Words & Images by: Jeffrey Dupuis
Tipitina's 31st Anniversary
Midnite Disturbers, 504 Brass Band, Johnny Sketch, Good Enough for Good Times
Ivan Neville & Friends, Billy Iuso and Restless Natives, Groovesect, PBS
01.14 - 01.17 :: New Orleans, LA
 Fess |
Founded in 1977 as a neighborhood juke joint,
Tipitina's recently celebrated its 31st anniversary. Founded by fourteen young music fans (
The Fabulous Fo'teen) as a place for
Professor Longhair to play in his later years, Tipitina's has grown to be the crowing jewel of the
Tipitina's Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and nurturing the musical heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana. A veritable who's who of American music has graced the stage, which continues to support up-and-coming musicians and well-established acts alike.
Ed Ingraffia, who booked the anniversary series and acts as the Foundation's technology advisor explains, "What we wanted to do with our anniversary celebration this year was to present a comprehensive lineup of musical styles that represent the legacy and future of Tipitina's, as well as to showcase the musicians who contribute to the continuing mission of the Tipitina's Foundation in so many ways. Musicians such as Stanton Moore and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews - both of whom have learned from their predecessors and now teach those of the next generation through programs at Tipitina's - are prime examples how the music traditions of New Orleans are passed down and cultivated into the next chapter of our city's cultural history. Through programs such as the Tipitina's Internship Program, Sunday Music Workshop and Music Office Co-operatives, our Foundation strives to foster these traditions, and be instrumental in the development and promotion of Louisiana music within both our local community and around the world."
Leading the celebration were The 504 Brass Band, Midnite Disturbers, Good Enough for Good Times, Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes, Billy Iuso & the Restless Natives, Ivan Neville and Friends (Ian Neville, Tony Hall, Raymond Weber, Walter 'Wolfman' Washington), Groovesect and Porter Batiste Stoltz.
Quotes:
 Ivan Neville :: 01.16 :: Tip's |
George Porter Jr."I've been playing this room since it became Tipitina's. The Meters and Professor Longhair were the first bands to play here. It's nice to be here, and it's always been good to me."
Ivan Neville, Dumpstaphunk, Neville Brothers
"Tip's to me is home. It's the training ground where I learned, listening and playing. If there was ever a music venue that was home, this is it, period."
Stanton Moore
"To me, Tipitina's is the temple of New Orleans music. It's where all the great people before us, and hopefully after us, have played. Growing up I always wanted to be good enough to be playing here. I feel honored to play here - it always feels like it's important, and important to play your best here."
Walter 'Wolfman' Washington
"Tipitina's has been a landmark after the Dew Drop Inn. When Fess was playing here, a lot of cats would get off of work and come here for the late night hours. Everybody came through here and jammed. It's been a home base for all us cats who have been around a while."
Kevin O'Day, Midnite Disturbers
"Tipitina's means the whole history of New Orleans music put into one place. The first time I walked on the stage, all the history and all the music that had been played on the stage hit me. It really blew my mind. From that point on, every time I've played here has been the bomb!"
Bob Compton, photographer
"Tipitina's is the center of the musical universe. I was here late one night and my friend asked if I wanted a ride home, and I looked at him and said, 'I am home.'"
 Trombone Shorty :: 01.14 :: Tip's |
Mark Mullins, Bonerama"Tipitina's means you better put your best stuff on. Ever since I was a kid, I thought it would be an honor to play at Tip's. Tip's is its own special, unique place. You can't explain it, you have to visit and experience it."
Skerik, madman
"Tipitina's means everything to me. It is the epicenter - the center of the entire universe."
Kirk Joseph, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Backyard Groove
"Tipitina's is the old school, all night, funk and fun. A treasure of New Orleans we need to preserve."
Andre Bohren, Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes
"The first time I was at Tip's I was about four-months-old. One of the most exciting moments of my life was when I first played Tip's. For me, there's no other place I'd rather play in the world."
Marc Paradis, Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes
"Playing Tipitina's for the first time was the biggest moment in my career up to that point, because you know what kind of sweat is soaked into the stage, who has played here, what kind of amazing events have occurred here - it's a tangible thing and you can sense that some real magic has happened here. It's hallowed ground. It's the hippest place to play. You feel like you're doing well when you can play a gig at Tip's."
Joe Ashlar, Good Enough for Good Times
"Before I moved to New Orleans, I flew down and played a gig at Tip's, and that was one of my favorite shows I had ever played. I decided to move here after that and call New Orleans home now.
Simon Lott, Good Enough for Good Times
"I love playing at Tip's. It's ecstasy - it's wonderful. I love this place."
 Jeff Coffin :: 01.14 :: Tip's |
Jeff Raines, Galactic"If I could call a club my home, this would be it."
Andre Mouton, Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes
"Tip's gives people the opportunity to make music."
Johnny Rico, Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes
"Tip's means not full penetration - just the Tip."
Bust Gnutt, Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes
"I grew up in NOLA, and Tip's has always been the club - the venue. It's an icon, a great place to play. People come here and expect something good, expect you to deliver."
Billy Iuso, Restless Natives
"Tipitina's is always a good gig, good vibes and happy people. It's an important place in the music world. I hope it lasts a long time."
Ian Neville, Dumpstaphunk, Funky Meters
"Tipitina's has been a musical backyard. I remember coming in here since I was barely able to walk, reading stuff on the dressing room walls when I shouldn't have been reading it - enlightening stuff, you know. The list of people I've seen in here is the list that has helped me grow."
Jeff Coffin, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Mu'tet, Dave Matthews Band
"It's a real community of musicians. Everybody is playing and supporting everyone else. In a word, community - it's a beautiful thing."
Raymond Webber, Dumpstaphunk
"Tip's is very special to me and was one of my first gigs. It's a great institution and I hope we keep it going."
Brian Stoltz, Porter-Batiste- Stoltz
"Tipitina's is the place."
Erica Goldring, photographer
"Tipitina's is the heart of Uptown, where we grew up. It's my stomping ground. I keep coming back."
Danny Able, Groovesect
"My first real music experience in New Orleans was at Tipitina's. It was unlike anything I had experienced before. Tipitina's is what New Orleans is - the epitome of the New Orleans vibe. It's the center of the vortex - people get sucked in here."
He cut his teeth at age 4 playing with legends like Bo Diddley. At 19, he toured with Lenny Kravitz. 
RM: Hmmmm...I felt like Stanton this weekend. (Laughs) I had three gigs this Saturday, after playing a late night at Tips the night before. I had multiple rehearsals, a gig Thursday, a gig Friday, a gig last night. I will be inducted into the walk of fame at Tips tonight. (It was Monday in between Jazz Fest Weekends when we did this interview, and Galactic was given that honor by Tips as part of the Instruments a Comin' benefit).
