT.com

Khris Royal and Dark Matter, 4/8, GE, 12:30p: Best of the Beat Award-winning saxophonist Khris Royal keeps things funky and fresh with a stellar group of local talent whose high-energy jams offer something special for the body and the mind. If this is the future of New Orleans funk, then count us in!

Kid Merv & All That Jazz, 4/7, TRO, 2p: This tradition-steeped trumpeter was a protégé of the Treme Brass Band’s Uncle Lionel Batiste. His great uncle Kid Rena replaced Louis Armstrong in Kid Ory’s band.

Kid Simmons Jazz Band, 4/9, 700, 11:15a: Trumpeter Simmons has been active in traditional jazz since he first came to came to New Orleans in 1966. He’s also a musicologist Kim Carson and the Real Deal, 4/6, ABS, 11a: With her high-energy honky tonk and roots rock, the rural Texas/Oklahoma native and her steelheavy band tell audiences, “Don’t fear the twang!” which is the title of her latest CD. Kinfolk Brass Band, 4/9, PH, 3p: Formed in 2006, the Kinfolk are true to the traditional brass-band sound and perform “Bourbon Street Parade,” “I’ll Fly Away” and other standards along with their originals.

King James & the Special Men, 4/8, JD, 5:30p: King James and the Special Men play New Orleans R&B

and rock ‘n’ roll with horns and a loose, ramshackle attitude that captures beautifully the spirit with which the New Orleans classics were made.

NEW KIPP Central City Academy Band, 4/9, SCH, 11a: Located on 3rd Street in Central City, the mission of KIPP Central City Academy is to empower each student with the knowledge, habits, character strengths and academic abilities to succeed. The school marching band was founded in 2007.

NEW KIPP McDonogh 15 Middle School Band, 4/8, SCH, 11:15a: Winners of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation’s “Class Got Brass” Competition in 2011, this school brass band beat out 15 other New Orleans area high schools.

Kris Tokarski, 4/9, 700, 4:45p: A Berklee School of Music grad whose interest shifted from classical and Hungarian folk to bop and early New Orleans jazz, this pianist’s first recording, Drop Me Off in Harlem, features clarinetist Evan Christopher and tenor saxophonist James Partridge.

Kumasi, 4/8, HOB, 8:30p: New Orleans’ only Afrobeat orchestra brings high-energy dance music in the form of West African-inspired originals and Afro-funk, along with some Fela covers.

L

Lagniappe Brass Band, 4/7, BB, 2:15p: This bright young crew in the vein of the Soul Rebels got extra cred last year, courtesy of the all-original material on their selftitled debut album.

Lars Edegran’s New Orleans Jazz Band, 4/8, PAL, 2p: This Swedish jazz pianist migrated to New Orleans in the 1960s to learn the traditional music of the city. Now he is an elder statesman and a staple performer at the Palm Court.

Last Straws, 4/9, ZAP, 11a: This traditional New Orleans jazz band has been playing together for half a century. The band features Robert Ice on bass, Mo Canert on cornet, Rory Dufour on clarinet, Darryl Barnes on Trombone, Bill Lee and saxophone, Bob Wahers on drums and Bruce O’Neil on banjo.

Lastie Family Gospel, 4/8, PH, 12p: Preservation Hall drummer Joe Lastie Jr. is joined by the Lastie family for classic Southern gospel music.

Latasha Covington, 4/8, KID, 2p: Rubboard player Latasha Covington demonstrates all the uses of the rubboard. You can frequently find Latasha performing around New Orleans.

Lawrence Cotton and the Legendary Experience, 4/8, OMN, 12p: Guitar Slim’s longtime piano player and an alum of Dave

A PRI L 2017

O

45

FQF IQ Bartholomew’s band, among many others. At 90, Cotton remains devoted to his art and full of great stories.

Leif Pedersen’s 1944 Big Band, 4/9, JAC, 5:30p: Pedersen leads his vintage-styled group through selections from the Great American Songbook, with a focus on the Swing Era. Lena Prima Band, 4/6, JD, 2p: The youngest daughter of Louis Prima performs her dad’s classics along with her own jazz-pop material, which she performs regularly at the Hotel Monteleone.

Leroy Jones & New Orleans’ Finest, 4/9, JAC, 12:45p: Trumpeter Jones is a protégé of the legendary Danny Barker and at 13 was leading the Fairview Baptist Church Marching Band.

In 1991 Jones joined Harry Connick, Jr.’s band; he’s also appeared with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Dr. John.

Leroy Jones’ Original Hurricane Brass Band, 4/7, BB, 4p: Jones draws on his experience with the Fairview Baptist Church Brass Band to play traditional New Orleans brass band music in this historic group. He was a big winner at the 2016 Best of the Beat Awards taking home Best Traditional Jazz Album for I’m Talkin’ Bout New Orleans and for Best Trumpeter.

Let’s Move! With Ranger Chandra Teddleton, 4/8, KID, 11a: Park Ranger Chandra Teddleton brings her jazz bounce aerobics to the kids stage. Who says being healthy can’t be fun?

Lillian Boutte & Gumbo Zaire, 4/8, ABS, 12:35p: Celebrated jazz singer Boutte has performed with giants from James Booker to Patti Labelle.

The City of New Orleans honored her as an Ambassador of Music, the only musician since Louis Armstrong to receive the title.

Linnzi Zaorski, 4/9, OMN, 12p: Dubbed “the Ninth Ward’s torchiest torch singer” by OffBeat, the charismatic Zaorski mixes Betty Boop phrasing with a solid sense of ‘30s-style swing.

Little Freddie King, 4/9, ABS, 2:10p: The Mississippi Delta-born King plays raw juke-joint blues with style, and he’s one of the best dressers you’ll see on any stage. His latest album, You Make My Night, came out last month.

Los Po-Boy-Citos, 4/9, GE, 12:30p: This party-friendly Latin band specializes in boogaloo versions of New Orleans favorites and funkified versions of Latin tunes.

Lost Bayou Ramblers, 4/8, CHV, 3:45p: As their acclaimed Mammoth Waltz demonstrates, this young Cajun band celebrates its genre’s tradition while staying open to new technology and rock influences – including a recent collaboration with the Pogues’ Spider Stacy.

Louis Ford and his New Orleans Flairs, 4/8, TJ, 4:15p: Clarinetist and saxophonist Ford is a second generation

46

O

APRIL 2017

New Orleans jazz man dedicated to the preservation of the genre.

Louisiana Funky Butts Brass Band, 4/8, INT, 2:15p: Based in Norway, this traditionally styled band includes musicians from Germany and Switzerland.

NEW Louisiana LeRoux, 4/7, ABS 3:45p: Founded in 1978, these Baton Rouge natives released minor hits like “Take a Ride On a Riverboat,” “New Orleans Ladies” and “Nobody Said It Was Easy (Lookin’ For the Lights)” in the late ’70 and early ’80s. They continue to tour with original members Tony Haselden and Rod Roddy.

NEW Love Evolution, 4/6, TRO, 2p: Comprised of singer Semaj and and guitarist Mr. Lorrius, this duo delivers the message that peace will triumph over destruction. The pair blends a variety of styles into a sound they call “urban-folk.”

Luke Spurr Allen, 4/8, SS, 3:45p: Luke Spur Allen’s raw and literary approach to songwriting, along with his perfectly rasp-tinged voice, front this New Orleans-style alt-country pack of Bywater rock all-stars.

NEW Luxley, 4/7, HOB, 6:15p: Ryan Gray’s one-man electro-rock onslaught is sure to bring a party to any stage.

Lynn Drury, 4/7, JD, 2p: A singer-songwriter steeped in both her Mississippi heritage and her adopted home of New Orleans, this frequent Best of the Beat Awards nominee teamed up with veteran British producer John Porter for her latest CD. Magnetic Ear, 4/9, BB, 2:15p: A progressive brass band inspired by avantgarde jazz, second line funk and European brass music. Their spirited new album Live at Vaughan’s was nominated for a Best of the Beat Award.

Mahogany Brass Band, 4/6, PAR, 10a: Led by trumpeter, scholar and DJ Brice Miller, this young brass band stays true the old-time, swinging sound of traditional New Orleans brass bands.

MainLine, 4/7, BB, 5:45p: Having dropped the “brass band” moniker in recent years, this eight-piece credits Soul Rebels sousaphonist Edward Lee with inspiring the funk, rock and jam band-style approach they layer onto their brass band horns instrumentation.

Marc Stone, 4/7, TRO, 11a: Blues rock singer, songwriter and slide guitarist Stone is celebrating this tenth anniversary performing at French Quarter Festival. His latest release, Live in Europe, will be released on April 8 with a show at 30/90 on Frenchmen Street.

Mario Abney, 4/7, SON, 2p: Born and raised in Chicago, trumpeter Mario Abney’s contemporary jazz sound and penchant for extended solos have made him a fixture of the New Orleans scene.

M

www.OFFBEAT.com

FQF IQ IQ Mark Brooks, 4/9, ZAP, 4:30p: An acoustic bassist specializing in the classic New Orleans jazz repertoire as well as blues, gospel and modern jazz. Brooks has worked with Dr. John, the Neville Brothers and Fats Domino.

Mason Ruffner, 4/9, JD, 3:30p: When he first came to New Orleans in the late ‘70s, this Texas-born, bluesobsessed guitarist backed the likes of John Lee Hooker and Memphis Slim.

He went on to work with Jimmy Page, Bob Dylan, Daniel Lanois and U2 while maintaining an acclaimed solo career.

Mayumi Shara & New Orleans Jazz Letters, 4/9, SCH, 12p: This master of Japanese taiko drumming has become equally adept at historically New Orleanian music styles ranging from traditional jazz to blues to R&B. Meschiya Lake & the Little Big Horns, 4/7, JD, 12:30p: Once a Royal Street performer, she’s now a marquee name in the local traditional jazz scene. Lake and friends are getting more attention worldwide thanks to her vintage sass, great storytelling and gorgeously raw New Orleans feel.

NEW Messy Cookers Jazz Band, 4/8, MB, 5:30p: This group keeps things vintage with a dedication to early New Orleans jazz and swing.

Mia Borders, 4/6, GE, 3:30p: A singer, songwriter, and guitarist from New Orleans, her newest release, Fever Dreams was highly acclaimed. She was a big winner at the 2016 OffBeat Best of the Beat Awards.

Micah McKee & Little Maker, 4/9, GE, 2p: Micah McKee and friends delve into rock’s folk and jazz heritage to arrive at their violin and horn-driven orchestral pop sound.

Michael Watson, 4/9, SON, 8p: From Canton, Ohio Michael Watson started playing trombone at an early age. He has Jazz Studies degrees from both Cuyahoga Community College and the University of New Orleans. He is currently a member of Magnetic Ear and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.

Michaela Harrison, 4/8, PAL, 12p: Harrison’s slightly husky voice is well suited for her mix of jazz, blues, and Brazilian.

Michot’s Melody Makers, 4/8, HOB, 6:30p: Louis Michot is a dynamic Cajun fiddler best known as the frontman of the Lost Bayou Ramblers.

He performs here with his wife, Ashlee, and a slew of other popular musicians from the Lafayette scene.

NEW The Mid-City Aces, 4/7, CHV, 12:30p: 18-year-old accordion prodigy Cameron Dupuy and his father, guitarist Michael Dupuy, teamed up with fiddler Gina Forsyth to form this traditional Cajun music trio.

Miss Sophie Lee, 4/7, TJ, 12p: One of the proprietors of the restaurant Three Muses (which has a second location open on Maple Street), Lee applies a sultry vocal style to her chosen mixture of swing and traditional jazz.

48

O

APRIL 2017

Her latest CD, Traverse This Universe, shows off her songwriting as well as her interpretive skills. Her video for “Lovely In That Dress” was nominated for a Best of the Beat Award.

NEW Mo’Fess, 4/6, TRO, 11a: Drummer Earl Gordon and Professor Longhair disciple Tom Worrell lead this tribute to New Orleans legend—no, music legend—Professor Longhair.

Orleans Records’ Carlo Ditta first put the band together for the release party for Professor Longhair - Live in Chicago 1976. Gordon and guitarist Billy Gregory both backed Longhair in the 1970s.

NEW Mollie Pate and the LPO Horn Section, 4/9, CLS, 12:30p: Principal hornist for the Louisiana Philharmonic since 1996, Mollie Pate has performed all over the world.

Here she leads the horn section of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in a sure-to-be-exciting program. “I truly believe our brass section is one of the best in the country and I am honored to be a part of it.”

Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles, 4/7, ABS, 12:35p: Local legend and reggae aficionado Big Chief Monk Boudreaux plays some of the city’s most esteemed Mardi Gras Indian music with his tribe, the Golden Eagles.

The Mr., 4/8, TRO, 5:45p: This fivepiece’s progressive approach to R&B helps lift them above the fray.

Muevelo, 4/8, JD 12:30p: Muevelo means “move it” in Spanish. This band, which specializes in Cuban music, has become a New Orleans Latin sensation.

Members include Margie Perez on vocals, Brent Rose on saxophone and flute, Eric Lucero on trumpet, Gabriel Velasco on percussion and many others.

Music Collaborative Roots and Wings Rhythm Band, 4/9, KID, 1p: Comprised of kids ages 10 and up, this vocal and instrumental ensemble’s repertoire draws from blues, jazz, world music and pop favorites. Some original student compositions may also be heard.

Music for All Ages with the Red Hot Brass Band, 4/9, KID, 12p: The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park’s popular Music For All Ages program teaches kids about traditional New Orleans jazz with the help of the young Red Hots.

Musieu Bainjo featuring Seva Venet, 4/9, PH, 1p: Guitarist and banjo player Seva Venet moved to New Orleans from Los Angeles and performs with many bands. His latest release Musieu Bainjo includes performances by Dr. Michael White, Orange Kellin, Greg Stafford, Kerry Lewis and many others.

The CD is reviewed in this issue.

Muzik Jazz Band, 4/9, SCH, 1:45p: Drummer Sullivan Dabney has led different lineups of this band since 1972. Three years ago he was Grand Marshall of the Newark Jazz Festival in Central England.

N

Naughty Professor, 4/6, JD, 3:30p: This New Orleans-based six-piece plays a blend of funk, soul and rock that’s earned them a solid following on the jam band scene.

Recently featured on OffBeat’s February 2017 cover, their excellent new album Identity is set for release later this year.

Naydja CoJoe, 4/8, WWL, 11a: Singer and New Orleans native Naydja CoJoe’s sound dabbles in the vintage and the more recent mainstream, while her lovely voice is bolstered by her confident stage presence.

NEW The Nayo Jones Experience, 4/7, WWL, 11a: Kermit Ruffins’ goto guest vocalist hails from Chicago, attended Spelman and brings plenty of fire to her mix of jazz standards and R&B hits.

New Birth Brass Band, 4/6, JD, 12:30p: Featuring trumpeter Will Smith and other former students of the famed Olympia Brass Band, this long-running ensemble boasts Glen David Andrews and Trombone Shorty among its alumni.

New Orleans Classic Jazz Orchestra, 4/8, 700, 11:15a: Led by Eddie Baynard, this septet performs the music of influential ‘20s-era New Orleans bands like the New Orleans Rhythm Kings and the Original Dixieland Jazz Band.

New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings, 4/7, TJ, 4p: Rulers of the lower French Quarter and the Faubourg Marigny, the Cottonmouth Kings play a loose and fun style of traditional jazz.

New Orleans Jazz Vipers, 4/9, ZAP, 12:30p: This swinging drum-less quintet brings a mix of still-timely standards like “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” and lesser known swing tunes to their long-running weekly gigs at the Spotted Cat. New Orleans Moonshiners, 4/8, ZAP, 12:30p: These young, traditional jazz players---led by singer, composer and banjo player Chris Edmunds---first got together with swing on the brain back in 2008.

New Orleans Nightcrawlers, 4/8, BB, 4p: This funky brass-meetsrock outfit represents the genre’s adventurous edge and includes familiar faces from Bonerama and Galactic.

Their last album, Slither Slice, combined funk, hip-hop, Indian chants and a general spirit of rejuvenation.

The New Orleans Po’ Boys, 4/8, ZAP, 4:30p: Virtuoso trombonist Trolsen leads this band playing traditional New Orleans music and originals with conviction and a fiendish sense of humor.

New Orleans Rhythm Devils, 4/9, WWL, 11a: Lead by drummer Michael Paille, the New Orleans Rhythm Devils are comprised of a group of talented musicians that can frequently be heard on Frenchmen Street.

The New Orleans Suspects, 4/8, ABS, 5:25p: Although Radiators bassist Reggie Scanlan has retired from the

road, and is replaced by bassist Charlie Wooton, he may perform at French Quarter Festival this year. This funky all-star band also includes Dirty Dozen guitarist Jake Eckert, keyboardist CR Gruver and saxophonist Jeff Watkins, who was James Brown’s late-career bandleader.

New Orleans Swamp Donkeys, 4/8, MB, 5:30p: The Swamp Donkeys’ creative mix of traditional jazz, blues, vaudeville and modern jazz styles gained a worldwide legion of fans when a video of their rendition of the Game of Thrones theme went viral online.

Opera on Tap, 4/8, CLS, 11a: Presented by the New Orleans Opera, “On Tap” features young local and regional singers in casual concerts of opera arias, show tunes, and more.

Orange Kellin’s New Orleans Deluxe Orchestra, 4/8, 700, 4:45p: Clarinetist Kellin has been helping to keep the traditional New Orleans jazz scene alive in the Crescent City since he moved here from Sweden in 1966.

A longtime associate of pianist Lars Edegran, Kellin’s also known for his central involvement in the musical One Mo’ Time Organic Trio, 4/7, GE, 11a: Brian Seeger, who holds the Alvin “Red” Tyler Professorship chair at the University of New Orleans, is one of New Orleans’ best jazz guitarists. Here he joined by Jean-Yves Jung on organ and Paul Wiltgen on drums. The Organic Trio is well named, as there’s such a natural feeling to whatever direction these intuitive musicians choose to go.

Original Pinettes Brass Band, 4/8, BB, 5:45p: Billed as “The World’s Only All Female Brass Band,” the Pinettes were formed by a group of students at St. Mary’s Academy in 1991. They won the Red Bull Street Kings brass competition in 2013.

Otra, 4/6, JD, 5:15p: Led by bassist Sam Price, this local Afro-Cuban band stands out from the crowd with its strong, original compositions. They also do a heavily rearranged “Nature Boy.” Ovi-G and the Froggies, 4/9, JD, 12:30p: Ovidio Giron leads this third generation riff on the Guatemalan marimba band Los Ranas. Along with his three children, Giron performs a mix of soca, marimba and tropical styles of Central American music.

Palmetto Bug Stompers, 4/9, FMS, 12:45p: Traditional jazz sextet with some familiar players, including the ubiquitous Washboard Chaz. They are a dance band staple on Frenchmen Street.

Panorama Jazz Band, 4/7, JD, 11a: Influenced by styles from around the globe, this hip band comprised of top local instrumentalists blends New Orleans jazz traditions with klezmer, Latin and Balkan sounds. Enjoy the music all year long by becoming a

O

P

www.OFFBEAT.com

FQF IQ subscriber to their song-of-the-month club.

NEW Papa Mali, 4/9, ABS, 3:45p: Best known as frontman for 7 Walkers (a band that includes Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann and the Meters’ founding bassist, George Porter Jr.), Papa Mali is an accomplished singer-songwriter and guitarist who picked up two Best of the Beat Awards in 2015: Best Roots Rock Performer and Best Roots Rock Record for Music Is Love.

Partners N Crime & The Big Easy Bounce Band featuring DJ Jubilee, 4/7, GE, 5:30p: Legendary local rap “partners” since their days growing up in the 17th Ward, Kango Slimm and Mr. Meana appear with an all-star bounce group featuring the selfprofessed “King of Bounce” DJ Jubilee.

Party Gators, 4/7, INT, 12p: This German group is led by drummer Bernie Hasel, who also tours in an oompah band but claims New Orleans music as his true love.

Patrice Fisher and Arpa, 4/8, MB, 11a: This Latin jazz ensemble is led by versatile professional harpist Fisher, who has been performing and recording her original compositions since the early ’80s.

Paul Sanchez & the Rolling Road Show, 4/9, TRO, 3:50p: Sanchez has blossomed as a songwriter since parting company with Cowboy Mouth, co-writing the post-Katrina musical “Nine Lives” and taking the lead on a number of projects, including the Rolling Road Show, Minimum Rage and the Write Brothers.

Paulin Brothers Jazz Band, 4/8, SCH, 12p: Ernest “Doc” Paulin founded this band in the 1920s. His sons now perform strictly traditional brass-band music, complete with the longstanding black-and-white uniforms and spiffy white caps.

NEW The Pentones, 4/9, TRO, 12:30p: This trio led by guitarist and vocalist Mark Pentone plays original blues and funk and is frequently performing at the Funky Pirate on Bourbon Street. The other members are bassist Thomas C. McDonald and drummer Eddie Christmas. Dan Willging said of Penton “it would not be an exaggeration to rate him among the top 10 lead guitarists in a city that has no shortage of them.”

NEW Perdido Jazz Band, 4/8, MB, 5:30p: This trad jazz group takes its name from the tunes they play. It’s the kind of music that would have been heard at the intersection of New Orleans’ Perdido and Rampart Streets a century ago.

Peter Novelli, 4/8, SS, 11a: OffBeat’s Dan Willging once wrote Novelli is “the master of searing tones and crunchy, mid-tempo grooves.” He has toured with accordionist Sammy Naquin and worked with Dr. John and Buckwheat Zydeco, among others.

www.OFFBEAT.com

The Pfister Sisters, 4/8, MB, 2p: Inspired by the close harmonies and lively personalities of New Orleans’ Boswell Sisters, these Spotted Cat regulars are all about the ‘30s in both sound and look.

