It’s been a long time coming, but Ernie K-Doe’s Mother-in-Law Lounge has finally reopened under the auspices of another Tremé legend. Tonight, Mervin Campbell brings his sophisticated song stylings to the intimate club.
Kid Merv got his start in the legendary musical neighborhood coming up under greats like Harold “Duke” Dejean and Milton Batiste. He played mostly traditional brass band music until, as a founding member of the Soul Rebels, he began branching out into more contemporary sounds.
Though his most recent efforts don’t represent a return to his brass band roots, the songs in his book are considerably more traditional than anything the Soul Rebels have been playing lately. He accompanies himself on trumpet, but lets his pianist and bass player set the tone for his stylish vocals.
Ruffins is booking a wide range of local acts at his new venue. Expect to see Guitar Lightening Lee on Fridays, James “The Sleeping Giant” Whitfield and Bobby Love on Mondays, the Tremé Brass Band on Sundays, and Kid Merv every Wednesday.
