Happy Birthday, Wynton Marsalis! 10/18

Trumpeter, composer and teacher Wynton Marsalis was born in New Orleans on October 18, 1961, into a family of musical royalty. He is the son of jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr., and brother of saxophonist Branford, trombonist Delfeayo, and drummer Jason. While sitting at a table with trumpeters Al Hirt, Miles Davis, and Clark Terry, his father jokingly suggested that he might as well get Wynton a trumpet, too. Hirt volunteered to give him one, so at the age of six Marsalis received his first trumpet. Since that time, he has been awarded nine Grammy Awards and was the first jazz composition to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music. In addition, Marsalis is the only musician to win a Grammy Award in jazz and classical during the same year. The artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, he also promotes classical and jazz music, often to young audiences. Happy Birthday to one of the all time greats!

Eric Delmar - Given with permission from author

Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival - 10/18-20/2019

The Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival is an award-winning event, with two stages of music, a dozen of the best barbecue vendors in the region and a huge arts market. The 14th edition of this community celebration of Southern soul is bound to be one for the record books. Admission is free! This is, after all, an event produced and presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation – the nonprofit that owns Jazz Fest and uses the proceeds from that world-famous festival for free, year-round programs in education, economic development and cultural enrichment.

Houma guitar hero Tab Benoit, the legacy-continuing Allman-Betts Band, R&B “swing” singer Tucka, slide guitar maestro Sonny Landreth, soul belter Erica Falls, harmonica ace Johnny Sansone, guitar shredder Jonathon Boogie Long, gospel legends the Zion Harmonizers and New Orleans blues favorite Little Freddie King are just a few of the great artists who will perform. Don’t miss it!

Rebirth Brass Band at Bootleg Theater on 10/19/19

Rebirth Brass Band has come a long way since playing together in Joseph S. Clark Senior High School’s marching band in New Orleans’ Tremé neighborhood, and since the the group was founded in 1983. Along the way, Rebirth has captivated audiences around the country and around the world, and won the Grammy for Best Regional Roots Music Album in 2012. Rebirth is known for combining traditional New Orleans brass band music, including the New Orleans tradition of second line, with funk, jazz, soul and hip hop. If you fe!el like funkin’ it up, Rebirth comes to party!

Hot 8 Brass Band at the Bootleg Theater on 10/16/19

As New Orleans musical scholar and legend Dr. Michael White put it, the Hot 8 Brass Band has been one of the most popular and visible funk-style brass bands in community parades and funerals for over 20 years. The Hot 8’s funk style is a blend of influences from the Dirty Dozen and Rebirth, with more elements of contemporary r&b, rap, and its local variation, “bounce.” Their sound is unique, creative and original.

Tank and the Bangas at The Fonda Theatre on 10/3

New Orleans’ own Tank and the Bangas fuses funk, soul, hip hop, rock and spoken word. Described by NPR as “serious fun”, they are a force of nature! Catch them at The Fonda!

Photo by Nick Amoscato at https://flickr.com/photos/91374488@N07/36201862266

Marc Broussard at the Troubadour on 10/3/2019

Marc Broussard is a singer-songwriter from Carencro, Louisiana, whose "Bayou Soul" a mix of funk, blues, R&B, rock, and pop, matched with distinct Southern roots. Marc has an impressive musical pedigree, having released eight studio albums, one live album, three EPs, and has charted twice on Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks.

Marc Broussard, from Home (The Dockside Sessions)