NolaFunk Lagniappe

Check out this Q&A with the world's funkiest bass player, George Porter, Jr.

"Porter Batiste Stoltz that band is fun [he stretches the word out and accentuates the u]. It’s not rehearsed. We don’t rehearse, we do things off the cuff and it don’t happen right we just laugh about it. I think that it’s fun in that way. You know, we take the music serious, weren’t not a comedic act, but sometimes shit be funny and you gotta laugh about it. Music is meant to be enjoyed."

Primetime NolaFunk: "New Orleans Stars Headline NBA All-Star Performance". There's some details on the Basin Street Records BLOG.

Harry Connick Jr. will join Grammy Award-winning jazz and classical saxophonist Branford Marsalis to headline an extraordinary lineup of New Orleans-themed musical performances featuring some of the biggest names in the Bayou including Jonathan Batiste, Marc Broussard and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Davell Crawford, Jonathan Dubose, Dr. John, Stephanie Jordan, Ellis Marsalis, Art Neville, Ivan Neville, Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, Amanda Shaw, Trombone Shorty and Allen Toussaint at NBA All-Star 2008 in New Orleans.

On Sunday, Feb. 17, Connick and Marsalis will take to the court for the 57th NBA All-Star Game at the New Orleans Arena. The Louisiana-born musicians collaborated on the evening’s performance lineup creating a unique musical set that will not only give fans a taste of New Orleans jazz, funk and blues, but will also celebrate the rebirth of their beloved hometown in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The performances will air live on TNT, Score Canada, ESPN Radio, and in 215 countries and territories beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT/8:30 p.m. ET.

Here's a postgame wrapup: New Orleans pianos rule during halftime show

NBA Gives Love to New Orleans Musical Talent

"Big props to the NBA's All-Star Game, held this weekend at the New Orleans Arena and televised live on TNT, for giving SO MUCH national exposure to so many top-rank Crescent City musicians."

Fats Domino: Rock & Roll Royalty Revisited


"The man the musicians themselves look to as the architect of rock sounds is, perhaps, most telling. “Elvis called Fats the ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.’ Bob Marley said reggae started with Fats Domino.”

"CD SERIES SPOTLIGHTS PRESERVATION HALL JAZZMEN"

"I have felt for a long time that so many artists and bands in New Orleans are hidden to the wider world, some of them within the Preservation Hall band. And, in the post-Katrina environment, the opportunity to make a recording is even less present. So I'm trying to leverage the band name and to create those opportunities. And not all of these will be recordings of New Orleans jazz."

Check out "Riverboat Jazz", an online exhibit from Tulane University's Hogan Jazz Archive

Here's some cool photos of Mardi Gras Indians on Fat Tuesday outside Tootie Montana's house. Here's some more cool photos.

Check out Jazzfest Archives, an online art exhibit dedicated to sharing the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival experience through the photography of Dino Perrucci.

Primetime NolaFunk: Clint Maedgen & the Preservation Hall Jazz Band performed the National Anthem before last night's B.C.S. Championship Game

First, here's a portion of the pre-performance Q&A with Clint from the nola.com blog (Read the Full Interview HERE):

Let's start with the BCS Bowl. Pardon my cynicism, but producers of shows like this usually give us some bad fit like a country star or some anorexic dregs from "American Idol." How did you get this gig?

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band got the call this year. I have been the guest vocalist for the band for the last three years, and it looks like I am getting the microphone for this one. As always, I am absolutely honored to be performing with these gentlemen.

So, do you know all the words?

Yes! I have been singing it 20 times a day since I got the call.

Are you going to go all Mariah on us or stick to the traditional arrangement?

Traditional is best. Of course, I'll sink my teeth into it a bit. There are some outlandish versions out there; it is a YouTube gold mine. Carl Lewis comes to mind.

Now, for the Main Event:



Here's some Clint Lagniappe:

Filmed in mid-2005, this is a glimpse into life on the French Quarter's lower Decatur Street before Hurricane Katrina. Originally written by Ray Davies of the Kinks, this track is performed by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band featuring Clint Maedgen on vocals with a guest appearance by the New Orleans Bingo! Show in the video:

More Clint HERE.

New Orleans Bingo! Show HERE.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band HERE

Check out the Preservation Hall blog HERE.

(Pictured right: a pic of me and a friend with the Bingo! krewe at the 2006 Bonnaroo Fest)