ON THE ROAD WITH PHJB #9: St. Louis Blues featuring Freddie Lonzo. And a jog around the stage!

Check out 'The Good One' Freddie Lonzo doing his thing to St. Louis Blues at B.B. King's in NYC. Watch as he takes a little jog during his trombone solo.   Go Freddie!

The Reviews: TMP and PHJB in Ma Maison

Some nice words from The New Orleans Times-Picayune!

Trey McIntyre jazz ballet a triumph; final show tonight, Nov. 22

Posted by Chris Waddington, Contributing writer, The Times-Picayune November 22, 2008 4:51PM

I could almost hear the clatter of bones as nine skeletons, dressed in Carnival motley, shimmied to the wailing clarinet, dangled loose-limbed arms to the thrum of the banjo, and jerked their heads, as if nagged by the long, steady roll of the snare. When a downbeat came,
they let loose with fluttering steps and whiplash turns from the world of ballet, moving with the singular purpose of schooling fish chased by a shark.

For me, and the thousand cheering dance fans who packed Tulane University's Dixon Hall on Friday, Nov. 21, it seemed that Mardi Gras had come early -- not the Bourbon Street party for hooting tourists and girls-gone-wild, but the dark revel that only makes sense when you've gone through a hurricane season, buried a few friends and danced in a second line parade with tears in your eyes.

Is it clear that I'm also talking about an artistic triumph? I hope so, for that's exactly what was delivered in "Ma Maison," the stunning, 30-minute dance collaboration between choreographer Trey McIntyre, local costume designer Jeanne Button, the improvising musicians of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and nine dancers whose artistry let them forge a powerful blend of street styles and ballet athleticism...

read more...

ON THE ROAD WITH PHJB #8: From The Greenroom to the Stage

ON THE ROAD WITH PHJB #7: Gabriel/Maedgen duet backstage

Enjoy this little musical snippet from backstage with Charlie & Clint...

Goings On: THE TREY McINTYRE PROJECT + PHJB = Ma Maison

Trey McIntyre, one of the world's most sought-after choreographers, is bringing his critically-acclaimed ballet company The Trey McIntyre Project to New Orleans for two nights of performances at Tulane University's Dixon Hall on November 21 and 22.

"One of the hottest choreographers in the dance world" (The Boston Globe), McIntyre has been a force on the international dance scene creating fresh and innovative works for over 20 years. With the dance world hungry for new creative voices, McIntyre's career has sky-rocketed. Rooted in classical ballet, his in-demand dances are hip, contemporary, and set to a brilliant variety of music from Brubeck and The Beatles to Beethoven and Beck. Since the debut of his first work in 1990 for Houston Ballet, he has created over 70 ballets for more than 30 prestigious companies, including American Ballet Theatre, Stuttgart Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet.

As a part of the company's first performances in New Orleans, TMP joins forces with the New Orleans Ballet Association to create a brand new work, Ma Maison, featuring iconic New Orleans jazz music. After exploring the music scene and clubs of New Orleans, McIntyre selected The Preservation Hall Jazz Band to provide the soundtrack for his new work and collaborated with PHJB to hand-pick the six-song score that will be performed live by the band for the premiere at Dixon Hall. "When I danced with Houston Ballet, I used to jump in my car every single layoff and drive to New Orleans. I had more friends there than I did in Texas. I am so fond of the culture and people. There is truly no place like it," said McIntyre. "It was an easy choice for me to work with The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. These are excellent musicians who understand the canon they work within with great care and understanding."

"It's always exciting to collaborate with artists on projects that celebrate New Orleans. Working with Trey is extraordinary because he brings his own distinct creative vision to the table. I am always amazed at the way people view New Orleans from the outside looking in," said Ben Jaffe, Creative Director for The Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Ma Maison also features costumes by award-winning New Orleans-based designer Jeanne Button and masks by renowned Broadway production designer Michael Curry. The final staging for Ma Maison will be done in New Orleans during TMP's week-long residency, and afterward will be included as part of TMP's world tour.