Players Ella and Louie Tribute Band, 4/8, JAC, 3:50p: Featuring some of New Orleans finest musicians--including Mitchell Player, Todd Duke, Gerald French, Leslie Martin, Eileina Dennis and trumpeter Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown---their CD was considered for a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Producer of the Year.

Pontchartrain Owls, 4/9, INT, 2:15p: This multinational traditional jazz group has made regular appearances at French Quarter Fest.

NEW The Porter Trio, 4/6, ABS, 2:10p: Led by beloved bassist George Porter Jr., this funky three-piece has been holding down a Monday night residency at the Maple Leaf Bar for over three years.

PresHall Brass, 4/6, JAC, 11:15a: Featuring bass drummer Tanio Hingle, snare drummer Kerry “Fat Man” Hunter and trumpeter Will Smith, plus a rotating roster of players, Pres Hall Brass aims to serve as the Hall collective’s go-to brass band arm, like the Olympia Brass Band once did.

Quiana Lynell, 4/9, SON, 5p: Vocalist and songwriter, Quiana Lynell blends jazz, blue and R&B into an amazing gumbo of sounds. She is the vocal coach at Loyola University New Orleans.

Raw Oyster Cult, 4/9, ABS, 5:20p: The closest thing at FQF to a Radiators reunion. Raw Oyster Cult features 3/5 of the Rads (Dave Malone, Camile Baudoin, and Frank Bua) plus Papa Grows Funk’s John Gros and Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes’ bassist Dave Pomerlau.

Red Hot Brass Band, 4/9, BB, 12:45p: Student musicians from the prestigious New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, the Red Hots play standards from the traditional New Orleans jazz repertoire.

Red Wolf Brass Band, 4/8, BB, 2:15p: Music teacher and band director Desmond Venable leads this energetic young band of music students who recently released their first album, 7th Period.

Reed Minders, 4/8, PH, 4:30p: A Preservation Hall presentation of New Orleans’ clarinetists.

NEW Remedy, 4/9, JD, 11a: Teenfriendly rock band comprised of actual teens, 14 and up.

Retread Brass Band, 4/8, KID, 1p: Kid-friendly brass band comprised of local young talent.

Rhodes Spedale & Live Jazz Group, 4/9, SCH, 3:15p: In addition to performing as a jazz pianist in and around New Orleans since the mid-‘60s, Spedale has worked as a jazz journalist,

Q R

A PRI L 2017

O

49

FQF IQ authoring a guide to New Orleans jazz in the ‘80s and hosting numerous radio programs over the years.

Ricardo Pascal Orchestra, 4/9, SON, 2p: Marcus Roberts “The Modern Jazz Generation” incorporates a core group of very talented younger musicians at the beginning of their careers. In that number was tenor and soprano saxophonist Ricardo Pascal now leading his own orchestra.

Robin Barnes, 4/8, TRO, 4p: Steeped in R&B, this self-professed “soul pop” vocalist first sang in the choirs at St. Philip and St. David Catholic Churches, and later with her family’s jazz band the Soul Heirs.

Rockin’ Dopsie and the Zydeco Twisters, 4/9, CHV, 3:30p: One of the few rubboard players to lead a zydeco band, Dopsie Jr. plays it wilder than his accordionist dad, and his sets are guaranteed party-starters.

NEW Roland Guerin, 4/8, WWL 12:30p: Over the past couple of decades Roland Guerin has earned a worldwide reputation as one of New Orleans’ preeminent bassists. He was recently named musical director for Dr. John’s band after a long stint with the late Allen Toussaint, but that’s only scratching the surface of his resume.

The Ronnie Kole Show featuring John Perkins, 4/8, JAC, 2:20p: This award-winning jazz pianist, old-school Bourbon Street staple and protégé of Al Hirt has been performing Great American Songbook classics and Big Band tunes in New Orleans for decades.

Rory Danger & the Danger Dangers, 4/9, GE, 3:30p: Danger is saxophonist and clarinetist Aurora Nealand’s alter ego. The rockabilly ensemble includes Spencer Bohren, his son Andre Bohren, Marc Paradis, Casey Coleman, Bill Malchow and Scott Potts. Their relentless enthusiasm and dedication to their bizarre characters make their performances some of the most fun in town.

Royal & Dumaine Hawaiians, 4/8, ROU, 3:30p: The alter-ego of stringband David Roe & the Royal Rounders, this quintet plays ukuleledriven tunes including “Let’s Talk Dirty in Hawaiian” and Don Ho’s “Tiny Bubbles.”

Shamarr Allen & the Underdawgs, 4/9, JD, 5:15p: Jazz-funk-hip-hop trumpeter Allen resists categorization, having performed with Willie Nelson and written the local anthem “Meet Me on Frenchmen Street.”

Shannon Powell’s Traditional All Star Band, 4/7, JAC, 2:20p: Billed as the “King of Treme,” Shannon Powell is a master drummer and Preservation Hall staple who began his career with Danny Barker and has since played with Wynton Marsalis, Dr. John and Harry Connick Jr. Shotgun Jazz Band, 4/8, ZAP, 3p: Trumpeter Marla Dixon and six-string

S

50

O

APRIL 2017

banjoist John Dixon began as a busking duo before expanding to their current seven-piece, traditional New Orleans jazz incarnation.

Smoking Time Jazz Club, 4/8, TJ, 12:45p: A regular at Frenchmen Street’s Maison and Spotted Cat, they have a deep knowledge and appreciation for early jazz. Their latest album, Ain’t We Fortunate is reviewed in this issue by Tom McDermott.

Some Like it Hot Traditional Jazz Band, 4/8, 700, 2:15p: Trumpeter Kaye Caldwell leads this traditional jazz group, which unlike most ensembles of its type features several female musicians.

Songs for Junior Rangers featuring Richard Scott, 4/8, KID, 3p: Pianist Richard Scott performs songs for children. The music is catchy and easy to sing along with. It is not too cutesy or cloying, so adults will like it.

Sons of Jazz Brass Band, 4/8, BB, 11:15a: Playing a range of brass band music that runs the gamut from traditional to contemporary, the Sons of Jazz hit the streets earlier this year with the new Femme Fatale Mardi Gras krewe.

NEW Soul Brass Band, 4/9, BB, 4p: Drummer Derrick Freeman leads the Soul Brass Band, which was formed in 2015. The band was the winner of Best Emerging Artist this year at the Best of the Beat Awards.

Soul Project NOLA, 4/8, JD, 11a: Young devotees of old-school funk, and inspired by vintage Nevilles and Meters. Guitarist/singer Jon Cristian Duque played for a time with Walter “Wolfman” Washington.

The Soul Rebels, 4/8, JD, 7:15p: After the international success of their Rounder debut Unlock Your Mind, this funk-inspired brass band released Power = Power, an OkayPlayer mixtape of reimagined hip-hop hits. New arrangements of D’Angelo and Marvin Gaye have popped up in recent live shows.

St. Cecilia’s Chorus, 4/9, PH, 12p: This is not the famous St. Cecilia Chorus that performed Mahler’s Third Symphony in New York in 1906, but an offshoot of the St. Cecilia’s Asylum Chorus that shortened their name to just the Asylum Chorus. Apparently choral director Lucas Davenport has resurrected the name for the French Quarter Festival. We understand that the performance by the Asylum Chorus will have a completely different program.

Steve Pistorius & the Southern Syncopators 4/9, FMS, 4:15p: Pianist Steve Pistorius, who plays with a dexterous, ragtime piano style, is complemented by a crew of seasoned traditional jazz musicians in a band named after a song by Henry “Red” Allen. Their repertoire includes tunes

by Sidney Bechet, Natty Dominique, Bill Whitmore, Tony Jackson and others.

www.OFFBEAT.com

FQF IQ Stooges Brass Band, 4/9, BB, 5:45p: Formed in 1996, the Stooges are one of the busiest brass bands on the circuit. They frequently add unexpected elements like reggae to their tight sound, drawing high-profile devotees like Trombone Shorty to their fanbase.

Storyville Stompers Brass Band, 4/7, BB, 12:45p: This long-running and prolific traditional New Orleans brass band has a knack for reinvigorating rare, vintage jazz songs.

Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots, 4/7, CHV, 5:30p: Accordionist and harmonica player Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, who grew up surrounded by blues masters like Sonny Boy Williamson in Arkansas, infuses plenty of R&B into his brand of contemporary Zydeco.

Susan Cowsill, 4/7, TRO, 4p: The little sister of ’60s group the Cowsills, Susan has recorded with Freedy Johnston and Jon Dee Graham as the Hobart Brothers & Li’l Sis, and with Vicki Peterson as the Psycho Sisters.

Sweet Cecilia, 4/8, CHV, 12:30p: Sisters Laura Huval and Meagan Berard, along with their cousin Callie Guidry make up this trio of multiinstrumentalist Louisiana roots rockers from Acadiana.

Sweet Crude, 4/8, ABS, 2:10p: New Orleans indie pop septet Sweet Crude plays an energetic brand of percussion-driven, sparkly rock, often sung in French. The band features vocalist Alexis Marceaux.

Symphony Chorus of New Orleans, 4/9, CLS, 2p: The 85-member chorus under the direction of Steven Edwards started in 1981.

NEW T’Monde, 4/9, CHV, 12:30p: A trio of rising star Cajun music players—Kelli Jones-Savoy on fiddle, Drew Simon on accordion and Megan Brown on guitar—founded this South Louisianabased band, which mines regional traditions and each member’s’ own creativity for its sound.

Tank and the Bangas, 4/8, TRO, 7:20p: This high-energy ensemble led by powerhouse singer Tarriona “Tank” Ball combines elements of soul, R&B, hip hop and spoken word. Out of over 6,000 entries, Tank and the Bangas were this year’s unanimous NPR Tiny Desk Contest winners.

NEW Ted Hefko and the Thousandaires, 4/8, SS, 2:30p: Wisconsin native Ted Hefko took a bus down to New Orleans at the age of 18 and never looked back. The saxophonist/clarinetist/guitarist and his band deliver some good old American roots music, with more than a little bit of New Orleans flavor thrown into the mix.

Terrance “Hollywood” Taplin leads the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, 4/8, JAC, 5:20p: Trombonist Terrance Taplin leads the Uptown Jazz Orchestra founded by trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis. They frequently perform

T

www.OFFBEAT.com

at Snug Harbor. The Uptown Jazz Orchestra’s latest CD Make America Great Again! with Delfeayo Marsalis was the best contemporary jazz album at the 2016 Best of the Beat Awards.

Thais Clark and her JAZZsters, 4/8, TJ, 2:30p: Hailing from New Orleans’ Seventh Ward, Clark often hews to the ribald, fun, old-school blues of Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith and has worked with Wynton Marsalis, Dr. Michael White and the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra.

Tim Laughlin, 4/8, JAC, 11:15a: Clarinetist Laughlin’s compositions fit within the classic traditional jazz idiom, but his skill in bringing traditional New Orleans jazz into the 21st Century gives them a more modern feel. His latest release The Trio Sessions, Vol. 2 is reviewed in this issue.

The Tin Men featuring Jason Jurzak, 4/7, JD, 3:45p: Strippeddown melodies, a wry sense of humor, deep funk sousaphone grooves and blues-soaked washboard scratches are what to expect from this trio. Alex McMurray on guitar is joined with washboard player Washboard Chaz and sousaphonist Jason Jurzak (who is replacing regular sousaphonist Matt Perrine).

Tom Hook and the Wendell Brunious Quartet, 4/8, SON, 5p: Pianist Tom Hook and trumpet master Wendell Brunious have been performing together for a number of years, but this time they’re joined by two extra players.

Tom McDermott and His Jazz Hellions, 4/8, PAL, 3p: McDermott is a virtuoso pianist whose skill and deep knowledge of music history allow him to play everything from New Orleans jazz and blues to Caribbean and classical music.

Tommy Sancton’s New Orleans Legacy Band, 4/8, 700, 11:15a: This clarinetist served as Time Magazine’s Paris bureau chief for 22 years. As a child, he took music lessons from Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s George Lewis, an experience he documents in the book Song for My Fathers.

Tony Green and Gypsy Jazz, 4/9, ROU, 12p: Green is not only a popular gypsy jazz guitarist and ardent conspiracy theorist, but one of New Orleans’ best known painters. The official French Quarter Festival poster is his creation. See interview in this issue.

NEW Tonya Boyd-Cannon, 4/7, JD, 5:30p: This New Orleans-based singer boasts powerful pipes, lots of soul and a near-winning run on The Voice. Her latest CD Muzic Is Life garnered much praise.

Topsy Chapman and Solid Harmony, 4/7, JAC, 3:50p: Topsy Chapman leads the all-female group with a gospel-inspired vocal blend called Solid Harmony.

Treme Brass Band, 4/8, BB, 12:45p: Led by Benny Jones, the A PRI L 2017

O

51

FQF IQ Treme Brass Band is one of the longest-running traditional brass bands in town. The Treme Brass Band contributed to the Carnival repertoire with “Gimme My Money Back.”

Tub, Jug and Washboard Band, 4/7, INT, 2:15p: This group has brought traditional jazz and jug band music to their native Switzerland for a number of decades, but they’ve made a few stops in New Orleans over the years too.

Tuba Skinny, 4/7, JAC, 11:15a: This band of New Orleans street musicians specialize in traditional jazz, Depression-era blues and spirituals.

52

O

APRIL 2017

They recently released their seventh album, Blue Chime Stomp.

Tyler Keith & the Apostles, 4/8, HOB, 4p: Garage rock songs about “big rigs, trains and murder”—plus some seriously infectious melodies— are what you can expect from this Oxford, Mississippi outfit.

Tysson, 4/7, HOB, 7:50p: Bandleader and prolific songwriter John Michael Rouchell fronted the nationally popular alt rock band MyNameIsJohnMichael before transitioning to this new alternative pop project with Dumpstaphunk/Pretty Lights drummer Alvin Ford Jr.

V

NEW Valerie Sassyfras, 4/8, PAL, 1p: Valerie Sassyfras’ eclectic one-woman show transcends any easy classifications.

Suffice to say, her off-kilter performances are as sassy as her name suggests, blending disparate styles like zydeco and electro-pop with a heavy dose of showmanship.

NEW The Versipel Collective, 4/8, CLS, 2p: A project of the Versipel New Music organization, this group of musicians comes together to perform very contemporary—which is to say, brand new—chamber music and solo compositions.

The Vettes, 4/7, GE, 3:45p: This band takes its name from the surname shared by all of its members, who happen to be siblings (well, one of them was “adopted” when the group formed). Fronted by singer/guitarist Rachel Vette, the band is known for its energetic blend of new-wave and alternative rock.

Vivaz, 4/9, MB, 1:30p: This energetic and dance-inspiring Caribbean/Latin jazz fusion band is led by the Bolivian-born guitarist Javier Gutierrez and highlights the Cuban tres (a double three-stringed Cuban guitar).

Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Roadmasters, 4/8, ABS, 7:15p: A local institution, the Wolfman puts plenty of hot guitar and soulful horns into his funky brand of blues.

Wanda Rouzan & A Taste of New Orleans, 4/9, TRO, 2p: A lifetime New Orleanian, Wanda cut her first single as part of the Rouzan Sisters and has since distinguished herself as a stage actress, educator and champion of the city’s R&B tradition.

Washboard Chaz Blues Trio, 4/9, ROU, 3:30p: When not tackling Western swing with Washboard Rodeo, rocking acoustically with the Tin Men or presiding over Chazfest, Washboard Chaz airs his blues roots with this group.

NEW Washboard Rodeo, 4/7, GE 12:30p: When not rocking acoustically with the Tin Men or with his blues trio, Washboard Chaz presents Washboard Rodeo a Western swing band.

NEW Water Seed, 4/8, WWL, 2p: Keen to steer clear of the genre label, “neo-soul,” the band’s five to eight pieces create the thick, rich sonic fabric only true soul groups possess. Perhaps R&B is a more appropriate label for their sound—original R&B, that is.

Waylon Thibodeaux Band, 4/6, CHV, 2p: A Bourbon Street fixture for years, Waylon is an energetic fiddler who specializes in zydeco and Cajun music. He’s also a member of the Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars.

NEW Wayne and Same Ol’ 2 Step, 4/8, CHV, 2p: While lots of young Zydeco acts have tinkered with the genre’s traditional sounds in recent years, Wayne Singleton has kept things steeped in the music of his heritage.

Wendell Brunious, 4/9, JAC, 3:50p: Trumpeter Brunious took over as the leader of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in 1987 and remained a Hall regular for many years. Brunious has played regularly with Lionel Hampton, Linda Hopkins and Sammy Rimington.

The Whiskey Penguins, 4/6, TRO 12:30p: A few New Orleans lawyers round out the lineup for this four-piece, which includes former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Jim Letten. Some bands worry about where they set the bar, but these guys have already passed it.

W

www.OFFBEAT.com

EATS

photos: Elsa Hahne

Kirk Estopinal/Cafe Henri

“I

’ve been, like, in the ‘limelight’ of mixology for 12 years. But I’ve been in the service industry my entire life.

I started as a busboy. Also, I was a musician forever, and the service industry allowed me that kind of flexibility. I was in a ska/punk band and we toured in the mid-’90s.

When the hurricane came, I went to Chicago. At first I went all the way back to my humble beginnings and took a job as a food runner. I started bartending at a restaurant called Del Toro. I had a great chef at my fingertips to ask about different flavor combinations and I started getting into the ‘why’ of stuff. He then referred me to On Food and Cooking by Harold McGee and a

54

O

APRIL 2017

couple of science journals. Later, I trained with Toby Maloney, the guy who taught me everything I know. I learned how to work in groups creatively; supporting things you might not like right away; getting to each person’s personal end and then helping, trying to be open—it’s really hard to be open. But drinks are really not that complicated. People like to paint mixology as this crazy chemistryscience thing, but it’s really not that hard. We’re all building upon six classic drinks. I have yet to have a cocktail I couldn’t trace back to one of those six, like the Old Fashioned, the whiskey sour, the Manhattan, the Martini, the cobbler and the egg fizz…

By Elsa Hahne

I had an amazing experience four years ago. To honor my grandfather, I got Al ‘Carnival Time’ Johnson to play at Bellocq on Lundi Gras. I didn’t do any advertising for it at all. My uncle came with his giant jambalaya pot and we had a sixsong personal show by Al Johnson.

My grandfather [Oliver] was a serious Mardi Gras enthusiast. As a kid, we went to every parade.

Not like parades each day—every parade, every day. We’d go to Metairie to catch a parade at the very beginning of the route so we then could drive uptown and catch those parades. And that was every year. There’s no way I can feel like I killed Mardi Gras anymore because it’s impossible to

duplicate that. But having Al Johnson play pulled back that feeling for me.”

Oliver and Al 1 1/2 ounces Rougaroux rum 3/4 ounce lemon juice 3/4 ounce ginger syrup 1 egg white 1/2 ounce red wine Fresh mint Shake lemon juice and egg white together, without ice. Add rum, ginger syrup, a few ice cubes and shake. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Trickle in the wine and top with fresh mint leaves. www.OFFBEAT.com

Café Degas: 3127 Esplanade Ave., 945-5635 La Crepe Nanou: 1410 Robert St., 899-2670

Howlin’ Wolf’s Wolf Den: 907 S. Peters St., 529-5844 Le Bon Temps Roule: 4801 Magazine St., 895-8117 Little Gem Saloon: 445 S. Rampart St., 267-4863 Maison: 508 Frenchmen St., 289-5648 Mid City Lanes Rock ‘N’ Bowl: 4133 S. Carrollton Ave., 482-3133 Palm Court: 1204 Decatur St., 525-0200 Rivershack Tavern: 3449 River Rd., 834-4938 Southport Hall: 200 Monticello Ave., 835-2903 Snug Harbor: 626 Frenchmen St., 949-0696 Three Muses: 536 Frenchmen St., 298-8746 Three Muses Uptown: 7537 Maple St., 510-2749

GERMAN

NEIGHBORHOOD JOINTS

FRENCH

Jaeger Haus: 833 Conti, 525-9200

ICE CREAM/CAKE/CANDY Aunt Sally’s Praline Shop’s: 2831 Chartres St., 944-6090 Bittersweet Confections: 725 Magazine St., 523-2626 La Divina Cafe e Gelateria: 621 St. Peter St., 302-2692 Sucré: 3025 Magazine St.,520-8311 Tee-Eva’s Praline Shop: 4430 Magazine St., 899-8350

INDIAN Nirvana: 4308 Magazine St., 894-9797

AFRICAN Bennachin: 1212 Royal St., 522-1230.

