Happy Birthday, Tom McDermott!

Pianist and composer Tom McDermott was born on September 24, 1957, in St. Louis, Missouri. He began studying piano at age seven, became a professional musician at 16, received a Master of Music degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1982, and wrote about music for the morning paper. In 1984, inspired by his love of James Booker, Professor Longhair and Dr. John, he moved to New Orleans and became known for playing its styles of music, especially traditional jazz and New Orleans R&B. He was in the group "Dukes of Dixieland" through much of the 1990s, and in 1994 he co-founded and wrote arrangements for the innovative brass band the New Orleans Nightcrawlers, which took him to Europe, Asia, South America and all over the States.

He has released 17 CDs as a leader, which include 85 original tunes, and is known for his eclecticism, including a great love of Brazilian music. Since 2001, he has devoted much time traveling there to study and record choro music. In addition to Brazil, McDermott has visited all 50 states and six continents, and is a travel writer in addition to being a music journalist. In 2017, “Five Lines, No Waiting,” a book of his limericks and drawings, was published by Sagging Meniscus Press. Today let’s celebrate the birthday of this multi-talented New Orleanian. Happy Birthday, Tom!

Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans

Beignet Fest at City Park on September 23!

How sweet it is! Another year, another Beignet Fest at the Festival Grounds at New Orleans City Park. So, bring your appetite and fill up on delicious, decadent delicacies from traditional sweet treats covered in powdered sugar to savory options bursting with seafood, cheese and more.

In addition to the dozens of different beignet dishes from some of New Orleans' best restaurants, caterers, and food trucks, the fest promises to be a family-friendly fun day with live, local music performances, a Kid's Village, Artist Market, and Beer Garden.

Proceeds from Beignet Fest benefit the Beignet Fest Foundation.

Celebrating the Birthday of Henry Butler

Jazz and Blues pianist Henry Butler was born in New Orleans on September 21, 1948. Blinded by glaucoma at birth, at five years old he entered the Louisiana State School for the Blind. There was no piano in his home, so he memorized piano melodies until he found a piano to play. Butler was performing regularly by age 16, attending school during the day and playing, arranging and composing for the groups he played with at night. Butler not only played piano, he also learned drums and saxophone, and was successful both as a soloist and in groups in Los Angeles and New York City. A true Renaissance man, Butler earned a college degree and graduate degree and taught at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts. Sadly, Henry passed away on July 2, 2018, but his music lives on.

By Dezz - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45049229

Celebrating the Birthday of Eddie Bo

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

Arrrr! It's International Talk Like A Pirate Day!

Ahoy! Avast me hearties and landlubbers alike, ‘tis a day to hoist yer Jolly Roger, and celebrate with yer favorite grog ‘til ye are three sheets to the wind! Or, at least to talk like you would do all those things! Since 2002, International Talk Like A Pirate Day has been enjoyed by Seadogs and Scurvy Dogs around the world!

Happy Birthday, Johnny Vidacovich!

Jazz drummer John Joseph Vidacovich Jr. was born on June 27, 1949, and is a member of the band Astral Project with  James Singleton, Tony Dagradi, and Steve Masakowski. He has also worked with Bobby McFerrin, Stanton Moore, Charlie Hunter, Willy DeVille, Robert Walter, Mose Allison, Johnny Adams, Professor Longhair, James Booker, and Alvin Tyler. He began teaching at Loyola University New Orleans in 1982. Today we wish this exceptional musician a happy birthday!

Source: Wikipedia

Photo: bindifry