New Orleans Brass Bands S/D

The Treme show is bringing new fans to the genre. There were 2400 people at the sold-out Kennedy Center last night for "A Night in Treme." Actor and N'awlins resident Wendell Pierce (who portrays Antoine Batiste on the TV series) hosted and read and improvised a talk about the history of New Orleans music between songs in the first hour of the show-- the concert features the Rebirth Brass Band; Mardi Gras Indian Chief and alto saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr. (Music Director); singer and trumpeter James Andrews; clarinetist Dr. Michael White; and trombonist Big Sam Williams all playing together. At the beginning of the 2nd set Rebirth played themselves for around 40 minutes before the others rejoined them. They did some standards ("I'll Fly Away," etc.) plus Blackstreet's "No Diggety" and more. Harrison's Mardi Gras Indian chants and raps were impressive; Andrews had a good time, Rebirth stretched out, Dr. White got a few solos and Big Sam Williams pulled folks onstage to dance at the end (and then danced himself around the stern irritated looking Kennedy Center ushers who then finally relaxed).

It would be easy to be cynical about the folks there who only sang along to the Treme show theme, but hey if they're now helping the bands via buying $20 to $65 tickets and cds & downloads too, that's good.

Rebirth announced from the stage that they were playing later that night at Bayou, a new New Orleans style restaurant near George Washington U and heading towards Georgetown. I wonder how big a crowd they got--the gig was advertised only on the restaurant's website I think.

So in addition to a Louisiana Rep who spoke at the Treme show the Washington Post gossip column notes that they say Kathleen Sebelius rocking out at the Kennedy Center’s “A Night in Treme” concert Monday night, waving a white handkerchief to cheer the music. The health secretary has been known to hit New Orleans’ annual Jazz Fest

http://offbeat.com/2011/06/15/debate-on-the-sound-ordinance-continues/

For months, a task force has been attempting to revise and amend the existing noise ordinance that prohibits noise over a certain decibel level

This was precipitated by the (almost) arrest of the To Be Continued Brass Band on Canal Street. When the current administration looked at the noise ordinance, the consensus was that it was so old, and amendments had been cobbled on so many times over the years, that much of it was irrelevant and contradictory, and that it would be better to evaluate the current ordinance, and then start from scratch

Hearing TBC one night just off Canal was one of the high points of my last trip to N.O., and I'm sure many random tourists would say something similar about brass bands in Jackson Square or elsewhere. Sure, reevaluate the current ordinances, but in the end remember your city is synonymous with street music, and you gentrify/eliminate that at your peril.

So Marianne Faithful recorded her new album Horses and High Heels in New Orleans with producer Hal Wilner and according to a press sheet, New Orleans musicians (and cameos from Lou Reed, Wayne Kramer and others). But it doesn't identify the New Orleans musicians. Anyone know?

Willner

http://offbeat.com/2011/02/18/youtube-du-jour-marianne-faithful/

Thanks. Dr. Michael White...

Marianne's looking a little like Kitty from "That 70's Show" these days.

http://entimg.msn.com/i/150/Movies/Actors6/debrajorupp_150.jpg

http://www.louisianaweekly.com/ferbos-still-tooting-his-horn-at-age-100/

Trumpeter Uncle Lionel will turn 100 on July 17 and he's still performing.

It seems like he's still going strong

struggling to make $ on Frenchman street op-ed piece

http://offbeat.com/2011/07/07/paying-musicians-on-frenchmen-how-do-we-do-it/

http://bluethroatproductions.com/melodius-thunk/

brass band blog and more

http://offbeat.com/2011/08/01/city-songs-john-swensons-new-atlantis-and-keith-speras-groove-interrupted/

I wonder if the Swenson book is new stuff or just his pieces from Offbeat (including ones on New orleans brass bands)?

the old hot 8 second line recording on that site is great.

so is Derrick Tabb from 5:30 to 5:45, and 8:53 - 9:05: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elzjqgkGoVc

cool.

For those in New Orleans -via Offbeat

Today is Louis Armstrong's birthday, and this weekend celebrates all things "Satchmo."

The Satchmo Club Strut is back tomorrow night. The annual club crawl on and around Frenchmen Street once again features some of the city's top musicians in a one-price-gets-all evening that goes from 6 p.m. until whenever.

There will be music in 17 venues with such artists as Chris Thomas King, Don Vappie, the Soul Rebels, Shamarr Allen, Ellis Marsalis, Charmaine Neville, Wess "Warmdaddy" Anderson, the Free Agents Brass Band, Jason Marsalis, and others, including the "Satchmo of Japan", Yoshio Toyama. Allen Toussaint and Jazzivity, Davell Crawford, Donald Harrison, Jr. and the Treme Brass Band will be featured on the Red Stripe Stage in Jane Alley, a new outdoor venue at 619 Frenchmen.

The event is a benefit for the New Orleans Jazz Celebration, and the schedule is online now at the event's website, where wristbands are on sale for $30,

Hot 8 are the cover story on the August Offbeat that I just got in the snail mail. Haven't checked to see if the story is online.