"Part of NOBA's mission is to perpetuate and strengthen the performing arts in New Orleans, and one way of doing this is by facilitating the creation of new works. With an impressive track record for working with a variety of musical styles, Trey McIntyre was an obvious choice for choreographer. Our only stipulation was that Trey use New Orleans jazz music. NOBA is thrilled to be a part of this unique collaboration and TMP's inaugural tour," said NOBA Executive Director, Jenny Hamilton.

Tickets for the performance range from $30 to $80. Students and seniors (65 and older) receive a $7 discount off the regular ticket prices. Group discounts also are available. For tickets or information, call the New Orleans Ballet Association Box Office at (504) 522-0996. Tickets may be purchased online through www.nobadance.com, or via Ticketmaster at (504) 522-5555 or www.ticketmaster.com.

Festival Fun: 2008 NEW ORLEANS VOODOO EXPERIENCE

What a weekend, ladies and gentlemen! If you were in New Orleans on October 24-26 this year, surely you know how much fun we had at the Preservation Hall stage. In our third year of producing an amazing local showcase at this multi-stage, genre-spanning music festival, we were graced by amazing performances from some of the greatest bastions of New Orleans music and culture, young and old. With a little help from some like-minded friends from beyond the city limits, festival-goers were treated to a true family affair. Good music, good friends, and good times. Here's what a few of our fans had to say...

From The Louisiana Weekly:
The Voodoo Experience Continues to Cast its Lyrical Spell
By: Geraldine Wyckoff, Contributing Writer
Posted: Monday, November 3, 2008, 1:10pm

The Voodoo Music Experience continues to impress with the diversity of its musical offerings as well as the efforts made to improve its layout and venues.

Particularly eye-catching was the wonderfully whimsical Bingo! Parlor’s purple and gold circus tent. The interior of the big top was equally enchanting with luxurious red curtains draped around the stage and a trapeze hanging from above. A bubble machine invited crowds to the area that remained active with groups like the Noisician Coalition; a brightly donned assemblage armed with homemade instruments, the Big Easy Rollergirls and Elvis imitators on little scooters amusingly buzzing around. You almost expected an elephant to suddenly appear from around the bend.

Also new and improved was the Preservation Hall Tent, which since its inception in 2006, had been very small, though always charming, venue that would be jammed with those wanting to hear popular New Orleans artists like Irma Thomas and Deacon John. This year, these two got to strut their stuff on a big stage, under a large tent set in a village-type section of the fest that retained the rustic charm of the old tent and reflected the spirit of the French Quarter club.
With the Preservation Hall Tent located quite near the huge, often extremely loud Voodoo and PlayStation stages, and facing the latter, one would think sound bleed would be a problem. Yet there was no disturbance even during a solo set by guitarist/vocalist, soul man Rockie Charles that opened the tent on Friday.

read more...

From WWLTV.com:
Few Crowds Early On at Voodoo
Posted by Chad Bower
October 24, 2008, 1:24pm

I'd say it was a pretty slow, steady first two hours of Voodoo. It's almost a given that early morning Friday would see few crowds. People are still at work, and Friday is always going to be one of the slower days.

But if you're off, that means you can get to see some prime music. The crowds are pretty much non-existant at the time of this writing, so you can't get to the front of just about any stage.
I've seen two bands start to finish so far: Rockie Charles at the Preservation Hall Tent and the Sons of William at the Voodoo Stage.

Rockie, as usual, was fantastic. He's the perfect opening for the Preservation Hall Tent. It's just him on the stage, rocking, with no accompaniment at all. It's much more intimate than the other shows you'll see on the other stages. A core goal of the tent is to do give off just that feeling: they want you to feel up close and personal, just like at the Preservaiton Hall Tent. Check out the artwork in the tents, too, if you get a chance...

read more...

Check back soon for more stories from The Preservation Hall Stage at Voodoo Fest!

Prospect.1 New Orleans opens This Weekend!

