This Thursday night, Chickie Wah Wah will present a very special show organized by the most peripatetic musician in New Orleans. Keyboardist Charlie Dennard has assembled an all-star cast of musicians to pay tribute to the late, great keyboardist and composer who passed away on September 12, 2014.
Joe Sample was a groundbreaking Houston native who led the bebop-oriented, Art Blakey-inspired Jazz Crusaders to critical acclaim. He became a popular stylist when the group relocated to Los Angeles, shortened their name to the Crusaders, and began pursuing a more original approach which merged soul and jazz.
Charlie Dennard was a well-known member of the New Orleans musical community in the 1990s before literally running off to join the circus. He has been a keyboardist and musical director for Cirque du Soleil for twelve years. This is his second return to New Orleans before he finally retires from the world-famous troupe to devote his energies to New Orleans.
The band includes drummer Doug Belote, guitarist Todd Duke, bassist Pat Casey, and saxophonist Jason Mingledorff. Special guests are expected.
Todd Duke is best known for his long running collaboration with vocalist John Boutte, but his resume runs deep into all manner of styles. Doug Belote is a drummer’s drummer who has played with a who’s who of New Orleans musicians. Pat Casey is the new kid on the block. He leads his own band in a regular gig at the Spotted Cat and performs with a wide variety of other musicians. Jason Mingledorff recently ended his 13-year run with Papa Grows Funk when that band went on indefinite hiatus. He is a monster player welcome on any stage in New Orleans.
