Some jazz, some funk, some African music, and music while people are running a race–we got it all in New Orleans. Here are my picks for the spots to be this last weekend in February.
Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns are participating in a special offer between WWOZ, your favorite community radio station, and the Little Gem Saloon, the newest spot for jazz in New Orleans. Members of ‘OZ are getting in free to tonight’s concert at the new hot spot in the CBD. Just show your membership card at the door to take advantage of the deal.
This will be a great opportunity to check out the second floor performance space in this historic building, which was completely renovated, and reopened late last year. Also, with so many lovers of WWOZ in the house, the show is bound to be great.
Also tonight, the Kora Connection teams up with Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes at the House of Blues. There are many connections between West Africa and New Orleans, and this combination of players will expose them in a way that gets you up and dancing. Besides being a performer, Barnes is also a ranger at the National Jazz Historical Park, so he knows the music from an intellectual perspective as well.
Saturday night, the Milwaukee-born pianist Lynn Arriale performs at Snug Harbor. Jazz Times says, “She achieves a special, deep connection with her audience, and the energy flows both ways. Arriale’s emotional authenticity allows her audience to feel and think along with her.” She sounds like my kind of jazz musician.
If funky dance music is more your thing, Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives headline at Tipitina’s with The Quickening opening. Iuso is a well-known quantity in these parts for his work over the years with a variety of artists including the Wild Magnolias, and his many other projects.
However, readers may not be so familiar with the Quickening. This band is the new vehicle for former Flow Tribe guitarist Blake Quick (pictured). The band has been quickly (pun fully intended) gaining a local following. Check ‘em out.
Sunday morning, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon takes over uptown and mid city streets. There’s music every mile along the way. Click the link for the list of performers and live music spots.
See you there!
