Jason Marsalis with Special Guest Warren Wolf at WWOZ Jazz Tent
Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers at Congo Square Stage
Sidney Bechet’s Legacy with Donald Harrison Jr., Aurora Nealand, and Dr. Michael White Interviewed by Bruce Raeburn at Alison Miner Music Heritage Stage
Bill Summers & Jazalsa at Jazz & Heritage Stage
Davell Crawford with Special Guest Benny Turner at Blues Tent
Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen at Shell Gentilly Stage
Rebirth Brass Band at Congo Square Stage
A Tribute to Sidney Bechet featuring Donald Harrison Jr. and Aurora Nealand with Dr. Michael White
Many Basin Street Records artists performed at French Quarter fest this year. We had amazing weather, and the festival was a huge success. Here are some pictures of our artists from the festival. We’ll see you soon out at Jazz Fest! All pictures by Braden Piper.
Many of our stellar artists have been nominated for awards at the 2022 OffBeat Magazine Best of the Beat Awards! Offbeat Magazine is a stalwart music magazine dedicated to promoting the music of New Orleans, and these nominations are an honor. We are especially excited for the two nominations for our newest recording artist, Kevin & The Blues Groovers!
Basin Street Records have teamed up with the talented, young phenom Kevin Gullage and his band of Blues Groovers to bring you Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Blues. You may recognize that inimitable smile on the front cover, as Kevin Gullage recently graced the stages of ABC’s American Idol, wowing the judges, advancing to Hollywood, and making it to the final 50 contestants. While he won’t be the next American Idol, Kevin is motoring forward with the release of his first full-length LP, several tour dates, and a residency with Disney Cruise Lines. While many were introduced to Kevin Gullage through the Idol stage, the young entertainer has a long resume, and quite the existing following in his hometown of New Orleans. A graduate of the Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp (whose alumni include Jon Batiste, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, and “Big Sam” Williams), New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, and Loyola University New Orleans—his musical education is outshined only by his practical experience growing up in the orbit of New Orleans legends such as Henry Butler and Davell Crawford, performing on stage with Blues Traveler, appearing in films with Chevy Chase & Wendell Pierce, holding a residency at B.B. King’s Blues Club New Orleans, and being welcomed as an official Hammond artist. Reflecting on his Idol experience Kevin says, “Idol wasn’t the stage meant for me. I could never argue that,” but assures his fans, “I love you all and I promise I will see you soon!” The release of Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Blues is an integral step in Kevin’s musical mission to bring his music to the world.
There’s a reason the biggest word on the album cover is BLUES; this is the blues album of the year. With a professional polish featuring not only the Blues Groovers, but a large cast of special guests, and ensemble players, this album is full of juicy horn stabs, searing guitar solos, and a whole lot of soul. The apt title gives the listener an idea of what to expect, as the album explores many avenues of blues music with classics such as “Sweet Home Chicago,” which appropriately features Chicago blues-man, Ronnie Baker Brooks on guitar paying homage to the Chicago-blues legacy, and “Ain’t Nobody’s Business if I Do” representing “something old.” Gullage flexes his songwriting chops presenting “something new” with several new original works including “Movin’ On,”“So Called Friends of Mine,” and “My Baby Gave Me The Blues (feat. Norman Sylvester)” With these compositions young piano-playing singer demonstrates he has the life experience to craft great blues songs. With their bluesified version of the as-made-famous-by Amy Winehouse hit “Valerie” Kevin & the Blues Groovers show they are comfortable borrowing songs from any genre to lay down some blues. The album is rounded out with a Little Milton blues anthem performed by many blues bands the world over, and a statement anyone can get behind, “The Blues is Alright.”
New Orleans Brass Funk Rockers Bonerama took to the Festival Stage on the first weekend Saturday ahead of Galactic and The Who to a massive crowd. As is Jazz Fest tradition, the band was joined on stage by two sons of two bandmembers, Matt Perrine’s son Ben sat in on the drum set, and Mark Mullins’ son Michael provided guest vocals. The crowd was rocking, and loving the performance. It’s good to be back at the Fest!
Jeremy Davenport at the WWOZ Jazz Tent
Jason Marsalis at WWOZ Jazz Tent
Dr. Michael White at the Economy Hall Tent
Davell Crawford Tribute to James Booker at the Blues Tent
Rebirth Brass Band at the Congo Square Stage
Lena Prima at the Economy Hall Tent
Davell Crawford Tribute to Dr. John at the Festival Stage
Jon Cleary Tribute to Dr. John at the Festival Stage
Davell Crawford with the Davell Crawford Singers at the Gospel Tent
Headhunters at the Jazz & Heritage Stage
Kermit Ruffins Tribute to Louis Armstrong at the Economy Hall Tent
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