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Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Upcoming: Sullivan Hall NolaFunk Shows
Visitors’ Center Planned for Louis Armstrong House and Museum
Blueprints and design have just been completed for a visitors’ center dedicated to the life and artifacts of Louis Armstrong, according to Michael Cogswell, director of the Armstrong House and Museum, in Corona, Queens. The center will take a year and a half to build, and will sit across the street from the three-story brick house on 107th Street, which has been open to the public since 2003.
It will contain Armstrong’s copious collection of personal artifacts, which for reasons of space and preservation has mostly been housed at the Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library at Queens College, several miles away. The collection includes 20 linear feet of letters and papers (Armstrong was an enthusiastic correspondent, even with fans he’d never met), trumpets, photographs and scrapbooks, more than 700 reel-to-reel tapes whose boxes he decorated with colorful collages and a chunk of the banister from the Colored Waifs’ Home for Boys in New Orleans, where he lived in 1913 and 1914. Since last Wednesday, much of the astonishing material has been viewable at the Museum’s Web site, louisarmstronghouse.org.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
A year in review: Great 2010 [New Orleans] CDs
New Orleans musical family dynasties put out and made out in the CD department in 2010. Most of the top albums this year, all of which make for excellent gift-giving opportunities, were released by members of the (in alphabetical order) Andrews, Harrison, Neville and Marsalis families. Other contenders for this year best releases come from the likes of Dr. John and Kermit Ruffins, who one could argue, are dynasties unto themselves. This makes a strong statement about the longevity and continuance that is at the heart of the New Orleans music tradition. While new styles might dominate or often come and go in other locales, in this city they are more apt to be absorbed and become a new aspect of the heritage. For example, many local hip-hop artists do embrace some of the rhythms and nuances of the music that surrounded them in their childhoods. And, of course, brass bands in particular turn to rap for a modern sound as do funksters and even jazz artists. That brings us to Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews. The trombonist/trumpeter-/vocalist, who is related to a long line of musicians including his brother, trumpeter James Andrews, grandfather, vocalist Jessie Hill (of “Ooh Poo Pah Doo” fame) and a myriad of cousins, boasts a Grammy nomination for his excellent album, Backatown (Verve), in the Best Contemporary Jazz Album category. It also stands at the number 10 position on Billboard magazine’s Jazz Chart. While some may question whether the music on the disc represents modern jazz – the material mainly digs into funk, R&B and rock realms – his improvisation and technical abilities speak of his jazz background. “It’s in me and I think it’s all over the album,” Andrews explained in an interview earlier this year. “On most of my solos you can hear my jazz training. I just took a different approach.” The blending of styles, musicianship and some killer tunes such as Allen Toussaint’s “On Your Way Down” and the unique “Something Beautiful” make Backatown a CD for all ages. Trombone Shorty and his kicking band Orleans Avenue perform at the House of Blues on Christmas night. Mac Rebennack, aka Dr. John, also had a great year. The pianist and vocalist will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at a ceremony to be held on March 14, 2011 at New York’s Waldorf Astoria. He is, remarkably, only the third New Orleans musician to be inducted into the institution in the “performer” category with Fats Domino and Lloyd Price making the grade in previous years. Dr. John is also nominated for a Grammy for his 2010 album Tribal, a disc that encompasses the pianist and vocalists many sides. It's at once retro, in that it musically reflects back to his classic album Gris-Gris, voices his take on social issues, holds a certain spirituality – “The tribal plan is for every man” – then gets funky and hits on some old-school New Orleans R&B. Tribal, which was recorded with Rebennack’s working group, the New Orleans-heavy Lower 911, stands as another release that can be enjoyed by, as the “The Christmas Song” says, “kids from one to 92.” Kermit Ruffins’ album, Happy Talk, hit Billboard’s Jazz Chart immediately upon its release in late October 2010. The disc, for which the trumpeter and vocalist assembled an ace band including drummer Herlin Riley and guests such as clarinetist Michael White, finds Ruffins backed and swinging with a big band on six cuts. The album lives up to its name though one might wish for another go-round of the again timely “A Saints Christmas” – “All I want for Christmas is the Saints in the Super Bowl...” – from last year’s release, Have a Crazy Cool Christmas. It’s interesting to consider when or if a father and son have each released an outstanding album in the same year – or, perhaps, even in the same era – as have Aaron and Ivan Neville. Aaron’s CD, I Know I’ve Been Changed, which reached number 18 on Billboard's Gospel Chart and is climbing, finds the heavenly vocalist backed minimally by a tasty combo that includes pianist Allen Toussaint. Meanwhile, his son, organist/vocalist Ivan, also surrounded himself with great, simpatico musicians – including his cousin, guitarist Ian Neville (Art Neville’s son), bassists/vocalists