Throughout our lives we all have markers, reminders that instantly transport us to that one particular moment in time. For many including myself, those markers come in form of a song. My entire life is dotted in red ,sort of like a timeline by certain songs or by certain albums. I also had the pleasure of growing up in Mid City and had the chance to hear the school marching bands from my porch as they got in gear for Mardi Gras. When I was a child and got punished for something, my radio would get taken away and I felt as if I would die because those songs contained all the lyrics to my feelings which I couldn't explain as a little girl.
I remember my first memory of a song at the age of 4 being "SWEET DREAMS" by the Eurythmics as if it was yesterday. My mom and stepfather and I had gone to the grocery store and there was a heavy thunderstorm and we were "stuck" in the car waiting for the rain to pass and THAT song came on. When I was six my favorite cousin ,Maria, had Michael Jackson tapes in her apartment and my love affair with Michael began. At the age of ten I got my first "Tiffany" record and I was in teeny bopper heaven but my favorite song from that album was "I saw him standing there" a remake of the Beatles classic, so Tiffany introduced me to the Beatles. On Sundays was cleaning day at my mom's house and once the Windex and Ajax came out, so did the old 45's which included "Funky Town" by Lipps Inc, "Agua de Beber" by Astrid Gilberto, "Him" by Rupert Holmes, Barbara Streisand and Barry Gibb's "Woman in Love" along with some spanish tunes from bands like "Los Panchos" and "Sonora Matancera" and my mom's favorite "Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine". Our Sunday cleaning sessions were fun ONLY because of those records as I sang along while scrubbing the toilet. So I now say ,"Thanks Mom for the music and the lessons in cleaning a bathroom spotlessly"
During my teenage years, I became enamored with all the music stars I'd see on the latin channel such as Thalia, Fey, Cristian Castro as well as Boys to Men, U2 and Depeche Mode. The latter band was my complete saviour when we moved to Memphis,TN because of a job offer. I hated it there especially after being taken out of my Mid City community and school which I had attended since kindergarten. You can only imagine the angst and gravity of my life at 13 in this situation. I somehow heard Depeche Mode and completely lost myself in "Violator". At the tender ,shallow age of 13 I would lock myself in my room and listen to that CD over and over. "World in my Eyes" and "Personal Jesus" became my teenage mantras.
A few years later at the age of 20 I became pregnant and during my 9 months of waiting to see my baby's face, I would sing Bette Midlers "Baby Mine" to my daughter and stroke my growing belly. My daughter is now 12 and that song is on her playlist on her IPOD. Stevie Wonder's "You are The Sunshine of my Life" is forever attached to my child as well and is now her ringtone on my phone. Now she introduces me to music and she likes country and Teen Heartthrobs like Justin Beiber and the Jonas Brothers but I am also proud to report that my daughter loves Queen, old Cher, Elvis. Etta James and the Eagles. It's in her genes to like good music.
The countless music I've seen in New Orleans is part of my fabric and soul and one of the many reasons I returned here from California. We are now coming up on the 5th anniversary of Katrina (Trageversary, as I like to call it) and it will always remain in our collective memory. The other day, I was talking with a friend about my Katrina experience, I mentioned to him that I took 3 Cd's with me and those 3 Cd's helped me keep it together as I hung out in Fayetteville, AR with some kind strangers way from my family and those same 3 Cd's made their way with me to California. I remember playing those Cd's as I made myself at home in my new Oakland dwellings. Those 3 picked favorites were Etta James greatest hits, Aretha Franklin's Greatest Hits and The Beatles "Hard Day's Night". You know that question, "What records would you take with you to a deserted island" well mine were those three and I am so grateful for them. Thank you Etta, Aretha, John, Paul, Ringo and George and Yes I feel comfortable enough with them to call them by their first name because they were my true friends during a very hard, traumatic time in my life. Just like real friends do, they saw me cry, saw me laugh, saw me dance, they put me to sleep and greeted me with subshine and incredible music.
I honestly think I would wither up inside if it wasn't for music and I believe there is a reason why my family chose to come live in the most musical city in America. The universe knew what it was doing because my life without the beat would be no life at all. Music comforts, uplifts, gives me goosebumps, brings friends together and cleanses our soul. Music makes the soul overflow with laughter. I am happy all my memories are attached to a song and I hope when I pass this life there will be song after song after song played.
"When I die, you better secondline"-Kermit Ruffins
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Jermaine Quiz of Jealous Monk New SOLO CD
Jermaine Quiz of New Orleans Favorite Hip Hop Band is a busy man.. He just released a new Jealous Monk Album, is on the brink of releasing his first solo album and is about to start a bi weekly Mashup party(1st and 3rd Saturdays at the Bridge Lounge).
His solo album entitled "Feel the Times" is not a strict hip hop album. Including elements of hip hop, retro soul, funk as well as a heavy Motown influence, Jermaine Quiz has created a timeless piece of music that transcends New Orleans while pushing it to a national and international audiences. Reminiscent of groups such as Toots and the Maytals, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime and Beck, "Feel the times" is the quintessential New Orleans Album but Palatable to the main stream Market. Quiz Says " New Orleans is my home, I want to see its influence spread."
Get the Preview Of the album here:http://jermainequiz.bandcamp.com/
The album is set to release on March 23, 2010. Quiz's 23rd Birthday
The music of Jermaine Quiz is one that undoubtedly remains with you hours after listening to the funk and hip hop laden beats of the album. In addition to performing with his band "Jealous Monk" all over the city, Jermaine Quiz shines as the producer of his first solo album. The sky is the limit for this young talented musician and all- over-musical chameleon who wears many hats on and off the stage as a vocalist, DJ, MC, writer and producer. His many creative attributes are made evident through the creation of this solo album as well as his past recordings with Jealous Monk on their debut album "From Sun Up to Sun Down" and his own"Jermaine Quiz Instrumentals"
The dominant tone of this album is the versatility of the same as Quiz merges classic New Orleans genres such as Funk, Jazz, brass band beats and soul with Hip Hop and DJ beats; indeed "Feeling the Times" as the name of the album suggests. Jermain Quiz is on the right track as this style seems to be the next level of New Orleans music simply because it IS a collaboration of so many appreciated and loved styles widening its appeal to include young and old alike.
