Eisely hits The Parish at HOB on June 123rd Annual WWOZ Piano Night
Monday, May 2, 6 PM
HOB and The Parish, 225 Decatur St., 310–4999
If you haven’t yet been a part of the traditional WWOZ benefit held the Monday between the two Jazz Fest weekends, you’ve been missing out on the best piano talent the city has to offer, all in one venue. The show benefits WWOZ New Orleans 90.7 FM, a listener-supported, public broadcasting station with one goal – to showcase New Orleans music to the world. More than 30 musicians were featured in 2010, including Dr. John, Ellis Marsalis and Ivan Neville. There are three admission levels that can be purchased from LiveNation.com. General admission is $35, begins at 7:30 PM and allows access to the first floor Main Stage as well as the Parish Solo Stage. At $100, Piano Heaven admission includes General admission plus access to the second floor “Piano Heaven” area, plus Patron Party with New Orleans cuisine provided by local restaurants from 6 PM – 7:30 PM. "Club 88" admission is $150, allowing access to all Piano Heaven and General admission activities plus access to the Foundation Room, where exclusive concerts by top performers are held in a lounge setting. Artwork will be auctioned throughout the evening.—Dionne Charlet
BooM BooM RooM PresentS: Frequinox Monday, May 2, 9 p.m. *
Blue Nile, 532 Frenchmen St., 948-2583
Tickets are $25 in advance
This Jazz Fest treat is another great jam band combo featuring veteran saxophonist Donald Harrison, local master drummer Stanton Moore of Galactic, guitarist Will Bernard, keyboardist Robert Walter, and bassist Robert Mercurio of Galactic, plus special guests. Frequinox is a rare treat that happens during Jazz Fest, like a musical eclipse that happens just one special night, bringing together the best of the West Coast and Gulf Coast in a throw down jam session. This funkified offspring explores musical compositions by bringing out the inner funkified freak in each of us, while giving a modern twist to funky classics of the past. These guys are known for musical surprises, special guests, and improv jams that are truly mind-blowing. Grab this $25 ticket now at www.boomboomtickets.com since a Frequinox show is always a sell-out. -Sheri Bleuler McKee
Instruments A Comin’ 2011 Benefit Concert
Monday May 2, 2011
Tipitina’s Uptown, 501 Napoleon Ave., 895-TIPS
The first Monday of Jazz Fest will be the 10th Annual Instruments a Comin’ festival, which serves as a benefit concert, auction, and fundraiser for Band Programs with New Orleans. The Tipitina’s Foundation handpicks the best band directors to be the recipient of the instruments bought from the events (over $2.2 Million dollars in instruments), so you can be rest assured the impact you make by supporting the event will be a long lasting one in the eyes of student you affect. If goodwill enough isn’t that much to get you out there, there is enough good music, even during Jazz Fest, to get you out there including Ivan Neville, MyNameIsJohnMichael Trombone Shorty, Honey Island Swamp Band, and Galactic. Get to Tipitina’s at 5 pm and support New Orleans Music. For those of you who will be homebound, this event will be Webcast. -John Valdespino
BooM BooM RooM PresentS Dragon Smoke plus JUNO WHAT?! Tuesday, May 3, 9 p.m.
One Eye Jacks, 615 Toulouse St., 569-8361
* Dragon Smoke members include Stanton Moore, Ivan Neville, Eric Lindell, and Robert Mercurio, it's easy to understand why the jam band sensation is one of the hottest show tickets to grab during Jazz Fest. Just like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, Dragon Smoke comes out once a year during Jazz Fest blending legendary greats together like a mystical brew. Conceived over 8 years ago at the Dragon's Den, this group brings together dueling vocals from blues infused Eric Lindell along with the first child of funk, Ivan Neville. When you toss in local master drummer Stanton Moore and bassist Robert Mercurio of Galactic the music could go just about anywhere one's imagination can take them. Special guests have also been known to jump into the mix, but that really becomes the norm during Jazz Fest. Tickets are $25 in advance and this super bowl style jam session sells out every year, so make sure and grab your tickets early online at www.boomboomtickets.com .-Sheri Bleuler McKee
Rabadash Records 30th Anniversary Party Featuring John Autin and Big Daddy 'O' Tuesday, May 3, 7 p.m. The Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St., 523-3341
In the middle of Jazz Fest John Autin will be celebrating his record company Rabadash Records with and incredible party at his second home, on the Carousel Bar piano. Autin’s good friend Big Daddy 'O' will also be performing, and there’s no doubt many other Rabadash artists will be dropping by to a visit, sign autographs, and jam. Simply park yourself at the famous bar and take a ride with the Rabadash Records family. –J.J.
Megalomaniacs Ball featuring Garage a Trois with Marco Benevento, Illuminasti Trio feat. James Singleton, Steven Bernstein, Skerik, Mike Dillon and Guests and The Stanton Moore Trio feat. Robert Walter and Scott Metzger
Wednesday May 4, 9 p.m.
