Current Hottest Jazz/Blues Guitarists in Town

[roscoecat]

I'm coming into town this year for French Qtr Fest and talked two friends, an Archtop builder and a guitarist, into their first trips ever to New Orleans (what's been wrong with them all these years) and since I'm not that familiar with who is in a lot of the acts playing I'm looking for some help here with who are the best jazz guitar players at the FQR Fest and/or likely to be playing around town that weekend.

We've all already seen Walter Washington and John Mooney, so help me out here, who else are we looking for.

Thanks in advance.

[bobatude]

We've all already seen Walter Washington and John Mooney, so help me out here, who else are we looking for.

Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]

take a look at bryann lee (blues guitarist)

[Lit]

Look for Will Bernard or Eric Krasno. Also June Yamagishi, who is in Papa Grows Funk but also plays around with others.

[funkkjunkie]

June will likely be with the Wild Maggies at the festival. Also at the fest is Renard Poche who plays guitar and other instruments.

[Jordan]

Jimmy Robinson, Phil Degruy are two of the best guitarists I have ever seen. They both play in Twangorama and do solo gigs.

As for FQF guitar acts I'd recommend:
Fri - Billy Iuso; Tin Men (I like Alex McMurray's playing)
Sat - Renard Poche
Sun - Radiators; Jimmy Robinson (don't miss him)


Have fun

[Frosty]

Not to be blatantly obvious but are your friends already familiar with Sonny Landreth?

[Jordan]

I didn't see Sonny listed anywhere that weekend (but I didn't look too closely)

[Frosty]

I didn't see Sonny listed anywhere that weekend (but I didn't look too closely)

Oops, I misread FQF as Jazz Fest. Freudian Slip. My bad.

[chill9]

In more of a jazz vein, you might want to check out one of my faves, Steve Masakowski of Astral Project (Saturday). Also, Todd Duke, who usually plays with John Boutte (Sunday), is a very tasteful player on the archtop.

[roscoecat]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I knew about Steve Massakowski but couldn't remember his name. Just listened to Todd Duke and John Butte doing a duet on You/Tube from a LA Music Factory in store: putting him on the list to look for. I love Bryan Lee, been going to see him since my fist trip to town when he used to play all week at the Absinthe House, not sure he's around though. Actually think I saw Royal Fingerbowl listed at some club that weekend although I like Alex more as a songwriter than guitar slinger.

Anymore suggestions appreciated. Does Irvin Mayfield or
Mario Abney have a guitar in their group?

[ibjamn]

Not sure about Irvin's band, but that reminds me, he does have a new music club that opened this week in the Royal Sonesta hotel; Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playground.

[MormonMatthew]

For two amazing guitars in one venerable, beloved New Orleans band, the Radiators are a must see. They have been playing (the same five guys) for 30+ years, and have a worldwide cult following. Its not straight ahead jazz, blues, funk or even rock n roll, but a spicy cajun gumbo of all those styles, served up in a unique way that is impossible to put a neat label on.

The Radiators are a New Orleans institution, and if you have never had the chance to see them live, you are missing one of the Crescent City's greatest treasures!!!

Enjoy your visit, Matthew

[Apostrophe (')]

Not sure about Irvin's band, but that reminds me, he does have a new music club that opened this week in the Royal Sonesta hotel; Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playground.

ooh, yeah. i'd love to get the scoop on the venue.

[FishH2O]

Amen to that !!!!!

[jazzjones]

In more of a jazz vein, you might want to check out one of my faves, Steve Masakowski of Astral Project (Saturday). Also, Todd Duke, who usually plays with John Boutte (Sunday), is a very tasteful player on the archtop.

+1, Chuck. IMO, Masakowski is THE jazz guitarist in New Orleans, for, what, 25 years running? And on 7-string guitar, no less.

[Jordan]

Phil Degruy plays a 17 stringed Guitarp - it is pretty wild http://www.guitarp.com/guitarp.html

[sfnola]

Eric Lindell! I love his sound and he's a fantastic singer as well.

[jazzjones]

Not sure about Irvin's band, but that reminds me, he does have a new music club that opened this week in the Royal Sonesta hotel; Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playground.

I don't think I've ever seen a guitarist in any of Irvin's bands - seems like he usually brings a quartet, with piano, bass, drums, or a quintet, with sax added to the mix.

Has anyone been to his new club yet?

[SeeFood]

June is smokin hot! Alex McMurray rocks to.. Straight ahead blues try some Lil Freddy at the Fest, and jazz definately Astral Projects Masekowski. John Mooney is always great. Side note I saw John Fohl last night with Johnny Sansonne at Chickie Wah Wah and had forgotten just how good he is. That club is terrific too and now has good food and a side patio you can hang in and still see/ hear the band. Mooney has a Sunday night gig there now too..

