Learning and Loving New Orleans Music
When I moved to New Orleans I didn’t understand Jazz. At all.
I didn’t know the difference between New Orleans Jazz, Big Band, Swing, Gypsy Jazz, Bebop, Latin Jazz, Model Jazz, fee Jazz, Modern Jazz, or Fusion. It was all Greek to me.
Then I started hearing Brass Bands during second lines. I started going to local music clubs like the Candlelight Lounge, DBA, Café Brazil, Le Bon Temps, Kermit’s, and Vaughn’s.
I started to follow the Treme Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, Corey Henry, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Trumpet Black, Rebirth Brass Band, and the Preservation Hall Band. I fell in love with Glen David Andrews, Soul Rebels, and the Pinettes. These bands mixed Dixieland, with New Orleans Brass Music. Sometimes they threw in a lot of Funk and Soul and R&B. Often times they covered pop hits from Michael Jackson to the Eurythmics.
Slowly, but surely, I was hooked. I hung out on Frenchman street, I spent Wednesday nights in the Treme. I bought their CD’s. Soon, I knew many New Orleans songs by heart. I would pay to send the bands requests. My taste in music was expanding. My love for the trumpet and the trombone grew.
I learned about Mardi Gras Indians and went to see their pageantry on Super Sunday in Central City. I would go see the Wild Magnolias and the Golden Eagles and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux.
I would go to the Royal Sonesta to see Gerald French lead the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, the longest running band performing in New Orleans most Mondays.
I watched the series Treme, which highlighted a lot of local New Orleans music, as well as the culture and history of New Orleans. If you haven’t seen Treme, I recommend starting it right now, so you can see as many episodes by the time you get to New Orleans.
One day, after buying tickets to see the Wild Magnolias on Frenchman Street, we were told that Big Chief Bo Dollis was not able to perform and instead a skinny 18-year-old kid was going to perform instead. What? I asked Ray, owner of Ray’s Boob Boom Room at the time… we paid to see the Wild Magnolias.
“Calm down,” Ray said to me. “You’ll like this kid. If you don’t, I’ll give you your money back.” He knew this was a safe bet. It was the first time I would hear Trombone Shorty, but it wouldn’t be my last. He played for three hours and blew my mind. This skinny kid in a white tank top was incredible and I have been a Trombone Shorty fan every since.
I got to know him, and the entire Andrews family (his brother James and cousin Glen David Andrews. In fact, when COVID happened and Jazz Fest was canceled, I hired Glen David Andrews to come to my house and play for a small, socially distanced crowd of 6 of us (and a couple of neighbors who peeked over the fence).
I learned about Dr. John and Allen Toussaint, The Meters, In fact, once, while attending the graduation of a friend of mine, who was graduating from Tulane, I got to hear the Dali Lama give the commencement speech. That would be cool in any other city, but then Dr. John and Allen Toussaint played some great New Orleans music prompting, the Dali Lama to lead the graduating students in a second line, dancing with a white umbrella.
Only in New Orleans.
I’ve attended second-line funerals for Fats Domino, Uncle Lionel, and a slew of other New Orleans legends.
This year for our Friday Night “Sexual Freedom Ball” at the House of Blues, we are hiring Cha Wa,, a band described as “a grand gumbo of singing, chanting, intoxicating rhythms, & some deep funk grooves that are simply impossible to resist”
I love this band and play their CD all the time when I need a pick-up (I’m actually listening to their new album (My People) as I write this. It is Jazz and Funk with Mardi Gras Indian chants thrown in, most of all, it is fun, uplifting, and always puts a smile on my face.
Their Grammy Award Nominated album Spy Boy was my first encounter with Cha Wa, when I was looking to hire a band for a Mardi Gras Krewe party I was a board member of. One listens and I was hooked. They became one of my favorite bands and I am so pleased to have them for this year’s Naughty N’awlins.
If you want a sneak peek, check out a couple of their videos here. I recommend going to Spotify (or whatever music app/service you use and listening to Cha Wa before coming to Naughty N’awlins. Learn some of their songs and soon you will be singing along with me at the House of Blues.
When they take the stage, their lead singer in a full Mardi Gras Indian suit, I recommend you head to the floor and get ready to dance. Forget you are at Naughty N’awlins for a minute. Forget about the people you are hoping to hang out with (or more). Forget about your jobs back home, your responsibilities, and your kids.
Just listen.
And dance.
Feel the music. Their music is about Freedom. For one night, join in really feel New Orleans music. And be free.
New Orleans music has set me free and I am so grateful. I look forward to seeing you on Friday Night, July 8th at the House of Blues. I will be on the Dance Floor, dancing my ass off.
Bob
Here are some Spotify music playlists that I recommend:
