The second annual festival to honor the great and influential jazz musician, Danny Barker, born yesterday, January 13 in 1909, will be presenting performances and other events at several venues around the city culminating in a show at the Carver Theater Saturday night. Snug Harbor is the place to be Thursday night for the first performance.
Danny’s Birthday Bash will feature musicians who trained directly under Barker’s tutelage when they were youngsters. The New Orleans native returned to the city in 1965 after a long and successful career in New York and began reviving brass band music.
Expect to see trumpeter Gregg Stafford, drummer Shannon Powell, and trombonist Lucien Barbarin among other musicians with special guests guitarist Steve Masakowski (the proud owner of one of Barker’s guitars) and banjoist and guitarist Don Vappie. Performances are at 8 and 10 PM.
There are clinics, panel discussions, a parade and lots more performances at various venues around town. The full schedule is here.
The concert Saturday night at the Carver will be a special event as musicians directly associated with Barker as well as several whom he influenced indirectly will perform. Masakowski will lead the UNO Jazz Ensemble featuring his musical children, vocalist Sasha and bassist Martin.
The set by the Banjo Quintet will be a rare occurrence in these parts as Detroit Brooks (founder of the fest), Don Vappie, Seva Venet, David Bandrowski, and Harry Sterling will share the stage on banjos. Check the schedule for more details.
Of special note is a benefit to support the festival called A Tribute to Danny & Blue Lu Barker at the Palm Court Jazz Café next Friday, January 22. This show will feature internationally known vocalist Maria Muldaur.