[mightyradgumbo]

In more of a jazz vein, you might want to check out one of my faves, Steve Masakowski of Astral Project (Saturday). Also, Todd Duke, who usually plays with John Boutte (Sunday), is a very tasteful player on the archtop.

Todd sometimes plays with Paul Sanchez too so there are a couple of possibilities to see him. YYR, Seefood, Fohl is a damn good guitarist.

[duende]

June is smokin hot! Alex McMurray rocks to.. Straight ahead blues try some Lil Freddy at the Fest, and jazz definately Astral Projects Masekowski. John Mooney is always great. Side note I saw John Fohl last night with Johnny Sansonne at Chickie Wah Wah and had forgotten just how good he is. That club is terrific too and now has good food and a side patio you can hang in and still see/ hear the band. Mooney has a Sunday night gig there now too..

everybody's covered my fav's - and John Fohl is a sleeper (Zoot Suit Riot... Rye-ut!). Jon Cleary is actually a very good guitarist and plays in a jazzy fusion manner. But here's the thing - the guitarist playing where you're listening might very well be the best guitarist in town, on that night. I've heard some phenom's sitting in with the New Orleans Street Beat band at Crescent City Brewing and honestly wondered if the group we left the brewery to go see would actually top what we'd been getting for the price of the tip jar at Crescent. Also - Carl on tenor banjo with Preservation Hall will make you rethink the whole "i wanna be a guitar player" idea.

[aardy90210]

Also June Yamagishi, who is in Papa Grows Funk but also plays around with others.

i concur with this. that guy is an animal.

[stlbarb]

John Fohl puts down some fine blues guitar.

[Leni]

I'm coming into town this year for French Qtr Fest and talked two friends, an Archtop builder and a guitarist, into their first trips ever to New Orleans (what's been wrong with them all these years) and since I'm not that familiar with who is in a lot of the acts playing I'm looking for some help here with who are the best jazz guitar players at the FQR Fest and/or likely to be playing around town that weekend.

We've all already seen Walter Washington and John Mooney, so help me out here, who else are we looking for.

Thanks in advance.

I'm a big John Fohl fan (he tours w/Dr. John these days). He keeps it tasty and simple.

[Gards]

i concur with this. that guy is an animal.

A few years go he was down here in Aus,to play with I think Marva Wright at Byron,but he guested with so many others it was hard to remember whom.
But I remember that he played realy well and that he was wearing the red hat just like when I he had seen him at JazzFest.

[bobatude]

oh man i was reflecting about last year at the jazz fest festivities and i remembered "dave easley" a fantastic blow your mind pedal steel guitar player. if you get a chance to see him around town, dont miss. last couple of years ive seen him on frenchman st.. he performs solo and sometimes w/coco

[Jordan]

oh man i was reflecting about last year at the jazz fest festivities and i remembered "dave easley" a fantastic blow your mind pedal steel guitar player. if you get a chance to see him around town, dont miss. last couple of years ive seen him on frenchman st.. he performs solo and sometimes w/coco

Easley is awesome -- I'll never forget the Campbell Brothers show at the old point where he played with them!

Also underrated is Bert Cotton (Bonerama) (Have Soul Will Travel) (Ingrid Lucia - sometimes)

[jonnygospeltent]

Jimmy Robinson, Phil Degruy are two of the best guitarists I have ever seen. They both play in Twangorama and do solo gigs.

As for FQF guitar acts I'd recommend:
Fri - Billy Iuso; Tin Men (I like Alex McMurray's playing)
Sat - Renard Poche
Sun - Radiators; Jimmy Robinson (don't miss him)


Have fun

Amen to the don't miss status of Jimmy Robinson.

[babyzyde]

Certainly everybody has their favs, and many of mine have been listed-Fohl at the top-but a couple more need recognition- Jack Cole is one of the best unknown blues guitar players I have ever seen. He plays with Johnny Sansone and some others-he simply hits all the right notes with no flash, no 'wah-wah' distortion. Second one is John Rankin-I saw him at Snug with Allen Toussaint, and he was awesome! I always try to catch his Tuesday night sets at The Columns.
Certainly, no guitar player will give you a straight answer when you ask, "Who is the best guitar player in NOLA?" But, that has never stopped me from asking them-one name keeps coming up from other guitar players-Cranston Clements.
Another name that shouldn't go unmentioned is Spencer Bohren
Guess there are too many good ones in NOLA to get to see all of them!

[Lit]

Certainly everybody has their favs, and many of mine have been listed-Fohl at the top-but a couple more need recognition- Jack Cole is one of the best unknown blues guitar players I have ever seen. He plays with Johnny Sansone and some others-he simply hits all the right notes with no flash, no 'wah-wah' distortion. Second one is John Rankin-I saw him at Snug with Allen Toussaint, and he was awesome! I always try to catch his Tuesday night sets at The Columns.
Certainly, no guitar player will give you a straight answer when you ask, "Who is the best guitar player in NOLA?" But, that has never stopped me from asking them-one name keeps coming up from other guitar players-Cranston Clements.
Another name that shouldn't go unmentioned is Spencer Bohren
Guess there are too many good ones in NOLA to get to see all of them!

