Jazz’s Historical Agenda as Protest Music in the Stellar ‘Brassroots Democracy’
The excellent Brassroots Democracy details the beautiful and bleak ways that jazz music created the soundtrack of an emancipatory movement that lasts to this day.
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Dr. John’s ‘The Montreux Years’ Highlights His Very Best
The 14 performances recorded over 26 years at the Montreux Jazz Festival capture New Orleans’ Mac “Dr. John” Rebennack at the peak of his powers.
Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans
The forthcoming documentary film, Take Me to the River: New Orleans, celebrates the Crescent City’s rich musical history and influence.
Will Porter Hears the Clock ‘Tick Tock Tick’
Will Porter possesses a deep, gritty baritone voice, and he sings the blues with the sound of one who understands that sooner or later, everything passes.
A Look Back at the Troubled Sessions for James Booker’s Final Album, ‘Classified’
Producer Scott Billington remembers capturing New Orleans piano legend James Booker's final, troubled days as a performer."One night he might wander around the club, staring at the ceiling, or he might get up and imitate Woody Woodpecker."
12 Essential Performances from New Orleans’ Piano “Professors”
New Orleans music is renowned for its piano players. Here's a dozen jams from great Crescent City keyboardists, past and present, and a little something extra.
Delfeayo Marsalis Makes a Joyful Noise on ‘Jazz Party’
Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis takes the sound of an all-night throwdown in the French Quarter worldwide with help from his mighty Uptown Jazz Orchestra.
Lakou Mizik Build Bridges Across a Region in Diaspora with the Stunning ‘HaitiaNola’
Haitian group Lakou Mizik team up with a slew of prominent New Orleans artists to bring together these two geographic points in brilliant chorus on HaitiaNola.
Feelin’ Right Saturday Night: The Ric & Ron Anthology
This excellent single-CD anthology celebrates the short-lived but important Ric and Ron Records, whose early 1960s releases captured the bubbling stew of street blues, jazz, and soul that would coalesce into the commercial pop sounds that identify New Orleans' diverse yet distinct music today.
Alynda Segarra & The Special Men Issue “Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over” (premiere + interview)
King James (Jimmy Horn) taps Hurray for the Riff Raff leader Alynda Segarra for soulful new single "Don't Tell Me That It's Over".
Dharmasoul Sparks With ‘Lightning Kid’ (album stream)
New Jersey duo Dharmasoul makes its musical and spiritual home in New Orleans as evidenced on soulful LP Lightning Kid.
Camp, Satire, and Serious Artistry in Carnival Krewsing
Gay carnival culture in New Orleans offers an interesting parallel to African American culture, observes Unveiling the Muse.