Some people have three days off, so here’s a run down on what’s happening including an anniversary celebration, a rare appearance and a big band throwdown.
Tipitina’s celebrates 34 years bringing live music to New Orleans with two big shows. Friday night is the Brass Band Showdown with appearances by the Rebirth, the Stooges and the Young Pinstripe. The first two bands get lots of love on TVD, but readers should be aware that the Young Pinstripe got fire. I have heard them several times on second lines and they bring it with vigor. So get there early and stay late.
Saturday night, Jon Cleary appears with the bassist James Singleton and the drummer Johnny Vidacovich. Here’s a bit of trivia. Back in the day, Singleton and Vidacovich were known to back up the patron saint of Tipitina’s—the one and only Henry Roland Byrd, aka Professor Longhair. I would certainly expect a mess of Fess from Cleary since the pianist was one of his musical mentors.
Also, Saturday night, if you are looking for more brass band action, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band (check out the video when they were young and skinny and no one knew their names) makes a rare appearance at the Maple Leaf Bar.
They are the granddaddies of modern brass band sounds and turned the whole musical world on its ear with their groundbreaking synthesis of modern jazz and soul with the traditional parade rhythms of New Orleans. It doesn’t get any better than the DDBB up close and personal in the intimate confines of the Leaf.
Kirk Joseph, the founding sousaphonist of the DDBB, is the special guest on Sunday night when the guitarist Marc Stone brings his big band to D.B.A. The group features Mike Barras on drums, Patrick Williams on harmonica, Sean Carey on bass and Bill Malchow on keys. The Hellbent Horns, Mark Levron on trumpet and Tom Fitzpatrick on tenor sax, will liven things up to bring your long weekend to a close.
