This weekend, the local supergroup that has been making national waves takes over the Maple Leaf Bar Friday and Saturday nights.
I have been checking out the band since its inception after the break up of the Radiators nearly two years ago, and I have been watching the individual members for much longer. Most bands reach a musical plateau at some point in the first year or so of playing together—a peak that takes time to surpass. It’s rare that a band just keeps getting better.
But that is the case with the New Orleans Suspects. Part of it has to do with the addition of saxophonist Jeff Watkins. When he first joined the band, replacing Dirty Dozen Brass Band horn man Kevin Harris, I didn’t think there was any way they could improve on Harris’ work.
Watkins has kept a pretty low profile in New Orleans despite the fact that he was James Brown’s last bandleader, and also plays with Joss Stone. But he certainly tears it up when he blows his horn. He also has found a way to integrate his sound into the complex music that this band produces.
There are people out there who have not checked out this band yet (I know who you are!) Regardless of your musical predilections, I strongly suggest that you approach a performance with an open mind because these guys are hitting on all cylinders.
With members from the Radiators, the Neville Brothers, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the aforementioned Watkins and keyboardist CR Gruver (who’s is the least pedigreed member, but perhaps the most essential), they could easily rest on their proverbial laurels. But that is not the case here. This is a serious band, playing seriously fun music.
See you there!