Jermaine Quiz has had many musical influences in his life which have led to his musical diversity such as growing up listening to a variety of Latin artists due to his Latino heritage and living in New Jersey where the main attraction was hip hop and beat box style of music. The introduction to New Orleans music began when Quiz was attending Loyola University and began frequenting the myriad of Live music venues the city has to offer. His music speaks volumes of all these influences as he successfully blends all these genres into a funky-fresh, intelligent album.
From the funk heavy first track to the all Instrumental last track the album proves that older genres can be mashed up with modern ones to create a sound that runs a line through 1920-30's Jazz to 1970's Funk beats and ends with modern day hip hop/rap beats. The first track on "Feel the Times" titled "Fine Lil Thing" instantly sets the tone for the album providing danceable beats and featuring an amazing guitar solo towards the end of the song by collaborator Pete Murano ,which along with catchy refrain, set the entire album as the funk-oriented, dance, soulful recording that it is.
Another highlight is the song "Ballad to you" which is just that, a hip hop ballad showcasing the lyrical stylings of Quiz and collaborator MC Intelligence playing tribute to friendship through lyrics like "This is my ballad to you my friend,
ill be by your side til my life ends, you know that i got you back,
and if haters mess with you i'll take a bat then crack."
The last song of the album titled "New Orleans Night" with its looped keys and a mixture of alternating beats as well as distinct Sax parts behind it immediately evokes images of taking a cool relaxed stroll through New Orleans after a night of fun and entertainment.
All the songs on the album provide a fresh and seemingly young,unabashed version of what New Orleans music has to offer now in 2010 all the while celebrating New Orleans more traditional staples such as Jazz and Funk. Jermaine Quiz plays regularly with his band Jealous Monk and can be seen freestyling all over the city whenever he is invited on stage by NOLA legends such as George Porter, Johnny Vidacovich and Kirk Joseph bringing the Hip-hop funk to the masses and invigorating the crowds with his lyrical talent. The name Jermain Quiz will ,without a doubt, grace the cover and stages of National magazines and concerts in the very near future. This will just be yet another tribute to the pool of musical geniuses cultured in our lil funky city!
Jermaine Quiz can also be contacted on the following sites
1.http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jealous-Monk/37225893543/Jealous-Monk/37225893543#!/nicholaspino,
2.http://www.jealousmonkmusic.com/,
3.http://www.twitter.com/jealousmonknola
His solo album entitled "Feel the Times" is not a strict hip hop album. Including elements of hip hop, retro soul, funk as well as a heavy Motown influence, Jermaine Quiz has created a timeless piece of music that transcends New Orleans while pushing it to a national and international audiences. Reminiscent of groups such as Toots and the Maytals, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime and Beck, "Feel the times" is the quintessential New Orleans Album but Palatable to the main stream Market. Quiz Says " New Orleans is my home, I want to see its influence spread."
Get the Preview Of the album here:http://jermainequiz.bandcamp.com/
The album is set to release on March 23, 2010. Quiz's 23rd Birthday
The music of Jermaine Quiz is one that undoubtedly remains with you hours after listening to the funk and hip hop laden beats of the album. In addition to performing with his band "Jealous Monk" all over the city, Jermaine Quiz shines as the producer of his first solo album. The sky is the limit for this young talented musician and all- over-musical chameleon who wears many hats on and off the stage as a vocalist, DJ, MC, writer and producer. His many creative attributes are made evident through the creation of this solo album as well as his past recordings with Jealous Monk on their debut album "From Sun Up to Sun Down" and his own"Jermaine Quiz Instrumentals"
The dominant tone of this album is the versatility of the same as Quiz merges classic New Orleans genres such as Funk, Jazz, brass band beats and soul with Hip Hop and DJ beats; indeed "Feeling the Times" as the name of the album suggests. Jermain Quiz is on the right track as this style seems to be the next level of New Orleans music simply because it IS a collaboration of so many appreciated and loved styles widening its appeal to include young and old alike.
Jermaine Quiz has had many musical influences in his life which have led to his musical diversity such as growing up listening to a variety of Latin artists due to his Latino heritage and living in New Jersey where the main attraction was hip hop and beat box style of music. The introduction to New Orleans music began when Quiz was attending Loyola University and began frequenting the myriad of Live music venues the city has to offer. His music speaks volumes of all these influences as he successfully blends all these genres into a funky-fresh, intelligent album.
From the funk heavy first track to the all Instrumental last track the album proves that older genres can be mashed up with modern ones to create a sound that runs a line through 1920-30's Jazz to 1970's Funk beats and ends with modern day hip hop/rap beats. The first track on "Feel the Times" titled "Fine Lil Thing" instantly sets the tone for the album providing danceable beats and featuring an amazing guitar solo towards the end of the song by collaborator Pete Murano ,which along with catchy refrain, set the entire album as the funk-oriented, dance, soulful recording that it is.
Another highlight is the song "Ballad to you" which is just that, a hip hop ballad showcasing the lyrical stylings of Quiz and collaborator MC Intelligence playing tribute to friendship through lyrics like "This is my ballad to you my friend,
ill be by your side til my life ends, you know that i got you back,
and if haters mess with you i'll take a bat then crack."
The last song of the album titled "New Orleans Night" with its looped keys and a mixture of alternating beats as well as distinct Sax parts behind it immediately evokes images of taking a cool relaxed stroll through New Orleans after a night of fun and entertainment.
All the songs on the album provide a fresh and seemingly young,unabashed version of what New Orleans music has to offer now in 2010 all the while celebrating New Orleans more traditional staples such as Jazz and Funk. Jermaine Quiz plays regularly with his band Jealous Monk and can be seen freestyling all over the city whenever he is invited on stage by NOLA legends such as George Porter, Johnny Vidacovich and Kirk Joseph bringing the Hip-hop funk to the masses and invigorating the crowds with his lyrical talent. The name Jermain Quiz will ,without a doubt, grace the cover and stages of National magazines and concerts in the very near future. This will just be yet another tribute to the pool of musical geniuses cultured in our lil funky city!