The Howlin’ Wolf, 907 South Peters St., 529-5844
If you want to jam out to some of the greatest and most intricate instrumental music you’ve ever heard or you just really love attending Balls, the first Wednesday of May is a quick fix to your desires. The Megalomaniacs Ball is a culmination of some of the greatest instrumentalists around the area with the band Garage a Trois and the Stanton Moore trio both making a rare appearance. Take note though, this concert is only for the cultured, you will be hearing some of the most challenging instrumentals and far and away improvisation to ever be played in New Orleans. So clear off your semi-formal attire, because the Megalomaniacs Ball is not to be missed. Garage a Trois should also be playing some new material from their latest album, Always Be Happy, But Stay Evil before they go on their summer tour run. -John Valdespino
Josh Groban Straight to You Tour 2011 Thursday, May 12, 7:30 PM UNO Lakefront Arena, 6801 Franklin Ave., 280-7222
Illuminations is certified platinum, and Josh Groban is on tour to support this fourth album. The Straight to You Tour 2011 is offering special discounts for students, like Kaitlin Ducote of LSU, who is ‘really in love with "Bells of New York City" from Illuminations.’ Thirteen tracks are featured, 11 of which Groban co-wrote. The wit, the humor, the VOICE—when the talent is this sensational, there are never enough words in a preview article. This operatic pop/adult contemporary megastar is well known for his charity contributions. The recent “Songs for Japan” Itunes compilation features Groban’s single “Awake”. The J.G. phenomenon all began with a most unlikely sequence of events. Josh’s vocal coach sent a tape of the vocalist to producer/composer friend David Foster. Foster hired Groban as a rehearsal singer, ultimately needing a last-minute substitute (for none other than Andrea Boccelli) to practice a duet with…of all performers…Celine Dion. It just happened that Rosie O’Donnell overheard the rehearsal, highlighted Groban on her show, and the rest is his story. Come May 12, Josh will sing. The resultant fan celebration will bring the house down at the Lakefront Arena for sure, and faithful fan or Groban newbie, you’ll definitely want to reserve your seat for the show!—Dionne Charlet
The Bucktown All-Stars
Friday, May 13 Doors: 8 p.m., Show: 9:30 p.m.
Mid City Lanes Rock 'n Bowl, 3016 S. Carrollton Ave.
Jazz Fest may be over but Metairie band Bucktown All-Stars have vowed to keep the music going. Critically-acclaimed and hard to categorize, the All-Stars provide a unique mix of old school a la Sly and the Family Stone, piano jams with a Stevie Wonder groove, and straight-up funk, complete with horn section. Vocalist Wes Raymond adds another genre twist with his gruff vocals and upbeat lyrics, truly completing the nine piece’s distinct sound. Bucktown All-Stars are a staple of the many festivals of Southern Louisiana, playing the Crawfish Festival as well as the Harley Davidson Festival. Tickets are just $10 and can be purchased either online at Rock 'n Bowl's website or at the door. –April Siese
Heaven & Hell Party
Saturday, May 14
The Metropolitan, 310 Andrew Higgins Dr., 568-1700
Angels and demons rejoice as The Metropolitan brings us all together with purgatory opening its gates to let two worlds go to war in New Orleans. Angels with wings adorned in white, blue, and gold will battle the horned and tailed guardians of the underworld! Angels and Demons, Good and Evil, life and death all collide on the battle ground between Heaven and Hell! Angels, Demons, Cherubs, Gargoyles, Saints and Sinners alike will descend upon a hedonistic playground causing an unforgettable ruckus. Enjoy Heaven with the angelic sounds of DJ Wix and Ronnie Roux symphony as their mixes of sound and light fill your eyes, ears, and soul. In Hell, Sky Hi, Digital, and Johnny Cage will corrupt the underworld from the altar of His Darkness. This is an incredible not-to-be-missed party and don’t forget to pick a side and costume to impress! –Sheri Bleuler McKee
Neon TreesTuesday, May 17, 8:00 pm
House of Blues, 225 Decatur Street, (504) 310-4999
A B.97 staple on the “Afternoon Swirl,” with Stevie G and Teapot, alt-rock outfit, the Neon Trees stops by The Big Easy on their LG Ones To Watch Tour at the House of Blues. Formed in the early 2000s, Tyler Glenn (vocals, keyboards), Chris Allen (guitar), Branden Campbell (bass guitar, vocals) and Elaine Bradley (drums, vocals) started gaining recognition in 2008 for touring with mega alt-rock band, The Killers. However, 2010 brought them fame on their own with their debut platinum-selling single, “Animal,” made it into the top 20 of the Billboard’s Hot 100 list. Now with their full-length album, Habits, gaining worldwide exposure, the band has set out on their own to showcase their infectious melodies and to prove they have staying power. -Briana Prevost
Sister Hazel
Friday May 20, 8 p.m.
