New Orleans_ Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse

Irvin Mayfield's New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) Jam

Irvin Mayfield, Jr. (b. December 23, 1977) is an American jazz trumpeter and bandleader. He has been serving as Cultural Ambassador of the City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana since 2003.

Mayfield began his musical career during the latter half of the 1980s, playing with the Algiers Brass Band, a traditional New Orleans based street act. His early work with the band was educational for him. In the late 1990s he shared an apartment in New York City with Wynton Marsalis for a brief period. Wynton was already an accomplished recording artist at the time.

As a young man he attended and graduated from NOCCA, acquiring a scholarship to the famous Juilliard School of Music based in New York City. Instead of accepting the scholarship, at the behest of Ellis Marsalis, he decided to attend University of New Orleans instead (where Ellis ran the jazz studies department).

In 1998 Mayfield helped found Los Hombres Calientes, a New Orleans jazz group that incorporates Afro-Cuban jazz with rhythm & blues. Original members include Mayfield, Bill Summers, Jason Marsalis, Victor Atkins III, David Pulphus and Yvette-Bostic Summers. Shortly after forming, the band signed with Basin Street Records, a New Orleans-based jazz record label.

His recording debut with Los Hombres Calientes was 

a success, and Mayfield gained national recognition as a result.

In the fall of 2002 Mayfield founded the Institute of Jazz Culture at Dillard University, having been an artist-in-residence there since 1995. The mission of the Institute is to combine several educational approaches toward jazz music, offering courses which combine music with politics and culture. Much of the inspiration for founding the Institute came from Mayfield's time spent living with Marsalis as Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, wondering why New Orleans did not have such a place.

In December 2002 Mayfield founded the sixteen-piece New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, of which he still serves as artistic director, a jazz ensemble. Dedicated to education in the performing arts. Proceeds from events related to the group help to fund organizational expenditures, and the ensemble originally worked out of the Institute of Jazz at Dillard University.

Mayfield serves as bandleader, and other members have included Evan Christopher, among others. As of January 2006, the new home of the orchestra has been at Tulane University. The orchestra also has a residency program at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) that includes educational workshops, performances and commissioned musical pieces for debut in Newark, New Jersey. Currently the orchestra is performing New Orleans: Then and Now nationwide, featuring selections from the early years of jazz in New Orleans as well as some penned by Mayfield himself. Mayfield believes strongly that supporting the orchestra helps put the musicians of New Orleans back to work.

In 2005 he joined Wynton Marsalis and a host of other musicians at the Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. New York Times jazz critic Jon Pareles wrote in an article on the event, "The concert's most touching moment was a performance by the New Orleans trumpeter Irvin Mayfield. His father, he said, is still among the missing.

He played "Just a Closer Walk with Thee," the hymn that becomes both dirge and celebration at New Orleans funerals." Mayfield's father was found dead the next day in an area near Elysian Fields Avenue (a victim of drowning). Three months later DNA evidence officially confirmed the identity of the body.

As you can see in the pictures, I really loved it. There was a good vibe between the musicians and the are also top musicians. A very hight level musically and technical.
I knew a lot of the songs they played and the audience really enjoyed it. Irvin is a true performer and he wants the audience to be a part of the concert. I was also very surprised to hear them singing but it was amazing. The students I guess whom joined them at the end where very talented and modest about them self, very nice to see/ hear.
At the end of the concert you couldn't be seated any more. The music got the people on there feet dancing! The drummer was amazing as a drummer but also as a singer. The also jammed their way through the lyrics sometimes what made it sometimes very funny.
It was truly one of the highlights of my visit in NO, LA! The playhouse that's Irvin own is very very nice. Great atmosphere and nice sound a real jazz club. The saxophone player who also played with Ellis Marsalis, as so also the bass player, where also very good. The band was a top selection of great musicians and great music. I couldn't have asked for anything better!! So thanks Irvin is was amazing and a very nice first but not last visit to your playhouse! Thanks for the amazing night!

New Orleans: Snug Harbor

Davell Crawford Website

The Prince of New Orleans...Davell Crawford

 The New Orleans piano tradition to many around the world has been praised as Sainthood. New Orleans has also birthed more great piano players than any other city in the world. This honoured privilege is held highly by the many locals and music connoisseurs that live and visit this great city.

Davell Crawford, an all-around musical sensation, is one of the true wonders of the contemporary Crescent City music scene. Bill Taylor from Blues Access proclaims, "Plain and simple, Davell Crawford is one of the most talented musicians alive!"

Also known as the "Prince of New Orleans," Davell is one of the city's most exiting live performers. Despite his age, he has for years been a major force in American Roots Music. He has traveled, recorded, and taught the importance of music not only from New Orleans, but true Roots music from Traditional Jazz, to Gospel, Funk and R&B. Cited as one of the few musicians committed to keeping the piano sounds of New Orleans alive, he stands as the only and most docu­mented young piano player that has kept the music true while adding a little freshness and vitality.