Jermaine Quiz can also be contacted on the following sites
1.http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jealous-Monk/37225893543/Jealous-Monk/37225893543#!/nicholaspino,
2.http://www.jealousmonkmusic.com/,
3.http://www.twitter.com/jealousmonknola
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Indie Rock and Alternative Music this weekend at the Foburg Music Festival
"Rock is so much fun. That's what it's all about -- filling up the chest cavities and empty kneecaps and elbows". -- Jim Hendrix
This weekend, March 12-14 2010, NOIR (New Orleans Indie Rock Collective) will inaugurate the Foburg Music Festival. This indie rock festival aims to showcase indie rock and alternative rock artists who otherwise do not have their own gathering of this kind in a city who is not too well known for its independent rock scene. Although this genre is an ever growing and thriving presence in the city, it is often placed behind more popular New Orleans genres such as jazz and funk. The festival will take place at various locations on Frenchmen Street and features over 70 artists. The admission cost is well worth the number of bands performing all weekend at $25 presale prices and $30 at the festival .
The concept behind the festival was to give artists a chance to play in New Orleans before heading to the notable SXSW Festival taking place in Austin, TX the following week. Festival organizers and promoters are interested in showing Frenchmen Street and surrounding venues that this progressive rock sound can be profitable if showcased and promoted correctly. The festival includes a myriad of New Orleans based acts as well as national touring bands.
The Frenchmen Street venues hosting this festival will be The Maison; both upstairs and downstairs, Dragon's Den; upstairs and downstairs, Blue Nile: upstairs and downstairs as well, D.B.A., R Bar and Checkpoint Charlie's. With so many acts performing back to back and simultaneously, this festival will surely be full of positive music energy. It is also a great time to host a festival of this sort with spring festival season just upon us. Let's spring towards a unique and incomparable festival season as only New Orleans can!
In weeks past when I first saw the name of the festival in print "Foburg: A Music Festival" I wondered why the word "Foubourg" was spelled incorrectly and I figured it was part of some clever marketing/advertising idea. The webpage for the festival states that they were indeed doing this by playing with the word "Foubourg" in reference to the Foubourg Marigny neighborhood in which the event takes place. "As you know, most indie festivals have silly, but memorable names (IE – Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza) We wanted Foburg to do the same – but with some sort of New Orleans relevance."
Jazz, blues and funk thrill me deeply albeit the idea of listening to different sounds and beats excites me just as much. In speaking about music, I believe change is good and music must mutate and evolve in order to keep audiences interested. Furthermore, New Orleans has historically played a huge roll in rock and roll and it is all but fitting to hold a festival promoting some of the new players in this forever growing genre.
Some of the talented bands showcased in the festival include Rotary Downs, Giant Cloud, Silent Cinema, Big Rock Candy Mountain, MyNameisJohnMichael, Glasgow, Los Po-Boycitos, Mia Borders and Big Blue Marble all from New Orleans. The festival will also feature national acts such as A Million Years and Davey Mooney from New York, BrassBed from Lafayette-LA, Savoir Adoire from Brooklyn, Signals from LA and Hope For Agoldensummer from Athens, GA just to name a few. Just typing all these names makes me more anxious to support this festival with such a huge roster of musicians bringing the rock and alternative scene to Frenchmen Street.
The Frenchmen Street area along with Dragon's Den on Esplanade and R Bar on Royal Street will be saturated with savvy music listeners enjoying the eclectic sounds of indie Rock and alternative music all weekend. Don't miss this first ever Foburg Music Festival beginning this Friday, March 12, to Sunday, March 14. The music will be worth it and might offer some inspiration.
A list of Artist below:
A Living Soundtrack
The Show is the Rainbow
Giant Cloud
The Blue Party
Hope For Agoldensummer
Silent Cinema
Hurray for the Riff Raff
The Bears of Blue River
The Pharmacy
Pumpkin
Caddywhompus
Dr. Manhattan
Big Rock Candy Mountain
Sun Hotel
Givers
The Revivalists
MyNameIsJohnMichael
Signals
Peelander-Z
Savoir Adore
Brass Red
One Man Machine
Dirty Bourbon River Show
Vox and the Hound
Flow Tribe
Smiley with a Knife
Mon Khmer
Yardwork
Chris Rehm
Booty Trove
Luke Winslow-King
The Bellys
Chaz Knapp & The Craft Brothers
High in One Eye
Davy Mooney
Consortium of Genius
Megafauna
A Million Years
Loren Murrell
Alexis Marceaux
We Landed on the Moon
Dinosaur Feathers
Helen Gillet
Rotary Downs
Andrew Duhon
The Happy Talk Band
The Frontier Brothers
Ben Labat and the Happy Devil
Savoy
Big Blue Marble
Wazozo
Mia Borders
Black Taxi
DJ Bees Knees
Wativ
The Other Planets
Drumcart
DJ Pasta
Big Fat & Delicious
The Gills
Jean - Eric
DJ Lefty Parker
The Burroughs
Dummy Dumpster
Sings
Gamma Ringo
Hightide Blues
Steve Eck and the Midnight Stills
Jeff the Brotherhood
Glasgow
Ray Bong
Reno Bo
Mark Weliky Trio
Meg Roussel
Ratty Scurvics Ensemble
Meschiya Lake
New Grass Country Club
Natalie Mae
Hugo
Los Po-Boy-Citos
DJ Alison Fensterstock
Local Skank
King Rey
Zorch
Love Hog
Gris Gris
"You can't stay the same. If you're a musician and a singer, you have to change, that's the way it works."--Van Morrison
This weekend, March 12-14 2010, NOIR (New Orleans Indie Rock Collective) will inaugurate the Foburg Music Festival. This indie rock festival aims to showcase indie rock and alternative rock artists who otherwise do not have their own gathering of this kind in a city who is not too well known for its independent rock scene. Although this genre is an ever growing and thriving presence in the city, it is often placed behind more popular New Orleans genres such as jazz and funk. The festival will take place at various locations on Frenchmen Street and features over 70 artists. The admission cost is well worth the number of bands performing all weekend at $25 presale prices and $30 at the festival .
The concept behind the festival was to give artists a chance to play in New Orleans before heading to the notable SXSW Festival taking place in Austin, TX the following week. Festival organizers and promoters are interested in showing Frenchmen Street and surrounding venues that this progressive rock sound can be profitable if showcased and promoted correctly. The festival includes a myriad of New Orleans based acts as well as national touring bands.
The Frenchmen Street venues hosting this festival will be The Maison; both upstairs and downstairs, Dragon's Den; upstairs and downstairs, Blue Nile: upstairs and downstairs as well, D.B.A., R Bar and Checkpoint Charlie's. With so many acts performing back to back and simultaneously, this festival will surely be full of positive music energy. It is also a great time to host a festival of this sort with spring festival season just upon us. Let's spring towards a unique and incomparable festival season as only New Orleans can!
In weeks past when I first saw the name of the festival in print "Foburg: A Music Festival" I wondered why the word "Foubourg" was spelled incorrectly and I figured it was part of some clever marketing/advertising idea. The webpage for the festival states that they were indeed doing this by playing with the word "Foubourg" in reference to the Foubourg Marigny neighborhood in which the event takes place. "As you know, most indie festivals have silly, but memorable names (IE – Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza) We wanted Foburg to do the same – but with some sort of New Orleans relevance."
Jazz, blues and funk thrill me deeply albeit the idea of listening to different sounds and beats excites me just as much. In speaking about music, I believe change is good and music must mutate and evolve in order to keep audiences interested. Furthermore, New Orleans has historically played a huge roll in rock and roll and it is all but fitting to hold a festival promoting some of the new players in this forever growing genre.
Some of the talented bands showcased in the festival include Rotary Downs, Giant Cloud, Silent Cinema, Big Rock Candy Mountain, MyNameisJohnMichael, Glasgow, Los Po-Boycitos, Mia Borders and Big Blue Marble all from New Orleans. The festival will also feature national acts such as A Million Years and Davey Mooney from New York, BrassBed from Lafayette-LA, Savoir Adoire from Brooklyn, Signals from LA and Hope For Agoldensummer from Athens, GA just to name a few. Just typing all these names makes me more anxious to support this festival with such a huge roster of musicians bringing the rock and alternative scene to Frenchmen Street.
The Frenchmen Street area along with Dragon's Den on Esplanade and R Bar on Royal Street will be saturated with savvy music listeners enjoying the eclectic sounds of indie Rock and alternative music all weekend. Don't miss this first ever Foburg Music Festival beginning this Friday, March 12, to Sunday, March 14. The music will be worth it and might offer some inspiration.
A list of Artist below:
A Living Soundtrack
The Show is the Rainbow
Giant Cloud
The Blue Party
Hope For Agoldensummer
Silent Cinema
Hurray for the Riff Raff
The Bears of Blue River
The Pharmacy
Pumpkin
Caddywhompus
Dr. Manhattan
Big Rock Candy Mountain
Sun Hotel
Givers
The Revivalists
MyNameIsJohnMichael
Signals
Peelander-Z
Savoir Adore
Brass Red
One Man Machine
Dirty Bourbon River Show
Vox and the Hound
Flow Tribe
Smiley with a Knife
Mon Khmer
Yardwork
Chris Rehm
Booty Trove
Luke Winslow-King
The Bellys
Chaz Knapp & The Craft Brothers
High in One Eye
Davy Mooney
Consortium of Genius
Megafauna
A Million Years
Loren Murrell
Alexis Marceaux
We Landed on the Moon
Dinosaur Feathers
Helen Gillet
Rotary Downs
Andrew Duhon
The Happy Talk Band
The Frontier Brothers
Ben Labat and the Happy Devil
Savoy
Big Blue Marble
Wazozo
Mia Borders
Black Taxi
DJ Bees Knees
Wativ
The Other Planets
Drumcart
DJ Pasta
Big Fat & Delicious
The Gills
Jean - Eric
DJ Lefty Parker
The Burroughs
Dummy Dumpster
Sings
Gamma Ringo
Hightide Blues
Steve Eck and the Midnight Stills
Jeff the Brotherhood
Glasgow
Ray Bong
Reno Bo
Mark Weliky Trio
Meg Roussel
Ratty Scurvics Ensemble
Meschiya Lake
New Grass Country Club
Natalie Mae
Hugo
Los Po-Boy-Citos
DJ Alison Fensterstock
Local Skank
King Rey
Zorch
Love Hog
Gris Gris
"You can't stay the same. If you're a musician and a singer, you have to change, that's the way it works."--Van Morrison
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Unsung Musical Heroes at the Cabildo Museum
The trouble with this country is that everything has to be new. We don’t have any consideration for the past…Just because something is old, you don’t need to rip it down. You can renovate it instead of ripping it down and building something new.” —Woody Shaw
The Cabildo Museum in Jackson Square is offering an exhibit perfect for the music lover in all of us titled “Unsung Heroes: The Secret History of Louisiana Rock and Roll” which pays homage to Louisiana musicians, both past and present. The musically themed exhibit is presented by Ponderosa Stomp founder Dr. “Ike” Padnos who started Ponderosa Stomp in 2001; but you only have a few more months to get to the Cabildo and enjoy this display because it is a year long event which began in April 2009 and runs through May 2010.
This exhibit pays tribute to the numerous contributions Louisiana musicians have made to the world of rock and roll, R&B, soul, etc. and sounds like a fun, educational weekend activity. Enjoy the sights in and around Jackson Square and the surrounding French Quarter locations and gain some appreciation for the many “Unsung Musical Heroes” in Louisiana.
“Unsung Heroes” will be a perfect addition to the yearly Ponderosa Stomp concerts in between the two Jazzfest weekends. The exhibit includes various rock and roll artifacts such as Fats Domino’s Piano and Earl Palmer’s drums as well as LP’s and recordings from Dr. Ike’s private collection. This is the first exhibit of its kind, paying tribute to the musical stylings of so many talented musicians whose music is now interwoven into the fabric of American rock and roll. You’ll also be able to see rare vintage posters, photographs and records as well as video footage of interviews with many Ponderosa Stomp artists.
A beloved and well known New Orleans studio owner and engineer, Cosimo Matassa, also shares a special spotlight in the exhibit with an entire wall dedicated to his now famous establishment, J&M Recording Studio. Matassa was instrumental in the recording of such artists like Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino, Lil Richard and Lee Dorsey just to name a few, creating what is now known as the “New Orleans” sound. Ernie K. Doe also shares a spotlighted section in the exhibit, which honors him as the “Emperor of the Universe”. So many colorful and unique characters have made the music coming out of this part of the country infectious.
