Lionel Ferbos (with young admirers in background) takes a break at the Jazz Park Visitors' Center.

Continued: New Orleans Notes

The situation at Fritzel's is somewhat uncertain at the moment as reedman Ryan Burrage, who had been leading the house band five nights a week, resigned abruptly just before the storm. At the moment, it seems that a variety of local musicians will be filling that slot for the time being. The Sunday and Monday slots continue to be covered by singer Lisa Lynn and John Royen, respectively. More about this as the situation becomes clearer.

Et al.

Among the guests at SatchFest was Dan Pritzker, the producer of the keenly anticipated films about Buddy Bolden and Louis Armstrong in which a number of locals had a hand as musicians or consultants. (The films are Bolden! a full-length feature and The Great Observer, a silent short film.) With Pritzker was actor Reno Wilson, who plays Armstrong in the second film. Pritzker says that we should not expect to see the Bolden film before 2010. Stay tuned.

Tom Piazza, jazz writer and author of the successful post-Katrina Why New Orleans Matters, celebrated the local release of a new novel in mid-August. Again focusing on the author's adopted home, it is called City of Refuge. For a listing of stops on his current book tour, see his website www.tompiazza.com.

Grammy-winning blues singer Irma Thomas has a brand new album, Simply Grand (Rounder label). What distinguishes this one is that she is accompanied by a dozen different keyboardists, including Ellis Marsalis, David Torkanowsky, Henry Butler, Tom McDermott and Dr. John.

Trumpeter, composer and bandleader Irvin Mayfield was recently appointed to the prestigious post of artistic director of jazz at Orchestra Hall, home of the Minnesota Orchestra in Minneapolis. Mayfield, 30, says he hopes to bring "a serious position on jazz" to the Minnesota Orchestra. This appointment is yet another significant feather in the young man's hat.

The tenth annual Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame induction and awards ceremony was held at Congo Square in Armstrong Park on August 10. The dozen honorees included drummer Joseph "Smokey" Johnson, who was given the Living Musical Heritage Award. In a ceremony paying tribute to those who had passed away, a white dove was released into the air as each name was read by Cherice Harrison-Nelson, curator of the MGIHOF.

Tipitina's Foundation hosted its annual "Instruments Have Come" street party and presentation ceremony at Tipitina's (Uptown) on August 16. Tipitina's has been giving musical instruments to local schools since 2002, and 488 more were awarded this year. Marching bands from three local high schools performed outside the club in early evening, followed by a ticketed concert inside featuring the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Rebirth Brass Band. Kudos to the Tips' Foundation, which has now given nearly $2 million of gear to area schools.

Comings and Goings

Reedman Ryan Burrage was in Rockville, Md., in mid-August to perform in concert with Mike Flaherty's Dixieland Direct band. The occasion was a tribute to the late Jacques Gauthé sponsored by The Potomac River Jazz Club.

Trombonist Rick Trolsen spent two weeks in Rio de Janeiro in August "soaking up Brasilian life, music, and rhythms" (as he put it). Back in town, he and his band, Gringo do Choro, can be heard every Monday night at DBA on Frenchmen Street.

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the popular singing group Blind Boys of Alabama launched a touring collaboration in Colorado in mid-September that was scheduled to take them to New York City and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in late September. They are also due to appear in Birmingham, Ala., Oct. 18 and San Antonio, Tex., Nov. 22. The PHJB is heard on the Blind Boy's latest CD, Down in New Orleans, released last January.

The October schedule for the annual Nickel-A-Dance series, to be held at Ray's Boom Boom Room, 508 Frenchmen St., has been announced. Appearing Oct. 5 will be Connie Jones-Tom McDermott and their Crescent City Jazz Band. Oct. 12 it will be the Joint Chiefs of Jazz with Frank Oxley, and Steve Pistorius and his Southern Syncopators are slated for Oct. 19. Lionel Ferbos and the Palm Court Jazz Band will play on Oct. 19. All concerts begin at 4 p.m. and are free.

Quote of the Month

In an interview in Offbeat magazine, Tom McDermott noted the many bands playing trad jazz across the country. "What separates them from what goes on in New Orleans," he says, "is the drumming. There's nobody like Shannon Powell or Joe Lastie or Gerald French out there playing traditional jazz any other place but here."

Vocalist Thais Clark performs at the Jazz Park's Visitors' Center.  Band members are, from left, Bob Mollinelli, Clark, Karl Budo, Christian Winther, Dalton Rousseau and Lucien Barbarin (not shown).

October 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

P.O. Box 19068, Minneapolis, MN 55419.