I was recently in New
Orleans for Webtrends Engage just prior to the Super Bowl and at the start of the Mardi Gras
season. I had a chance explore a
few of the many music venues and hear a few of the many great groups there. First I went to the Cajun Fais Do Do featuring Bruce
Daigrepont that happens every Sunday late afternoon into the evening
at Tipitina’s (501 Napoleon Avenue). I have been there many times. There is a regular group of dancers and I
saw many of the same people who were there in 2007 when I last went. Here is
the exterior of Tipitina’s and an image of the frenzy in which Bruce and his
group plays. Clicking on any picture will make it larger.
I made a brief
stop at Maple Leaf (8316 Oak Street - Uptown) and then went to Sweet Lorraine’s to catch the
Rebirth Brass band, a NOLA headliner. Sweet Lorrain’s is located at 1931
Saint Claude Avenue. I had never been before and it is a nice venue. You can see the Maple Leaf to the left. I just to live nearby and went to the
Saturday matinee as a kid just down the street. I have been there many times
but got there hours before the music so moved on.
The next two
nights were occupied with the excellent Webtrends Engage event but on my last night I went to Frenchman Street just
outside the Quarter where there are many good clubs. I did window shopping to
find good sounds and started at the Blue Nile (532 Frenchmen Street) to listen to the United Postal Project. You can see the exterior and interior
of the club below. I was not able to get a picture of the band because of the
light. The group had tow guitars, a sax, and drums. They played some nice
driving rock infused jazz.
Next was the Café
Negril (606 Frenchmen Street) to hear Shamarr
Allen & the Underdawgs. Shamarr had on a tee shirt that said the next
Satchmo but he played moved like Miles Davis in his fusion stage wit a little
Grover Washington thrown in. I mean these as compliments as the band of two
guitars, keyboards, drums, and Sharmarr on trumpet really rocked.
The last stop was
planned, as I wanted to see Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Road Masters at
d.b.a (618 Frenchman Street). I have heard him before and he plays great New Orleans style funk. His band started as they said that
Walter was out participating in the NOLA political process with the mayor’s
primary on Saturday. The band had
a trumpet, sax, guitar, and drums and they played some nice driving jazzy
instrumentals. Then Walter came and they band moved to wonderful funk with
Walter on guitar and vocals, bringing out the dancers. I only wish I could come more often. Le
bon temps roule.
It is important to not forget the great street music often available in the French Quarter. Here is a group in Jackson Square and another on Royal Street on a Sunday afternoon.
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