The display honors those who maybe have not “made-it” in popular mainstream music but who have been the backbone and inspiration for so many other musicians who have turned these Louisiana sounds into their own. As stated by Dr. Ike Padnos, "Too often, American music history is the history of the ones who 'made it.' 'Unsung Heroes' integrates some of the missing pieces into that history, revealing a fuller, more accurate account of the seminal role Louisiana played to the public."
I am definitely making it a point to visit this exhibit, as it is a one of a kind. It exposes the public to our valuable musical talents of past and present artists. An exhibit like this is necessary to showcase those artists who have been overlooked and underappreciated by the country and world in general, but who nonetheless have made a significant impact on our culture. The treasures of our musically saturated area have played an immense role in many different genres of music and it all goes back to the school of thought that all music began at Congo Square.
“You’ve got to remember a lot of good musicians made me look good” —Cosimo Matassa
Lil piece of History inside a King Cake
NEW ORLEANS | This morning at work my boss brought in a delicious King cake as is customary in New Orleans during the Carnival Season from Haydel’s Bakery. Apparently I haven’t had a king cake from Haydel’s in a while or just never noticed the small porcelain dolls that come with the tasty treats.
Each inch-and-a-half tall doll comes in a plastic bag. They also each include a historical piece about what each doll represents.
I must interject here to say that I love anything historical related to New Orleans because our city is full of interesting historical morsels. I feel grateful and proud to live in such a unique city.
Anyway, the porcelain doll we got today was the calas lady (vendor of the rice cakes). According to the historical insert the figurine came with, the calas lady was a woman of African or Creole descent who arose early in the morning to peddle her hot rice cakes through the French Quarter streets in the mid to late 1800’s. Most of these women who supported themselves with this skill were trying to save enough money to buy freedom either for herself or her family.
Calas are deep fried rice cakes made of flour, eggs, butter, milk sugar and left over rice and yeast mixed into a batter and then dropped in hot oil to deep fry. Traditionally, the rice cakes were sprinkled with powdered sugar and enjoyed with Café au Lait. These rice cakes can only be found in New Orleans/Creole cuisine recipe books, just another item that is historically ours like po-boys, muffalettas and king cakes.
The word calas (a rice cake or fritter) comes from the African word for rice. It’s just another indicator of how much influence the African culture has had on, and continues to have, on our city to this day. The word was first printed in 1880 but had been in use many years before.
I can almost hear the calas lady’s chant as she walks through the cobbled streets on the French Quarter with her rice cake basket on top of her head, calling out “Belle calas, tout chaud!” (Beautiful calas, still hot!).
I found this piece of history very amusing and will think about it next time I enjoy a piece of Haydel’s king cake with some café au lait.
“Creole is New Orleans city food. Communities were created by the people who wanted to stay and not go back to Spain or France.” -- Paul Prudhomme
Each inch-and-a-half tall doll comes in a plastic bag. They also each include a historical piece about what each doll represents.
I must interject here to say that I love anything historical related to New Orleans because our city is full of interesting historical morsels. I feel grateful and proud to live in such a unique city.
Anyway, the porcelain doll we got today was the calas lady (vendor of the rice cakes). According to the historical insert the figurine came with, the calas lady was a woman of African or Creole descent who arose early in the morning to peddle her hot rice cakes through the French Quarter streets in the mid to late 1800’s. Most of these women who supported themselves with this skill were trying to save enough money to buy freedom either for herself or her family.
Calas are deep fried rice cakes made of flour, eggs, butter, milk sugar and left over rice and yeast mixed into a batter and then dropped in hot oil to deep fry. Traditionally, the rice cakes were sprinkled with powdered sugar and enjoyed with Café au Lait. These rice cakes can only be found in New Orleans/Creole cuisine recipe books, just another item that is historically ours like po-boys, muffalettas and king cakes.
The word calas (a rice cake or fritter) comes from the African word for rice. It’s just another indicator of how much influence the African culture has had on, and continues to have, on our city to this day. The word was first printed in 1880 but had been in use many years before.
I can almost hear the calas lady’s chant as she walks through the cobbled streets on the French Quarter with her rice cake basket on top of her head, calling out “Belle calas, tout chaud!” (Beautiful calas, still hot!).
I found this piece of history very amusing and will think about it next time I enjoy a piece of Haydel’s king cake with some café au lait.
“Creole is New Orleans city food. Communities were created by the people who wanted to stay and not go back to Spain or France.” -- Paul Prudhomme
Local's Choose Frenchmen Street for Music
So you find yourself in New Orleans and ovewhelmed by all the music options offered in a city rated #1 in Entertainment. The variety of music venues in New Orleans is immense and for such a small city within the United States, it is saturated with sounds from all over the world. You can find Jazz, Blues, Funk, Latin, Reggae,etc in the small pocket of the world located at 30/90 latitude/longitude line. Far away from the neon lights and cover bands of Bourbon street there are some spots that are well known to locals but may evade the knowledge of tourists in an area known as Frenchmen Street.
Most of the venues on this street offer live music 7 nights a week and is host to the city’s biggest Halloween and Mardi Gras street parties outside of Bourbon Street. Music plays year round and depending on your personal preference many different genres of music can caress your ear any day of the week. Some of the best music venues in New Orleans where locals meet, dine and dance the night away are steps away from the sounds of Bourbon Street at the Edge of the French Quarter on Frenchmen Street.
The Neighborhood known as the Marigny plays host to some of the best Music Venues in the entire City known collectively as "Frenchmen Street" This is one of the only streets in the city officially zoned for live music and as such offers a number of clubs for locals and tourist to choose from; giving the ability to listen to jazz, blues, funk, reggae and swing all within one night. The Majority of these music havens are located within the 500 and 600 blocks of the street.
The Blue Nile plays host to many of the city’s livliest, funkiest musicians in New Orleans at 532 Frenchman St. (http://www.bluenilelive.com/main.html) which boasts live music Wednesday through Sunday. The Blue Nile also has an upstairs venue known as Alley Katz and offers a huge balcony overlooking the street. The combination of these 2 music venues within 1 building allow for a variety of music on any given night ranging from Funk and jazz to celebrity DJ’s.
Across from the Blue Nile, you will find one of the street’s newest hip spots, Yuki’s at 532 Frenchmen.This local hang out incorporates Japanese style food tapas with DJ music in the evenings. This Japanese pub offers a variety of beers and Shocho as well as Japanese movies projecting on the walls. During the weekend, the venue is always overflowing with the crowd spilling out into the street dancing to world beats produced from the in-house DJ.
Down the street on the 609 Frenchmen you will find The Apple Barrel, known as Frenchman Street’s best kept secret by many locals. This tiny bar is very inviting as often times the music creeps out into the street as visitors stand in the doorway of this crowded watering hole. The venue’s tiny stage serves as the ground for some soulful Crescent city jams. If you get hungry you can always head upstairs to the intimate setting of Adolfo’s which offers a combination of classic Italian dishes and New Orleans favorites. With the blend of a music bar and a restaurant upstairs, this building at 609 Frenchman offers a full night of entertainment.
Across the Street from the Apple Barrel lies Cafe Negril at 609 Frenchmen known for its Roots,Reggae as well as one of the best open-mic nights in the city on Mondays as you dance the night away to the Bob Marley painted walls. Reggae bands can be heard here every weekend on a regular basis.
D.B.A at 618 Frenchman St. which is also open 7 nights a week (http://www.dbabars.com/dbano/) offers a variety of beers on tap and liquor from all over the world. The window booths alongside the outside wall make it a great spot to people watch those enjoying the pleasures along Frenchmen St. D.B.A offers twice the fun as most nights they offer double bills with bands starting at 6 or 7p.m. and 10p.m.
The Spotted Cat located at 623 Frenchmen St. offers folks a mixture of Jazz and Swing as well as Latin music and has gone through a change in ownership recently but still retains its allure attracting many bohemian types. This venue usually host 2 bands with one beginning around 7 p.m. and the other at 10 p.m.
Across the Street from the Spotted Cat you will find Snug Harbor at 626 Frenchmen St (http://www.snugjazz.com/site/). "Snug" ,as it referred to by locals, is the premier Jazz Club in the city offering Classic, modern and Brass band style music with shows at 8p.m. and 10 p.m. Within the walls of Snug Harbor, you will also find a separate dining room offering salads, sandwiches and New Orleans favorites such as gumbo, BBQ Shrimp and Fried Chicken. Bring the entire famiy to an evening a Snug Harbor b/c well-haved, quiet children are allowed as well.
After a full night of drinking and dancing, the appetite can be supressed by any of food trucks lined up serving anything from Tacos, to Hamburgers to Brownies. A night of music and food can be enjoyed at any one of these establishments. Frenchmen St. is the local’s choice for live music and offers an immense variety suitable for all types. Music afficionados are sure to appreciate this Entertainment street located at the Edge of the French Quarter as an alternatives to Bourbon Street.
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Wednesday, February 3, 2010
NOLA love in SAN FRAN
You can't fake this music. You might be a great singer or a great musician but, in the need, that's got nothing to do with it. It's how you connect to the songs and to the history behind them. –Etta James
San Francisco and New Orleans are often referred to as sister cities and this is most certainly true in my experience. Last week I spent some time in Northern Cali in San Francisco , Alameda , Oakland , Beautiful Chico and pristine Sausalito . The Bay area calls to me often as I feel a spiritual connection to the people, the energy, the music and the landscape of the same. The people I have come across in California are wonderful, diverse, open minded and love New Orleanians. I went there mostly to visit and enjoy the company of good friends but I also managed to get in some time with my favorite New Orleans band “Juice” who had a 2 day run in San Francisco, Friday the 29th at the Boom Boom Room in Downtown S.F. and Sat the 30th in Sausalito at the foot of the Golden gate Bridge.
Leaving home but always taking it with me, I watched the NFC Championship game last Sunday with my friends in Alameda , CA . My girlfriend Celeste is a New Orleans transplant to the Bay Area and was just as excited for the Saints as anyone back home. As we watched the game from the Sofa in California I wondered what everyone was doing back home in New Orleans and a part of me wished I was there in the midst of it all. I received various text messages and pictures of the French Quarter as everyone exploded onto the street when our beloved team won. The emotion and excitement was felt thousands of miles away because New Orleans is a feeling that’s carried wherever you are. After gushing for a while over the Saint’s victory I made plans to head to Oakland to visit with some other friends.
Music is a main topic of conversation of mine and I was excited to meet some kindred spirits who shared my joy for music. As we relaxed at my girlfriend Amanda’s house in Oakland , we listened to some vinyls from the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall” and Aretha Franklin and made plans for Jazzfest 2010. One thing I love about Oakland is the diversity of it; just chilling at my friend’s house there was an Asian girl, a Greek man, a girl from Louisiana , A Puerto Rican girl, an Italian Man and me a Nicaraguan New Orleanian. Everyone loved chatting up about the scene back home in New Orleans and I reveled in the fact that I will play tourist guide in April/May when my Oakland people drive cross country to experience our Jazzfest.
The middle of my week from Tuesday thru Friday we drove to beautiful Chico , CA about 3 hours north of San Fran where I had the pleasure of hiking thru exquisite Bidwell Park . The music there could be felt in the natural rhythm of nature all around us. The birds chirping, the Chico creek that runs all thru the city. Bidwell state Park is divided into Lower Bidwell and Upper Bidwell . The lower section runs thru the main part of the city and the Upper section is more on a hiking path full of hills and beautiful rock formations as well as pools of natural water. As we walked on our 2 hour hike, I just marveled at the grandiose miracles of nature and breathed in as much fresh air as possible. This place made me feel revived and now I was ready to head back to the city to funk out to some “JUICE” tunes.
