Happy Birthday, Lil Wayne! 9/27

Rapper, singer, songwriter, record executive, entrepreneur and actor Lil Wayne (DeWayne Michael Carter, Jr) was born on September 27, 1982, in New Orleans. He was discovered in 1995 at age 12, and was part of several groups, and he released his debut solo album in 1999, which was certified platinum. His popularity grew and he gained prominence, with albums being certified gold, and culminating in a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2008. Lil Wayne’s success continued but was interrupted by an 8-month jail sentence in New York due to a 2007 weapon possession incident. His 8th studio album was released during his incarceration in 2010, and another was released following his release from jail. In September 2012, Lil Wayne became the first male artist to achieve 109 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, surpassing Elvis Presley. Lil Wayne has sold over 15 million albums in the United States, and more than 120 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He is also the CEO of his own label, Young Money Entertainment.

By Megan Elice Meadows - IMG_0534, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54753000

Happy Birthday, Nicholas Payton! 9/26

Trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Nicholas Payton was born in New Orleans on September 26, 1973, to bassist and sousaphonist Walter Payton. He started playing trumpet at 4, and was sitting in with his dad and the Young Tuxedo Brass Band by 9. His first professional job was at 10 with James Andrews’ All-Star Brass, and he got his first steady gig with Danny Barker! Payton’s musical journey is impressive and storied, including a Grammy at age 25 for his collaboration with Doc Cheatham, as well as composing, arranging, performing and recording with his own groups, as well as his full orchestral work The Black American Symphony in 2012. He has also collaborated with notable artists including Ray Charles, Dr John, Herbie Hancock, Zigaboo Modeliste, Jill Scott, Allen Toussaint, Nancy Wilson, and Dr. Michael White. Payton formed his own record label, BMF Records, in 2013, and has written on a multitude of provocative subjects that have sparked great interest and debate. Happy birthday to a true virtuoso!

By Infrogmation - Photo by Infrogmation, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2063666

Celebrating the Birthday of Eddie Bo - 9/20

Singer, pianist and songwriter Eddie Bo (Edwin Joseph Bocage) was born on September 20, 1929, in New Orleans, and grew up in Algiers and the Ninth Ward. Eddie, who was trained in jazz, was known for his blues, soul and funk recordings, and released more single records than anyone else in New Orleans other than Fats Domino. Eddie won two Lifetime Achievement awards from the South Louisiana Music Association and Music/Offbeat Best of the Beat. He was a veteran of the New Orleans music scene who has been sorely missed since his passing on March 18, 2009.

By Masahiro Sumori - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2066510

The Revivalists at the Greek Theatre on 9/27/19

The Revivalists have been bringing their unique brand of rock, R&B, soul, country, and funk since they formed in 2007 in New Orleans. If you’re not yet one of the Revivalists faithful, be prepared for conversion when you see them at the Greek on September 27th! Hallelujah!

Photo: Travis Shinn

Happy Birthday, Harry Connick, Jr!

Harry (Joseph Harry Fowler) Connick Jr. was born on September 11, 1967, in New Orleans. Connick is a Grammy and Emmy-award winning American singer, composer, actor, and television host. He has sold over 28 million albums worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the United States. He has had seven top 20 US albums, and ten number-one US jazz albums, earning more number-one albums than any other artist in US jazz chart history. Happy Birthday, Harry!

By bg_nh2014 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42602732

Maggie Koerner at the Bootleg Theater on 9/12/19

Maggie Koerner describes herself as a Shreveport bred, New Orleans fed singer, songwriter & touring woman who enjoys good coffee and long walks with Tom (the tour dog). She is that and much, much more. She is a rare talent whose stage presence is only surpassed by her musicianship and powerful vocals. Even if Tom the tour dog isn’t with you, I recommend taking a long walk and listening to her recent release “If I Die”, or her EP “Dig Down Deep”, or her LP’s “Neutral Ground” and “Quarter Life”, or her work on Galactic’s “Dolla Diva”. Better yet, listen to them all while enjoying some good coffee. Just be sure not to miss Maggie at the Bootleg Theater!

Maggie Koerner, taken from “Quarter Life”