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Posts: 1285
Location: New Orleans
Joined: November 1, 2003
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In fact, sometimes it feels like that is all there is these days. To what degree the trad revival involves the "real" and "authentic" is an open question, but then again "the real" is problematic enough.
That said, I would say there are four strains of traditional jazz played right now in New Orleans (with some over-lap and border crossing, of course.) The first involves established musicians in the field who either trace their lineage to the beginnings of jazz in New Orleans (through family members and/or teachers) and/or have undertaken serious study of the form. When in town, these performers can be heard at Preservation Hall, the Palm Court, and Fritzel's Jazz Pub–all in the French Quarter. Some of the performers you should be able to hear (either as leaders as sidemen) include clarinetists Dr. Michael White, Evan Christopher, Tom Fisher, Tim Laughlin; trumpeters LeRoy Jones, Mark Braud, Greg Stafford; trombonists Lucien Barbarin, Freddy Lonzo, Charlie Halleran; pianists Tom McDermott, Steve Pastorious; drummers Louis Cotrell, Shannon Powell; banjo/guitar Don Vappie, Carl LeBlanc, etc.
Second group would be the younger trad revivial bands that perform either on the street (Royal Street) of in many of the clubs on Frenchmen St.(popular entertainment zone just past the French Quarter.) Much of this scene owes it's original popularity to the "swing dance" revival of a few years ago, and the music they play brings a looser vibe mixed with a bit of hipster retro-ness, which I find a bit shallow compared to the deep musicians above (but this is a minority opinion, apparently.) Some the names to look for are Aurora Nealand and her Royal Roses, Shotgun Jazz Band, and the New Orleans Moonshiners.
The third group takes its cue from Louis Armstrong (in his role of popular entertainer rather than jazz virtuoso and revolutionary,) and practitioners in this style are popular in both the tourist world and in the neighborhoods. Kermit Ruffins is the outstanding example here, and he now owns the Mother-In-Law Lounge (once owned by New Orleans iconoclast Ernie K-Doe who had a #1 hit with "Mother-In-Law" (covered by the Beatles,)) and it is great neighborhood bar to hear music in this style. Besides Kermit, look for Leon "Kid Chocolate" Brown, and James Andrews.
The fourth strain is brass band music. In some sense it is the most traditional, as brass bands still provide an essential social function in the African-American community just as they did 100 years ago. But as a living tradition, the music of the younger and more popular bands has changed considerably. The Dirty Dozen revolutionized the form by bringing in bebop and modern jazz riffs and tunes, and the Rebirth took it form there by adding funk, r'and b', and now hip-hop rhythms to the mix. Modern brass bands are now hard hitting outfits who now favor massed sound over subtle interplay and group improvisation. The Treme Brass Band is the most traditional sounding (but still very hip.) They can be heard every Tuesday at D.B.A. on Frenchmen Street (prime popular music strip) and Wednesday at the Candlelight in the Treme neighborhood. The Rebirth have a long standing late night Tuesday gig at the Maple Leaf (Uptown) for a collegiate crowd. Other bands to look for are Soul Rebels, Stooges, Hot 8, T.B.A. Brass Band.
And of course if you are open to some jazz at the opposite end of the spectrum, MacArthur "genius" grant winner and famed Chicago free jazz musician Ken Vandermark will be in New Orleans Mon. Sept. 8 for a concert at Loyola University with drummer Al Fielder from Jackson MS (a founding member of the AACM,) and New Orleans musicians James Singleton (great modern bassist is also a wonderful trad. player) and trombonist Jeff Albert. The following night Ken will be at the weekly Open Ears series on Frenchmen Street with cellist Helen Gillet and drummer Marcello Benetti.
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