House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 310-4999
It has been more than a decade since Sister Hazel’s sophomore release, Somewhere More Familiar, went platinum, due largely to the commercial success of their college-pop anthem “All for You.” Despite having vanished from the view of most chart-watchers, the band managed to maintain a devoted grassroots following and penned a total of seven more albums before their 2009 release, Release, returned them to the Billboard album charts. Trying to build on the success of Release, the veteran Gainesville-based pop outfit will be visiting the House of Blues in May to promote their latest effort, Heartland Highway. While responsibility for production and songwriting is more widely dispersed among band members, the most recent album holds faithful to the Sister Hazel sound of the late-1990s. Alternating between light-hearted and wistful, their songs would be equally at home on the college campuses of today as when the band first formed fifteen years ago. If you’re into poppy hooks from acoustic guitars and gentle vocal harmonies, Sister Hazel just may be what you’re looking for. –Garrett Pittman
Weathered
Friday, May 20, 10 PM
Hurricanes Sports Bar and Grill, 1414
Vets., 287-0351
Get on down to Hurricanes in Metry for the sextet named “Best Cover Band for 2007 and 2008” by WHERE Y'AT Magazine. Vocalists Jim Hanley and Rebecca Newell, Keyboardist/Guitarist Drew Bourque, Bassist Marc Matranga, Lead Guitarist Al Teppen and Drummer Tom Richard are a force of nature to be reckoned with when it comes to rock, pop and dance music on any stage. Weathered floods every venue with a torrent of song faves from the 80’s and 90’s to what’s happening now. No need for any Cone of Uncertainty around the third Friday in May. Get da “Who Dat Fever” to the tune of “I’m a Believer”, circle May 20 on your calendar, pack your car and head to Metry where Weathered will make waves through the crowd until the dancing blows over.—Dionne Charlet
2011 Bayou Boogaloo
May 20- 22 , FREE Festival
Bayou St. John, Jefferson Davis Parkway, between Lafitte St. and Dumaine St.
Now in its sixth year, the 2011 Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo promises to be the largest to date. This event, hosted by the non-profit Mothership Foundation, is at once a celebration of local food and music, a space for community-building in the Bayou St. John neighborhood and a fundraiser for local charities. With over thirty bands on the bill, an astonishingly diverse array of musicians will be showing their love for Mid-City at this year’s Boogaloo. The festival will kick off on Friday, May 20, with the blues harmonica and accordion player Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, Mikeall Hawkins’ West African dance company, N'Fungola Sibo, and Cyril Neville’s Tribe 13. Saturday night will feature the trailblazer of New Orleans bounce DJ Jubilee, jazz saxophonist Donald Harrison with his latest project, Congo Nation, and the self-described “Russian mafia band,” Debauche. On the following day, zydeco rub-board powerhouse, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., Creole fiddler extraordinaire, Cedric Watson, and the inimitable bluesman and denizen of Frenchman Street, Washboard Chaz, will bring the weekend to a close. On Saturday morning, before the music starts, Bayou Boogaloo will also be hosting a Mid-City bicycle pub crawl, in which the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club will open the doors to their Broad Street headquarters in a gracious invitation to Boogaloo bikers. Moreover, the Bayou Boogaloo has committed itself to being a “zero-waste event” by asking vendors to use only recyclable or compostable materials and encouraging partygoers to not take motorized personal transportation to the festival site. With off-site bike parking provided by Bayou Bicycles and food provided by over twenty local vendors, come on out to Mid-City’s cleanest, family-friendly music festival, catch some fantastic live music and get down with some of the best neighbors you never knew you had. Like Bayou St. John, this festival goes will go on, rain or shine. –Garrett Pittman
Eisley
Wednesday, June 1
The Parish @ HOB, 225 Decatur St.,
The DuPree’s are coming! The DuPree’s are coming! Yes indeed. Indie Rock Quintet, Eisley is hitting the road and charts; heading to Parish New Orleans June 1. The family group consisting of siblings, Chauntelle, Sherri, Stacy, and Weston DuPree, as well as close cousin Garron DuPree, began playing in the late 90’s at tender ages and of course, all in good fun. Known as the Towheads back then, the family of kids played for a while as the house band of their parent’s Brewtones Coffee Galaxy establishment before deciding upon a much cooler, far out moniker, adopting the name Mos Eisley after the infamous town of the Star Wars canon. After performing the indie circuit between 1998 and 2003, the band got signed in 2003. There were concerns that big Mr. Lucas would probably sue the pants off them for their name, despite their love of his work. The band considered names such as “Neverland” and “Sinclaire” before (thank god) deciding to simply drop the “Mos” and henceforth be named equally as cool, “Eisley”. The group is known for their smooth rocking sounds and indie sensibilities, citing The Beatles, Jeremy Engik, and Radiohead as influences. Check out what all the fuss is about June 1 at the Parish in the House of Blues as Eisley makes another stop on their Turning Tides Tour promoting their newest album The Valley. –Craig Macgraff