AMERICAN Barcadia: 601 Tchoupitoulas St., 335-1740 Brown Butter Southern Kitchen: 231 N Carrollton Ave., 609-3871 Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar & Grill: 1 Poydras St., 247-9265 Port of Call: 838 Esplanade Ave., 523-0120 Primitivo: 1800 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 881-1775

BARBECUE The Joint: 701 Mazant St., 949-3232

COFFEE HOUSE Café du Monde: 800 Decatur St., 525-4544 Morning Call Coffee Stand: 56 Dreyfous Dr., (504) 300-1157, 3325 Severn Ave., Metairie, 885-4068

CREOLE/CAJUN Cochon: 930 Tchoupitoulas St., 588-2123 Cornet: 700 Bourbon St., 523-1485 Galatoire’s: 209 Bourbon St., 525-2021 Gumbo Shop: 630 St. Peter St., 525-1486 K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen: 416 Chartres St., 524-7394 Mulate’s: 201 Julia St., 522-1492 New Orleans Creole Cookery: 508 Toulouse St., 524-9632 Restaurant Rebirth: 857 Fulton St., 522-6863

DELI Stein’s Market and Deli: 2207 Magazine St., 527-0771

FINE DINING Bombay Club: 830 Conti St., 586-0972 Broussard’s: 819 Conti St., 581-3866 Commander’s Palace: 1403 Washington Ave., 899-8221

56

O

APRIL 2017

IRISH The Irish House: 1432 Saint Charles Ave., 595-6755

Biscuits and Buns on Banks: 4337 Banks St., 273-4600 Cake Café: 2440 Chartres St., 943-0010 City Diner: 3116 S I-10 Service Rd E, 8311030; 5708 Citrus Blvd., 309-7614 Cowbell: 8801 Oak St., 298-8689 Dat Dog: 601 Frenchmen St., 309-3362; 5030 Freret St., 899-6883; 3336 Magazine St., 324-2226 Live Oak Cafe: 8140 Oak St., 265-0050 Parkway Bakery and Tavern: 538 Hagan Ave., 482-3047 Phil’s Grill: 3020 Severn Ave., Metairie, 324-9080; 1640 Hickory Ave., Harahan, 305-1705 Sammy’s Food Services: 3000 Elysian Fields Ave., 948-7361 Tracey’s: 2604 Magazine St., 897-5413

ITALIAN

Chiba: 8312 Oak St., 826-9119 Mikimoto: 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., 488-1881 Seoul Shack: 435 Esplanade Ave., 417-6206 Sukho Thai: 4519 Magazine St., 373-6471; 2200 Royal St., 948-9309 Wasabi: 900 Frenchmen St., 943-9433

LOUISIANA / SOUTHERN Fulton Alley: 600 Fulton St., 208-5593 Mondo: 900 Harrison Ave., 224-2633 Praline Connection: 542 Frenchmen St., 943-3934

MEDITERRANEAN Byblos: 3218 Magazine St., 894-1233 Mona’s Café: 504 Frenchmen St., 949-4115

MEXICAN/CARIBBEAN/SPANISH Barú Bistro & Tapas: 3700 Magazine St., 895-2225 Juan’s Flying Burrito: 2018 Magazine St., 569-0000 El Gato Negro: 81 French Market Place, 525-9846

MUSIC ON THE MENU Banks Street Bar & Grill: 4401 Banks St., 486-0258 Buffa’s: 1001 Esplanade Ave., 949-0038 Chickie Wah Wah: 2828 Canal St., 304-4714 Dmac’s Bar & Grill: 542 S Jefferson Davis Pkwy, 304-5757 Gattuso’s: 435 Huey P Long Ave., Gretna, 368-1114 Hard Rock Café: 125 Bourbon St., 529-5617 House of Blues: 225 Decatur St., 412-8068

Midway Pizza: 4725 Freret St., 322-2815 Pizza Delicious: 617 Piety St., 676-8482 Slice Pizzeria: 1513 St. Charles Ave., 525-7437 Theo’s Pizza: 4218 Magazine St., 894-8554; 4024 Canal St., 302-1133; 1212 S Clearview, 733-3803

SEAFOOD Basin Seafood and Spirits: 3222 Magazine St., 302-7391 Crazy Lobster Bar & Grill: 1 Poydras St. 569-3380 LeBayou Restaurant: 208 Bourbon St., 525-4755 Pier 424 Seafood Market: 424 Bourbon St., 309-1574 Royal House Oyster Bar: 441 Royal St., 528-2601

SOUL Praline Connection: 542 Frenchmen St., 943-3934

STEAKHOUSE La Boca: 870 Tchoupitoulas St., 525-8205

VIETNAMESE Namese: 4077 Tulane Ave., 483-8899

WEE HOURS Buffa’s Restaurant & Lounge: 1001 Esplanade Ave., 949-0038 Mimi’s in the Marigny: 2601 Royal St., 872-9868

Lawrence Cotton hits the

Adolfo’s: 611 Frenchmen St., 948-3800 Little Vic’s: 719 Toulouse St., 304-1238

JAPANESE/KOREAN/SUSHI/THAI

PIZZA

Spot

What are you having?

My favorite. Meatballs and spaghetti.

On a po-boy?!

No, I’m getting a plate!

Wednesdays at Guy’s is meatballs and spaghetti.

I know you just had a big birthday—90.

Do you remember your first po-boy?

Let me tell you. I was 13 and on the job, delivering ice in the neighborhood. Back then, people had ice boxes.

Later, we’d go get a loaf of French bread, get some cheese and sausage, everyone would get a part.

That’s what we’d do. Everybody get some.

—Elsa Hahne The Lawrence Cotton Legendary Experiece performs at French Quarter Fest on Saturday, April 8 at 12p on the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel Stage with Guy’s Po-Boys drummer Kerry Brown and singer Jane Harvey 5259 Magazine St. Brown [on left], who also perform on Sunday, (504) 891-5025 April 9 at 2p on the Preservation Hall Stage. www.OFFBEAT.com

Photo: ELSA HAHNE

Kingfish: 337 Chartres St., 598-5005 Mr. B’s Bistro: 201 Royal St. 523-2078 Restaurant R’evolution: 777 Bienville St., 553-2277

Ye Olde College Inn: 3000 S. Carrollton Ave., 866-3683 Warehouse Grille: 869 Magazine St., 322-2188

DINING OUT

Nine Roses Cafe What do Cruel Intentions 2, Saved by the Bell: The College Years, and The Pauly D Project all have in common? They’re all incontrovertible proof that spinoffs and sequels rarely fulfill the high expectations set by the original works whose legacy they seek to continue. Still, when it was announced two summers ago that Nine Roses Cafe would be opening in the French Quarter, expectations were high for the offshoot location of the much-beloved Hoa Hong Nine Roses in Gretna, where multi-generational families circle around tables overflowing with grilled quail, thin slices of nearly raw beef marinated in lemon, and hot plates for selfsearing squid to be wrapped in spring rolls.

You won’t find duck porridge, eggplant with garlic sauce, or many of the other delicacies served at the flagship, but Nine Roses Cafe offers a casual and satisfying option for phonatics seeking the flavors of Vietnam in the Vieux Carré.

The pared-down menu includes classic vermicelli

www.OFFBEAT.com

Photo: RENEE BIENVENU

EATS bowls and rice plates, along with restorative bowls of pho with the most basic carnivore options (flank steak, brisket, and meatballs). Thankfully, the sumptuous morsels of chargrilled pork lost none of their flavor on their migration across the mighty Mississippi, and you should seize every opportunity presented to include these savory and slightly sweet pieces of porcine perfection in your order. Just forgive the steamed florets of broccoli and cauliflower served alongside.

Two new offerings at Nine Roses Cafe not found in Gretna are steamed bun “sliders” (better known as bao) and banh mi sandwiches—crisp and airy baguettes slathered with aioli and layered with a classic assortment of cilantro, pickled carrots and daikon, julienned cucumbers and, of course, more pork.

Perhaps the most endearing characteristic of the café is the setting on Exchange Alley.

Tourists regularly stop for selfies in front of the picturesque French Quarter scenery with patrons in the background sipping bubble tea and squirting Sriracha through clouds of steam wafting from their bowls. It’s a far cry from the ambiance of the Westbank, but not every sequel can stay completely true to the original.

—Peter Thriffiley 620 Conti Street, Mon–Sat 11a–9p, (504) 324-9450, ninerosesrestaurant.com

A PRI L 2017

O

57

REVIEWS

Reviews When submitting CDs for consideration, please send two copies to OffBeat Reviews, 421 Frenchmen Street, Suite 200, New Orleans, LA 70116

CDs reviewed are available now at 421 Frenchmen Street in the Marigny 504-586-1094 or online at LouisianaMusicFactory.com

The Art of the Duet

Chloe Feoranzo and Tom McDermott Zeppelins Built to Order (Rabadash Records) Tom McDermott is an uncharacteristic New Orleans pianist. The sheer virtuosity that epitomizes New Orleans “professors” from Jelly Roll Morton to James Booker is not his goal. McDermott thinks before he plays. His conception is steeped in compositional innovation and comparative structure. Where many New Orleans pianists play like a pure force of nature, McDermott’s playing is architectural. He is a keen student of history and a great listener.

Over the years, after playing in a variety of contexts, McDermott has mastered the art of the duet. He has recorded a series of magnificent duet albums with Connie Jones, Evan Christopher, Kevin Clark, Meschiya Lake and Aurora Nealand. His Sunday afternoon duet series at Snug Harbor a few years back was legendary and he continues to play regular duet gigs at Buffa’s.

McDermott’s latest release is another series of duets, this time with reed player/vocalist Chloe Feoranzo, who has recently been performing with him at Buffa’s.

58

O

APRIL 2017

Feoranzo, who moved to New Orleans last year, is a talented 24-year-old reed player and a stylish vocalist who is enamored of classic jazz. The Californiabred musician gets a master class here from McDermott, who has her playing ragtime and early New Orleans jazz and singing a wide range of material—the Duke Ellington swing of “Everything But You” with a Betty Boop squeal at the end; Randy Newman’s poignant “Losing You”; the challenging harmonies of “Let the Rest of the World Go By”; and the album-opening “Mona Lisa,” which presents Chloe firmly in her comfort zone.

McDermott’s extraordinary ability to interact with his musical partners is best heard here on the elegant, classically sculpted “Musette for Nanette,” in which McDermott’s piano and Feoranzo’s clarinet engage in a breathtaking dance that evokes the image of a Technicolor waltz from the glory days of Hollywood.

As the album title suggests, McDermott is also something of a deadpan comic, and the playfulness of his music comes through on an expanded version of the wonderful “Satchmo Speaks” and the very unusual Christmas tune, “Santa’s Modulating to Town.” Feoranzo demonstrates her chops on the classically-inspired “Sweetly Awakened” and McDermott’s latest choro, “Curvilìneo,” with master percussionist Michael Skinkus pulsing it all along on pandeiro.

So yes, that track isn’t a duet; nor is the solo piano piece “Brazil, 1866.” That’s

his pianistic musing in habanera form about what Brazilian music sounded like when Louis Moreau Gottschalk arrived in 1868. The title is another of McDermott’s jokes, referencing the Sérgio Mendes group of the 1960s, Brazil 66. The music, however, is no laughing matter, but inspiration of the highest order.

—John Swenson

Banu Gibson

By Myself (Swing Out) Banu Gibson continues to demonstrate her love of standards from the ’30s and ’40s on her latest release, By Myself, on her own Swing Out label. The vocalist uses minimal backing with guitarist Larry Scala, bassist Ed Wise and saxophonist/ clarinetist Rex Gregory making up the drumless combo. Later, pianist Tom McDermott steps in for a couple duos with Gibson, including Randy Newman’s “Dayton, Ohio – 1903.” It stands as the most recently composed song on the disc though its flavor and sentiments reflect days long ago. The tunes, written by a number of composers, come out of the American songbook and have been sung and recorded by legends such as Ella Fitzgerald (“Ill Wind”), Frank Sinatra (“The Moon Got in My Eyes”), Billie Holiday (“You Let Me Down”) and others. The selections chosen

by Gibson, who interprets them in her signature good-natured style, aren’t necessarily those oftperformed tunes well-known to general audiences.

Following several ballads, the more uptempo “Never in a Million Years” provides

a foot-tapping rhythm with the help of Scala’s guitar and Wise’s walking bass. The mood continues on “Oh! Look at Me Now” with Gregory moving from clarinet to sax.

Banu’s many longtime fans will be thrilled and satisfied reminiscing on listening to By Myself.

—Geraldine Wyckoff

Tim Laughlin The Trio Sessions, Vol. 2 (Gentilly Records) Over a 25-year recording career, Tim Laughlin’s CDs have covered Jelly Roll Morton and Bix Beiderbecke with the Dukes of Dixieland, an album of originals, delicate duets with guitarist Hank Mackie, and, at the other end of the spectrum, brawny eight-piece extravaganzas. He’s settled for his last two albums on a clarinet-piano-drums format, and this might suit him best of all.

This may be due in part to Tim’s finding the perfect accompanist in David Boeddinghaus, a virtuoso who sparkles on classic New Orleans jazz, as well as the swing era repertoire that comprises much of Tim’s songbook. Hal Smith, www.OFFBEAT.com

REVIEWS an encyclopedia of pre-bop drumming—and a longtime Laughlin sideman—is his usual wonderful self here too.

It may also have to do with the sound: special kudos to the Music Shed for making Tim’s horn sound more luscious than ever. David’s attack cuts through well too, and the mix is perfect.

The album’s highlights are the Morton (an outstanding take on the well-known “Wolverine Blues” and a nice version of the much slighter “Pontchartrain Blues”) and Tim’s originals (“Gert Town Blues,” which is closer to Strayhorn than the Delta, and the multi-thematic romp “Roundabout”). “Cabin in the Sky,” with its gorgeous bridge, and the clever “Messin’ Around,” remind us how much fine but rarely played material is out there for the picking. Even

the overplayed “Up a Lazy River” sounds swell, with its juicy verse—Boeddinghaus is a fiend for verses—and the perfect tempo. The overdubbed clarinet choir on “There’s Yes, Yes in Your Eyes” is a refreshing closer.

A fine disc by three artists dedicated to jazz history, swing, and playing pretty for the people.

—Tom McDermott

Tribute to the Banjo Seva Venet New Orleans Banjo Vol. I: “Musieu Bainjo” (Independent) On New Orleans Banjo Vol. I: “Musieu Bainjo,” fretted instrument man Seva Venet pays tribute to the instrument not only by playing both the six-string and tenor banjo (as well as guitar and ukulele), but by choosing material composed by some of the great banjo masters.

The knowledgeable Venet takes it one step further by offering bits of historical information about each tune. For instance, the album opens with banjoist/guitarist Johnny St. Cyr’s lively “Oriental Strut,” which, Venet explains, was first recorded by Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five. Both instrumentally and vocally, Venet takes on Danny Barker’s humorous “Stick It Where You Stuck It Last Night,” offering that it hasn’t been recorded since Barker’s original version. Venet not only resurrects the song but the spirit of the man.

The right sidemen are particularly important to achieve the flavor of these gems. There is a mix and match of players like clarinetists Michael White and Orange Kellin; trumpeters Gregg Stafford and Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown,” who are also featured on vocals; trombonist Freddie Lonzo, drummer Shannon Powell and more.

Familiar tunes like “The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise” mingle comfortably with more obscure numbers such as the lilting “Musieu Bainjo,” on which Venet sings in Creole French.

The love poured into New Orleans Banjo Vol. I can be heard in every note.

—Geraldine Wyckoff www.OFFBEAT.com

A PRI L 2017

O

59

REVIEWS expresses on “Thank You.” If you haven’t gotten a Christmas card from Truckstop Honeymoon lately, don’t worry, it’s all right here.

—Dan Willging

Elvin Bishop Big Fun Trio (Alligator Records)

Truckstop Honeymoon Big Things and Little Things (Squirrel Records) Since Truckstop Honeymoon’s Mike and Katie West have always toured with their brood in tow, it only made sense to have Sadie, Vega, Julian and Esther guest here by singing and playing violin, guitar, ukulele and washboard on select tracks. As charming as that sounds, this isn’t a children’s record, though it does address the hustle and bustle of every day family life.

There are no laugh-out-loud crazy zingers like “Accidentally” and “She Wants to Be French,” either, but funny lines are still to be had—like “Back in Kansas, squirrels in the attic are the only sounds that comfort me” (“Baja”). But what’s appealing about these 16 songs is the varying complexity of the content, which ranges from surface-level simple—such as “L.P.”—to the eloquently written, metaphorrich “Montague Street.” But even when the subject appears to be simple, Truckstop usually manages to inject quick, editorial commentary, such as Spotify’s paltry payout rates, building walls and closing ports of entry.

Inspired by the massive cuts in education, the basic message of “The Governor of Kansas” is that love and people will still prevail.

But what makes this real is Truckstop’s brutal honesty about their lives. On “Don’t Go Crying” and “Do You Really Have to Ask,” you feel like you just walked in on some sort of therapeutic dialogue. Still, at the end of the day, they’re grateful for what they have, which Katie sincerely

60

O

APRIL 2017

Damn, here’s another really top-notch record from Elvin Bishop. How does he do it?

Very few blues musicians can turn out records that are as consistently great as Elvin’s. I love his guitar tones, his downhome vocals and his earnest, unprepossessing spirit. But behind the aw-shucks delivery is a master of the form, a keen student of history who learned his craft from the originators he studied under back in the 1960s at the height of the Chicago blues scene. One of the most important things Bishop learned from them is that blues is spirit music, not flash or technique but soul.

Bishop’s set at last year’s Jazz Fest was one of the highlights at the Blues Tent. It was a small band, allowing Bishop to let it all hang out. Here Big Fun Trio gives us another uncut dose of Bishop’s blues, this time around with no drum kit. Willy Jordan is playing cájon on the set. The South American percussion instrument is basically a wooden box that you sit on and play with your hands. Jordan lays down some intricate and very funky rhythms on the magic box, allowing a lot of space for Bishop’s guitar and Bob Welsh’s piano. Welsh, a regular member of Bishop’s touring band, gets a great chance to stretch out and demonstrate his Louisiana chops (he’s from Covington).

Welsh even sings on a great version of Dave Bartholomew’s “Let the Four Winds Blow,” accompanying himself on piano while Bishop adds horn-like slide guitar fills.

There are a lot of different looks here. Elvin has always

been politically savvy, and he offers some uplifting advice to those of us who feel steamrollered by recent political developments right off the bat, with “Keep On Rollin’.”

His capacity for mythologizing his blues dirt farmer lifestyle, which dates back to his Pigboy Crabshaw days with the Butterfield Blues Band, has

evolved into a veritable franchise over the years, and he invites us all along for a couple of adventures. “Let’s Go” is about heading out to the club, a tale which inevitably leads to some of the hottest guitar playing on the set. Then he and the band find themselves in New Orleans to play Jazz Fest. Elvin goes on to describe the menu at Mother’s as a verse in “That’s What I’m Talkin’ About.” Prediction: You will hear this song played on WWOZ. “Ace in the Hole” showcases another side of Bishop’s storytelling mode as he offers some front porch homilies.

“It’s You, Baby” references the Southside Chicago scene with its J.B. Hutto–style raw stomp and includes a great harmonica solo from Kim Wilson.

Trad Jazz Aces Smoking Time Jazz Club Ain’t We Fortunate (Independent) The last decade has seen a new bounty of interesting young trad jazz bands on Frenchmen Street.

Old-timers like the Jazz Vipers, the Cottonmouth Kings, and the Little Big Horns have been joined by the more recent Shotgun Jazz Band, the Royal Roses, and the Swamp Donkeys.

As polished as any of these newcomers is the Smoking Time Jazz Club. According to their website, they’ve issued nine albums, with a rotating cast of characters. The three I’ve heard have all shown their dedication to lesser-known (but still outstanding) works by the 1920s– ’30s classic jazz masters.

Ain’t We Fortunate, their latest, may have brought them to a new plateau. The sound, recorded by the wizardly Earl Scioneaux III, is fabulous. Drums are prominent; the only chordal instrument is the banjo, which functions as much as a percussion instrument as a harmonic instrument (fortunately the front line takes up the slack with a lot of harmonized lines and counterpoint). The effect is very “live,” and much energized.

Simon Lott, one of the city’s premiere drummers, is not necessarily always playing in the older style, but he brings coiled energy to every note. John Joyce’s slap bass kicks things along, and Jack Pritchett’s judicious mutes add pungent flavor. Joe Goldberg has riveting moments on clarinet and alto sax; he’s one of the city’s underappreciated reed men.

The repertoire, lesser-known gems from Tiny Parham, Sidney Bechet, and Duke Ellington, is uniformly wonderful. These guys are among New Orleans’ trad jazz aces.

—Tom McDermott www.OFFBEAT.com

REVIEWS “Southside Slide” is a buzzing slide guitar–driven instrumental; another hot instrumental, “Delta Lowdown,” features Rick Estrin’s mouth harp playing. “Honey Babe” is a country blues with a twang at the edges. The guitar texture on Bishop’s version of Bobby and Shirley Womack’s “It’s All Over Now” sizzles like bacon on a cast-iron fry pan. And that’s only a taste of all the creative distortion throughout this set.

Bishop’s ability to wrest new feel from choice covers is one of his strengths. But the ultimate blues tribute comes on “100 Years of Blues,” an autobiographical song co-written with Charlie Musselwhite, who joins in on harmonica and vocals. “I think we paid our dues,” notes Elvin.

—John Swenson

The Lonesome Doves Waiting for Stars (Independent) Can you really use one more downcast country-folk album with funereal slow tempos, standup bass, and a haunted-sounding female singer? If the singer is Erika Lewis of Tuba Skinny, sure. This barebones approach only works

Uplifting and Catchy The Revealers One World (Independent) I’ve always had a soft spot for the Revealers’ greatest hit, “The Sound of That”: With its infectious funk/reggae groove, uplifting feel and killer chorus hook, there ain’t a lot to not love about it. While the song is still getting occasional airplay, the band’s often been MIA in the 15 years since its last CD. They’ve disappeared for years at a time, and have seemed to have a different lineup whenever I’ve seen them play. But this comeback disc finds them back with a few of the original lineup (three members out of the current seven), and with spirit intact.

“The Sound of That” gets another go-round here, and it’s less a retread than an update: The new version shows off co-lead singer Felice Guimont, the first female voice the band’s had for a long while, and sports a harder, funkier groove. So in fact does the whole CD: They’re as much a funk as a reggae band these days, with a mighty rhythm section including founding bassist Norman Nail. And the disc gives them a few chances to work out: The title track struts and pulses for a good eight minutes, and “Walking Down the Street” is an Indian chant that harks back to the Wild Magnolias’ electric heyday. “Friend Like You” begins as reggae but takes a surprising turn into heavy Santana territory.