Rising Tides Conference on New Orleans' future at Xavier U. August 27

Brass Bands Panel - featuring Lawrence Rawlins, band director of Roots of Music; Alejandro de los Rios, producer of the Brass Roots documentary; members of the TBC Brass Band Edward “Juicy” Jackson, Joe Maize and Sean Michael Roberts; moderated by writer Deborah Cotton; followed by a performance by the TBC Brass Band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqb6qdZveRE

RIP Wardell Quezergue, New Orleans arranger of "Mr Big Stuff", "Groove Me," and more

RIP. Obit details his relationship to brass bands

My wife and I are headed to NOLA for the first time Sept. 28-Oct. 4. We're going to try to catch a show the first night at Preservation Hall, where the PH Jazz Band is playing (our flight's due to arrive that night, so it's iffy), and definitely Kermit Ruffins at Vaughan's the following night. Hot 8 is playing Howlin' Wolfs on Sunday. Looks like we'll miss Rebirth, which plays Tuesdays at the Maple Leaf, but we saw them in Providence earlier this year.
Anyone in the know have any other recommendations on cool clubs or bands (brass or otherwise) we should check out? I’ve been looking at club listings nearly every day, but I’m not familiar with most of the bands.

go to the hi-ho lounge on thursday to see the stooges brass band. also there's a second line on sunday, check back here for the route.

also worth going down to bourbon & canal in the evenings to see tbc and some other bands busking.

Non-brass: John Boutte, Saturday 10/1 at DBA in Faubourg Marigny. Great club if you're into craft beers.

See Hot 8 if you can. I also like Chris Thomas King, the Soul Rebels, Shamarr Allen, Charmaine Neville, the Free Agents Brass Band, TBC Brass, Davell Crawford, Donald Harrison, Jr., John Boutté, and the Treme Brass Band.

I wish I was in New Orleans this weekend for the 10th Ponderosa Stomp. It used to take place between weeks of Jazz Fest but they moved it.

Thanks everyone. Didn't know John Boutté was playing Saturday (and I am indeed into craft beers), and that second line sounds great. Would love to see the Treme Brass Band, but I couldn't find them playing anywhere.

you'll probably see uncle lionel pop in and sing a few songs at vaughan's (and whatever other jazz show you go to)

I'm not 100% sure, but it looks like King James and the Special Men still play R&B every Monday night at BJ's Lounge, near Vaughn's. I haven't been, but next time I'm in NOLA it's at the top of my list.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYqnukBWwbo

Wow, they sound great. That's an Archibald tune they're playing. I'll check to see if they're going to be there.

Still in NOLA. Waiting for Hot 8 to go on at Howlin Wolf. Kermit wasn't at Vaughan's Thursday but his band played an amazing set. (Fantastic take on "If I Only Had a Brain.") Saw John Boutte kill the crowd at dba last night. Probably the best "gig" however was at the corner of Canal and Bourbon when an all-star brass band played a long set for donations. Very special. I'll post videos when I get back.

Cool. Sounds like a great time.

Yeah, hearing brass bands busking at Canal/Bourbon is an incredible, only-in-New-Orleans thing. Glad you got to see Boutte, too.

OK, here we go. The band in the first two called themselves the "Bourbon Street All Stars," and the homemade CD we bought didn't provide any more info. Anyone have a clue who these guys are? Their "Sexual Healing" sounds exactly like the Hot 8's arrangement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_RJkP2-Hkg

Love this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCYDX6Bx7KM

Proof that Vaughan's is one of the darkest nightclubs ever. Kermit wasn't there this Thursday; this is Corey Henry on trombone and leading the band. Just a taste.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGB5DvsTv6I

Little "touristy" second line we caught outside our hotel. There was a real second line parade Sunday deep in the Treme, but we couldn't make it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGyFlzxKDSA

Off topic perhaps, but we loved this band (Tuba Skinny) we found busking in front of Rouse's market on Royal Street. Bought their CD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1cWFH8b_8o

Check out the humorous surprise near the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEMKVegDYjk

If anyone wants to see a couple clips of John Boutte, just say the word.

it's a throw-together band, but the trombone players are from tbc, and some of them used to be in a band called da truth brass band, i've played with them a few times. all the bands play each other's arrangements.

what's on the cd, live stuff?

xp

I like that Tuba Skinny stuff -- thanks for the tip.

Jordan we've only taken a quick listen to it so far, but the CD sounds like it's in the studio (or at least a very well-done homemade recording).

they're doing their thing but i can think of a lot of trad bands i'd much rather listen to

xp

maybe when you get back you could send me a track from it? curious if it's something i've heard or not.

I know it's not brass band, but i wouldn't mind seeing a bit of the John Boutte footage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z5MD--JQDs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJg8zo0xiTw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_SSpPf91Jg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN0YbYIdEo4

@Jordan — Sure thing.

they're doing their thing but i can think of a lot of trad bands i'd much rather listen to

Jordan, I think we've had a similar conversation about the young, white, sort-of-hipster, carpetbagger bands like Loose Marbles. I know stuff that veers toward Squirrel Nut Zipper-dom is more up my alley than yours. Is there anyone you like/would recommend? (Like, these guys covered a Pee Wee King song, which is completely UNtraditional but I loved it -- or is your trad preference all strictly traditional?)

Sorry, I know this is not brass band related at all...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpfXVmFVAjY