The Maple Leaf Bar has hosted tens of thousands of shows, but only a handful of live albums have been recorded in the intimate room. This weekend, you have the chance to be part of history.
The Suspects, as everyone local calls them, have only been together for a little over a year. But this band is eager to get more of the attention of New Orleans listeners. They have been tearing it up all over the country, but have only played a select number of local dates. “First off all, I am just excited about the band having two nights at the Leaf,” said bassist Reggie Scanlan. “We’re really getting a (local) presence going.”
The band is working double duty this week while they are in town. Besides prepping for the live recording, they are also working on a new studio recording. “The live one will be out at Christmas and the studio at Jazz Fest,” said Scanlan.
The core of the Suspects, Scanlan, drummer “Mean” Willie Green, keyboardist/vocalist CR Gruver, and guitarist/vocalist Jake Eckert, have been together since the band’s inception following the break up of the Radiators in June 2011. Jeff Watkins, a veteran of James Brown’s latter day bands and the touring saxophonist for Joss Stone, joined the band recently. Based on a recent performance at Tipitina’s, he fits in perfectly.
“Jeff? Oh, man he brings so much to the table,” exclaimed Scanlan when asked about the new guy. “Besides what you see on stage, he’s got knowledge in all areas especially the technical stuff.”
The shows on Friday and Saturday will be a mix of originals and covers. “We may do one or two (new original) songs that people are not that familiar with,” Scanlan said.
Showtime is 10:30 PM.
