Basin Street Records Celebrates 20 Years With Live At Little Gem Saloon

Live at Little Gem Saloon: Basin Street Records Celebrates 20 Years by Jason Marsalis Kermit Ruffins Irvin Mayfield Bill Summers Dr. Michael White Davell Crawford

Out November 23, 2018
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On May 5, 2017 an all-star roster of Basin Street Records recording artists came together to celebrate the kickoff of BSR’s 20th anniversary at the historic jazz venue, the Little Gem Saloon. The evening included performances on two stages from Jason Marsalis, Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield, Bill Summers, Dr. Michael White, and Davell Crawford. The entire evening was recorded, and choice selections from each set comprise the album Live at Little Gem Saloon: Basin Street Records Celebrates 20 Years.

Following the progression of the evening, the album opens with the original modern jazz stylings of the drummer-phenom turned vibraphone-master, Jason Marsalis, here performing his original compositions “Bourbon Street Ain’t Mardi Gras” and “At The House in Da Pocket” to a packed room with an electric energy. During Marsalis’s set a “prayer line” formed outside the Poydras street club for those hopeful attendees waiting to get a spot to see the star-studded lineup in the full-capacity club.

Jason Marsalis performs vibraphone at Little Gem Saloon in New Orleans during the Basin Street Records 20th Anniversary Kickoff Show for the album Live at Little Gem Saloon

The next set features an outstanding double-trumpet duo from two of the biggest trumpet-giants in the city. Kermit Ruffins and Irvin Mayfield joined each other on stage with the backing of Kermit Ruffins’ band, The Barbecue Swingers, for two Kermit-approved standards: the classic “On The Sunny Side of the Street” and the rambunctious and fun “Skokiaan.”

Kermit Ruffins singing and holding a trumpet at Little Gem Saloon in New Orleans, LA during the Basin Street Records 20th Anniversary Kickoff on May 5, 2017 for the album Live at Little Gem Saloon

Next on the lineup was to be pianist Henry Butler (who has since passed away; may his soul rest in peace) in a solo performance, but a flight delay made his appearance impossible. What does one do when a featured artist can’t make it to your post-Jazz Fest show? With so many world class musicians in the building at one time, you ask them to do what they do best: improvise. In no time, Basin Street president, Mark Samuels organized an impromptu Basin Street Records super-group featuring Davell Crawford on vocals, Irvin Mayfield on trumpet & percussion, Jason Marsalis on drums, Bill Summerson percussion, Mark Brooks on bass, and Ronald Markham on piano. This group would bring the trio of Irvin Mayfield, Bill Summers, and Jason Marsalis (the founding members of Los Hombres Calientes) together on stage for the first time in over 15 years and give us a sizzling Latin jazz rendition of “Autumn Leaves.”

Continuing the evening was traditional jazz clarinetist, Dr. Michael White, who captivated the audience with his outstanding polish and skill on the immortal “Summertime” and White’s own energetic “Give It Up / Gypsy Second Line” featuring Marsalis again on drums.

Dr. Michael White performs playing Clarinet at Little Gem Saloon in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2017 during the Basin Street Records 20th Anniversary Kickoff Event for the album Live at Little Gem Saloon

Davell Crawford, the “Piano Prince of New Orleans” closed out the night performing his unique brand of Louisiana roots music with his band One Foot in the Blues. We hear an R&B rendition of “Big Boss Man” and Crawford’s own emotive medley “Don’t Ever Be Blue / Ode to Louisiana.”

Davell Crawford performs the melodica at Little Gem Saloon on May 5, 2017 during the Basin Street Records 20th Anniversary Kickoff Event for the album Live at Little Gem Saloon

It was an unprecedented evening in New Orleans music. Never before has Basin Street Records released a project featuring all new music from so many different artists. Live at Little Gem Saloon captures the spirit of a truly special evening of live music. For 20 years, Basin Street Records has provided a home for these outstanding artists to flourish, and they gave back in the best way possible with the performances captured on this album.

Pre-Order now from Basin Street Records, iTunes, or Amazon to receive two tracks instantly: “Bourbon Street Ain’t Mardi Gras” by Jason Marsalis and “Give It Up (Gypsy Second Line)” by Dr. Michael White!

NBA Soundsystem Podcast feat. Mark Samuels

Anthony Davis dunks in an NBA game

NBA does Podcast featuring BSR Founder and President, Mark Samuels!
In the episode with New Orleans Pelicans‘ announcer Joel Meyers and NBA Soundsystem‘s Laurence Scott they talk: Kermit RuffinsDr. Michael WhiteBoneramaSaràyahLos Hombres CalientesIrvin MayfieldRebirth Brass BandJeremy Davenport, Jason Marsalis, Delfeayo MarsalisThe Ritz-Carlton, New OrleansLittle Gem SaloonLouisiana Music Factory New OrleansVisit New OrleansNew Orleans TricentennialFrenchmen StreetSnug HarborEllis MarsalisBranford MarsalisWynton Marsalis and more!

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It’s International Jazz Day today, and everyday.

It’s International Jazz Day and we have once in a tricentennial offers from our artists straight from where Jazz was born, New Orleans! Visit our online shop. We are New Orleans Music.

It’s Jazzfest!

Please print 100 or so of these and pass them out for us. That would be awesome! We’ve put all of those new products out since October. Click image to enlarge.

Music Store New Orleans

Making It With Chris G Podcast

From the Making It With Chris G podcast:

“For the past 20 Years, Basin Street Records has brought the sounds of New Orleans to the world. In this episode it’s founder and owner, Mark Samuels, shares his journey, stories, and lessons of running an independent record label. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did!”

Listen & Show Notes: http://bit.ly/2mS5Q94
iTunes: http://apple.co/2fzwTCK
Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2jjxIUV

Billboard Feature on Basin Street Records

On the 20th anniversary of our first recording, Billboard takes a look at our first 20 years. The inception, the hurdles, and the future.