A propos of your Cranston Clements and Spencer Bohren recommendations, it bears noting that they both (and many other great musicians) play in the Chilluns, a fairly recent New Orleans supergroup of sorts. Looking forward to seeing them at IAC this year.

[Apostrophe (')]

Looking forward to seeing them at IAC this year.

Me too, might be as close to Twangorama as I get this trip. That's shaping up to be a fun night.

[ibjamn]

Certainly everybody has their favs, and many of mine have been listed-Fohl at the top-but a couple more need recognition- Jack Cole is one of the best unknown blues guitar players I have ever seen. He plays with Johnny Sansone and some others-he simply hits all the right notes with no flash, no 'wah-wah' distortion. Second one is John Rankin-I saw him at Snug with Allen Toussaint, and he was awesome! I always try to catch his Tuesday night sets at The Columns.
Certainly, no guitar player will give you a straight answer when you ask, "Who is the best guitar player in NOLA?" But, that has never stopped me from asking them-one name keeps coming up from other guitar players-Cranston Clements.
Another name that shouldn't go unmentioned is Spencer Bohren
Guess there are too many good ones in NOLA to get to see all of them!

Oh my gosh, I can't believe I didn't think of Cranston! He is an amazing guitarist and will be playing at the fairgrounds with his daughter's band, Sugarland! :)

[belyin]

Lots of great suggestions that just about covers all the conventionally good guitar slingers, other than Mark Brooks and Don Vappie (mostly known for his banjo work, but he's a monster musician.) But as always with the guitar, singular voices are hard to find. Phil DeGruy has already been mentioned; no surprise to me that Jonathan Freilich hasn't, since he gets little love in New Orleans, especially from the Jazz Fest. (He is however a 2008 recipient of the Louisiana Governors Arts Award for music.) Freilich is best known as the guitarist in the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, and in the past has made numerous Jazz Fest appearances with 007, Los Vecenos, Mas Mamones, and Michael Ray and the Cosmic Krewe. Freilich leads several groups, including New Orleans' longest running creative jazz supergroup Naked On the Floor (http://validrecords.com/cdDetails.php?id=11) (w/Rick Trolsen (Neslort), Tim Green, James Singleton (Astral Project), and Doug Garrison (Iguanas)) and the Naked Orchestra, as well as several projects with his best friend Alex McMurray. (Naked on the Floor will be appearing at ChazFest this year.)

As a guitarist, Jonathan is well versed in the blues vernacular, but at any moment he may bolt for outer space. This is what jazzweekly.com (http://www.jazzweekly.com/reviews/naked_naked.htm) had to say about him:

As a guitar soloist, Freilich possesses a unique and readily identifiable voice. This is a rare thing to be able to say about an electric guitarist these days! He totally shuns electronic gimmicks, preferring to generate a surprisingly broad sound palette by radically varying his attack and volume. One of his favorite tricks is a rapid-fire flamenco-like strumming with both hands going crazy up and down the guitar’s neck – a stunt previously used to great effect by avant-gardeners such as Eugene Chadbourne and Billy Jenkins. Freilich’s solos never seem to follow a script - he may feature swift jazzy single note runs, Jim Hall-like backhanded lyricism, and rockabilly parody, as well as any number of wildman antics, all in quick and decisive succession. Other points of stylistic reference for Freilich the improvisor could be James Blood Ulmer, Kelvyn Bell, Sonny Sharrock (Black Woman / Monkey Pockie Boo-era), and Scotty Moore, though he’s more his own man than any list of possible influences could ever indicate.

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Amen to the don't miss status of Jimmy Robinson.

I know we started out talking about FQF.
fyi: Some other Jimmy Robinson gigs during JF.

WED 4/30 NEW ORLEANS , LA Carrollton Station with WOODENHEAD
SAT 4/26 NEW ORLEANS , LA The Neutral Ground (unplugged) 8-10 p.m.
FRI 4/25 NEW ORLEANS , LA New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival with The Susan Cowsill Band

[Lit]

Lots of great suggestions that just about covers all the conventionally good guitar slingers, other than Mark Brooks and Don Vappie (mostly known for his banjo work, but he's a monster musician.) But as always with the guitar, singular voices are hard to find. Phil DeGruy has already been mentioned; no surprise to me that Jonathan Freilich hasn't, since he gets little love in New Orleans, especially from the Jazz Fest. (He is however a 2008 recipient of the Louisiana Governors Arts Award for music.) Freilich is best known as the guitarist in the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, and in the past has made numerous Jazz Fest appearances with 007, Los Vecenos, Mas Mamones, and Michael Ray and the Cosmic Krewe. Freilich leads several groups, including New Orleans' longest running creative jazz supergroup Naked On the Floor (http://validrecords.com/cdDetails.php?id=11) (w/Rick Trolsen (Neslort), Tim Green, James Singleton (Astral Project), and Doug Garrison (Iguanas)) and the Naked Orchestra, as well as several projects with his best friend Alex McMurray. (Naked on the Floor will be appearing at ChazFest this year.)