The rest is more characteristic Revealers, keyed to Chris “DeRoc” DeBose’s familiar raspy vocals and upbeat sentiments. As always they keep the message positive, but never get sappy about it: “Good from Bad,” “It’s About Time” and the title song all show their ability to write anthems that are both uplifting and ridiculously catchy. In other words, if you’ve ever enjoyed this band, you’ll like the sound of this.

—Brett Milano www.OFFBEAT.com

A PRI L 2017

O

61

REVIEWS if the songs are memorable and the singer is emotive enough to hook you in, and that’s the case here. Lewis does all the singing and writing, and the fact is that she sounds more natural here than she does in Tuba Skinny: Instead of channeling a roomful of ’40s sirens, she sings as herself, and the songs deal touchingly with heartache and loss. Most follow the classic country template of being on the wrong end of cheating and drinking—or in the case of “Yesterday’s Fool,” just aching over a long-gone love.

Though less obviously catchy than the rest, the one that grabs hardest is “When We Were Wild,” with its payoff line, “I’d have held on tight if I knew what I know now.” The instrumentation (with fellow Skinny member Shaye Cohn on violin) is sympathetic throughout. And while an upbeat song or two wouldn’t have hurt, this is a good one for those teary late-night moods.

—Brett Milano

62

O

APRIL 2017

Chris Thile & Brad Mehldau Chris Thile & Brad Mehldau (Nonesuch) The mix of an American vernacular string master with a jazz-pop pianist now is its own genre, apparently. It started with Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby, and Chick Corea and Bela Fleck, both from 2007 (Corea and Fleck, with their healthy fanbases, continued on to a live album and DVD).

It seemed to me that in these productions, the piano dominated. It, after all, sets up the harmony, the bass, the rhythmic pulse. String instruments like the banjo, even played as brilliantly as Fleck, do not sustain notes; gravitas is hard to achieve in these conditions.

There may be more equipoise with Thile and Mehldau. The latter is at the top of the jazz piano heap, an innovator not

as famous as his elders Jarrett, Corea and Hancock, but just as influential to younger players.

It’s insightful to hear him play in a more “inside” fashion; there’s not a false note from him on the whole project (unnecessarily spread out over two discs—but that’s the record biz these days).

Thile is the mandolin component of a gang of American string super-cats: Fleck, bassist Edgar Meyer, dobroist Jerry Douglas, fiddler Mark O’Connor, and even

cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who is always used to great effect in these various collaborations.

Thile shreds the mandolin, and is a formidable writer: His Punch Brothers may have created the most advanced bluegrass-Americanawhatchamacallit ever. But he’s more than that: He’s a freakishly good singer. His vocal roots are in the countrybluegrass tradition, but he can stretch to cover huge new territory—so when he plays, it can be a substantive complement to Mehldau’s underpinning gist of the matter, or it can sound like icing. When he sings, however, he commands the moment.

If you don’t find time for this set, download their virtuoso, rollicking cover of Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright.”

It will make you think more than twice about what’s possible with these guys.

—Tom McDermott

www.OFFBEAT.com

Find complete listings at offbeat.com—when you’re out, use offbeat.com/mobile for full listings on any cell phone.

Listings

EXPRESS

These listings are abbreviated. For complete daily listings, go to offbeat.com. These listings were verified at the time of publication, but are of course subject to change. To get your event listed, go to offbeat.com/add-new-listings or send an email to listings@offbeat.com.

AF African AM Americana BL Blues BU Bluegrass BO Bounce BB Brass Band BQ Burlesque KJ Cajun CL Classical CR Classic Rock CO Comedy CW Country CB Cover Band DN Dance DX Dixieland DB Dubstep EL Electro FO Folk FK Funk GS Gospel GY Gypsy HH Hip-Hop HS House IN Indian Classical ID Indie Rock IL Industrial IR Irish JB Jam Band

MJ Jazz

Contemporary TJ Jazz Traditional JV Jazz Variety KR Karaoke KZ Klezmer LT Latin MG Mardi Gras

Indian ME Metal RB Modern R&B PO Pop PK Punk RE Reggae RC Rockabilly RK Rock RR Roots Rock SS Singer/

Songwriter SK Ska PI Solo Piano SO Soul SW Spoken Word SP Swamp Pop SI Swing VR Variety ZY Zydeco

SATURDAY APRIL 1

Bombay Club: Leroy Jones (JV) 8:30p Buffa’s: Red Hot Jazz Band (JV) 11a, Jenna Guidry (VR) 9p, Phil Degruy Phool’s Night (VR) 11p Chickie Wah Wah: Malcolm Holcombe (VR) 8p, Sam Price and the True Believers CD-release party (VR) 10p d.b.a.: John Boutte (JV) 8p, Soul Brass Band, James Martin (FK) 11p Dragon’s Den: Elizabeth McBride (FO) 5p, Jon Roniger (JV) 7p, ;Upstairs: Talk Nerdy to Me (BQ) 7p, Sexy Back with DJ Dizzi (VR) 10p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 2p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p Hi-Ho Lounge: Close Me Out (CO) 7p, Hustle feat. DJ Soul Sister (FK) 11p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Stoked (CO) 10:30p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 6p; Neisha Ruffins (JV) 8:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Vali Talbot (FO) 5p, Beth Patterson (FO) 9p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Maison: Chance Bushman and the Ibervillianaires, Leah Rucker, Smoking Time Jazz Club (JV) 1p, Raw Deal, Big Easy Brawlers (FK) 10p Maple Leaf: Dirty Bourbon River Show CD-release party (BL) 1a Morning Call City Park: Billy D. Chapman (JV) 10a Palm Court Jazz Café: Brian O’Connell and Palm Court Jazz Band with Lester Caliste (TJ) 8p Pontchartrain Vineyards: Dave Jordan and the NIA (RR) 6:30p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: the Arrythmias (VR) 9:30p Snug Harbor: Joanne Brackeen Trio (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Spotted Cat: Monty Banks (JV) 12p, Antoine Diel and Arsene DeLay (JV) 2p, Panorama Jazz Band (JV) 6p, Davis Rogan (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Vox and the Hound Record-release show (RK) 9p Three Muses: Chris Christy (JV) 5p, Alexandra Scott (JV) 6p, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 9p Three Muses Maple: Davy Mooney (FK) 5p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Rhythm and Rain (RK) 5p, Debi and the Deacons (RK) 9p

www.OFFBEAT.com

Tropical Isle Original: Down River (RK) 1p, the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p UNO Lakefront Arena: Hogs for the Cause (VR) 3:30p

SUNDAY APRIL 2

Bombay Club: Tim Laughlin Trio (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Some Like It Hot! (TJ) 10:30a, Ed Doskey Jazz Band (JV) 4p, Gerald French Trio (JV) 7p Chickie Wah Wah: Crawfish Boil with Yakamein (VR) 3p d.b.a.: Palmetto Bugs Stompers (SI) 6p Dragon’s Den: Open Jazz Jam with Anuraag Pendyal (JV) 7p, Church (EL) 10p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 4p, Willie Lockett Band (BL) 8p Gasa Gasa: Valerie Sassyfras and the Sasshay Dancers, Doombalaya (PO) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: NOLA Comedy Hour Open Mic (CO) 8p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Hot 8 Brass Band (BB) 10p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 5:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Chip Wilson (FO) 8p Little Gem Saloon: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 11a, Evan Christopher’s Clarinet Road: Farewell to Storyville (JV) 7p Mag’s 940: Sunday Night Jazz Series (JV) 7p Mahalia Jackson Theater: New Orleans Opera Association presents Faust (CL) 2:30p Maison: Chance Bushman and the NOLA Jitterbugs, Baby Giant Jazz Band (JV) 10a, Loose Marbles (JV) 4p, Meghan Stewart, Higher Heights (VR) 7p Maple Leaf: Joe Krown Trio feat. Russell Batiste and Walter “Wolfman” Washington (FK) 10p Morning Call City Park: Billy D. Chapman (JV) 10a Old Ironworks: Threadhead Patry feat. Asylum Chorus, Erica Falls, Do Rad Choppers, Feufollet, Naughty Professor, the Subdudes (VR) 11a Palm Court Jazz Café: Tom Fischer and Sunday Night Swingsters (TJ) 8p Preservation Hall: Preservation Legacy Band feat. Gregg Stafford (TJ) 5p, Preservation All-Stars feat. Wendell Brunious (TJ) 8p Snug Harbor: David L. Harris Record-release party (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Carolyn Broussard (JV) 12p, Aurora Nealand the Royal Roses (JV) 2p, Kristina Morales and Bayou Shufflers (JV) 6p, Pat Casey and the New Sound (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Saints and Sinners Sunday Swing with Bon Bon Vivant and friends (SI) 12p Three Muses: Raphael et Pascal (JV) 5p, Linnzi Zaorski (JV) 8p Three Muses Maple: Debbie Davis and Josh Paxton (JV) 11a Tropical Isle Bayou Club: Brandon Moreau and Cajungrass (KJ) 2p, Bayou Cajun Swamp Band (KJ) 7p

MONDAY APRIL 3

Bombay Club: David Boeddinghaus (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Arsene DeLay (VR) 5p, Antoine Diel (JV) 8p Chickie Wah Wah: Benny Maygarden and Thomas Walker (VR) 6p, Papa Mali (SS) 8p Crazy Lobster: the Insta-Gators (VR) 5p d.b.a.: Alexis and the Samurai (ID) 7p, Glen David Andrews (JV) 10p Dragon’s Den: Monday Night Swing feat. Albanie Falletta and the Southern Gentlemen (JV) 7p, DJ Ill Medina (VR) 11p Hi-Ho Lounge: Bluegrass Pickin’ Party (BU) 8p, Instant Opus Improvised Series (MJ) 9p Kerry Irish Pub: Kim Carson (FO) 8:30p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Maison: Chicken and Waffles, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, RnR Music Group (VR) 4p Maple Leaf: the Porter Trio feat. George Porter Jr., Michael Lemmler and Terrence Houston (FK) 10p Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a Smoothie King Center: Radiohead (RK) 7:30p Snug Harbor: Charmaine Neville Band (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Royal Street Winding Boys (JV) 12p, Sarah McCoy and the Oopsie Daisies (JV) 2p, Dominick Grillo and the Frenchmen St. All-Stars (JV) 6p, Jazz Vipers (JV) 10p Three Muses: Bart Ramsey (JV) 5p, Arsene DeLay (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Bayou Club: Cajun Drifters (KJ) 7p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Rhythm and Rain (RK) 5p, Beach Combers (RK) 9p

TUESDAY APRIL 4

Bombay Club: Matt Lemmler (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras with Vanessa Carr (VR) 8p Carver Theater: David L. Harris (JV) 7p Chickie Wah Wah: Albanie Falletta (VR) 6p, Jon Cleary (VR) 8p

d.b.a.: Dinosaurchestra (JV) 7p, Treme Brass Band (BB) 10p Funky Pirate: Blues Masters feat. Big Al (BL) 8:30p Hi-Ho Lounge: Tuco Taco Presents Ted Hefko, R2D3, Johnny Dilks (FO) 6p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Comedy Beast (CO) 8:30p, Andy Frasco and the UN (FK) 10p Kerry Irish Pub: Jason Bishop (FO) 8:30p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Charlie Miller (PI) 7p Mag’s 940: the All-Star Covered-Dish Country Jamboree (CW) 9p Maison: Co. and the Travelin’ Show, Gregory Agid, CoolNasty (VR) 4p Maple Leaf: Rebirth Brass Band (FK) 11p Preservation Hall: Preservation All-Stars feat. Charlie Gabriel (TJ) 8p Snug Harbor: Roland Guerin Quintet (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Andy J. Forest (JV) 2p, Little Big Horns (JV) 6p, Smoking Time Jazz Club (JV) 10p Three Muses Maple: Gypsyland Jazz (JV) 7p Three Muses: Sam Friend (JV) 5p, Messy Cookers (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Jay B. Elston Band (RK) 5p, Jezebels Chill’n (RK) 9p Tropical Isle Original: the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Jay B. Elston Band (RK) 9:15p

WEDNESDAY APRIL 5

Bombay Club: Josh Paxton (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Open Mic Night with Nattie Sanchez (SS) 7p Carver Theater: Tuba Skinny (JV) 8p Chickie Wah Wah: Rubin Wilson Folk Blues Explosion (BL) 6p, Meschiya Lake and Tom McDermott (JV) 8p, Mike Doussan Band (VR) 10p Crazy Lobster: Ken Swartz and the Palace of Sin (VR) 5p d.b.a.: Tin Men (RK) 7p, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters (BL) 10p Dragon’s Den: Groove Therapy (HH) 9p, Reggae Night (RE) 10p Funky Pirate: Blues Masters feat. Big Al (BL) 8:30p Hi-Ho Lounge: Bionica, George Elizondo, Tranche, Chris Lenox (RK) 8p Howlin’ Wolf: Of Montreal (ID) 10p Kerry Irish Pub: Paintbox with Dave James and Tim Robertson (FO) 8:30p Lafayette Square: Wednesdays at the Square feat. George Porter Jr. and his Runnin’ Pardners, Rumplesteelskin (VR) 5p Little Gem Saloon: Marc Von Em Duo (BL) 7p Little Tropical Isle: Jay B. Elston (RK) 5p, Reed Lightfoot (RK) 9p Maison: Geovane Santos Brazilian Jazz Quartet, Jazz Vipers, Lil’ Glenn and Backatown (VR) 4p Maple Leaf: Noah Young Band (MJ) 10p Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a; Krewe du Two (VR) 1p Palm Court Jazz Café: Lars Edegran and Topsy Chapman with Palm Court Jazz Band (TJ) 8p Preservation Hall: Preservation All-Stars feat. Charlie Gabriel (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: the Yat Pack (SI) 8p Sandbar at UNO: Jazz at the Sandbar feat. Cyrus Chestnut (JV) 7p Snug Harbor: Delfeayo Marsalis and Uptown Jazz Orchestra (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Chris Christy (JV) 2p, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 6p, Antoine Diel and the New Orleans Power Misfits (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Helen Gillet with Aurora Nealand (MJ) 9p Three Muses Maple: Lynn Drury (BL) 7p Three Muses: Sam Cammarata (JV) 5p, Hot Club of New Orleans (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Bayou Club: Cajungrass (KJ) 7p Tropical Isle Original: Debi and the Deacons (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p

THURSDAY APRIL 6

Bombay Club: Kris Tokarski Duo (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Gumbo Cabaret (JV) 5p, Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand (JV) 8p Bullet’s: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 6p Carver Theater: Stooges Brass Band (BB) 9p Chickie Wah Wah: Phil DeGruy and Emily Robertson (VR) 6p, Erica Falls (VR) 8p Covington Trailhead: Rockin’ the Rails Concert Series (VR) 5p d.b.a.: Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue (CW) 7p, Funk Monkey (FK) 10p Dragon’s Den: Upstairs: MadeGroceries with DJ FTK (HH) 9p Gasa Gasa: Plus One Six-Year Anniversary Show (MJ) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: Midriff, Particle Devotion, Melon Kids (FO) 8p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Comedy Gumbeaux (CO) 8:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Three with Mark Carson (FO) 8p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p

Little Gem Saloon: Michael Watson presents the Alchemy (TJ) 7p Maison: Good for Nothin’ Band, Sweet Substitute, Dysfunktional Bone (VR) 4p Maple Leaf: the Trio feat. Johnny Vidacovich and guests (FK) 11p Ogden Museum of Southern Art: Tuba Skinny (JV) 6p Old U.S. Mint: Herlin Riley with Jon Beebe, James Barry and Bud Holmes (JV) 2p, Honey Island Swamp Band (RR) 8p Palm Court Jazz Café: Bob Havens and Hal Smith with Crescent City Joymakers (TJ) 8p Preservation Hall: Preservation All-Stars feat. Louis Ford (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Curley Taylor (ZY) 8:30p Snug Harbor: Charles Neville Quartet (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Monty Banks (JV) 2p, Sarah McCoy and the Oopsie Daisies (JV) 4p, Miss Sophie Lee (JV) 6p, Jumbo Shrimp (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): NOLAmericana with Lynn Drury, John Gros (FO) 9p Three Muses Maple: Arsene DeLay (JV) 7p Three Muses: Tom McDermott (JV) 5p, Mia Borders (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Original: the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p Vaughan’s Lounge: Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet (FK) 10p

FRIDAY APRIL 7

Bombay Club: Kris Tokarski Quartet (JV) 8:30p Buffa’s: Roamin’ Jasmine (JV) 5p, Davis Rogan (VR) 8p, Sam Cammarata (VR) 11p Chickie Wah Wah: Michael Pearce (BL) 6p, Luke Allen Trio CD-release show (RK) 8p, the Rayo Brothers CD-release show (VR) 10p Crazy Lobster: Ken Swartz and the Palace of Sin (VR) 5p d.b.a.: Hot Club of New Orleans (JV) 6p, Soul Rebels (FK) 10p Dragon’s Den: Geovane Santos (LT) 1p, Claire and the Company (JV) 4p, Loose Marbles (JV) 7p, the Tipping Point with DJ RQ Away (HH) 10p; Upstairs: Comedy Fuck Yeah (CO) 7p, Latin Night (LT) 11p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 2p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p Hi-Ho Lounge: Hallelujah Hatrack (VR) 8p, Relapse Dance Party with DJ Matt Scott (VR) 10p House of Blues: Slippery When Wet Tribute to Bon Jovi (CR) 9p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Walden (RK) 10p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Guitar Slim Jr. (BL) 9p Kerry Irish Pub: Jason Bishop (FO) 4p, the One Tailed Three (FO) 8p Louisiana Music Factory: Evan Christopher and Ehud Asherie (JV) 1p, Meschiya Lake and the Dizzy Birds (JV) 2p, Charlie’s Blue Whale Brass Band (BB) 3p Maison: Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 4p, the Groove Faction, RnR Music Group (FK) 10p Maple Leaf: Andrew Hall’s Society Jazz Band (TJ) 8p; New Orleans Suspects (FK) 11p Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a One Eyed Jacks: Witch Taint: the Black Metal Dialogues Live feat.

Dave Hill, Phil Costello and Greg Barris (CO) 9p Palm Court Jazz Café: Kevin Louis and Palm Court Jazz Band (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Groovy 7 (VR) 9:30p Smoothie King Center: Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (CW) 7:30p Snug Harbor: Ellis Marsalis Quintet (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Andy J. Forest (JV) 2p, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio (JV) 6p, New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Cole Williams presents the Shrine feat.

Seguenon Kone’s Payo, DJ OttO (FK) 10p Three Muses Maple: Linnzi Zaorski (JV) 5p, Monty Banks (JV) 8p Three Muses: Royal Roses (JV) 5:30p, Doro Wat Jazz Band (JV) 8p Tipitina’s: Papadosio, Psymbionic, Zupparty (FK) 10p Tropical Isle Original: Down River (RK) 1p, the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p

SATURDAY APRIL 8

Bombay Club: Andy Schumm Quartet (JV) 8:30p Buffa’s: Red Hot Jazz Band (JV) 11a, Jeremy Joyce Trio (JV) 2p, Suzy Malone, Yvette Voelker and Holley Bendtsen with Amasa Miller (VR) 5p, Dayna Kurtz (VR) 8p, Shameless Trio with Simon Burke (JV) 11p Chickie Wah Wah: Sam Doores (SS) 9p, Honey Island Swamp Band Acoustic Set (VR) 11p d.b.a.: John Boutte (JV) 8p, Little Freddie King (BL) 11p Dragon’s Den: Heather Holloway and the Heebie Jeebies (JV) 12p, Eight Dice Cloth (JV) 3p, James Martin Band (JV) 9p; Upstairs: Talk Nerdy to Me (BQ) 7p, Sexy Back with DJ Dizzi and Ill Medina (VR) 10p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 2p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p

A PRI L 2017

O

63

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC Hi-Ho Lounge: Brown Improv (CO) 8p, Hustle feat. DJ Soul Sister (FK) 11p House of Blues: Benefit feat. Kenny Chesney (CW) 8:30p Howlin’ Wolf: Russell Batiste and friends feat. Uptown Mardi Gras Indians (FK) 9p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Neisha Ruffins (JV) 8:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Hurricane Refugees (FO) 4p, Roux the Day (FO) 8p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Reid Poole Trio (JV) 7:30p Louisiana Music Factory: Roamin’ Jasmine (JV) 1p, Outlaw Nation (VR) 2p, Tonya Boyd-Cannon (VR) 3p, Davy Mooney (VR) 4p Maison: Chance Bushman and the Ibervillianaires, Smoking Time Jazz Club (JV) 1p, Big Easy Brawlers, Soul Company (FK) 10p Maple Leaf: Glen David Andrews (JV) 10p Morning Call City Park: Billy D. Chapman (JV) 10a Palm Court Jazz Café: Brian O’Connell and Palm Court Jazz Band with Bob Havens (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: the Boogie Men (SI) 9:30p Snug Harbor: Evan Christopher Clarinet Road with Ehud Asherie (JV) 8 & 10p Southport Hall: Tantric (VR) 8p Spotted Cat: Monty Banks (JV) 12p, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 2p, Panorama Jazz Band (JV) 6p, Jazz Vipers (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Water Seed presents Sample Free Saturday (VR) 9p Three Muses Maple: Davy Mooney (FK) 5p, Russell Welch (JV) 8p Three Muses: Chris Christy (JV) 5p, Debbie Davis (JV) 6p, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 9p Time Out: Andre Bouvier and the Royal Bohemians (VR) 11a Tipitina’s: Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes, Dave Jordan and the NIA (RK) 10p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Rhythm and Rain (RK) 5p, Debi and the Deacons (RK) 9p Tropical Isle Original: Down River (RK) 1p, the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p