Tony Hall and Nick Daniels and drummer Raymond Weber. With Ivan at the helm, they are Dumpstaphunk and the album is Everybody Want Sum, which, as reviewed, “funks from top to bottom.” Since the mid-1980s, it's been rare that the Marsalis name hasn’t appeared on a year-end, “best of” list. For only the second time, all of the musicians in the family – patriarch/pianist Ellis, saxophonist Branford, trumpeter Wynton, trombonist Delfeayo and drummer/vibraphonist Jason played together for a performance that was captured live. The event took place at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center and resulted in the fine album Music Redeems. Logically, it was released on Branford’s label, Marsalis Music. Its strength stems from outstanding musicians playing solid material and performed with a mutual admiration for each other and jazz music. Also, in 2010, and for the first time in the 29-year history of the National Endowment for the Arts, the prestigious institution named not an individual artist but all four of the musical Marsalises as its Jazz Masters. Saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr., the son of Big Chief Donald Harrison Sr. of the Guardians of the Flame Mardi Gras Indian gang, grew up with the sound of tambourines ringing. His father was also an avid and knowledgeable jazz fan. On the saxophonist’s 2010 release, Quantum Time, Harrison, who mentored his now highly acclaimed younger cousin, trumpeter Christian Scott, embraces his musical experience and the music’s past, present and future. As is realized on these albums, New Orleans musical families remain at the core of this city’s spirited sound. Then again, it isn’t absolutely necessary to have music in one’s bloodlines, just having it in your soul works too. |
Sunday, December 19, 2010
In Pictures: Papa Grows Funk @ Sullivan Hall
Papa Grows Funk - Sullivan Hall, NYC 12/17/10
Papa Grows Funk - Sullivan Hall, NYC 12/17/10
Kirk Joseph - Sullivan Hall, NYC 12/17/10
Friday, December 17, 2010
Jon Cleary: Interview With a Great New Orleans Piano Player
Jon Cleary is a pianist/keyboardist based in New Orleans. Originally from England, Cleary developed an early passion for New Orleans music. He has backed up many NOLA legends including Ernie K-Doe and Snooks Eaglin . He has also been a member of Bonnie Raitt’s band. He also leads his own band, Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen. He’s also very busy.
Jon Cleary onstage doing what he does best. (Photo Credit: JonCleary.com)
Listen to the full interview here.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Dr. John a deserving Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
By Keith Spera, The Times-Picayune
He’s in the right place, at the right time. Mac “Dr. John” Rebennack, an icon of New Orleans music in all its permutations for five decades, is among the 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.
Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack is bound for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He’ll be inducted in the Hall of Fame’s performer category alongside Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits and Darlene Love at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on March 14.
With his induction, Malcolm “Mac” John Rebennack Jr. joins a relatively short and prestigious list of New Orleans honorees. He is only the third New Orleans-area inductee in the main “performer” category. Fats Domino was included in the Hall of Fame’s inaugural class of 1986. The only other local “performer” to be inducted is Lloyd Price, who is technically a native of Kenner.
Dave Bartholomew, Domino’s producer and co-writer, was inducted as a non-performer, as was producer, songwriter and pianist Allen Toussaint.
Prolific drummer Earl Palmer was honored in 2000 as a sideman. Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Professor Longhair and Jelly Roll Morton are all enshrined in the Hall of Fame as “early influences.”
One of two 2011 inductees in the non-performer category also has ties to New Orleans. Art Rupe founded Specialty Records in Los Angeles in the 1940s. He tapped into the deep talent pool in New Orleans by releasing Lloyd Price’s “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” and Guitar Slim’s “The Things You Used to Do,” as well as classic singles by Little Richard.
Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman will also be inducted as a non-performer. Pianist, singer and songwriter Leon Russell, currently enjoying a revival thanks to his hit collaboration with Elton John, “The Union,” will receive the Award for Musical Excellence (previously the sidemen category).
Artists are eligible for inclusion 25 years after the release of their first recording. This year’s inductees were chosen from a larger pool of nominees that included Bon Jovi, the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, the J. Geils Band and Chic. More than 500 members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation voted on the inductees; voters included Keith Richards and B.B. King.
Rebennack has enjoyed a long and colorful life in New Orleans music. As a teenager, he haunted New Orleans recording studios, contributing to sessions on guitar and eventually producing records and writing songs. A gunshot wound to a finger hastened his switch to piano as his primary instrument.
In the 1960s in Los Angeles, he developed his Dr. John the Night Tripper character with expatriate producer and songwriter Harold Battiste. Dr. John borrowed equally from voodoo imagery and psychedelic rock. “Gris-Gris,” his debut as Dr. John, is considered a classic New Orleans album.
