Congratulations to American blues singer & pianist Marcia Ball for earning this year’s 26th Annual Living Blues Awards’ Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard). Playing keys for nearly 50 years, Ball exemplifies the title of a Living Blues legend with her two-fisted New Orleans style of playing.
Ten years in the making, Hot Club of Cowtown’s new album “Wild Kingdom” is almost here. The forthcoming release is off to a great start with the single “Tall Tall Ship”, an upbeat track full of energy that really encapsulates what the band is all about. In bandleader Elana James’ own words, “I wanted to write a song that’s a reflection of pure joy and optimism…and hopefully let the factual reality come as a follow-up.”
“Wild Kingdom” will be out on September 27 on Gold Strike Records.
In anticipation of their forthcoming album “Poetry in Motion”, featuring collaborations with Robert Glasper, Trombone Shorty, PJ Morton and Matisyahu, the Soul Rebels are starting off the party with “Good Time” featuring bounce-pioneer Big Freedia.
“Our new album reflects The Soul Rebels sound and style, and challenges and expands upon the perception of a New Orleans brass band,” trumpeter Julian Gosin says of what influenced the band’s sonic direction. “We are breaking the stylistic and artistic boundaries of what it means to be a brass group from New Orleans.”
Performances by Christian Sands, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Ravi Coltrane were some of the highlights at this year’s rendition of the six-decade-old sea-side jazz tradition. Over 10,000 people attend the festival every year. This year’s lineup featured a stellar balance of jazz legends and emerging talents such as Christian Sands. The Boston Globe named Sands’ new project “3 Piano Erroll Garner Tribute” one of the best performances of the festival.