Story by Sharon Armstrong.
The thing about Jimmy Crowley --consummate storyteller, songwriter, song collector, musician, and ethnographer -- is that you never quite know what you will get.
Why are city governments so "NON-SUPPORTIVE" of LIVE music? In Mandeville, Chenier built a new shopping, residential facility on Highway 190. They included in their plans a lovely ampitheater with gazebo for performances. They schedule four live music performance for Thursdays in October, free to the public and invited the neighborhood.
Story by Sharon Armstrong.
New Orleans will be welcoming the world famous Brock McGuire Band on Wednesday the 28th of October, at the Deutsches Haus 200 Galvez, as they embark on their 2009 American Tour.
Story by Ignacio Sanguinetti.
Friends of Humberto “Pupi” Menes, along with the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic, will hold a benefit concert for the renowned percussionist this Sunday, October 11 at 2 pm at the Balcony Music Club. The concert will be hosted by “Freddy Omar con su Banda” and features a “descarga” or jam session with Pupi’s fellow musicians. Pupi suffered a debilitating stroke last month, and this event has been organized to raise money to help with his medical bills.
Pupi is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest congueros in New Orleans. Pupi plays with a unique style that mixes tumbadora, bongo and chekere.
Born in the Cuban port city of Matanzas, Pupi began his musical career in the 1960s, playing drums in Miami. He continued playing drums in the rock band ‘Ocean’ before shifting to percussion to play with the great Cuban vocalist Ruben Gonzalez.
Since then, he became a fixture in the New Orleans Latin scene, playing with many popular acts including Santiago, The Iguanas, Caliente, Elegant Gypsy, the Pedro Cruz Band, Acoustic Swiftness, and others. He also has toured and recorded with the funk band Smilin’ Myron.
Today he is a key member of Freddy Omar con su Banda –appearing on all of Freddy Omar’s albums- as well as the Latin band Otra, and the jazz group Two Pan Sam.
“This event is an opportunity for all those who know “Pupi” to show how much we love him and tell him that we are waiting for him”, said Freddy Omar to WWOZ. “Pupi is not only a great musician, he is a good man, a good friend. New Orleans needs his energy on stage", he added.
Pupi was also a volunteer at WWOZ, where he hosted the Latin show whenever he could. “Pupi played with every musician in town, he has a special personality and beat. He has been playing for more than 30 years”, says Yolanda Estrada, who now hosts the show
Story by Sharon Armstrong.
New Orleans-born dancer Eliza Alcalá remembers the day she decided to give up ballet, which she had studied since the age of three, in favor of Flamenco.
Les Getrex, along with a galaxy of other New Orleans musicians, will play at Tipitina's on Saturday, August 22, as part of a 'Benefit Jam' for New Orleans' own Queen of the Blues, Ms. Marva Wright. Marva is recovering from two strokes that she suffered during the last few months, and the benefit show, which starts at 9 p.m., will raise money to help cover the star’s medical expenses.
Those of you who frequent the French Quarter know Grandpa Elliott's soulful voice and unique harmonica playing from hearing him on a corner on Royal Street. Or perhaps you tuned in to our live broadcast of Mark Johnson's "Playing for Change" project last month, which featured Elliott. Well, Grandpa has made the big time — he appeared on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report last night and absolutely stunned the audience.
Special Show Air Time: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard will be WWOZ's guest on Tuesday July 28 at around 5 p.m. during Jazz from the Market with T.R. Johnson!
Story by Rosie Ledezma.
On Saturday, June 27th, Sean O’Meara was presented with an appreciation award on behalf of the local Irish and Celtic community. The surprise ceremony was a part of the monthly “ceili” or dance held at the Deutsches Haus in New Orleans. They kicked off the festivities with traditional Irish folk music accompanied by dancing and - what else? - beer.
On Sunday there was a second-line parade for the recently deceased "King of Pop" Michael Jackson in New Orleans' 7th ward. Check out the video from the Times-Picayune (after the jump).
 and Sean O'Meara2.jpg)