On November 1, 2008, Prospect.1 New Orleans [P.1], the largest biennial of international contemporary art ever organized in the United States, will open to the public in museums, historic buildings, and found sites throughout New Orleans. Prospect.1 New Orleans [P.1] has been conceived in the tradition of the great international biennials, and will showcase new artistic practices as well as an array of programs benefiting the local community. Over the course of its eleven-week run, Prospect.1 New Orleans [P.1] plans to draw international media attention, creative energy, and new economic activity to the city of New Orleans.
Included in this biennial is a painting and jazz funeral tribute to late Preservation Hall banjoist/vocalist Narvin Kimball by Thai artist Navin Rawanchaikul beginning at 2:30pm. The funeral will commence on the steps of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Southall Mortuary (1225 North Rampart Street), follow a parade route in front of Armstrong Park, and end at Preservation Hall. (Music by present and former members of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, along with other New Orleans musicians).

Ben Jaffe on Prospect 1/Preservation Hall:
"Earlier this year, I was contacted by Don Marshall, Director of The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Foundation. Sitting in his office were Tyler Russell and Navin Rawanchaikul. Tyler and Navin were in New Orleans doing research for a project they were creating for Prospect 1. (http://www.prospectneworleans.org) Navin is a multi media artist from Thailand (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navin_Rawanchaikul). Preparing for their trip to New Orleans, Navin R. googled his name and up came: "Did you mean Narvin Kimball New Orleans?" Narvin Kimball was the original banjoist with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narvin_Kimball). I was very close to Mr. Kimball. I remain in constant contact with his wife, Lillian, who is back living in New Orleans in the home the couple built together in the 1950's. Mr. Kimball performed with my dad, Allan Jaffe, for over 15 years. I began performing with Mr. Kimball in 1993 when I joined the Preservation Hall Band in 1993. Watching Mr. Kimball every night belt out "Closer Walk With Thee" or his trademark, "Georgia On My Mind" was inspirational. He always gave 100%. The crowd always responded with a standing ovation.

Flash back to earlier this year: Don Marshall asked if I could meet with Tyler and Navin. Our impromptu meeting, as many are in New Orleans, took place at Preservation Hall. Tyler and Navin had never been to Preservation Hall and knew very little about it's history and Narvin Kimball. We spent the day talking about Narvin and the Hall. Tyler and Navin also met with Dodie and John Simmons, two old friends of the Kimball's and instrumental figures on the New Orleans music scene. After speaking with Naving and Tyler, the Simmon's brought Navin and Tyler to Mr. Kimball's grave. The following day, I took the Tyler and Navin to meet Mrs. Kimball. En route to Mrs. Kimball's house, we stopped and picked up a baked ham, Mrs. Kimball's favorite. Navin and Tyler spoke with Mrs. Kimball for hours. Somewhere along the way, I suggested having a memorial parade in Mr. Kimball's honor. Mr. Kimball passed away shortly after Katrina ravaged our city. We had a small funeral procession for Mr. Kimball, but not the one he deserved. All of this led to the idea of "Narvin's Party". http://www.prospectneworleans.org/hear.html

The memorial parade was held on November 1st, 2008, All Saints Day. We began on Rampart St at the recently acquired funeral home, now a gallery and community center. The funeral home was purchased by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Foundation and is in the process of being transformed into a gallery space and cultural education center. The band, comprised of members of the Preservation Hall Band, began playing "A Closer Walk With Thee" inside the gallery where 6 paintings dedicated to the life of Mr. Kimball, painted by Navin R. hung. We marched through the hallway, out onto the steps where a curious crowd of onlookers stood by. Awaiting us was a horse drawn hearse. Leading the procession was Navin R arm in arm with Mr. Kimball's daughter, Barbara Kimball. The parade snaked through the French Quarter, past the Armstrong Park Gate, down St. Ann, stopping briefly in front of my child hood house on St. Ann. Through Jackson Square in front of the St. Louis Cathedral, ending in front of Preservation Hall where Navin presented a painting that will hang in the carriageway of Preservation Hall.

I have attended many funerals in my life. My father performed at dozens with the Olympia Brass Band. I can't remember the first funeral I ever attended? There have been so many. This memorial had special meaning because it was for someone who symbolizes so much of what it means to be a New Orleans Musician. Thanks to the efforts of everyone at Prospect 1, particularly Dan Cameron and Yiva Rouse, Mr. Kimball received the dignified send off he deserved."

Ben Jaffe, Creative Director
Preservation Hall


For more on Prospect.1 New Orleans click here


To read New York Times article on Prospect.1 click here