"It is impossible to hear more than the first two minutes of Crawford without smiling and breaking into some serious foot tapping, there's just no other way to describe it, unless, of course, you’re dead".

-Chuck Graham, Tucson Citizen

Performing since the age of seven, Davell has already enjoyed a wild widely acclaimed career as an entertainer. He emerged as a teenage piano terror and began to unfold his incredible talent before the world. Hailed as "The Prince of New Orleans"' he has toured many countries including Spain, Italy, France, Russia, Finland, Dominica, Brazil, Morocco, and Portugal among others. He has played extensively thorough out the states as well.

As a true roots musician, he shoots out from his deep gospel roots to incorporate the entire piano tradition from R & B to Blues, Soul and Funk.

"Davell is the embodiment of every New Orleans music legend that has ever lived, from Jelly Roll Morton to Dr. John, from Mahalia and Satchmo, to James Booker and Professor Longhair, all rolled up into one musical ball of fire."

Davell Crawford's music is for real from the first note to the last. He has hailed as the gatekeeper of the New Orleans piano legacy, following Professor Longhair and James Booker. At the very least, he fulfills the bill only because he's an original stylist rather than a copier.

"Davell Crawford is what New Orleans sounds like ... and it just doesn't get any better than that!!!"Born With the Funk

Let me say it right out Davell Crawford is one of the most incredibly talented musicians New Orleans have ever produced. He's conducted choirs in Catholic, Baptist and Spiritualist churches and led gospel ensembles of his own. "Born with the Funk" is the record many of his fans have been waiting for, and dear friends, I'm happy to announce the wait is over. This is Davell Crawford's at his very best and it just doesn't get any better than that! Davell is just beginning to reveal the depth and extent of his songwriting skills, introducing here such gems of New Orleans rhythm & blues as " The Mardi Gras Song", "Going Back Home To New Orleans", "Please Forgive Me", Sad Song", and " Born With The Funk".

-John Sinclair, Blues Access

The Piano In The Vaults, Vols. 1, 2 & 3

These three recordings are solo piano performance. Davell is at his best with the 88 keys and a microphone.  Playing varying piano styles ranging from New Orleans Ragtime & Stride to Blues, Gospel and New Orleans R&B. These recordings serve as historical masterpieces recorded years ago to the present. “Piano In The Vaults, Vol.1” was recorded in Davell’s own studio, located in the heart of the Ninth Ward in New Orleans.  These recordings truly illustrate the flare and charisma of New Orleans. Vol.2 is equally brilliant with Davell paying tribute to his grandfather, Sugarboy Crawford, on gems such as Round & Round and You Gave Me Love, two of the elder Crawford’s works. Two originals, the opening cut, A Song For James and Booker Days are tributes to the late great New Orleans piano player James Booker. On Volume 3, Davell invites special guest Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown to join him on trumpet. From “Whoopin’ Blues” and “Bogolussa Strut” to “Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans” and “Joe Avery Second Line”, Leon and Davell give the listener a true taste of the sounds of New Orleans and gently reminds each heart of how important of a place New Orleans is and why we should never ever forget it. Of course, it is the birth place of jazz…and the fact of the matter is, these recordings will remind you of that. 

I really loved the concert. It's an amazing singer and piano player. The funk he puts in some of the songs I knew like 'the river of dreams' he rewrote from Billy Joel and some other where amazing. The song 'ode Louisiana' blew me away. I've listened to his cd and it is truly a gift from him. So thanks for the great music and you can feel his love for the music in the music which I found very amazing! Good luck Davell but I'm sure you're going to a big one one day!It was again an amazing night at Snug Harbor in NO. 

New Orleans, NATCHEZ

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The DUKES of Dixieland blow traditional jazz and Dixieland into the 21st Century, weaving strands of pop, gospel, and country with authentic New Orleans sounds. More than 32 years of tradition stand behind today's Dukes as they step forward with a sound that is durable and flexible, as jazz is meant to be. The DUKES of Dixieland - strong tradition, new ground, great sounds.

The DUKES have worn their New Orleans jazz heritage proudly as globe-trotting jazz ambassadors from the heart of the Big Easy. They are the oldest continuing Dixieland jazz band and have sold out such venues as The Hollywood Bowl, the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian, to name but a few. Bright and brassy or smooth and dark as cane syrup, the DUKES bring a time-honored authenticity to all of the hits of Dixie's yesteryear.

To see a real Dixieland band was great. They didn't play Bill Bailey thou. It gave the cruise more atmosphere and made the people more in the mood to dance. The steamboat had a real big horn that made a lot off noise but gave it also a more authentic feeling.

