Category Archives: music

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Treme Brass Band leader Uncle Lionel Batiste dies at 81 | wwltv.com New Orleans

Treme Brass Band leader Uncle Lionel Batiste dies at 81 | wwltv.com New Orleans.

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Cosimo Matassa honored

The great rock and roll engineer and studio master of New Orleans music has been inducted into the hall of fame as is proper. The Matassa family remains entrenched in the Quarter with sons Louis and Johnny running their grocery store on St. Phillip, so stop by for some of their hot food (watch out for that step up halfway back!) and take it over to Dumaine to view Cosimo’s plaque commemorating his legendary studio.

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Reflections of Bechet, A New Orleans Jazz Original: The Man and the Music”

13th annual Bill Russell Lecture

“Reflections of Bechet, A New Orleans Jazz Original: The Man and the Music”
Historian Bruce Raeburn will moderate an illustrated program exploring the artistry, humanity and legacy of creative genius Sidney Bechet (1897–1959). The evening will feature musical performances and commentary from members of the New Orleans Jazzman Band, with Jerry Embree (soprano saxophone), Frankie Lynne (banjo), Barry Martyn (drums) and Mark Brooks (bass).

Friday, April 13 • 6:30 p.m.
Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres St.

A contemporary of Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton, Bechet is regarded as an early virtuoso on both the clarinet and soprano saxophone, and a musician who helped define the role of those instruments in New Orleans jazz.

Admission for this event is $10 and seating is limited. Reservations are encouraged and may be made by calling (504) 523-4662 or emailing wrc@hnoc.org. Reservations will be held 10 minutes prior to the start of the program. At that time, any unclaimed seats will be released to the public.

About the Bill Russell Lecture

The annual Bill Russell Lecture honors the noted jazz historian, born Russell William Wagner (1905–1992), and is dedicated to New Orleans jazz. Russell’s research focused on traditional New Orleans–style jazz and related musical forms such as brass band, ragtime and gospel music. He amassed an extensive collection of memorabilia, including musical instruments, records, piano rolls, sheet music, photographs, books, and periodicals. These materials trace the development of jazz in New Orleans and follow the movement of musicians to New York, Chicago, California and beyond.
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The William Russell Jazz Collection—permanently housed at the Williams Research Center—encompasses Russell’s research, audiotapes, programs, posters, correspondence, films, business cards, notes, clippings and scrapbooks. The Russell Collection is available to the public at the Williams Research Center, located at 410 Chartres St. and open Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. For more information on this collection, visit the institution, call (504) 523-4662, or e-mail wrc@hnoc.org.

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Come to the Carousel

Hotel bars, oddly, are not plentiful in the French Quarter. The main standby has always been the Carousel Bar at the Monteleone. The bar does actually circle and has circus markings, which is so great for the drinking crowd.
But it’s been undergoing renovations, which although needed, have interrupted the holiday meets there. But I hear it’s reopening this week and will be completely done in January.
The hotel itself isn’t very historic, as it was rebuilt completely in the 1950s-1960s, although it’s still a lovely place at which to stay. The Monteleone family IS historic, as they have been serving New Orleans on that corner since the late 1880s.
Stop by for some music and a drink and see for yourself how well the Monteleone anchors the Upper Quarter.
Starting in January, the Carousel Bar’s lounge will host two, free shows nightly. Musicians scheduled for standing gigs include Lena Prima, Luther Kent and the George French Jazz Quartet.

Drink Menu

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French Market public notice

NOTICE: Amplification no longer permitted at Washington Artillery Park

As of May 13, 2011, the French Market Corporation no longer permits use of amplification for performances at Washington Artillery Park. Acoustical performances may be allowed upon review of information provided by artists and musicians. All musicians and artists must put their requests in writing to the French Market Corporation at least 48 hours in advance to request permission to perform.

Permission to perform on any other part of French Market property (Dutch Alley, Dumaine, along Decatur, at the Farmers and Flea Markets) must be issued by French Market staff. During special events and organized performance times and in specifically designated venues, amplification may be permitted. This is always up to the discretion of the French Market Corporation.

All musicians must have a PERMIT TO PERFORM signed and dated by a staff member (at this time, The Marketing Director) in order to perform on French Market property.

Inquiries should be directed to Amy Kirk via email akirk@frenchmarket.org to request permission to perform.

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Beauregard Square? who knew?

Turns out the space that has been known since the 1800s as Congo Square is actually called Beauregard Square for a Confed general who also has a statue at the entrance of City Park and a house tour in the Quarter. Seems the name change in favor of the general came in 1893 which seems about right, knowing the revisionist history that went on in the South around that time and that it was the year of his death. From the T-P article: “According to widely accepted historical tradition, African-American slaves were allowed to gather on Sunday afternoons in an open field just outside the city, at a spot known by various names including Place Congo. The slaves and free people of color used this space to market goods, to socialize and to sing, make music and dance, maintaining their cultural heritage as well as social cohesion. White New Orleanians and visitors to the city would go there to witness African-American music and dance.”
Congo Square is within Louis Armstrong Park at the “end” of Saint Ann if you are leaving the Quarter. The park’s current condition is deplorable and maybe the name change for this most important history will spark some action for this public space to be a jewel rather than an locked up eyesore. (Can I suggest a tearing down of the fence to begin?)
Author of “Congo Square: African Roots in New Orleans” Freddi Evans is appearing at Octavia Books and I am sure more signings to come to showcase her definitive history. I saw her speak at the TWLF this year and she is a delightful, gentle speaker with a firm grasp of her subject. Do yourself a favor and go hear her speak.

To order book
She will be at Octavia Tuesday at 6 pm.
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