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

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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Old Point Bar Ode

Welcome to my blog "Crescent City Music Soul", I intend to write, rant and praise as many aspects of the New Orleans local funk, blues, soul , reggae and Jamband scene as possible. This crazy but wonderful music scene is the heart and soul of New Orleans. Its the reason we are the #1 live music capital in the nation and probably the world and it is an integral part of my life. I feel so compelled by music that I have to express it somehow and since I am not a musician, I choose to write. The Piano Man ,Billy Joel, said it best when he stated "I think music in itself is healing, its something we are all touched by, no matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music"
The music scene here in N’awlins is made up of 3 components , in my mind, that could not exist without each other. 1st of all the actual musicians that usually play in several bands and in various different unions of other bands and do it day after day ,week after week, year after year, secondly the actual venues that host the music which are most often very historic and lively places on their own and 3rd but not least are the many lively characters that come out to support the music and pour out their sweat and energy to the musicians providing the soul vibrations. What I have realized in my life here in New Orleans and other places is that NOTHING compares to our Crescent City Music Soul. Its palpable, you can feel the love and energy thru the music that unites all of us New Orleanians. The music is interwoven into every facet of this city from the Street musicians on the corner to those at Jazz Fest.
Simply Stated “Without music, life is a journey thru the dessert”-Pat Conroy.
I typically see about 1-3 live music acts a week and this week is no different as I find myself Thursday evening at Old Point Bar , Algiers Point’ favorite watering hole. I am sitting outside enjoying the sunset and a cocktail.
It’s a happy hour gig with Michael Burkart on Keys and Chris Mule on guitar. The Toby Keith country song “ I Love This bar” comes to mind. Old Point Bar sits on the levee and looks over downtown New Orleans. This bar, like so many in the city, has a long history, It first opened at the turn of the century in 1905 as a dry goods store. Later on in the 1970’s it became JOHNNY’S Bar and has been one since that time. Old Point is known for its friendly, home away from home, Where Y’at New Orleans feel and its patrons feel like long lost relatives and friends. Young & old, Black & White, drinkers & Smokers, Music Lovers & Pool players all converge on this corner at Olivier and Patterson Streets to enjoy life in the POINT.
As the evening’s music begins, the person I can’t help notice is the elderly black gentleman wearing overalls and a straw hat selling his homemade PRALINES and everyone at the bar seems to know him. The duo begins to play their set with a blues song and the Praline man just begins to belt out some “soulful as hell” lyrics to their bluesy tune and for that moment I got the feeling that this man was really happy just to be SINGING. I know these are the characters that make up our dirty but lovable lil city and I love those characters. Michael Burkart & Chris Mule continue their happy hour gig with a mixture of songs ranging from original material to time tested New Orleans favorites like “ Love Slip Upon Ya” by the Meters, “Sick and Tired” by Chris Kenner to “Tipitina’s” by Professor Longhair. On their second set they are joined by a Sax player. As I sit at the bar, a number of local walk in greet each other and take a seat to enjoy the music and booze.
Old Point Bar has been around for a long time and is great place to find live music 7 nights a week with many local blues and funk bands including, the bar’s favorite son, WestBank Mike, Marc Stone, Eric Lindell, just to name a few. They also host an open Mic nite on Wed for those brave hearts who want to be a musician for a few minutes. The bars and music joints in this city are more than a place to grab a beer, they are meeting place for friends, they breed funky, soulful and gritty musicians and they are the first places to re-open after a Hurricane.
So the next time you find yourself in & about charming Algiers Point make sure you check out Old Point Bar where your sure to be entertained by the people, the music and the Mississippi River Air that permeates that street corner. With its friendly down home bartenders, great jukebox, colorful patrons and Classic N’Awlins flair this bar is Alright in my book. Check it out and please support LIVE music ,its the heartbeat of New Orleans. For any feedback or if you would like to be written, you can find me at lolita2470003@yahoo.com