The band was scheduled to be the headlining act at the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco a very well known music venue that caters to New Orleans musicians as well as a birthday party in Sausalito . During my year residency in the Bay Area after Hurricane Katrina, the Boom Boom Room provided me with my fix of Crescent City music as many musicians migrated to this area. The scene there was a festive one as the crowd thickened waiting for some New Orleans funk during the set of the first band. It was very comforting to see people in the crowd wearing Saints t-shirts and Jersey ’s. I met a girl in the ladies room who was so excited to talk about anything New Orleans as she had just moved to San Fran from the Uptown area and she was proudly sporting her “Brees” Black and Gold jersey. The Band played from midnite to around 2:30 to a packed house and they sounded awesome. I felt like I had the best of both worlds at my fingertips-Listening to Juice IN San Francisco with good friends around me dancing the night away is pretty close to a perfect evening in my world. The band ended and we walked back to our Hotel, the Kabuki Hotel in Japan Center . Saturday I woke up and went for a walk on Van Ness, grabbed some breakfast and prepared to check out to head with the Band to beautiful Marin County , Sausalito . The gracious folks providing our hotel accommodations are best friends with the band’s Guitar player, Sam Hotchkiss, and the 2nd hotel we stayed at was simply breathtaking. Cavallo Point is a 5 star resort set at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge with a perfect view of the Bay. The Birthday party was to be held at the Presidio Yacht club on the grounds of this place.
The party began right after the Birthday song was sung and candles were blown out. The yacht club was full of friends of the birthday guy from all over the country and all were ready to partay!! The band played all their classic such as “Neighbors”, “ Biggest Lil Shrimp” and a funky funky track titled “Trout”. The party go-ers danced to the point of sweating and a couple of guests accompanied the New Orleans funk band as many of the band’s friends are avid music lovers and were dying for the chance to play with some truly talented musicians. There were also a couple of New Orleans folks there at the party who I also got the chance to meet. The band played the party til about 2:30 a.m. and then an after party ensued in the Band’s suite next door to mine. As for myself, I was exhausted from a whole week of vacationing and called it night around 3 a.m. in preparation for my flight home on Sunday. Thank you to all my California peeps and thank you to Juice for being part of my 9 day vacation. Now on to focus all of our collective energy to the Saints winning the Superbowl!! Who Dat Folks!
“I guess I am rooting a little bit for the Saints as the underdog, partly just because when I think about what’s happened in New Orleans over the last several years and how much that team means to them. You know, I’m pretty sympathetic.”-President Obama
Saturday, January 9, 2010
A lil bit of the Big Easy in The Big Apple
If New Orleans Music is allowed to die, a crucial part of the world's music heritage will disappear."
--Ray Davies
In 2004, I took an elective class at Tulane called "The History of Rock and Roll." I absolutely loved that class, which consisted of listening to old recordings and watching live footage of bands; it was a music lover's dream.
It was this class that introduced me to the Tulane Library Jazz Collection, boasting the largest collection of jazz recordings in the country. I would find myself at the library for hours on end, never growing tired of listening to the classic sounds of New Orleans' jazz greats like Jelly Roll Morton and Buddy Bolden. I looked forward to it every week and enjoyed the assignments for that class more than any other class of my college years.
The professor who taught that class is part of a group of musicologists who believe that all American music began right here in Congo Square. Over the course of the semester, he converted me to this way of thinking as well, but then again, I didn't need much convincing.
Jazz music began in New Orleans as a fusion of classical music and African sounds, the result of affluent Creoles sending their sons to school in Europe. The music at Congo Square began in the 1800's, because that was the only place slaves could rejoice through song and dance on Sundays. The music there was an expression of freedom at a time of unimaginable oppression.
A direct line can be drawn from the sounds of Congo Square right through jazz, blues and soul - which leads off to R&B - all the way to rock and roll through punk, metal and all the rest. New Orleans has given the world a tremendous cultural gift: Our music, which all started with repressed, exploited human beings attempting to squeeze some joy out of their daily struggles, has touched hearts and changed lives.
That same sentiment goes on today with every second line parade, every Mardi Gras float, every beautiful Mardi Gras Indian procession. New Orleanians enjoy life through a rich tapestry of music and tradition, and it is all for free. Times-Picayune columnist extraordinaire Chris Rose said it best in his 2005 letter to America when he stated, "We dance even when there is no radio, we drink at funerals, we talk too much and laugh too loud and live too largely, and frankly, we are suspicious of those who don't."
Now in 2010, we have the duty as a dominant cultural music city to broadcast our music all over the world. We must promote our immense talent so all can see that we're not just a wasteland of crime, poverty and swampland. We deserve to be here; we deserve to be protected; we deserve government funding for our coastlands and historical landmarks, because of our unique music and our unique culture and for the sheer joy of it all.
One organization that is working towards this goal is the BackBeat Foundation. BackBeat is a local non-profit whose main purpose is to promote New Orleans culture and music. They also promote non-smoking shows, as many musicians are exposed to tremendous amounts of unhealthy second-hand smoke in bars and venues. Their purpose statement on their website states the following:
"It has been recognized that the unique backbeat of New Orleans' music has influenced jazz, blues and rock and roll. Most music that is considered uniquely American has been influenced by the rhythms and tempos that pour out into the streets of this uniquely American city, born of the merger of Spanish, French, African and Caribbean cultures. At the core of the city's vitality is music. In New Orleans, music is the lifeblood of the culture, it accompanies both life and death, it celebrates and it mourns. It is essential to the life and future of the city that music continues to permeate the air from every open door, window and street corner."
What a beautiful mission! That last sentence is my favorite because I truly feel the same way about New Orleans music. Doesn't it say something when anything moves you so much that you feel the dire need to foster, protect and promote it? Isn't that what life is all about? New Orleans music promotes joy and life and freedom, and it deserves to be both shared and celebrated.
The BackBeat Foundation is hosting a showcase of local talent at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference (APAP) in New York City. The series will run from today through Tuesday, January 8 - 12. This conference is one of the largest music conferences in the world and includes various workshops, clinics and keynote speakers in the music industry. This year's conference theme is "Risk. Opportunity. Now."
New Orleans will be one of the over 1000 showcases at the conference, represented by Export NOLA for the second year in a row. Performances will be held at two venues: Sullivan Hall and The Bitter End. Featured musicians at Sullivan Hall include the Jon Batiste Band, trumpeter Christian Scott, Jon Ellis and Double Wide, the Paul Sanchez Duo feat. Matt Perrine, The Jason Marsalis Quartet, and the Funky Butt Revisited, which includes Big Sam Williams, Jon Batiste, Will Bernard, Christian Scott, Doug Wimbish and Adam Deitch.
Just a short walk away at the Bitter End, more New Orleans sounds will float through the New York City air with acts that include The Jamie McClean Band, Paul Sanchez, Mia Borders, Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys, and The Iguanas.