SUNDAY APRIL 9

Bombay Club: Kris Tokarski Trio with Andy Schumm and Hal Smith (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Some Like It Hot! (TJ) 10:30a, Johnny Lonesome (VR) 2p, Dapper Dandies (JV) 5p, Steve Pistorius, Orange Kellin, James Evans and Benny Amon (JV) 7p Chickie Wah Wah: Crawfish Boil with the OG’s feat. Cornell Williams, “Big D,” and Jellybean (VR) 3p Crazy Lobster: the Gator Bites (VR) 11a, the Neon Shadows (VR) 4p d.b.a.: Palmetto Bugs Stompers (SI) 6p, Lynn Drury (BL) 10p Dragon’s Den: Chicken and Waffles (JV) 12p, Open Jazz Jam with Anuraag Pendyal (JV) 7p, Church (EL) 10p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 4p, Willie Lockett Band (BL) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: NOLA Comedy Hour Open Mic (CO) 8p, Blato Zlato (GY) 10p House of Blues (the Parish): Jarabe de Palo (LT) 8p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Hot 8 Brass Band (BB) 10p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 5:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Beth Patterson (FO) 7p Little Gem Saloon: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 11a Little Tropical Isle: Frank Fairbanks (RK) 5p, Mark Parsons (VR) 9p Mag’s 940: Sunday Night Jazz Series feat. Jasen Weaver Quartet (JV) 7p Maison: Chance Bushman and the NOLA Jitterbugs (JV) 10a, Royal Street Winding Boys (JV) 4p, Leah Rucker, Higher Heights (VR) 7p Maple Leaf: Joe Krown Trio feat. Russell Batiste and Walter “Wolfman” Washington (FK) 10p Morning Call City Park: Billy D. Chapman (JV) 10a One Eyed Jacks: Fleur De Lindy Swing Dance Party feat. Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns (SI) 10p Palm Court Jazz Café: Tom Fischer and Sunday Night Swingsters with Craig Klein (TJ) 8p Snug Harbor: Shannon Powell Quartet (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Carolyn Broussard (JV) 12p, John Lisi (JV) 2p, Kristina Morales and the Inner Wild (JV) 6p, Pat Casey and the New Sound (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Saints and Sinners Sunday Swing with Bon Bon Vivant and friends (SI) 12p Three Muses Maple: Debbie Davis and Josh Paxton (JV) 11a, Raphael et Pascal (JV) 5p, Linnzi Zaorski (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Bourbon: BC and Company (RK) 1p, Rhythm and Rain (RK) 5p, Debi and the Deacons (RK) 9p Tropical Isle Original: the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p

MONDAY APRIL 10

Bombay Club: David Boeddinghaus (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Arsene DeLay (VR) 5p, Antoine Diel (JV) 8p Chickie Wah Wah: Benny Maygarden and Thomas Walker (VR) 6p, Alex McMurray and Seth Walker (SS) 8p d.b.a.: Alexis and the Samurai (ID) 7p, Glen David Andrews (JV) 10p Dragon’s Den: Monday Night Swing feat. Little Coquette Jazz Band (JV) 7p, DJ Ill Medina (VR) 11p Hi-Ho Lounge: Bluegrass Pickin’ Party (BU) 8p, Instant Opus Improvised Series (MJ) 9p House of Blues: Testament, Sepultura, Prong (ME) 6:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Kim Carson (FO) 8:30p

64

O

APRIL 2017

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Clarinet Road’s 9th Annual International Jam Sesson (JV) 7p Maison: Chicken and Waffles, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Vegas Cola (JV) 4p Maple Leaf: the Porter Trio feat. George Porter Jr., Michael Lemmler and Terrence Houston (FK) 10p Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a Snug Harbor: Charmaine Neville Band (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Royal Street Winding Boys (JV) 12p, Sarah McCoy and the Oopsie Daisies (JV) 2p, Dominick Grillo and the Frenchmen St. All-Stars (JV) 6p, Jazz Vipers (JV) 10p Three Muses: Monty Banks (JV) 5p, Washboard Rodeo (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Rhythm and Rain (RK) 5p, Beach Combers (RK) 9p Tropical Isle Original: Graham Robinson Band (RK) 5:15p, Trop Rock Express (RK) 9:15p

TUESDAY APRIL 11

Bombay Club: Matt Lemmler (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras with Vanessa Carr (VR) 8p Carver Theater: David L. Harris (JV) 7p Chickie Wah Wah: Albanie Falletta (VR) 6p, Jon Cleary (VR) 8p Crazy Lobster: AC and the Heat (VR) 5p d.b.a.: Dinosaurchestra (JV) 7p, Treme Brass Band (BB) 10p Funky Pirate: Blues Masters feat. Big Al (BL) 8:30p Gasa Gasa: Noah Young Band, Noruz, Willie Green Project (MJ) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: Tuco Taco Presents Outlaw Nation, Marshland, Johnny Dilks (FO) 6p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Comedy Beast (CO) 8:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Jason Bishop (FO) 8:30p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: NOLA Dukes (JV) 7p Louisiana Music Factory: Southern Sounds Tour Party feat. Loose Marbles (JV) 6p Mag’s 940: the All-Star Covered-Dish Country Jamboree (CW) 9p Maison: Gregory Agid, Native Swing (VR) 6:30p Maple Leaf: Rebirth Brass Band (FK) 11p Old U.S. Mint: Down on Their Luck Orchestra (JV) 2p Smoothie King Center: Ariana Grande (PO) 7:30p Snug Harbor: Stanton Moore Trio (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Andy J. Forest (JV) 2p, Little Big Horns (JV) 6p, Smoking Time Jazz Club (JV) 10p Three Muses Maple: Gypsyland Jazz (JV) 7p Three Muses: Dayna Kurtz (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Bayou Club: Cajun Drifters (KJ) 7p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Jay B. Elston Band (RK) 5p, Jezebels Chill’n (RK) 9p

WEDNESDAY APRIL 12

Bombay Club: Josh Paxton (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Open Mic Night with Nattie Sanchez (SS) 7p Carver Theater: Helen Gillet (MJ) 8p Chickie Wah Wah: Rubin Wilson Folk Blues Explosion (BL) 6p, Meschiya Lake and Tom McDermott (JV) 8p, Mike Doussan Band (VR) 10p Crazy Lobster: Ken Swartz and the Palace of Sin (VR) 5p d.b.a.: Tin Men (RK) 7p, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters (BL) 10p Dragon’s Den: Groove Therapy (HH) 9p, Reggae Night (RE) 10p Funky Pirate: Blues Masters feat. Big Al (BL) 8:30p House of Blues: Tarrus Riley, Dean Fraser, the Blak Soil Band, DJ T-Roy (RE) 8p Kerry Irish Pub: Tim Robertson (FO) 8:30p Lafayette Square: Wednesdays at the Square feat. Jon Cleary, John Papa Gros Band (VR) 5p Little Gem Saloon: Zakk Garner Duo (TJ) 7p Maison: Eight Dice Cloth, Jazz Vipers, Kristina Morales and the Inner Wild (VR) 4p Maple Leaf: Noah Young Band (MJ) 10p Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a, Krewe du Two (VR) 1p Old U.S. Mint: Swing at the Mint Gala (SI) 7p Palm Court Jazz Café: Lars Edegran and Topsy Chapman with Palm Court Jazz Band (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Jerry Embree (SI) 8p Snug Harbor: Delfeayo Marsalis and Uptown Jazz Orchestra (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Chris Christy (JV) 2p, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 6p, Antoine Diel and the New Orleans Power Misfits (JV) 10pm Three Keys (Ace Hotel): the Healing Room with Michaela Harrison (SO) 9p Three Muses Maple: Lynn Drury (BL) 7p Three Muses: Leslie Martin (JV) 5p, Hot Club of New Orleans (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Bayou Club: Cajungrass (KJ) 7p Tropical Isle Original: Debi and the Deacons (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p

THURSDAY APRIL 13

Bombay Club: Kris Tokarski Duo (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Yardbird Sweethearts (JV) 5p, Tom McDermott and Chloe Feoranzo (JV) 8p Bullet’s: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 6p Chickie Wah Wah: Phil DeGruy and Emily Robertson (VR) 6p, John “Papa” Gros (VR) 8p, Simon Berz and friends (VR) 11p Civic Theatre: Zucchero (BL) 7p Covington Trailhead: Rockin’ the Rails Concert Series (VR) 5p

www.OFFBEAT.com

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC Dragon’s Den: Jason Danti (JV) 6p; Upstairs: Trance Farmers (RK) 9p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 4p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p Hi-Ho Lounge: De Lune Deluge, Marina Orchestra (ID) 8p House of Blues: Marsha Ambrosius and Eric Benet (RE) 8p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Comedy Gumbeaux (CO) 8:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Foot and friends (FO) 9p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Michael Watson presents the Alchemy (TJ) 7p Maison: Good for Nothin’ Band, Roamin’ Jasmine, Dysfunktional Bone (VR) 4p Maple Leaf: the Trio feat. Johnny Vidacovich and guests (FK) 11p Ogden Museum of Southern Art: Helen Gillet with Luke Brechtelsbaurer and Gregory Good (MJ) 6p Palm Court Jazz Café: Tim Laughlin and Charlie Fardella with Crescent City Joymakers (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Leroy Thomas (ZY) 8:30p Smoothie King Center: Chris Brown feat. 50 Cent, Fabolous, O.T. Genasis and Kap G (HH) 7:30p Snug Harbor: John Mooney CD-release party (BL) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Monty Banks (JV) 2p, Sarah McCoy and the Oopsie Daisies (JV) 4p, Miss Sophie Lee (JV) 6p, Jumbo Shrimp (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Little Cosmicana, Great Peacock, Blonde Roses (FO) 9p Three Muses Maple: Mia Borders (SO) 7p Three Muses: Tom McDermott (JV) 5p, Dr. Sick (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Original: the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p Vaughan’s Lounge: Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet (FK) 10p

FRIDAY APRIL 14

Bombay Club: Riverside Jazz Collective (JV) 8:30p Buffa’s: Sherman Bernard Old Man River Band (VR) 6p, Scala and Kikuchi (JV) 9p Chickie Wah Wah: Michael Pearce (BL) 6p, Paul Sanchez and Will Kimbrough (RR) 8p, Brian Prunka (VR) 11p d.b.a.: Smoking Time Jazz Club (JV) 6p, Colin Lake (BL) 10p Dragon’s Den: Loose Marbles (JV) 7p, the Tipping Point with DJ RQ Away (HH) 10p; Upstairs: Comedy Fuck Yeah (CO) 7p, Latin Night (LT) 11p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 4p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p Hi-Ho Lounge: Relapse Dance Party with DJ Matt Scott (VR) 10:30p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): One Flag Launch Party (VR) 10p Jazz Playhouse: Joe Krown (JV) 4p, Shannon Powell (JV) 7p, Burlesque Ballroom feat. Trixie Minx and Romy Kaye and the Mercy Buckets (BQ) 11p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Guitar Slim Jr. (BL) 9p Kerry Irish Pub: Mark Appleford (FO) 5p, Beth Patterson (FO) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Leroy Jones Quintet (JV) 7:30p Little Tropical Isle: Reed Lightfoot (RK) 5p, Frank Fairbanks (RK) 9p Maison: Claire and the Company, Swinging Gypsies (JV) 1p, Shotgun Jazz Band, Soul Project, No Good Deed (VR) 7p Maple Leaf: Erica Falls (VR) 10p Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a One Eyed Jacks: the Generationals, Psychic Twin (VR) 9p Palm Court Jazz Café: Kevin Louis and Palm Court Jazz Band (TJ) 8p Preservation Hall: Preservation Legacy Band feat. Wendell Brunious (TJ) 5p, Preservation Brass feat. Daniel “Weenie” Farrow (TJ) 8p Snug Harbor: Ellis Marsalis Quintet (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Andy J. Forest (JV) 2p, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio (JV) 6p, New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings (JV) 10p Three Muses Maple: Linnzi Zaorski (JV) 5p, Monty Banks (JV) 8p Three Muses: Matt Johnson (JV) 5:30p Tipitina’s: Drive-By Truckers, Hiss Golden Messenger (RR) 10p Tropical Isle Original: Down River (RK) 1p, the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p

SATURDAY APRIL 15

Blue Nile: Washboard Chaz Blues Trio (BL) 7p Bombay Club: Stephen Gordon (JV) 8:30p Buffa’s: Red Hot Jazz Band (JV) 11a, Dixie Ramblers German Jazz Band (JV) 3:30p, Warren Battiste (JV) 6p, Royal Rounders (VR) 9p Chickie Wah Wah: Walter “Wolfman” Washington Solo (BL) 9p, Soul Project with Walter “Wolfman” Washington (FK) 10p Contemporary Arts Center: Kid Koala presents Nufonia Must Fall (EL) 7:30p, DJ Kid Koala Afterparty (EL) 9p d.b.a.: John Boutte (JV) 8p, Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet (FK) 11p Dragon’s Den: Elizabeth McBride (FO) 5p, Claire and the Company (JV) 7p, Oscillation Communication (VR) 11p, Ill Medina (VR) 11:59p; Upstairs: Talk Nerdy to Me (BQ) 7p, Sexy Back with DJ Dizzi (VR) 10p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 2p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p Hi-Ho Lounge: Drunktoons (CO) 7p, Hustle feat. DJ Soul Sister (FK) 11p House of Blues (the Parish): LouMuzik Live (HH) 10p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Coast 2 Coast Live Interactive Showcase New Orleans Edition (HH) 9p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Neisha Ruffins (JV) 8:30p Kerry Irish Pub: St. Claude Serenaders (FO) 5p, Crossing Canal with Ruby Ross and Patrick Cooper (FO) 9p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Zakk Garner and Victor Goines play Cannonball and Coltrane (TJ) 7:30p

www.OFFBEAT.com

Maison: Chance Bushman and the Ibervillianaires, Leah Rucker, Smoking Time Jazz Club (JV) 1p, Kumasi, Big Easy Brawlers (FK) 10p Maple Leaf: Charlie Wooton’s ZydeFunk (FK) 11p Morning Call City Park: Billy D. Chapman (JV) 10a Palm Court Jazz Café: Brian O’Connell and Palm Court Jazz Band with Lester Caliste (TJ) 8p Pontchartrain Vineyards:Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys (KJ) 6:30p Preservation Hall: Preservation Jazz Masters feat. Leroy Jones (TJ) 5p, Preservation All-Stars feat. Shannon Powell (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Supercharger (VR) 9p Snug Harbor: Chris Thomas King (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Monty Banks (JV) 12p, Russell Welch’s Gypsy Band (JV) 2p, Panorama Jazz Band (JV) 6p, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns (JV) 10p Three Muses Maple: Davy Mooney (JV) 5p Three Muses: Chris Christy (JV) 5p, Antoine Diel (JV) 6p, Marc Stone (BL) 9p Tipitina’s: Drive-By Truckers, Hiss Golden Messenger (RR) 10p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Rhythm and Rain (RK) 5p, Debi and the Deacons (RK) 9p Tropical Isle Original: Down River (RK) 1p, the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p

SUNDAY APRIL 16

Bombay Club: Kris Tokarski Trio (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Some Like It Hot! (TJ) 10:30a, Little Coquette (JV) 4p, Gerald French Trio (VR) 7p Chickie Wah Wah: Crawfish Boil with the OG’s feat. Cornell Williams, “Big D,” and Jellybean (VR) 3p, James Singleton Trio with Dave Easley and Steve Masakowski (MJ) 8p Crazy Lobster: the Gator Bites (VR) 11a, the Neon Shadows (VR) 4p d.b.a.: Palmetto Bugs Stompers (SI) 6p, Deltaphonic (VR) 10p Dragon’s Den: Open Jazz Jam with Anuraag Pendyal (JV) 7p, Church (EL) 10p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 4p, Willie Lockett Band (BL) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: NOLA Comedy Hour Open Mic (CO) 8p, Stripped Into Submission (BQ) 10p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Hot 8 Brass Band (BB) 10p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 5:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Irish Session (FO) 5p, Patrick Cooper (FO) 8p Little Gem Saloon: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 11a Mag’s 940: Sunday Night Jazz Series feat.Amina Scott Quintet (JV) 7p Maison: Chance Bushman and the NOLA Jitterbugs, Eight Dice Cloth (JV) 10a, Roamin’ Jasmine (JV) 4p, Swinging Gypsies, Higher Heights (VR) 7p Maple Leaf: Joe Krown Trio feat. Russell Batiste and Walter “Wolfman” Washington (FK) 10p Morning Call City Park: Billy D. Chapman (JV) 10a Preservation Hall: Preservation Legacy Band feat. Gregg Stafford (TJ) 5p, Preservation All-Stars feat. Wendell Brunious (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Bruce Daigrepont (KJ) 5:30p Snug Harbor: Victor Goines Quintet (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Carolyn Broussard (JV) 12p, G and the Swinging 3 (JV) 2p, Kristina Morales and the Inner Wild (JV) 6p, Pat Casey and the New Sound (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Saints and Sinners Sunday Swing with Bon Bon Vivant and friends (SI) 12p Three Muses Maple: Debbie Davis and Josh Paxton (JV) 11a Three Muses: Raphael et Pascal (JV) 5p, Linnzi Zaorski (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Original: the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p

MONDAY APRIL 17

Bombay Club: David Boeddinghaus (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Arsene DeLay (VR) 5p, Antoine Diel (JV) 8p Chickie Wah Wah: Benny Maygarden and Thomas Walker (VR) 6p, Alex McMurray (SS) 8p d.b.a.: Alexis and the Samurai (ID) 7p, Glen David Andrews (JV) 10p Dragon’s Den: Monday Night Swing feat. Christopher Johnson and the Jazz Band Ballers (JV) 7p, DJ Ill Medina (VR) 11p Funky Pirate: Willie Lockett Band (BL) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: Bluegrass Pickin’ Party (BU) 8p, Instant Opus Improvised Series (MJ) 9p House of Blues (the Parish): Local H, Bantam Foxes (RK) 8p Kerry Irish Pub: Kim Carson (FO) 8:30p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Maison: Chicken and Waffles, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Fungi and the Lungis (JV) 4p Maple Leaf: the Porter Trio feat. George Porter Jr., Michael Lemmler and Terrence Houston (FK) 10p Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a Preservation Hall: Preservation All-Stars (TJ) 8p Snug Harbor: Charmaine Neville Band (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Royal Street Winding Boys (JV) 12p, Sarah McCoy and the Oopsie Daisies (JV) 2p, Dominick Grillo and the Frenchmen St. All-Stars (JV) 6p, Jazz Vipers (JV) 10p Three Muses: Bart Ramsey (JV) 5p, Albanie Falletta (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Original: Graham Robinson Band (RK) 5:15p, Trop Rock Express (RK) 9:15p

TUESDAY APRIL 18

Bombay Club: Matt Lemmler (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras with Vanessa Carr (VR) 8p Carver Theater: David L. Harris (JV) 7p

Chickie Wah Wah: Albanie Falletta (VR) 6p, Jon Cleary (VR) 8p d.b.a.: Dinosaurchestra (JV) 7p, Treme Brass Band (BB) 10p Funky Pirate: Blues Masters feat. Big Al (BL) 8:30p Gasa Gasa: Baron Ahmon, the UrbanCellist, Helen Gillet, Monica Spirit McIntyre (MJ) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: Tuco Taco Presents Outlaw Nation, R2D3, Johnny Dilks (FO) 6p House of Blues: Bringin’ Down the House Showcase feat. Kodie Treaudo, Marigny Hemenway, Heartbeat Brass Band and others (PO) 7p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Comedy Beast (CO) 8:30p Joy Theater: Honey Island Swamp Band (RR) 11p Kerry Irish Pub: Jason Bishop (FO) 8:30p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Charlie Miller (PI) 7p Mag’s 940: the All-Star Covered-Dish Country Jamboree (CW) 9p Maison: Gregory Agid, Ricio and Reece’s Pieces (VR) 6:30p Maple Leaf: Rebirth Brass Band (FK) 11p Saenger Theatre: Bob Weir and the Campfire Band (VR) 8p Snug Harbor: Stanton Moore Trio (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Andy J. Forest (JV) 2p, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns (JV) 6p, Smoking Time Jazz Club (JV) 10p Three Muses Maple: Gypsyland Jazz (JV) 7p Three Muses: Sam Friend (JV) 5p, Sam Doores (CW) 8p Tropical Isle Original: the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Jay B. Elston Band (RK) 9:15p

WEDNESDAY APRIL 19

Bombay Club: Josh Paxton (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Open Mic Night with Nattie Sanchez (SS) 7p Chickie Wah Wah: Rubin Wilson Folk Blues Explosion (BL) 6p, Meschiya Lake and Tom McDermott (JV) 8p, Mike Doussan Band (VR) 10p Crazy Lobster: Ken Swartz and the Palace of Sin (VR) 5p d.b.a.: Tin Men (RK) 7p, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters (BL) 10p Dragon’s Den: Groove Therapy (HH) 9p, Reggae Night (RE) 10p French Market: Patrick Cooper and Natasha Sanchez (FO) 2p Funky Pirate: Blues Masters feat. Big Al (BL) 8:30p Gasa Gasa: James McCartney (SS) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: Klyph, Tranche (RK) 8p Kerry Irish Pub: Will Dickerson (FO) 8:30p Lafayette Square: Wednesdays at the Square feat. Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Naughty Professor (VR) 5p Little Gem Saloon: Zakk Garner Duo (JV) 7p Little Tropical Isle: Jay B. Elston (RK) 5p, Reed Lightfoot (RK) 9p Maison: Claire and the Company, Jazz Vipers, the Resident Aliens (VR) 4p Maple Leaf: Noah Young Band (MJ) 10p Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a, Krewe du Two (VR) 1p Palm Court Jazz Café: Lars Edegran and Topsy Chapman with Palm Court Jazz Band (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: the Boogie Men (SI) 8p Sandbar at UNO: Jazz at the Sandbar feat. Howard Levy (JV) 7p Snug Harbor: Delfeayo Marsalis and Uptown Jazz Orchestra (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Chris Christy (JV) 2p, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 6p, Antoine Diel and the New Orleans Power Misfits (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Chapter Soul (FK) 9p Three Muses Maple: Lynn Drury (BL) 7p Three Muses: Sam Cammarata (JV) 5p, Schatzy (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Bayou Club: Cajungrass (KJ) 7p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Jezebels Chill’n (RK) 5p, Debi and the Deacons (RK) 9p