I've got a video of it if you want to check it out

click here

New Orleans_ Snug Harbor

Ellis Marsalis Quartet            10 pm

Ellis started out as a tenor saxophonist, switching to piano while in high school. From his first professional performance with over fifty years ago, Ellis has been a major influence in jazz. At that time, Marsalis was one of the few New Orleans musicians who did not specialize in Dixieland or rhythm and blues. He played with fellow modernists including Cannonball Adderley, Nat Adderley, and Ed Blackwell, becoming one of the most respected pianists in jazz. He has recorded over twenty of his own albums, and was featured on many discs.

It was a very nice concert with music from Ellis himself, Louis Armstrong, Tommy Wolf and some more. He's very creative in the way of playing and changing the melody. Sometimes it seems like the rest of the band is listening to where he's going and when the song realy starts. His introductions or intermettzo's are very amazing. He has an one style and realy listens to the notes and is always looking for something new. That's how it came to me. Very interesting man, music and quartet. Great musicians with a great taste and knowledge in music. I'm sure I didn't hear it all but it was very instructive and new to hear such a concert!
Now I know where the Marsalis' brothers get there talent from. The old man is a master in playing the piano and playing jazz music. Lets hope he keeps playing for a long time because you should see/ hear him if you can and if you're a true jazz lover!
Thanks Ellis it was one of the best things I heard so far! Love NO!

Charleston

JAC Jazz Series Website

Tenor Madness

MARK STERBANK & ROBERT LEWIS

Mark Sterbank – Tenor Saxophone
Robert Lewis – Tenor Saxophone
Tyler Ross – Guitar
Kevin Hamilton – Bass
David Patterson – Drums

Returning to the JAC Jazz Series is Tenor Madness. This unique performance features a concert-long duel between tenor saxophonists and Charleston jazz mainstays Mark Sterbank and Robert Lewis. The performance is a review of jazz standards that have elevated the tenor saxophone as well as traditional jazz tunes rearranged to accommodate this one-of-a-kind format. In addition to being master saxophone players and in-demand Charleston musicians, Sterbank and Lewis are also educators, leading the jazz departments at Charleston Southern University and The College of Charleston, respectively.

It was a great concert. A great way to end my stay in Charleston. I've met some nice and good musicians here. They started off with off course 'Tenor Madness' and after that they played a song of Wayne Shorter. After that there were some songs from MArk himself, they were very nice. I've heard him every concert of the Jazz Series and he's a very good saxophone player. He has a soft and good solid tone. He's also very open to the people he plays with on stage and respects the other musicians in his solo's and their solo's. It nice to see good musicians who listen to each other and have respect for the music and each other. He's also an teacher at the Charleston Southern University as so is Robert. Robert is also the Director of Jazz Studies at the College of Charleston, balancing his career between performance and education. Robert is also the lead alto saxophonist and a featured soloist with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, one of the premier big bands in South Carolina. Robert was the winner of the 1998 “db” award by Downbeat Magazine for “Best Jazz Soloist,” chosen from thousands of applicants around the country. They are a challenge towards each other but a blessing to listen to. The song Soul Eyes from Mal Waldorn was my favourite one of the evening. A song that's so nice and sensitive was so intense and sensitive played by both saxes that it really touched me! Thanks to the great skills of all the musicians on the stage. A great performance with great music what more can you get?

 Thanks it was true MADNESS!

Charleston

JAC Jazz Series

Charleton Singleton Quintet

Charleston jazz mainstay Charlton Singleton leads his quintet through new territory, exploring the world of contemporary jazz through the lens of Charleston’s rich jazz heritage. Programming will range from the music of Grover Washington, Jr. to Jeff Lorber and will also include original compositions.

Contemporary Flow


Charlton Singleton – Trumpet
Richard White, Jr. – Piano
Kevin Hamilton – Bass
Quentin Baxter – Drums

Mark Sterbank – Tenor Saxophone

Very good jazz concert. I went to the late night sesion at 10pm then there aren't as many people and I can enjoy the music more!
Charlton has a nice way of playing the trumpet. The very soft and sensitive sound had some good rhythm to it.
Marc on sax also had some nice melody lines in the music. The connection between the musicians was nice. They played originals that are going to be on Charlton his new record in July and some contemporary music.
In this video you have a preview Click here

Charleston

Spoleto festival Website

Johnnyswim

The stunning and original sound of this new vocal duo began in a record deal gone bad. Though he’d given up on a career in music, Abner Ramirez had kept on writing and performing songs. When he met Amanda Sudano, the two began writing together, drawing from any corner of popular music that pleased them, from folk and soul to indie-pop and R&B. To these songs they gave their show-stopping voices, and Johnnyswim was born. No matter the story of a song or its musical influence, each tune burns with a spirit and passion that has this singer/songwriter team turning heads in the music world.

It was a great concert and nice meeting them. They have a nice way of putting their inspirations into their own songs. They have respect for the music and that's nice to see and hear.