PBS News

[Zbonnie]

The cut and paste may be screwed up, but the big news is Russell got married!!!

Fest Fun with Porter Batiste Stoltz
http://image.exct.net/3406061170418.jpgThe guys had a lot to celebrate at this year's Jazz Fest, including the release of George's new studio album "It's Life," Brian's double live disc "Up All Night," and Russell's wedding!

Jazz Fest started with the Brian Stoltz Band kickin' off the 1st weekend at Louisiana Music Factory, followed by George Porter, Jr. & the Runnin' Pardners on the Festival Fairgrounds and then Russell Batiste & Friends helping to close it all out ten days later at the Maple Leaf.

In between the two weekends on the Fairgrounds, George, Russell and Brian performed all over town. George had an incredible night at the Preservation Music Hall with Jon Cleary and he followed it up the next day with one of his legendary Runnin' Pardners gigs for those crazy Fessheads. Russell played with Zigaboo Modeliste at the Board of Trade and he also backed Brian at Preservation Hall during a guitar clinic with Leo Nocentelli, Renard Poche and Ian Neville. This was a very special event, where 4 kings of NOLA funk guitar shared their craft with a house full of their biggest fans.

Topping it all off was a packed show at the Howlin' Wolf with the New Orleans Funkmasters and a full set from Porter Batiste Stoltz. It was a hot night - PBS played an intense set that truly displayed their focus as a cohesive, hard working funk band. It was polished, tight and above all PHAT.

The wonders of music never cease during Jazz Fest. Nothing in this world is more n'awlins than the festival and it's hard to say "enough's enough" when there are so many amazing sights and sounds to behold. We'll all have to wait until next spring for another Jazz Fest, but in the meantime, there will be plenty of opportunities to see Porter Batiste Stoltz this year!

Photo Credit: Marinda Righter

Russell Got Married!
http://image.exct.net/c159a9a4-b.jpg Bittersweet tears of joy and sadness were shed as this year's Jazz Fest came to a close. While music lovers across New Orleans mourned the end of the festival, Russell Batiste's bandmates, friends and family all came together to celebrate a very special occasion!

Mr. and Mrs. Russell Batiste were married in the wee hours of May 8, 2007 at the Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans. Although few people beyond the couple's inner circle were initially informed of the wedding, news of the ceremony spread across the town like wild fire.

The happy couple exchanged their vows amid a "who's who" of New Orleans music royalty. Among the star studded crowd gathered for the pending nuptials were Stanton Moore, Skerik, Brian Stoltz, Bert Cotton, Henry Butler, George Porter Jr., Leo Nocentelli, Art Neville and Papa Grows Funk, who were also there to perform their regular Monday night gig at the Maple Leaf. David Batiste Sr. was the best man and Pesuky Nocentelli gave the bride away, while Ara Porter and Claudette Hunter took part as bridesmaids.

The highlight of the evening was the couple's first dance. Russell and Rita shared a beautiful and tearful moment as Art Neville sang an emotional rendition of "All These Things" with George Porter Jr., Leo Nocentelli, John Gros and Jeff "Jellybean" Alexander laying down the backing grooves. Watching the newlyweds dance while 3 of the 4 original Meters performed together made the already memorable evening a truly unforgettable experience. Even Russell Batiste himself cried in an overwhelmed state of joy, making this night one for the history books!

Photo Credit: Robert Chapman


Porter Batiste Stoltz Summer Tour Dates
All Good Festival and More

Summer is the season for live music, so the guys are hittin' the road!

We're proud to announce that the band will be kickin' it off at the All Good Festival, where they'll share the stage with Bob Weir & Ratdog, moe., Les Claypool, Keller Williams and many other incredible artists.

Check out the schedule - the guys are jammin' all summer long!