THURSDAY APRIL 20

Bombay Club: Davy Mooney (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Andre Bohren (PI) 5p, Tom McDermott and Chloe Feoranzo (TJ) 8p Chickie Wah Wah: Phil DeGruy and Emily Robertson (VR) 6p, Papa Mali and Dave Easley (VR) 8p Covington Trailhead: Rockin’ the Rails Concert Series (VR) 5p d.b.a.: Sarah Quintana (SS) 7p, MainLine (BB) 10p Dragon’s Den: Dave Easley (VR) 6p; Upstairs: Soundclash (HH) 9p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 4p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p Hi-Ho Lounge: Circus Darling (BQ) 9p House of Blues (the Parish):Whiskey Myers, the Steel Woods (CW) 8p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Comedy Gumbeaux (CO) 8:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Chip Wilson (FO) 8:30p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Michael Watson presents the Alchemy (TJ) 7p Maison: Good for Nothin’ Band, Asylum Chorus, Dysfunktional Bone (VR) 4p Maple Leaf: the Trio feat. Johnny Vidacovich and guests (FK) 11p Ogden Museum of Southern Art: Spencer Bohren (FO) 6p Palm Court Jazz Café: Duke Heitger and Tim Laughlin with Crescent City Joymakers (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Horace Trahan (ZY) 8:30p Snug Harbor: Howard Levy and friends (VR) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Monty Banks (JV) 2p, Sarah McCoy and the Oopsie Daisies (JV) 4p, Miss Sophie Lee (JV) 6p, Jumbo Shrimp (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Paul Sanchez (RR) 10p Three Muses Maple: Arsene DeLay (JV) 7p Three Muses: Tom McDermott (JV) 5p, Luke Winslow King (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Original: the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p

Vaughan’s Lounge: Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet (FK) 10p

FRIDAY APRIL 21

Bombay Club: Los Tres Amigos (JV) 8:30p Buffa’s: Warren Battiste (JV) 6p, Marc Stone (BL) 9p Chickie Wah Wah: Michael Pearce (BL) 6p, Chris Mule and the Perpetrators (VR) 8p Crazy Lobster: Ken Swartz and the Palace of Sin (VR) 5p d.b.a.: Tuba Skinny (JV) 6p, Cyril Neville and Swamp Funk (FK) 10p Dragon’s Den: Loose Marbles (JV) 7p, the Tipping Point with DJ RQ Away (HH) 10p; Upstairs: Comedy Fuck Yeah (CO) 7p, Latin Night (LT) 11p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 4p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p Gasa Gasa: Sweet Spirit (ID) 9p Hi-Ho Lounge: Volume Overload (RK) 9p, Relapse Dance Party with DJ Matt Scott (VR) 10p Historic New Orleans Collection: Concerts in the Courtyard feat.

Dana Abbott Band (BL) 6p Hotel Storyville: Merengue 4 (LT) 7p House of Blues: Merci Raines (PO) 9p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Folk Me Up feat. Cailyn O’Hara, Chris Endicott, Lena Fjortoft, Anne Elise Hastings, Red and Co. (FO) 10p Joy Theater: Louie Anderson (CO) 9p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Guitar Slim Jr. (BL) 9p Kerry Irish Pub: Mark Appleford (FO) 5p, Lynn Drury (FO) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Naydja Cojoe (JV) 7:30p Little Tropical Isle: Reed Lightfoot (RK) 5p, Frank Fairbanks (RK) 9p Maison: Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 4p, Chegadao, Big Easy Brawlers (FK) 10p Maple Leaf: Gravity A (FK) 11p Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a Old U.S. Mint: Billie Davies: A Nu Experience (JV) 2p One Eyed Jacks: Sinatra Night Burlesque Show (BQ) 10p Orpheum Theater: Umphrey’s McGee (RK) 8p Palm Court Jazz Café: Lucien Barbarin with Palm Court Jazz Band (TJ) 8p Preservation Hall: Preservation Legacy Band feat. Wendell Brunious (TJ) 5p, Preservation Brass feat. Daniel “Weenie” Farrow (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: the Topcats (VR) 9:30p Saenger Theatre: Jim Gaffigan (CO) 7p Snug Harbor: Ellis Marsalis Quintet (JV) 8 & 10p Southport Hall: Mothership: Tribute to Led Zeppelin (CR) 9p; Deck Room: Wendy Clear (VR) 9p Spotted Cat: Andy J. Forest (JV) 2p, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio (JV) 6p, New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings (JV) 10p Three Muses Maple: Linnzi Zaorski (JV) 5p, Monty Banks (JV) 8p Three Muses: Royal Roses (JV) 5:30p, Doro Wat Jazz Band (JV) 9p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Jay B. Elston Band (RK) 5p, Debi and the Deacons (RK) 9p Tropical Isle Original: Down River (RK) 1p, the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p

SATURDAY APRIL 22

Bombay Club: Don Vappie (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Red Hot Jazz Band (JV) 11a, Fr. Ron and Friends (VR) 6p, Gentilly Stompers (JV) 8p Chickie Wah Wah: Johnny Sansone Band (VR) 9p d.b.a.: John Boutte (JV) 8p Dragon’s Den: Shawan Rice (JV) 5p, McKenna Alicia (JV) 7p, DJ Chinua (VR) 10p; Upstairs: Talk Nerdy to Me (BQ) 7p, Sexy Back with DJ Dizzi (VR) 10p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 2p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p Gasa Gasa: Abolishment of Flesh/Center of Disease (ME) 7p Hi-Ho Lounge: the Rip Off Show (CO) 7p, Hustle feat. DJ Soul Sister (FK) 11p House of Blues: Colors presents R&B Only with DJ Printz and Jabari (RB) 8p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Mobley (ID) 10p Kerry Irish Pub: Dave Hickey (FO) 5p, the Chris Pylant Review (FO) 9p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Glen David and the Andrews Family Brass Band (JV) 7:30p Louisiana Music Factory: Guitar Slim Jr. and Carlo Ditta (VR) 1p, Robin Barnes (JV) 2p, the Revealers (VR) 3p, Miss Mojo (VR) 4p Maison: Chance Bushman and and the Ibervillianaires, Fais Do Do with T’Canaille (JV) 1p, MainLine, Higher Heights (FK) 10p Maple Leaf: Pirate’s Choice (FK) 11p Morning Call City Park: Billy D. Chapman (JV) 10a One Eyed Jacks: Jesse Tripp and the Nightbreed, the Quaalords, Green Demons (VR) 9p Palm Court Jazz Café: Brian O’Connell with Palm Court Jazz Band and Ernie Elly (TJ) 8p Preservation Hall: Preservation Jazz Masters feat. Leroy Jones (TJ) 5p, Preservation All-Stars feat. Shannon Powell (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Pine Leaf Boys, Pontchartrain Wrecks (KJ) 9p Snug Harbor: Larry Sieberth Estrella Banda CD-release party (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Monty Banks (JV) 12p, Jazz Band Ballers (JV) 2p, Panorama Jazz Band (JV) 6p, Dominick Grillo and the Frenchmen St. All-Stars (JV) 10p Three Muses Maple: Joshua Tell (JV) 5p, Russell Welch (JV) 8p Three Muses: Chris Christy (JV) 5p, Debbie Davis (JV) 6p, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 9p

A PRI L 2017

O

65

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC Tipitina’s: PJ Morton’s CD-release party, Phony Ppl (VR) 10p Tropical Isle Bayou Club: the Troubadour (KJ) 1p, Bayou Cajun Swamp Band (KJ) 5p, T’Canaille (KJ) 9p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Rhythm and Rain (RK) 5p, Debi and the Deacons (RK) 9p

SUNDAY APRIL 23

Bombay Club: Kris Tokarski Trio (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Some Like It Hot! (TJ) 10:30a, Heather Holloway and the Heebie Jeebies (JV) 5p, Steve Pistorius, Orange Kellin, James Evans and Benny Amon (JV) 7p Chickie Wah Wah: Crawfish Boil with Yakamein (VR) 3p Crazy Lobster: the Gator Bites (VR) 11a, the Neon Shadows (VR) 4p d.b.a.: Palmetto Bugs Stompers (SI) 6p, Bon Bon Vivant (JV) 10p Dragon’s Den: Open Jazz Jam with Anuraag Pendyal (JV) 7p, Church (EL) 10p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 4p, Willie Lockett Band (BL) 8p Gasa Gasa: Mandolin Orange (FO) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: NOLA Comedy Hour Open Mic (CO) 8p, Blue Velvet (PO) 10p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Hot 8 Brass Band (BB) 10p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 5:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Patrick Cooper (FO) 8p Little Gem Saloon: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 11a Mag’s 940: Sunday Night Jazz Series feat. Extended (JV) 7p Maison: Chance Bushman and the NOLA Jitterbugs, Roamin’ Jasmine (JV) 10a, Royal Street Winding Boys, Higher Heights (VR) 7p Maple Leaf: Joe Krown Trio feat. Russell Batiste and Walter “Wolfman” Washington (FK) 10p Morning Call City Park: Billy D. Chapman (JV) 10a Orpheum Theater: Sean McConnell (CW) 8p Palm Court Jazz Café: Lucien Barbarin and Mark Braud with Sunday Night Swingsters (TJ) 8p Preservation Hall: Preservation All-Stars feat. Wendell Brunious (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Bruce Daigrepont (KJ) 5:30p Snug Harbor: James Singleton Quintet (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Carolyn Broussard (JV) 12p, Jamey St. Pierre and the Honeycreepers (JV) 2p, Kristina Morales and the Inner Wild (JV) 6p, Pat Casey and the New Sound (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Saints and Sinners Sunday Swing with Bon Bon Vivant and friends (SI) 12p; Moonshine Taste with Nicole Lynn Foxx and the Moonshine Players (VR) 7 & 10p Three Muses Maple: Debbie Davis and Josh Paxton (JV) 11a Three Muses: Raphael et Pascal (JV) 5p, Linnzi Zaorski (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Bayou Club: Brandon Moreau and Cajungrass (KJ) 2p, Bayou Cajun Swamp Band (KJ) 7p Tropical Isle Bourbon: BC and Company (RK) 1p, Rhythm and Rain (RK) 5p, Debi and the Deacons (RK) 9p

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Charlie Miller (PI) 7p Mag’s 940: the All-Star Covered-Dish Country Jamboree (CW) 9p Maison: McKenna Alicia, Gregory Agid, Brass Lightning (VR) 4p Maple Leaf: Rebirth Brass Band (FK) 11p Snug Harbor: Stanton Moore Trio (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Andy J. Forest (JV) 2p, Little Big Horns (JV) 6p, Smoking Time Jazz Club (JV) 10p Three Muses Maple: Gypsyland Jazz (JV) 7p Three Muses: Andre Bohren (CL) 5p, Messy Cookers (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Jay B. Elston Band (RK) 5p, Jezebels Chill’n (RK) 9p Tropical Isle Original: the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Jay B. Elston Band (RK) 9:15p

WEDNESDAY APRIL 26

Bombay Club: Josh Paxton (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Open Mic Night with Nattie Sanchez (SS) 7p Bullet’s: Sunpie Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots (ZY) 6p Chickie Wah Wah: Rubin Wilson Folk Blues Explosion (BL) 6p, Meschiya Lake and Tom McDermott (JV) 8p, Mike Doussan Band (VR) 10p Crazy Lobster: Ken Swartz and the Palace of Sin (VR) 5p d.b.a.: Tin Men (RK) 7p, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters (BL) 10p Dragon’s Den: Groove Therapy (HH) 9p, Reggae Night (RE) 10p Funky Pirate: Blues Masters feat. Big Al (BL) 8:30p Gasa Gasa: Boyfriend album-release show (PO) 9p Hi-Ho Lounge: Kommentary feat. KNMDK Horns (RB) 8p House of Blues (the Parish): Brandy Clark, Charlie Worsham (CW) 8p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 4:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Patrick Cooper (FO) 8:30p Lafayette Square: Wednesdays at the Square feat. Flow Tribe, Robin Barnes (VR) 5p Little Gem Saloon: Zakk Garner Duo (JV) 7p Maison: Heather Holloway and the Heebie Jeebies, Jazz Vipers, Danny Abel and friends (VR) 4p Maple Leaf: Noah Young Band (MJ) 10p Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a, Krewe du Two (VR) 1p Palm Court Jazz Café: George Lewis Tribute with Sammy

PLAN A: Radiohead Radiohead will return to New Orleans for the first time in almost 14 years when they headline the Smoothie King Center on Monday, April 3.

Long considered one of the most groundbreaking groups in music, the English rock icons have generally skipped over New Orleans during their North American outings. The band’s only stops in the city have been a 1995 set at Tipitina’s and a 2003 appearance at the UNO Lakefront Arena that was part of their Hail to the Thief tour.

The modern rock pioneers have released three albums since that 2003 show, including 2007’s masterful In Rainbows and 2016’s stunning A Moon Shaped Pool. Last year saw the group embark on a world tour that almost exclusively brought them to festivals, with only a handful of performances in the United States at places like Lollapalooza, Outside Lands and Austin City Limits.

Considering all of this, the band’s New Orleans date comes as a surprise.

The tour features no stops on the East Coast and avoids other large markets like Chicago and Houston, but fits in smaller places like New Orleans and Kansas City.

MONDAY APRIL 24

Bombay Club: David Boeddinghaus (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Arsene DeLay (VR) 5p, Antoine Diel (JV) 8p Chickie Wah Wah: Benny Maygarden and Thomas Walker (VR) 6p, Alex McMurray (SS) 8p d.b.a.: Alexis and the Samurai (ID) 7p, Glen David Andrews (JV) 10p Dragon’s Den: Monday Night Swing feat. Steve DeTroy and the Swing Revue (JV) 7p, DJ Ill Medina (VR) 11p Funky Pirate: Willie Lockett Band (BL) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: Bluegrass Pickin’ Party (BU) 8p, Instant Opus Improvised Series (MJ) 9p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Danielle Nicole (SS) 9p Kerry Irish Pub: Kim Carson (FO) 8:30p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Tropical Isle: Frank Fairbanks (RK) 5p, Reed Lightfoot (RK) 9p Maison: Chicken and Waffles, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, the Resident Aliens (VR) 4p Maple Leaf: the Porter Trio feat. George Porter Jr., Michael Lemmler and Terrence Houston (FK) 10p Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a Preservation Hall: Preservation All-Stars (TJ) 8p Snug Harbor: Charmaine Neville Band (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Royal Street Winding Boys (JV) 12p, Sarah McCoy and the Oopsie Daisies (JV) 2p, Dominick Grillo and the Frenchmen St. All-Stars (JV) 6p, Jazz Vipers (JV) 10p Three Muses: Bart Ramsey (JV) 5p, Keith Burnstein (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Bayou Club: Cajun Drifters (KJ) 7p Tropical Isle Original: Graham Robertson (RK) 5:15p, Trop Rock Express (RK) 9:15p

TUESDAY APRIL 25

Bombay Club: Matt Lemmler (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras with Vanessa Carr (VR) 8p Chickie Wah Wah: Albanie Falletta (VR) 6p, Jon Cleary (VR) 8p Crazy Lobster: AC and the Heat (VR) 5p d.b.a.: Dinosaurchestra (JV) 7p, Treme Brass Band (BB) 10p Funky Pirate: Blues Masters feat. Big Al (BL) 8:30p Hi-Ho Lounge: Tuco Taco Presents Outlaw Nation, R2D3, Marshland, Johnny Dilks (FO) 6p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Comedy Beast (CO) 8:30p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 4:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Jason Bishop (FO) 8:30p

66

O

APRIL 2017

Rimington and Tom Sancton (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue (SI) 8p Saenger Theatre: Alton Brown: Eat Your Science (VR) 8p Sandbar at UNO: Jazz at the Sandbar feat. Don Vappie (JV) 7p Snug Harbor: Delfeayo Marsalis and Uptown Jazz Orchestra (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Chris Christy (JV) 2p, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 6p, Antoine Diel and the New Orleans Power Misfits (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): SONO presents the Shape of Jazz to Come with Ashlin Parker Trio (JV) 9p Three Muses Maple: Lynn Drury (BL) 7p Three Muses: Leslie Martin (JV) 5p, Russell Welch (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Jezebels Chill’n (RK) 5p, Debi and the Deacons (RK) 9p Tropical Isle Original: Debi and the Deacons (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p

THURSDAY APRIL 27

Bombay Club: Kris Tokarski Duo (JV) 8p Botanical Garden (City Park): Threadhead Thursday feat. Marcia Ball, Brass-A-Holics and Paul Sanchez (VR) 6p Buffa’s: Mike Doussan and Globalist Lizardman (VR) 5p, Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand (JV) 8p Bullet’s: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 6p Chickie Wah Wah: Dylan LeBlanc (VR) 8p, John “Papa” Gros Band (VR) 11p Covington Trailhead: Rockin’ the Rails Concert Series (VR) 5p d.b.a.: Jon Cleary (VR) 7p, Little Freddie King (BL) 10p, Luther Dickinson, Lightnin’ Malcolm and Brady Blade (BL) 1a Dragon’s Den: McKenna Alicia, Caitlyn Harris (VR) 10p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 4p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p Gasa Gasa: Sinkane, Eric Slick (RK) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: Evan Oberla with Jeff Dazey and Benny Bloom, the Grid (VR) 9p House of Blues (the Parish): Ab-Soul, Little Simz (HH) 8p House of Blues: Pierce the Veil, Sum 41, Emarosa (RK) 6:30p

Radiohead’s return is an exciting development for a local music calendar that’s already teeming with top-notch talent this April (French Quarter Fest, Hogs for the Cause and the early days of Jazz Fest have a way of doing that). If last year’s tour is any indication, the five-piece outfit will deliver an otherworldly set that draws heavily from A Moon Shaped Pool while also diving into classics and deep cuts from their diverse and influential catalog.

There’s no reason to assume Radiohead will invite any special guests on stage when they head to the Crescent City, but if the Red Hot Chili Peppers can pull off “Give It Away” with the Rebirth Brass Band, Trombone Shorty, Ivan Neville and George Porter Jr., I see no reason why Thom Yorke and Co. shouldn’t aim for something similar. Thom, if you’re reading this, may I kindly suggest “The National Anthem” with the Soul Rebels?

Or perhaps “Life in a Glass House” with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band? It’d be a bloody good show either way.

—Sam D’Arcangelo Radiohead plays the Smoothie King Center on April 3, at 7:30 p.m.

Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Comedy Gumbeaux (CO) 8:30p Jazz Playhouse: Ashlin Parker Trio (JV) 5p, James Rivers Movement (JV) 8p Joy Theater: Dark Star Orchestra: Continuing the Grateful Dead Concert Experience (CR) 9:30p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 4:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Will Dickerson (FO) 8:30p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Orleans Record Jazz Fest Kick-Off feat, Guitar Slim Jr., Kipori Woods, Carlo Ditta Trio (BL) 7:30p Little Tropical Isle: Allen Hebert (RK) 5p, Frank Fairbanks (RK) 9p Maison: Tuba Skinny, Good For Nothin’ Band (VR) 4p, the Original Stanton Moore Trio (FK) 9:30p Maple Leaf: Johnny Vidacovich, George Porter Jr. and Eric Krasno (FK) 11p Ogden Museum of Southern Art: Tom McDermott and Chloe Feoranzo (JV) 6p Orpheum Theater: St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Naughty Professor (SO) 9p Palm Court Jazz Café: Leroy Jones and Katja Toivola with Crescent City Joymakers (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Chris Ardoin, Geno Delafose and Chubby Carrier (ZY) 8p SideBar NOLA: James Singleton’s Time-Bandits (MJ) 8p Snug Harbor: Neal Caine Quintet (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Monty Banks (JV) 2p, Sarah McCoy and the Oopsie Daisies (JV) 4p, Miss Sophie Lee (JV) 6p, Jumbo Shrimp (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Soundbytes with PJ Morton and friends (FK) 9p Three Muses Maple: Mia Borders (SO) 7p Three Muses: Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue (CW) 8p Tipitina’s: Anders Osborne, Ryan Montbleau Band (RR) 9p Tropical Isle Original: the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p Vaughan’s Lounge: Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet (FK) 10p

FRIDAY APRIL 28

Blue Nile: Soul Rebels (BB) 10p, Adam Dietch Quartet (VR) 11:59p; Balcony Room: the Werks (VR) 11:59p Bombay Club: Banu Gibson (JV) 8:30p Buffa’s: Greg Schatz (JV) 5p, Davis Rogan (VR) 8p, Alexandra Scott and Josh Paxton (VR) 11p Chickie Wah Wah: Michael Pearce (BL) 6p, Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen (VR) 9p Civic Theatre: Moe., Turkuaz (FK) 8p Crazy Lobster: Ken Swartz and the Palace of Sin (VR) 5p d.b.a.: Jazz Vipers (JV) 6p, George Porter Jr. and his Runnin’ Pardners (FK) 10p, Honey Island Swamp Band (RR) 2a Dragon’s Den: Loose Marbles (JV) 7p, the Tipping Point with DJ RQ Away (HH) 10p, Upstairs: Comedy Fuck Yeah (CO) 7p, Latin Night (LT) 11p Frenchmen Theatre: Wake of the Dead feat. Papa Mali, Dave Easley, Peter Bradish, Thomas McDonald (VR) 10p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 4p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p Gasa Gasa: Red Baraat, Debauche (GY) 9p Hi-Ho Lounge: Burris (FK) 8p, Relapse Dance Party with DJ Matt Scott (VR) 10p House of Blues (the Parish): Where Y’acht (PO) 11:59p House of Blues: the California Honeydrops, Deva Mahal (SO) 9p Howlin’ Wolf: the Mixtape Mashup feat. Dumpstaphunk, the Motet, Roosevelt Collier Band, Gravy (FK) 10p Jazz National Historical Park: D’arcy McGee High School Jazz Band (JV) 10a, Higley High School Jazz Band (JV) 2p Joy Theater: Dark Star Orchestra: Continuing the Grateful Dead Concert Experience (CR) 9:30p Kerry Irish Pub: the One Tailed Three (FO) 5p, Chip Wilson with Bob Gagnon (FO) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Marc Stone’s Louisiana Blues Throwdown (BL) 10p, Stanton Moore Trio with James Singleton and David Torkanowsky (JV) 11:30p Little Tropical Isle: Reed Lightfoot (RK) 5p, Frank Fairbanks (RK) 9p Maison: Novos Sapatos, Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 1p, Brass-A-Holics, Big Easy Brawlers (BB) 10p Maple Leaf: Johnny Vidacovich, Skerik, John Medeski, Oteil Burbridge (FK) 11p Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a One Eyed Jacks: Kristin Diable and the City, CC Adcock & the Lafayette Marquis, Dylan Leblanc (VR) 9p Orpheum Theater: Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals (FK) 9p Palm Court Jazz Café: Lucien Barbarin and Kevin Louis with Palm Court Jazz Band (TJ) 8p Preservation Hall: Midnight Preserves feat. Preservation Hall Jazz Band and special guest (TJ) 11:59p Republic: North Mississippi All-Stars and Anders Osborne present N.M.O., the Record Company (BL) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Kermit Ruffins, Bonerama, Tab Benoit (VR) 8:30p Saenger Theatre: Gov’t Mule (VR) 8:30p Sanctuary Cultural Arts Center: Flow Tribe, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles (FK) 10p Snug Harbor: Ellis Marsalis Quintet (JV)9 & 11p Spotted Cat: Andy J. Forest (JV) 2p, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio (JV) 6p, New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings (JV) 10p Sugar Mill: Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, JJ Grey and Mofro, New Breed Brass Band with Big Chief Monk Boudreaux (VR) 9p

www.OFFBEAT.com

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC Three Muses Maple: Linnzi Zaorski (JV) 5p, Monty Banks (JV) 8p Three Muses: Matt Johnson (JV) 5:30p, Miss Sophie Lee (JV) 9p Tipitina’s: St. Paul and the Broken Bones (SO) 9p, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe (FK) 2a Tropical Isle Original: Down River (RK) 1p, the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p

SATURDAY APRIL 29

Blue Nile: Washboard Chaz Blues Trio (BL) 7p, Robert Walter’s 20th Congress (FK) 10:30p, WimBASH All-Star Tribute to Wood, Brass and Steel feat. Doug Wimbish, Khris Royal, Big Sam, Nigel Hall, Maurice Brown (FK) 11:59p; Balcony Room: Mike Dillon (MJ) 10:30p Bombay Club: Duke Heitger (JV) 8:30p Buffa’s: Red Hot Jazz Band (JV) 11a, Shake ‘Em Up Jazz Band (JV) 5p, Asylum Chorus (VR) 8p, Keith Burnstein (VR) 11p Chickie Wah Wah: Tephra 5 with Helen Gillet, Brian Haas, Skerik, Nikki Glaspie and Jessica Lurie (MJ) 8p, Pat McLaughlin (VR) 10p, James Singleton’s Mid-Night Matinees with Skerik, Johnny Vidacovich and Jonathan Freilich (VR) 11:59p Civic Theatre: Moe., Turkuaz (FK) 8p d.b.a.: Bo Dollis Jr. and the Wild Magnolias (MG) 7p, Rebirth Brass Band (BB) 10p, Royal Fingerbowl (FK) 2a Dragon’s Den: Fruta Brutal (JV) 5p, Geovane Santos (JV) 7p, Southern Dynasty DJs (VR) 10p; Upstairs: Talk Nerdy to Me (BQ) 7p, Sexy Back with DJ Dizzi (VR) 10p Frenchmen Theatre: Johnny J. and the Hitmen (VR) 10p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 2p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p Gasa Gasa: Travers Geoffray, Maggie Koerner (BL) 9p Hi-Ho Lounge: Wait, What? Comedy (CO) 7p, Hustle feat. DJ Soul Sister (FK) 11p House of Blues: David Shaw (SS) 9:30p, Wyclef Jean and guests (HH) 11:59p Howlin’ Wolf: Breakscience, the Russ Liquid Test, the Werks (EL) 11p Jazz National Historical Park: U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve Jazz Combo (JV) 2p Joy Theater: STS9 (EL) 10p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Neisha Ruffins (JV) 8:30p Kerry Irish Pub: Speed the Mule (FO) 5p, Roux the Day (FO) 9p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Little Gem Saloon: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 7 & 9p, Flow Tribe (FK) 11:59p Maison: Chance Bushman and the Ibervillianaires, Royal Street Winding Boys, Swamp Donkeys (JV) 1p, Eric Krasno Band (FK) 10p, the Heat feat. Ivan Neville, Stanton Moore, Oteil Burbridge, Eric Krasno (FK) 2a Maple Leaf: Secret Show (VR) 10p, New Orleans Suspects 4th Annual Leafopotomous feat. many special guests (FK) 1a Morning Call City Park: Billy D. Chapman (JV) 10a One Eyed Jacks: Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe (VR) 10p, the Nth Power presents Wake Up and Live: the Music of Bob Marley (VR) 2am Orpheum Theater: the Meters (FK) 9p Palm Court Jazz Café: Brian O’Connell and Palm Court Jazz Band with Lester Caliste (TJ) 8p Pontchartrain Vineyards: Linnzi Zaorski (JV) 6:30p Preservation Hall: Preservation All-Stars feat. Shannon Powell (TJ) 7p, Midnight Preserves feat. Preservation Hall Jazz Band and special guest (TJ) 11:59p Republic: Dead Feat feat. Anders Osborne, Jackie Greene, Paul Barrere, Fred Tackett, Brady Blade, Midnight North feat.

Grahame Lesh (FK) 8p, Twiddle (FK) 1:30a Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Eric Lindell, Kenny Neal, Mem Shannon (VR) 8p Saenger Theatre: Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave.’s Treme Threauxdown (FK) 8p Snug Harbor: Jason Marsalis 21st Century Trad Band (JV) 9 & 11p Spotted Cat: Monty Banks (JV) 12p, Jazz Band Ballers (JV) 2p, Panorama Jazz Band (JV) 6p, Jumbo Shrimp (JV) 10p Three Muses: Chris Christy (JV) 5p, Sarah McCoy (JV) 6p, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 9p Tipitina’s: Galactic (FK) 9p, the Motet (FK) 2a Tropical Isle Bayou Club: the Troubadour (KJ) 1p, Bayou Cajun Swamp Band (KJ) 5p, T’Canaille (KJ) 9p

SUNDAY APRIL 30

Blue Nile: Tank and the Bangas (SO) 10p Bombay Club: Kris Tokarski Trio (JV) 8p Buffa’s: Some Like It Hot! (TJ) 10:30a, Little Coquette (JV) 4p, Gerald French Trio (JV) 7p, Arsene DeLay (VR) 10p Chickie Wah Wah: Erica Falls (JV) 10p, James Singleton’s MidNight Matinees with Skerik, Johnny Vidacovich and Jonathan Freilich (MJ) 11:59p Civic Theatre: the Wailers (RE) 8:30p d.b.a.: Funk and Chant with John Papa Gros and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux (FK) 10p, Lost Bayou Ramblers (KJ) 2a Dragon’s Den: Open Jazz Jam with Anuraag Pendyal (JV) 7p, Church (EL) 10p Frenchmen Theatre: Chris Mule and the Perpetrators (VR) 10p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 4p, Willie Lockett Band (BL) 8p Gasa Gasa: Backup Planet, the Heavy Pets, Roxy Roca (FK) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: NOLA Comedy Hour Open Mic (CO) 8p, the Wahala Boys (FK) 10p House of Blues (the Parish): Richard Thompson, Colin Lake (SS) 9p House of Blues: Big Sam’s Funky Nation, the Original Pinettes, the Crooked Vines (FK) 9p

www.OFFBEAT.com

Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Hot 8 Brass Band (BB) 10p Howlin’ Wolf: Night of the Dead: A Tribute to the Fallen Musicians of 2016 feat. members of Turkuaz and the Motet (FK) 10p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 8p Kerry Irish Pub: Will Dickerson (FO) 8p Little Gem Saloon: Leroy Jones Quintet (JV) 7:30p, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters (BL) 11:59p Mag’s 940: Sunday Night Jazz Series feat. Sasha Masakowski (JV) 7p Maison: Chance Bushman and the NOLA Jitterbugs, Kristina Morales (JV) 10a, Loose Marbles (JV) 4p, Brad Walker, Higher Heights (VR) 7p Maple Leaf: Joe Krown Trio feat. Walter “Wolfman” Washington and Russell Batiste (FK) 8p, Maple Leaf Bar All-stars feat. Jon Cleary, Ivan Neville, Tony Hall, Derwin “Big D” Perkins and Raymond Weber (FK) 11p, Johnny Vidacovich, John Medeski, Adam Deitch (FK) 3a Morning Call City Park: Billy D. Chapman (JV) 10a One Eyed Jacks: Neon-Medeski feat. John Medeski, Mono-Neon, Robert Walter, Daru Jones, Skerik, DJ Logic and guests (VR) 9p, Stanton Moore, Eric Krasno, Wil Blades (FK) 1:30a Palm Court Jazz Café: Lucien Barbarin and Mark Braud with Sunday Night Swingsters (TJ) 8p Preservation Hall: Preservation All-Stars feat. Wendell Brunious (TJ) 7p, Midnight Preserves feat. Preservation Hall Jazz Band and special guest (TJ) 11:59p Republic: Dead Feat feat. Anders Osborne, Jackie Greene, Paul Barrere, Fred Tackett, Brady Blade, Sockeye feat. Alwyn Robinson, Greg Garrison, Erik Deutsch, Vince Herman (FK) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Tab Benoit, Sonny Landreth, Josh Garrett feat. Jeff McCarty (BL) 8p Saenger Theatre: Dan TDM (VR) 3p Snug Harbor: Herlin Riley Quintet (JV) 9 & 11p Spotted Cat: Carolyn Broussard (JV) 12p, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 2p, Kristina Morales and the Inner Wild (JV) 6p, Pat Casey and the New Sound (JV) 10p Three Muses Maple: Debbie Davis and Josh Paxton (JV) 11a Three Muses: Raphael et Pascal (JV) 5p, Linnzi Zaorski (JV) 8p Tipitina’s: Lettuce (FK) 9p Tropical Isle Bourbon: BC and Company (RK) 1p, Rhythm and Rain (RK) 5p, Debi and the Deacons (RK) 9p Tropical Isle Original: the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p

MONDAY MAY 1

Blue Nile: Red Baraat, Soul Brass Band (VR) 10p, Dr. Klaw (VR) 11:59p Chickie Wah Wah: South Memphis String Band with Luther Dickinson, Jimbo Mathus and Alvin Youngblood Hart (VR) 8p, Nola Crayfish Fest with Cris Jacobs and Papa Mali (VR) 11p Dragon’s Den: Monday Night Swing feat. Dr. Sick’s Gypsy Jazz Juke Box (JV) 7p, DJ Ill Medina (VR) 11p Funky Pirate: Willie Lockett Band (BL) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: Bluegrass Pickin’ Party (BU) 8p, Instant Opus Improvised Series (MJ) 9p Howlin’ Wolf: Nthfection feat. Nikki Glaspie, Nate Werth, Corey Henry and others, Sexual Thunder (FK) 10p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 12p & 6p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Evan Christopher (JV) 7 & 9p Maison: Chicken and Waffles, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Raw Deal (VR) 4p Maple Leaf: the Porter Trio feat. George Porter Jr. and guests (FK) 10p Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a One Eyed Jacks: Frequinox, Fockstar (VR) 9p, Love Glove feat.

G-Love, Corey Glover, Eric Bolivar, Wil Blades, Andrew Block, DJ Logic and guests (VR) 1:30a Preservation Hall: Preservation All-Stars (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Musicians Clinic Tribute to Snooks Eaglin (BL) 8p Snug Harbor: Charmaine Neville Band (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Royal Street Winding Boys (JV) 12p, Sarah McCoy and the Oopsie Daisies (JV) 2p, Dominick Grillo and the Frenchmen St. All-Stars (JV) 6p, Jazz Vipers (JV) 10p Three Muses: Miss Sophie Lee (JV) 5p, Joe Cabral (VR) 8p Tipitina’s: Instruments a Comin’ feat. Galatic, Rory Danger and the Danger Dangers, Honey Island Swamp Band and others (VR) 8:30p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Rhythm and Rain (RK) 5p, Beach Combers (RK) 9p Tropical Isle Original: Graham Robertson (RK) 5:15p, Trop Rock Express (RK) 9:15p

TUESDAY MAY 2

Blue Nile: DRKWAV (VR) 10:30p, Bitches Bloom (VR) 11:59p Chickie Wah Wah: Anders Osborne, John Fohl, Johnny Sansone and Cris Jacobs (VR) 8p Funky Pirate: Blues Masters feat. Big Al (BL) 8:30p Gasa Gasa: Twin Peaks, Chrome Pony, Post Animal (RK) 9p Hi-Ho Lounge: Tuco Taco Presents (FO) 6p, Iceman Special (FK) 9p House of Blues: Gojira, Kyng (ME) 8p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Comedy Beast (CO) 8:30p Howlin’ Wolf: Earth, Wind and Power: the Nth Power performs Earth, Wind and Fire, the All Brothers Band, Organ Freeman (FK) 11p

Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 12p & 6p Lafayette Square: Tuesday at the Square feat. Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Tipitina’s Interns (VR) 5p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Little Freddie King (BL) 7:30p, Honey Island Swamp Band (RR) 11:30p Maison: Gregory Agid, Big Easy Brawlers (VR) 6:30p Maple Leaf: Rebirth Brass Band (FK) 11p One Eyed Jacks: Dragon Smoke feat. Stanton Moore, Ivan Neville.

Eric Lindell, Robert Mercurio and guests (VR) 9p, the Whip! feat. Brian J., Mike Dillon, Eric Bolivar, Corey Henry and guests (VR) 1:30a Smoothie King Center: Neil Diamond (SS) 8p Snug Harbor: Donald Harrison and Congo Nation (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Andy J. Forest (JV) 2p, Little Big Horns (JV) 6p, Smoking Time Jazz Club (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Aloha Got Soul feat. Maryanne Ito (SO) 9p Three Muses Maple: Gypsyland Jazz (JV) 7p Three Muses: Messy Cookers (JV) 8p Tropical Isle Bayou Club: Cajun Drifters (KJ) 7p Vaughan’s Lounge: Jamaican Me Breakfast Club (RE) 9p, the Fortifiers (BL) 10:30p Willow: the Soul of New Orleans: Tribute to Professor Longhair, Earl King and Allen Toussaint (VR) 7p

WEDNESDAY MAY 3

Blue Nile: Ivan Neville Piano Sessions Vol. 7 (PI) 9p Chickie Wah Wah: John Cleary and Piano CD-release show (PI) 8p, Nola Crayfish Fest with Roosevelt Collier and friends (VR) 11p Dragon’s Den: Groove Therapy (HH) 9p, Reggae Night (RE) 10p Funky Pirate: Blues Masters feat. Big Al (BL) 8:30p Gasa Gasa: Twin Peaks, Chrome Pony, Post Animal (RK) 8p House of Blues: Loyola Music Industry Showcase (RK) 8p Howlin’ Wolf: Megalomaniacs Ball feat. Mike Dillon Band with Dean Ween, JP Gaster and others, Stanton Moore Trio (VR) 9p Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 12p Lafayette Square: Wednesdays at the Square feat. Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers, Marcia Ball Band (VR) 5p Little Gem Saloon: New Soul Finders feat. Marilyn Barbarin with Papa Mali, Reggie Scanlan and Kirk Joseph (BL) 7:30p, John Medeski’s Mad Skillet feat. Will Bernard, Kirk Joseph and Terence Higgins to benefit Pass the Beat (JV) 10p Little Tropical Isle: Jay B. Elston (RK) 5p, Reed Lightfoot (RK) 9p Mag’s 940: Tephra feat. Helen Gillet, Nikki Glaspie, Brian Haas and Jessica Lurie (MJ) 10:30p Maison: Royal Street Winding Boys, Jazz Vipers, Wahala Boys (VR) 4p Maple Leaf: John Medeski and Johnny Vidacovich (VR) 8p, the Trio +1 feat. Johnny Vidacovich, George Porter Jr., Ivan Neville amd June Yamagishi (VR) 11 Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a, Krewe du Two (VR) 1p One Eyed Jacks: Daze Between Band feat. Eric Krasno, Oteil Burbridge, Danny Louis, Scott Metzger and Duane Trucks, DJ Soul Sister (VR) 11:59p Palm Court Jazz Café: Lars Edegran and Topsy Chapman with Palm Court Jazz Band (TJ) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Creole Stringbeans, Amanda Shaw (KJ) 8p Saenger Theatre: the Pixies (RK) 8:30p Sandbar at UNO: Jazz at the Sandbar feat. Donald Harrison (JV) 7p Snug Harbor: Piano a Trois: Ball, McDermott and Krown (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Chris Christy (JV) 2p, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 6p, Antoine Diel and the New Orleans Power Misfits (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Ponderosa Stomp presents Ride in my 225 feat. Spyder Turner, Dennis Coffey and Lil Buck Senegal and his Buckaroos (BL) 10p Three Muses Maple: Lynn Drury (BL) 7p Three Muses: Leslie Martin (JV) 5p, Hot Club of New Orleans (JV) 8p Tipitina’s: the New Pornographers, Waxahatchee (RK) 8p Tropical Isle Bayou Club: Cajungrass (KJ) 7p

THURSDAY MAY 4

Blue Nile: Toubab Krewe (FK) 10:30p, Sputacular’s Funk Party (FK) 11:59p Bullet’s: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 7p Carrollton Station: John Mooney and the Bluesiana Band (BL) 10p Chickie Wah Wah: Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun (VR) 8p, Luther Dickinson and the Vermillonaires with Louis and Andre Michot (KJ) 11p, Lost Bayou Ramblers (KJ) 11:59p Civic Theatre: Medeski Martin and Wood, Nels Cline (MJ) 9p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 4p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p Hi-Ho Lounge: Spare Change album-release party, Caddywhompus (RK) 9p House of Blues: Trombone Shorty Foundation’s Shorty Fest feat.

