(Some) of the Best Live Music in New Orleans in 2019
23rd December 2019 · 0 Comments
By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer
The year 2019 is almost behind us so why look back to the performances that some folks might have missed? For one, most of the artists mentioned below can regularly be heard at clubs, festivals and second lines throughout the year. So if people didn’t catch them in 2019, they’ve got another chance to see them in 2020.
For those who did attend the events, it’s fun to reminisce and maybe this redo might jog the memory a bit that often prompts an “Oh yeah, that was a great show.”
Nicholas Payton and Tarriona “Tank” Ball in a performance curiously dubbed PhillisDilla (don’t ask me why) at the wonderfully magical Music Box Village was the creation of multiple instrumentalist and vocalist Payton. It was a foggy December night that made it even more mystical as the Kings of Brass, which included Payton’s trumpet, slowly descended the stairs of the St. Claude Avenue bridge playing a slow dirge. A banner that read, “Jazz 1916-1959,” led the funeral-like procession in keeping with Payton’s philosophy that “Jazz is dead,” which he stated in his controversial blog in 2011.
(A recent article in The New York Times, “The Decade of Jazz: 10 Definitive Moments,” listed Payton’s introduction of #BAM (Black American Music) and included a link to this blog. His concept, somewhat like that of the late great saxophonist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, who referred to jazz as Black classical music, makes a lot of sense as Payton explains it. “I play post modern New Orleans music,” he wrote. Yeah right, though, because the word jazz has been used for decades by musicians, journalists and fans, it would be tough to lose.)
Back to the show… A stage was erected outdoors under an impressive and perhaps 100-year-old live oak tree (older than jazz?) where the band performed before heading into the Music Box playing a lively number. Inside the festive enclosure, Payton moved from the main stage to head upstairs to play drums that were subsequently looped. A sparkling Tank sang as she joyfully spun around dancing on the leaf-covered center “floor.” “Dance is American Music,” sang Nicholas. Later, a smiling Tank would emerge singing from an old-time phone booth that acted as a decorative aspect of the theatrical set. On another eye-level gazebo, Sasha Masakowski manipulated a turn table with guitarist Cliff Hines nearby.
The Music Box Village was, and often is, much like an adult playground with its twinkling lights and imaginative musical mix. It provided the perfect venue for Payton and company’s take on Black American Music – #BAM.
The Celebration of Professor Longhair’s 100th Birthday was held on his actual birthdate, December 19, in late 2018 at, of course, Tipitina’s. The uptown club takes its name from one his most popular songs and was created as a venue where the iconic pianist and vocalist could regularly play. Bassist George Porter, who first performed with Fess in 1972, was the musical director for the night that felt like a family reunion and included drummer Zigaboo Modeliste, pianist Jon Cleary and many more.
Veteran saxophonist extraordinaire Kidd Jordan has found a home at the SideBar Nola, located on White Street just off Tulane Avenue, and he plays there quite often. His pairing with like-minded, free flowing drummer Simon Lott is a match made in the universe of creative jazz. Will Thompson found a way to innocuously and cleverly weave his guitar into the stirring magic of these masters’ mix.
While folk artist Ashton Ramsey rightfully has declared that every social and pleasure club anniversary parade is his favorite because “they happen,” the kids in the first division of the Dumaine St. Gang’s parade were special. They honored the late Lionel “Uncle Lionel” Batiste, the bass drummer of the Treme Brass Band, who often also held the position of grand marshal. Dressed in traditional black and white complete with sashes like a grand marshal and with some sporting little bass drums on their shoulders and watches on their hands as Uncle Lionel did, these children stole the show. Da Truth Brass Band led this inspirational unit that brought smiles to the crowds second lining down the streets and those watching from the curbs.
Donna’s Revisited, which took place at Snug Harbor, stood as a tribute to the regrettably now defunct Donna’s Bar & Grill as well as a reunion for those who performed and were regulars at the much-beloved club. Trumpeter Leroy Jones led the band that included Donna’s regular musicians like trombonist Craig Klein and drummer/vocalist Gerald French. The spirit of the North Rampart Street bar was there and so was Donna Sims whose late husband, Charlie, used to cook up a storm in the club’s kitchen.
Saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr. was, it seemed, in a particularly inspired mood performing with bassist Chris Severin, pianist Stephen Gordon and drummer Daniel Glass this night at Snug Harbor. They killed on pianist Herbie Hancock’s “Butterfly.” The brilliant Harrison was also onboard for organist Dr. Lonnie Smith’s joyful set with drummer Joe Dyson and a rare appearance in this setting by guitarist Steve Masakowski. It really worked.
Other super shows included vocalist George Clinton, sporting a, well, more refined look though still delivering a funky sound with Parliament Funkadelic at the House of Blues. He played an impressive three hour set and everybody knew all the words to every song. That’s family.
New Orleans got to experience the exciting Cuban vocalist Cimafunk, who was obviously inspired by James Brown’s funky style and dance moves, at Tip’s twice this year. Drummer Herlin Riley, who leads his own not-to-be missed gigs at Snug Harbor, teamed to perfection with pianist Jon Cleary as the opening act. That nailed the night.
Dug saxophonist and vocalist Angelo Moore, known for his work with Fishbone, for his highly entertaining set at Bayou Boogaloo leading his own band The Brand New Step.
Some artists appearing throughout the year are “must sees” like pianist and vocalist Davell Crawford. He’s the real deal carrying on the New Orleans piano legacy while extending it with his own spirit and talent. A Tuesday night with the Stanton Moore Trio that includes the genius of pianist David Torkanowsky and bassist James Singleton provided early in the week stimulation and relaxation.
The amount of live music in New Orleans is amazing. Just ask anyone who doesn’t live here.
This article originally published in the December 23, 2019 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