FridayJuly 13All Good Festival (http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe3015747160027b701471&ls=fdf5117173620d7f74147673&m=fef5177775630d&l=fe9715727366017c72&s=fdfb1670706d067d74117673&jb=ffcf14&t=)Masontown, WVThursdayJuly 19B.B. King's Music Club (http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2d15747160027b701474&ls=fdf5117173620d7f74147673&m=fef5177775630d&l=fe9715727366017c72&s=fdfb1670706d067d74117673&jb=ffcf14&t=)New York, NYFridayJuly 20The Stone Church (http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2b15747160027b701476&ls=fdf5117173620d7f74147673&m=fef5177775630d&l=fe9715727366017c72&s=fdfb1670706d067d74117673&jb=ffcf14&t=)Newmarket, NHSaturdayJuly 21Narrows Center For The Arts (http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2915747160027b701478&ls=fdf5117173620d7f74147673&m=fef5177775630d&l=fe9715727366017c72&s=fdfb1670706d067d74117673&jb=ffcf14&t=)Fall River, MAMondayJuly 23The Chicken Box (http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe3015747160027b701570&ls=fdf5117173620d7f74147673&m=fef5177775630d&l=fe9715727366017c72&s=fdfb1670706d067d74117673&jb=ffcf14&t=)Nantucket, MATuesdayJuly 24The Chicken Box (http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2e15747160027b701572&ls=fdf5117173620d7f74147673&m=fef5177775630d&l=fe9715727366017c72&s=fdfb1670706d067d74117673&jb=ffcf14&t=)Nantucket, MASundayJuly 29Private FunctionN/AFridayAug. 1712 Galaxies (http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2b15747160027b701575&ls=fdf5117173620d7f74147673&m=fef5177775630d&l=fe9715727366017c72&s=fdfb1670706d067d74117673&jb=ffcf14&t=)San Francisco, CASaturdayAug. 18Brews, Jazz and Funk (http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2a15747160027b701576&ls=fdf5117173620d7f74147673&m=fef5177775630d&l=fe9715727366017c72&s=fdfb1670706d067d74117673&jb=ffcf14&t=)Olympic Valley, CASundayAug. 19Brews, Jazz and Funk (http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2a15747160027b701576&ls=fdf5117173620d7f74147673&m=fef5177775630d&l=fe9715727366017c72&s=fdfb1670706d067d74117673&jb=ffcf14&t=)Olympic Valley, CASaturdayAug. 25NedFest (http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2715747160027b701579&ls=fdf5117173620d7f74147673&m=fef5177775630d&l=fe9715727366017c72&s=fdfb1670706d067d74117673&jb=ffcf14&t=)Nederland, COThursdayAug. 30Summer Concert SeriesPanama City Beach, FLFridayAug. 31Bamboo Room (http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2e15747160027b701671&ls=fdf5117173620d7f74147673&m=fef5177775630d&l=fe9715727366017c72&s=fdfb1670706d067d74117673&jb=ffcf14&t=)Lake Worth, FLSaturdaySept. 1Bamboo Room (http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2c15747160027b701673&ls=fdf5117173620d7f74147673&m=fef5177775630d&l=fe9715727366017c72&s=fdfb1670706d067d74117673&jb=ffcf14&t=)Lake Worth, FLSaturdayOct. 27Voodoo Music Experience (http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2a15747160027b701675&ls=fdf5117173620d7f74147673&m=fef5177775630d&l=fe9715727366017c72&s=fdfb1670706d067d74117673&jb=ffcf14&t=)New Orleans, LA

[swag]

Being discussed here:
http://www.nojazzfest.com/chat/showthread.php?t=2822

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Now and Congrats to Russ and his lovely wife!!! Russ is a funky wildman who lays down the groove with the best of 'em!!! If PBS is coming anywhere near you, dont ya dare miss them, and please tell the guys that Matthew from Salt Lake says hello!!! Have a funk-filled summer, Matthew

[denideadhead]

Hey Now and Congrats to Russ and his lovely wife!!! Russ is a funky wildman who lays down the groove with the best of 'em!!! If PBS is coming anywhere near you, dont ya dare miss them, and please tell the guys that Matthew from Salt Lake says hello!!! Have a funk-filled summer, Matthew
Matthew I'll tell the guys in PBS hi from you when I see them in NYC next week but you have to tell the Nevs Denise from CT says hey ;)....when you see em in Salt Lake.

[tangledupinblue]

Matthew I'll tell the guys in PBS hi from you when I see them in NYC next week but you have to tell the Nevs Denise from CT says hey ;)....when you see em in Salt Lake.

Will be right beside ya babe! Can't wait. You also going to Trombone Shorty and Blind Boys at Pier 54 prior to B.B's???

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Now Tangled and Denise, have a great time at the PBS show, and please say high to band from me--- I hope you are both having a funky summer and doing well. Matthew. PS Tangled, how was the Bob Weir show in the park? I havent caught a Ratdog show for a while, hope he is still enjoying the ride.....

[LisaRI]

got that email too,
hey anyone in the RI/ SE Mass area, don't miss the show at the Narrows in Fall River, MA. I saw them there last year and it rocked! Unfortunately I won't be around next weekend (Greyfox bluegrass fest.) But the Narrows is a great venue, check it out at ncfta.org.

[denideadhead]

Lisa
Have a blast at Greyfox !! That fest used to be an annual event for us wayback in the day when it was WinterHawk. I always liked it and I wish I could motivate my other half to go but it is just not happening so I will probably be at PBS. Btw if you see a krewe with a couch set up on the field say hi to Gordon and Pam from Denise and Buff :)

[grisgris]

Hey Sissy Boo. Hope you are doing good. Enjoy the music.