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave., the Seratones, New Breed Brass Band (JV) 8p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Comedy Gumbeaux (CO) 8:30p Joy Theater: Rage Fest feat. Lettuce, Marco Benevento, DJ Soul Sister, RaShawn Ross (FK) 10p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p

Little Gem Saloon: Glen David and the Andrews Family Brass Band (JV) 8p, Kristina Morales, Swamp Donkeys, Soul Brass Band (JV) 9p Maison: Good for Nothin’ Band, Sweet Substitute, Dysfunktional Bone (VR) 4p; Fiya Powa 5 feat. Leo Nocentelli, Ivan Neville, Stanton Moore, Tony Hall, Big Sam, Skerik, Roosevelt Collier and Maurice Brown (FK) 1a Maple Leaf: Johnny Vidacovich, Marco Benevento and Oteil Burbridge (VR) 8p One Eyed Jacks: Kamasi Washington (JV) 8p & 1a, Fast Times ‘80s and ‘90s Night (VR) 10p Orpheum Theater: the Revivalists (FK) 9p Palm Court Jazz Café: Butch Thompson and Clive Wilson with New Orleans Serenaders (TJ) 8p Preservation Hall: Preservation All-Stars feat. Louis Ford (TJ) 7p, Midnight Preserves feat. Preservation Hall Jazz Band and special guest (TJ) 11:59p Republic: Foundation of Funk feat. Zigaboo Modeliste, George Porter Jr., Jimmy Herring, Jojo Hermann (FK) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Geno Delafose, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, Terrance Simien (ZY) 8p Sanctuary Cultural Arts Center: Tank and the Bangas, Mia Borders (SO) 10p Snug Harbor: Davell Crawford Organ Combo (JV) 9 & 11p Spotted Cat: Monty Banks (JV) 2p, Sarah McCoy and the Oopsie Daisies (JV) 4p, Miss Sophie Lee (JV) 6p, Jumbo Shrimp (JV) 10p Three Keys (Ace Hotel): King Britt and friends present Sister Gertrude Morgan Let’s Make A Record (SO) 9p Three Muses Maple: Sam Cammarata (JV) 7p Three Muses: Tom McDermott (JV) 5p, Luke Winslow King (JV) 8p Tipitina’s: JJ Grey and Mofro (FK) 9p Tropical Isle Bayou Club: Cajun Drifters (KJ) 5p, Nonc Nu and Da Wild Matous (KJ) 9p Tropical Isle Original: the Hangovers (RK) 5:15p, Late As Usual (RK) 9:15p Vaughan’s Lounge: Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet (FK) 10p

FRIDAY MAY 5

Blue Nile: Kermit Ruffins (JV) 10:30p, Big Sam’s Funky Nation (FK) 11:59p Carrollton Station: Mia Borders Band (RB) 10p Chickie Wah Wah: Paul Sanchez and the Rolling Road Show (RR) 8p, Eric Bloom’s Big Band Bash with Skerik, David Torkanowski, Mike Tucker, Jasen Weaver and Jamison Ross (VR) 11p, Funk Big Band with Brian Thomas and Alex Lee Clark (VR) 12:30a Civic Theatre: Hurray for the Riff Raff, Leyla McCalla, Ron Gallo (ID) 8p Dragon’s Den: Loose Marbles (JV) 7p, the Tipping Point with DJ RQ Away (HH) 10p; Upstairs: Comedy Fuck Yeah (CO) 7p, Latin Night (LT) 11p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 4p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p Gasa Gasa: San Fermin, Andy Shauf, Julia Jacklin (PO) 9p Hi-Ho Lounge: Relapse Dance Party with DJ Matt Scott (VR) 10p House of Blues (the Parish): the Nth Power (FK) 9p House of Blues: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (SI) 9p Howlin’ Wolf: 15th Annual Bayou Rendezvous (FK) 9p Joy Theater: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (FK) 10p, the New Mastersounds (FK) 2a Little Gem Saloon: Basin Street Records 20th Birthday Party (VR) 8:30p Mag’s 940: Debauche (GY) 10p Maison: Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 4p, Dirty Dozen Brass Band (BB) 10p, Worship My Organ feat. Marco Benevento, John Medeski, Robert Walter, Skerik, Daru Jones and DJ Logic (FK) 1:30a Maple Leaf: James Brown Birthday Tribute (FK) 11p, Lil Baby Jesus Peasant Party (VR) 3a Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a Orpheum Theater: Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe presents Exile on Bourbon Street (FK) 9p Palm Court Jazz Café: Kevin Louis and Palm Court Jazz Band (TJ) 8p Preservation Hall: Preservation Brass feat. Daniel “Weenie” Farrow (TJ) 7p, Midnight Preserves feat. Preservation Hall Jazz Band and special guest (TJ) 11:59p Republic: Tab Benoit and Samantha Fish (BL) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: John Papa Gros Band, Honey Island Swamp Band, Eric Lindell (BL) 8:30p Snug Harbor: Ellis Marsalis Quintet (JV) 9 & 11p Spotted Cat: Andy J. Forest (JV) 2p, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio (JV) 6p, New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings (JV) 10p Three Muses Maple: Linnzi Zaorski (JV) 5p, Monty Banks (JV) 8p Three Muses: Royal Roses (JV) 5p, Doro Wat Jazz (JV) 9p Tipitina’s: the Funky Meters, 7 Come 11 (FK) 9p Tropical Isle Bayou Club: Bayou Cajun Swamp Band (KJ) 5p, T’Canaille (KJ) 9p Vaughan’s Lounge: Morning 40 Federation (RK) 10p

SATURDAY MAY 6

Blue Nile: Washboard Chaz Blues Trio (BL) 7p, Bureau of Sabotage feat. Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Franca, John Kadlecik and Aron Magner (FK) 10:30p, Marco Benevento (FK) 11:59p Carver Theater: Honey Island Swamp Band, John Mooney, Walter “Wolfman” Washington (BL) 10:30p Champions Square: Future, A$AP Ferg, Kodak Black (HH) 7p

A PRI L 2017

O

67

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC Chickie Wah Wah: Willie Sugarcaps (BL) 8p, Maggie Koerner (SS) 11p Civic Theatre: Lake Street Dive, Sweet Crude (FO) 9p Crazy Lobster: the River Gang (VR) 11a, Poppy’s Poppin’ Saturday Review (VR) 4p Dragon’s Den: Kompression (VR) 10p; Upstairs: Talk Nerdy to Me (BQ) 7p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 2p, Blues Masters feat.

Big Al (BL) 8:30p Hi-Ho Lounge: Close Me Out (CO) 7p, Hustle feat. DJ Soul Sister (FK) 11p House of Blues (the Parish): Cowboy Mouth, Airpack (RK) 9p House of Blues: Greensky Bluegrass (BU) 9p, Soulive, the Shady Horns (FO) 2a Howlin’ Wolf: Anders Osborne and friends, Pimps of Joytime, New Orleans Suspects (FK) 9:30p Joy Theater: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (FK) 10p, the New Mastersounds (FK) 2a Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Little Gem Saloon: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers (JV) 7 & 9p, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns (JV) 11p Little Tropical Isle: Jay B. Elston (RK) 5p, Reed Lightfoot (RK) 9p Maison: Chance Bushman and the Ibervillianaires, Smoking Time Jazz Club (JV) 1p, Rebirth Brass Band, Sexual Thunder (FK) 10p Maple Leaf: John Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen with Nigel Hall (VR) 11p One Eyed Jacks: Kamasi Washington (JV) 8p & 1a Orpheum Theater: Galactic (FK) 9p Palm Court Jazz Café: Brian O’Connell and Palm Court Jazz Band (TJ) 8p Preservation Hall: Preservation All-Stars feat. Shannon Powell (TJ) 7p, Midnight Preserves feat. Preservation Hall Jazz Band and special guest (TJ) 11:59p Prime Example: Nicholas Payton Trio (JV) 8p Republic: Voodoo Dead feat. Steve Kimock, Jackie Greene, George Porter Jr., Jeff Chimenti and JM Kimock (FK) 1:30a Republic: Big Freedia and the Soul Rebels, Tank and the Bangas (VR) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Eric Lindell, Dale Watson, Flow Tribe (VR) 8:30p Snug Harbor: the Bad Plus with Ethan Iverson, Reid Anderson and Dave King (JV) 9 & 11p Spotted Cat: Monty Banks (JV) 12p, Antoine Diel and Arsene DeLay (JV) 2p, Panorama Jazz Band (JV) 6p, Davis Rogan (JV) 10p Three Muses Maple: Davy Mooney (FK) 5p, Messy Cookers (JV) 8p

68

O

APRIL 2017

Three Muses: Chris Christy (JV) 5p, Shotgun Jazz Band (JV) 9p Tipitina’s: North Mississippi All-Stars, the Deslondes (FO) 9p, the Greyboy All-Stars (FK) 2a Tropical Isle Bourbon: Rhythm and Rain (RK) 5p, Debi and the Deacons (RK) 9p

Three Muses: Raphael et Pascal (JV) 5p, Linnzi Zaorski (JV) 8p Tipitina’s: Dumpstaphunk, Naughty Professor, DJ Soul Sister (FK) 9p Tropical Isle Bayou Club: Brandon Moreau and Cajungrass (KJ) 2p, Bayou Cajun Swamp Band (KJ) 7p

SUNDAY MAY 7

MONDAY MAY 8

Blue Nile: Funky But Better feat. Big Sam, Doug Wimbish, Roosevelt Collier, Maurice Brown and Ike Stubblefield (FK) 10p; Balcony Room: Juju Fest Finale (VR) 10p Crazy Lobster: the Gator Bites (VR) 11a, the Neon Shadows (VR) 4p Dragon’s Den: Open Jazz Jam with Anuraag Pendyal (JV) 7p, Church (EL) 10p Funky Pirate: Mark and the Pentones (BL) 4p, Willie Lockett Band (BL) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: NOLA Comedy Hour Open Mic (CO) 8p, Azzfest (BO) 10p House of Blues (the Parish): HeartByrne: Talking Heads Tribute (RK) 9p Howlin’ Wolf (the Den): Hot 8 Brass Band (BB) 10p Howlin’ Wolf: Michael Jackson vs. Stevie Wonder feat. Eric “Benny” Bloom, DJ Williams and others, Zigaboo’s Funk Revue, Organ Freeman (FK) 11p Joy Theater: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (FK) 10p Little Tropical Isle: Frank Fairbanks (RK) 5p, Mark Parsons (VR) 9p Maison: Chance Bushman and the NOLA Jitterbugs (JV) 10a, Higher Heights (RE) 10p Maple Leaf: Green Is Beautiful: Grant Green Tribute with Eddie Roberts, Skerik, Alan Evans and others (VR) 11p Maple Leaf: Joe Krown Trio feat. Walter “Wolfman” Washington and Russell Batiste (VR) 8p, Marco Benevento (FK) 3a One Eyed Jacks: Khruangbin (FK) 9p Palm Court Jazz Café: Mark Braud and Sunday Night Swingsters (TJ) 8p Preservation Hall: Preservation All-Stars feat. Wendell Brunious (TJ) 7p, Midnight Preserves feat. Preservation Hall Jazz Band and special guest (TJ) 11:59p Republic: Voodoo Dead feat. Steve Kimock, Jackie Greene, George Porter Jr., Jeff Chimenti and JM Kimock (FK) 8p Rock ‘n’ Bowl: Tab Benoit, Sonny Landreth, Jonathon Boogie Long (BL) 8:30p Snug Harbor: Henry Butler Quartet (JV) 9 & 11p Spotted Cat: Carolyn Broussard (JV) 12p, Kristina Morales and Bayou Shufflers (JV) 6p, Pat Casey and the New Sound (JV) 10p Three Muses Maple: Debbie Davis and Josh Paxton (JV) 11a

Blue Nile: the Nth Power (FK) 10:30p Chickie Wah Wah: Ed Volker (VR) 8p Crazy Lobster: the Insta-Gators (VR) 5p Dragon’s Den: Monday Night Swing (JV) 7p, DJ Ill Medina (VR) 11p Funky Pirate: Willie Lockett Band (BL) 8p Hi-Ho Lounge: Bluegrass Pickin’ Party (BU) 8p, Instant Opus Improvised Series (MJ) 9p Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Lucky Lee (SS) 9p Maison: Chicken and Waffles, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses (JV) 4p Morning Call: Valerie Sassyfras (VR) 10a Preservation Hall: Preservation All-Stars feat. Charlie Gabriel (TJ) 8p Snug Harbor: Charmaine Neville Band (JV) 8 & 10p Spotted Cat: Royal Street Winding Boys (JV) 12p, Sarah McCoy and the Oopsie Daisies (JV) 2p, Dominick Grillo and the Frenchmen St. All-Stars (JV) 6p, Jazz Vipers (JV) 10p Three Muses: Miss Sophie Lee (JV) 5p Tropical Isle Bourbon: Rhythm and Rain (RK) 5p, Beach Combers (RK) 9p Tropical Isle Original: Graham Robertson (RK) 5:15p, Trop Rock Express (RK) 9:15p

FESTIVALS MARCH 30-APRIL 2 Jazz in the Park’s Treme Crab Festival at Armstrong Park features live music and food vendors celebrating the crustacean. Pufap.org MARCH 31-APRIL 1 Hogs for the Cause features a barbecue cook-off and live music on the grounds of UNO’s Lakefront Arena.

HogsForTheCause.org APRIL 1 The Freret Street Festival features live music on three stages, local art and food vendors. FreretStreetFestival.com

APRIL 6-9 At French Quarter Festival, check out regional food vendors and music on multiple stages throughout the Quarter. FQFI.org APRIL 7-9 The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival highlights everything strawberry, live music, fair food, a parade and more in downtown Ponchatoula.

LAStrawberryFestival.com APRIL 26-30 Festival International de Louisiane in downtown Lafayette features musical acts on multiple stages, regional cuisine and arts and crafts. FestivalInternational.com APRIL 28-30, MAY 4-7 The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is seven days of exciting music, food, art and culture at the Fairgrounds. Look for OffBeat’s Jazz Fest Bible at the gates.

NOJazzFest.com MAY 4-6 The Alex River Fete takes place in downtown Alexandria and includes dragon boat races, food and art vendors, kids’ activities and live music. CityOfAlexandriaLA.com/ AlexRiverFete

SPECIAL EVENTS MARCH 31 & APRIL 2 The New Orleans Opera Association presents “Faust” at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. NewOrleansOpera.org APRIL 6, 13, 20, 27 Covington Trailhead hosts Rockin’ the Rails concerts every Thursday in April at 5 p.m. Covla.com THROUGH APRIL 22 The National World War II Museum’s Stage Door Canteen presents Neil Simon’s play “Biloxi Blues” on weekends.

NationalWW2Museum.org ONGOING The New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint presents the exhibit “Pete Fountain: A Life Half-Fast.”

MusicAtTheMint.org

www.OFFBEAT.com

BACKTALK

Alynda Lee Segarra (of Hurray for the Riff Raff) talks back

H

urray for the Riff Raff’s new studio record, The Navigator, is a narrative concept album telling the story of a character, Navita, who resembles Alynda.

Navita Milagros Negrón grows up poor and vulnerable on urban streets, but empowered by love and community, she overcomes fear to lead her people.

Navita discovers self-confidence set to Alynda’s soothing vocals and her new backing band’s Caribbean percussion. Kansas City– based Juan-Carlos Chaurand and Devendra Banhart’s drummer Gregory Rogove supplied the Cuban, Puerto Rican and Brazilian backing beats. It’s her first album without her fiddle player, Yosi Perlstein, but there’s still plenty of folk sound to the early songs, before Navita grows into maturity midway through, to a soundtrack of son montuno, plena and salsa sounds.

New Orleanians got a sampling of Navita’s story on Ash Wednesday with a solo prerelease show at Euclid Records—an event so packed that people stood on the stairs and reached over the aisles to see Alynda preface songs with songwriting inspiration. She asked the audience if New Orleans would be a good place to stage The Navigator as a play, which was her original intention. The crowd erupted, so look out Marigny Opera House and Southern Rep Theatre.

You just dropped some amazing news.

I got engaged at the railroad tracks!

That spot on the tracks at Press and Burgundy is where I started playing music.

I guess I played some when I was a kid, but that’s where I was with my friends Barnibus and Kiawa, and we were all these little hobo kids. I had my washboard. We would just hang out there at night. I would just strum along, scratch along, and that’s where they were like, ‘You’re pretty good at harmonizing.

We should all go busk together.’ So that’s where it all began, gathering there at the railroad tracks at night. That’s where I did a lot of listening, you know.

And it’s Mardi Gras season.

And I’m back in New Orleans. That makes me want to cry out of joy because I’m just so happy to be back here. It’s such a relief to be in New Orleans because of how divided our country is right now and how agitated and aggressive everyone is towards each other. Here, everyone is celebrating Mardi Gras together. We’re uniting under this tradition. Thinking about life together, joy together, and music and food—these things are universal. In Mardi Gras, we always make fun of our elected officials, so we can all agree they deserve to get poked at. It’s our duty.

New Orleanians show resistance through living and celebration. That has inspired me so much. When I first came here—growing up in New York, I didn’t know much about joy. Even though Puerto Rican people are joyous, I felt like we were such city people. We were very contained. At our family gatherings everyone was loud and wild, but New Orleans taught me about joy and about living on my own terms.

You say your ‘boyfriend’ proposed but now he’s— My fiancée! [Laughs] Crazy. On my 30th birthday, too.

How was recording The Navigator with Paul Butler?

It was so fucking beautiful, this big house by the ocean in Stinson Beach. We all slept there, ate there, and bunkered down for two weeks. Paul was like, ‘Are you ready to go on this journey with me? Because I’m going to

www.OFFBEAT.com

By Alex B. Johnson

push you, try to make you better, get you out of your comfort zone. We’re going to wake you up and really dive into what this album is about.’ And I was ready to do it.

How was that without Yosi?

Yosi decided he didn’t want to tour anymore and wanted to live his life in Tennessee. So that was another really big change for me. It felt like I lost my partner in crime, you know, and this total comfort of having this person who’d been with me for so long. I felt like I’m finally riding solo now. And that’s the thing about having a band where you’re the songwriter.

You gotta let people also live their lives.

Michael Stipe of R.E.M. said that being in a band is like being married.

It’s just like a marriage—well, I don’t know what marriage is like yet, but I’m about to find out! A lot of communication and patience and growing together. Where it’s different for me is that there’s also been a lot of divorces.

There’s been a lot of, ‘Well, you gotta go your own way because you’re growing in a way that doesn’t include this project anymore. So I gotta let you go.’ In some ways, it’s like going to school with people or growing up with people and then going to different colleges. I’ll see ya around and I love you.

A PRI L 2017

O

69

B AC

KTA

LK

We gotta recognize we’re human beings and we need clean water.

People in Louisiana are in touch with this, too, because of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the wetlands disappearing.

You and Sam Doores of the Deslondes started out together and collaborated on Small Town Heroes. Will y’all in the future?

Oh, I hope so. Me and him are so—we always say we’re siblings. We’re not soulmates but we were meant to meet, you know? We really changed each other’s lives. I’ve been so excited to see what he’s been doing. And now it feels good to live here again because, it’s like, ‘Man, we gotta make some music together.’

We’re still on really good terms and he’s always inspiring me. I love saying, ‘I wrote this song, is it good?’ and send it to him.

What do your knuckle tattoos—‘song bird’—represent?

I got these when I was nineteen. My friend Andy bought them from Electric Lady.

I was singing but it’s not what I did or how I identified with myself, as a singer. But I knew I really wanted to. It was my way of making a commitment to myself. Terry Brown did them, the guy who now runs Downtown Tattoos.

And this monarch on your forearm? They fly through New Orleans all the time.

Yeah, my friend Pauly just did this. See, I got this matchbook [tattoo] after Small Town Heroes—it’s my strike another match, like Dylan, time to start a new thing. And this mariposa [the monarch butterfly] shows up in the album a lot. Mariposa is the name of Navi’s gang—I hope to make a play of it. It’s her street gang of all the weirdos and queers and girls, all the people living on the street who are vulnerable.

That vulnerability shows up in ‘Life To Save,’ which starts out and everything’s heavy, but the ‘morning opens like a Bible’ and Navi believes in herself again.

Yeah, she’s learned that her life is worth saving. She’s deciding that “I am going to be my navigator. I’ll be in charge of my destiny. I’ll go on an adventure. I’ll be an explorer.” The butterfly also represents ancestors to me, and that you’re flourishing. I got it from Kendrick Lamar, of course.

What’s your favorite song on the record?

‘Fourteen Floors.’ My aunt and uncle’s apartment where I lived growing up was on the fourteenth floor, but it was actually the thirteenth floor and just called the fourteenth

70

O

APRIL 2017

because thirteen is unlucky. I remember being like, ‘It’s still the thirteenth floor. We’re still unlucky.’ And my aunt saying, ‘Stop being such a smartass all the time.

And my dad is a very inspired man, a dreamer, beatnik to the core. I remember him being like, ‘Alynda, you should write a song about growing up way up in the sky in a bird’s nest on the fourteenth floor.’ That’s a great idea. He’s always riffing, says things like ‘ya dig.’ He’s an old jazz musician.

peacefully and they’re harnessing their spiritual power. They’re praying for the earth. It goes back to the idea of leaving the earth in a better position for future generations. It’s also important because we’re denying that we’re human in a lot of ways. Like, I love when they say, ‘You can’t drink money or oil. You can only drink water.’

We gotta recognize we’re human beings and we need clean water. People in Louisiana are in touch with this, too, because of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the wetlands disappearing.

What does your dad play?

He was a music teacher at a public school so he can play a lot. He plays the bass saxophone, the flute and the piano. He plays everything.

When I’d go visit him he’d play the keyboard and I would sing. I’d sing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ ‘You Light Up My Life,’ all these really corny songs. When I was really little I would sing with him. Then in middle school is when I got inward and self-conscious, and very angsty, I was like ‘Ugh, I hate everything.’

But ‘Fourteen Floors’ was where I broke free in the recording process. I did something new and felt like that’s how I want to sound. I like how meditative it is. And I really loved talking about my father’s journey from the island over here. It’s such an immigrant song. That’s why I love it.

You told me before that American landscapes and National Parks made you feel patriotic.

Last fall, you did a PBS-televised concert as part of the Bluegrass Underground series in Tennessee’s Cumberland Caverns. Why are these public spaces important?

As a city kid, it’s where I first experienced nature and realized what all we had. And I grew up with Sesame Street in the city. I don’t know where it is right with cutting funding for public lands and public support for the arts—but isn’t that such a symbol for how they’re trying to make sure that poor people don’t get an education and don’t get an experience in nature? Poor people from all over of all different races. It’s a shame, and we can’t sleep on it. It’s the beginning of a fight and the children deserve it. Our country is so rich, and really? That’s where we’re gonna cut the budget?

I’d like to cut some trips to Mar-a-Lago.

You’ve been a big supporter of the Dakota Sioux at Standing Rock.

Oh, yeah, and what happened recently is a national tragedy. It’s just terrible. The fact that their camps were burned is so symbolic, so much that’s going on is symbolic. Its like, ‘You thought you won. You did not win, and we’re burning it down.’ It’s trying to kill the hope that we all—well, the supporters had. How can anyone who has kids or anyone who wants kids not think this is important? This is our water.

Is it important because it’s about clean water or about the people or about the sovereignty of the tribe?

Everything. It’s symbolic for native people.

It was about the importance of respecting native land and the history of native people in this country. There’s also the spiritual aspect, which is very important to me. These people are thinking about their ancestors. I was inspired for that reason: These people are coming together

How can the musical arts help people of opposing viewpoints come together?

Well, there’s a reason why music is very important to advertisements. Music tugs at our heartstrings. It does something where it causes this memory or this emotion—it brings it up for us and it’s really hard to control. It makes us vulnerable. It makes us care. That’s why they use it.

So music can make even the most guarded person who has the strongest beliefs and is set in their beliefs, it can open their heart a little and make you remember something, feel something, that can make you question these strict guidelines you’ve created. It can help you think past the necessity of destroying these trees because it’s good for business. Hearing music or seeing art can take you out of the matrix, you know, to think about what’s really important in life.

O Hurray for the Riff Raff’s world tour ends on May 5 at the Civic Theatre in New Orleans. www.OFFBEAT.com