With such a variety of music - ranging from funk to rock, from zydeco to jazz - these artists will appropriately represent our cultural gumbo to industry leaders and other conference attendees.
One of my all time favorite responses to why should New Orleans should have been rebuilt after Katrina comes from former Oregon State Representative, Chris Beck, when he stated, "First, New Orleans is our Venice; should the world abandon Venice? Second, New Orleans is our man-made Grand Canyon, our Yellowstone and Yosemite. It is where jazz and blues - our music - found their roots after slavery's descendants developed a voice away from the plantation. Today, it is home to the largest collection of historic buildings in the country."
New Orleans will export its grit and soul around the world one more time this weekend, thanks to the BackBeat Foundation. To read more about BackBeat's other events and music shows, visit their website at http://www.backbeatfoundation.org/.
For now, though, let's all look forward to another great Carnival season, during which we get to enjoy our unique culture, music, food, and cast of characters. Everything convenes at the 30N-90W line here in the biggest little city in the country. L'aissez Les Bon Temps Rouler, Y'all!
--Ray Davies
In 2004, I took an elective class at Tulane called "The History of Rock and Roll." I absolutely loved that class, which consisted of listening to old recordings and watching live footage of bands; it was a music lover's dream.
It was this class that introduced me to the Tulane Library Jazz Collection, boasting the largest collection of jazz recordings in the country. I would find myself at the library for hours on end, never growing tired of listening to the classic sounds of New Orleans' jazz greats like Jelly Roll Morton and Buddy Bolden. I looked forward to it every week and enjoyed the assignments for that class more than any other class of my college years.
The professor who taught that class is part of a group of musicologists who believe that all American music began right here in Congo Square. Over the course of the semester, he converted me to this way of thinking as well, but then again, I didn't need much convincing.
Jazz music began in New Orleans as a fusion of classical music and African sounds, the result of affluent Creoles sending their sons to school in Europe. The music at Congo Square began in the 1800's, because that was the only place slaves could rejoice through song and dance on Sundays. The music there was an expression of freedom at a time of unimaginable oppression.
A direct line can be drawn from the sounds of Congo Square right through jazz, blues and soul - which leads off to R&B - all the way to rock and roll through punk, metal and all the rest. New Orleans has given the world a tremendous cultural gift: Our music, which all started with repressed, exploited human beings attempting to squeeze some joy out of their daily struggles, has touched hearts and changed lives.
That same sentiment goes on today with every second line parade, every Mardi Gras float, every beautiful Mardi Gras Indian procession. New Orleanians enjoy life through a rich tapestry of music and tradition, and it is all for free. Times-Picayune columnist extraordinaire Chris Rose said it best in his 2005 letter to America when he stated, "We dance even when there is no radio, we drink at funerals, we talk too much and laugh too loud and live too largely, and frankly, we are suspicious of those who don't."
Now in 2010, we have the duty as a dominant cultural music city to broadcast our music all over the world. We must promote our immense talent so all can see that we're not just a wasteland of crime, poverty and swampland. We deserve to be here; we deserve to be protected; we deserve government funding for our coastlands and historical landmarks, because of our unique music and our unique culture and for the sheer joy of it all.
One organization that is working towards this goal is the BackBeat Foundation. BackBeat is a local non-profit whose main purpose is to promote New Orleans culture and music. They also promote non-smoking shows, as many musicians are exposed to tremendous amounts of unhealthy second-hand smoke in bars and venues. Their purpose statement on their website states the following:
"It has been recognized that the unique backbeat of New Orleans' music has influenced jazz, blues and rock and roll. Most music that is considered uniquely American has been influenced by the rhythms and tempos that pour out into the streets of this uniquely American city, born of the merger of Spanish, French, African and Caribbean cultures. At the core of the city's vitality is music. In New Orleans, music is the lifeblood of the culture, it accompanies both life and death, it celebrates and it mourns. It is essential to the life and future of the city that music continues to permeate the air from every open door, window and street corner."
What a beautiful mission! That last sentence is my favorite because I truly feel the same way about New Orleans music. Doesn't it say something when anything moves you so much that you feel the dire need to foster, protect and promote it? Isn't that what life is all about? New Orleans music promotes joy and life and freedom, and it deserves to be both shared and celebrated.
The BackBeat Foundation is hosting a showcase of local talent at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference (APAP) in New York City. The series will run from today through Tuesday, January 8 - 12. This conference is one of the largest music conferences in the world and includes various workshops, clinics and keynote speakers in the music industry. This year's conference theme is "Risk. Opportunity. Now."
New Orleans will be one of the over 1000 showcases at the conference, represented by Export NOLA for the second year in a row. Performances will be held at two venues: Sullivan Hall and The Bitter End. Featured musicians at Sullivan Hall include the Jon Batiste Band, trumpeter Christian Scott, Jon Ellis and Double Wide, the Paul Sanchez Duo feat. Matt Perrine, The Jason Marsalis Quartet, and the Funky Butt Revisited, which includes Big Sam Williams, Jon Batiste, Will Bernard, Christian Scott, Doug Wimbish and Adam Deitch.
Just a short walk away at the Bitter End, more New Orleans sounds will float through the New York City air with acts that include The Jamie McClean Band, Paul Sanchez, Mia Borders, Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys, and The Iguanas.
With such a variety of music - ranging from funk to rock, from zydeco to jazz - these artists will appropriately represent our cultural gumbo to industry leaders and other conference attendees.
One of my all time favorite responses to why should New Orleans should have been rebuilt after Katrina comes from former Oregon State Representative, Chris Beck, when he stated, "First, New Orleans is our Venice; should the world abandon Venice? Second, New Orleans is our man-made Grand Canyon, our Yellowstone and Yosemite. It is where jazz and blues - our music - found their roots after slavery's descendants developed a voice away from the plantation. Today, it is home to the largest collection of historic buildings in the country."
New Orleans will export its grit and soul around the world one more time this weekend, thanks to the BackBeat Foundation. To read more about BackBeat's other events and music shows, visit their website at http://www.backbeatfoundation.org/.
For now, though, let's all look forward to another great Carnival season, during which we get to enjoy our unique culture, music, food, and cast of characters. Everything convenes at the 30N-90W line here in the biggest little city in the country. L'aissez Les Bon Temps Rouler, Y'all!
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