He sang his hit “Such a Night” as part of The Band’s legendary Last Waltz concert. Allen Toussaint produced Rebennack’s “Right Place, Wrong Time,” which featured the Meters as his backing band.
He continued to intermingle funk, his take on New Orleans rhythm & blues standards, and solo piano excursions. Along the way he battled a years-long heroin addiction and developed his own peculiar “fonkified” variation on the English language. He blurs lines between musical genres as well as races.
In 1992, he assembled an all-star cast to record “Goin’ Back to New Orleans,” a primer on the history of New Orleans music that is one of the most satisfying local releases of the past 20 years. His solo piano recordings are also justifiably acclaimed.
At age 70, he remains extremely active despite a number of health issues in recent years. He and his formidable band, the Lower 9-11, maintain a busy performance schedule around the world; they’ll log two nights at Tipitina’s on Dec. 29-30.
He released his latest CD, “Tribal,” this year. He also sings “Down in New Orleans,” the opening song on the soundtrack of “The Princess and the Frog,” the Disney animated film set in jazz era New Orleans.
Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack speaks out against BP at a rally in New Orleans' Jackson Square on May 30, 2010.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Rebennack emerged as an outspoken, at times angry, advocate of the city and a critic of what he perceived as the shabby official response to the disaster. His 2008 CD “The City That Care Forgot” dealt directly with that subject.
More recently, he has criticized BP for its response to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and worked to keep the lingering effects of the spill in the news.
Eventually all inductees are represented at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. The March 14 induction ceremony will be broadcast from New York on the Fuse network.
As Rebennack, Russell and Waits all know their way around a keyboard, look for the piano to take center stage in the culminating jam. And with Rebennack in the house, it'll be fonky.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Upcoming: 3rd Annual Export NOLA @ Sullivan Hall / Bitter End
3rd Annual Export NOLA feat. Joe Krown Trio: Joe Krown, Walter "Wolfman" Washington & Russell Batiste, Jr., The Iguanas, Tin Men, Amanda Shaw, Grayson Capps & many more!
We are pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Export NOLA: Experience the Music of New Orleans. The shows will take place at Sullivan Hall and The Bitter End on Friday January 7 and Sullivan Hall Saturday January 9.Friday January 7th
3rd Annual Export NOLA : Experience New Orleans Music
At Sullivan Hall & The Bitter End
(1 pass good for both venues!)
Joe Krown Trio: Joe Krown, Walter "Wolfman" Washington and Russell Batiste
Honey Island Swamp Band
Grayson Capps
Mia Borders
The Iguanas
Jamie McLean Band
Sasha Masakowski & Musical Playground
Tin Men
Khris Royal's Crescent Jam
$20 Advance/ $25 Door (1 pass good for both venues)
Sunday January 9th3rd Annual Export NOLA : Experience New Orleans Music
(at Sullivan Hall)
Henry Butler
MoBettaBrown & Soul'd U Out: featuring Maurice Brown
Rosie Ledet
Mia Borders
Sasha Masakowski & Musical Playground
Luke Winslow-King
Monday, December 13, 2010
Upcoming: Papa Grows Funk @ Sullivan Hall this Friday
CEG Presents
with special guests Urban Sun & (friends of NolaFunk) Easy Over
Friday, Dec 17, 2010 9:00
Sullivan Hall
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Kermit Ruffins Drives the Streets of New Orleans, appearing on Jimmy Fallon
Kermit Ruffins takes a drive through the streets of New Orleans in a Lexus on his way to his regular Thursday night gig at Vaughan's. Watch out! Pick up his latest CDs, Happy Talk (currently #5 on the Billboard Jazz Chart) and Have A Crazy Cool Christmas (featuring the original hit, A Saints Christmas).
Also, check out Kermit on Jimmy Fallon tonight (i.e. Tuesday)!
The Vinyl Word: Memories of the Mother In Law Lounge
The chance of seeing Ernie K-Doe at Jazzfest was a prime reason for me going to New Orleans for the first time in 1989, and in subsequent years up to his death in 2001. I went to the Lounge several times and it's sad that it is shutting down. It was a shrine to Ernie, with dozens of rather tacky K-Doe souvenirs, historic photos and his life sized mannequin taking pride of place. Under Antoinette K-Doe's energetic management it became quite a trendy night spot for a while, but once she died the end of the Lounge was an inevitability. I'm glad I and other Woodies made a pilgrimage there during out Stompin' trip in the spring.
In homage to Ernie and the Mother In law Lounge, here are some of the K-Doe related photos I've taken over the years. First, here's K-Doe in typical slightly dishevelled pose at Jazzfest in 1989.