As a guitarist, Jonathan is well versed in the blues vernacular, but at any moment he may bolt for outer space. This is what jazzweekly.com (http://www.jazzweekly.com/reviews/naked_naked.htm) had to say about him:

As a guitar soloist, Freilich possesses a unique and readily identifiable voice. This is a rare thing to be able to say about an electric guitarist these days! He totally shuns electronic gimmicks, preferring to generate a surprisingly broad sound palette by radically varying his attack and volume. One of his favorite tricks is a rapid-fire flamenco-like strumming with both hands going crazy up and down the guitar’s neck – a stunt previously used to great effect by avant-gardeners such as Eugene Chadbourne and Billy Jenkins. Freilich’s solos never seem to follow a script - he may feature swift jazzy single note runs, Jim Hall-like backhanded lyricism, and rockabilly parody, as well as any number of wildman antics, all in quick and decisive succession. Other points of stylistic reference for Freilich the improvisor could be James Blood Ulmer, Kelvyn Bell, Sonny Sharrock (Black Woman / Monkey Pockie Boo-era), and Scotty Moore, though he’s more his own man than any list of possible influences could ever indicate.

If Freilich has had numerous Jazz Fest appearances, as you state, and his best-known affiliation, the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, are playing Fest again this year, why do you say that "he gets little love in New Orleans, especially from Jazz Fest."?

[chopitulas]

Dave Easley is incredible, truly world class. He did spend some time in the great jazz drummer Brian Blade's band. One thing he does is create an organ sound on the pedal steel. Not only does he get the B-3 sound, what he plays sounds like an organ player. Heard to see how he does it on a pedal steel...

He has been doing a Sunday evening trio gig at Madigan's at the Riverbend, with Dave Anderson on bass and a guy I play with, Tom Chute, on drums.

[bobatude]

Dave Easley is incredible, truly world class. He did spend some time in the great jazz drummer Brian Blade's band. One thing he does is create an organ sound on the pedal steel. Not only does he get the B-3 sound, what he plays sounds like an organ player. Heard to see how he does it on a pedal steel...

He has been doing a Sunday evening trio gig at Madigan's at the Riverbend, with Dave Anderson on bass and a guy I play with, Tom Chute, on drums.

i have seen this trio at one of the bars on frenchman st last year during jazz fest , i belive dave a. plays n.o.symphony, i think he reads sheet muisic while playing w/ dave easley. i ve seen easley many i times w/ coco , but this trio blew me away , they played "whipin post" what a hoot

[belyin]

If Freilich has had numerous Jazz Fest appearances, as you state, and his best-known affiliation, the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, are playing Fest again this year, why do you say that "he gets little love in New Orleans, especially from Jazz Fest."?

Because in almost all those instances, these bands would have played the Jazz Fest with some other guitarist. In twenty years as working in New Orleans AND composing a formidable catalog of original music, he has appeared twice as a leader of his own group: once with his quintet Naked on the Floor and once with his Naked Orchestra. In contrast, in most years Irvin Mayfield gets both a small group and an orchestra slot (but not this year, apparently.) Freilich is only appearing once this year, with the Klezmers. Even 007 (featuring Threadhead Records own Alex McMurray) didn't get in this year. And even though Alex is playing at the Fair Grounds this year, I would also say that Jazz Fest has not shown him the love over the years, either--certainly not to a level commensurate with his talent.

[Lit]

Because in almost all those instances, these bands would have played the Jazz Fest with some other guitarist. In twenty years as working in New Orleans AND composing a formidable catalog of original music, he has appeared twice as a leader of his own group: once with his quintet Naked on the Floor and once with his Naked Orchestra. In contrast, in most years Irvin Mayfield gets both a small group and an orchestra slot (but not this year, apparently.) Freilich is only appearing once this year, with the Klezmers. Even 007 (featuring Threadhead Records own Alex McMurray) didn't get in this year. And even though Alex is playing at the Fair Grounds this year, I would also say that Jazz Fest has not shown him the love over the years, either--certainly not to a level commensurate with his talent.

Thank you for the explanation and the insight about Freilich. I have been a big fan of Alex for many years, and I've also liked seeing the Klezmers since I started attending Fest in '95, but I did not know much about Freilich individually until reading your posts. I will keep an eye out for him now.

[chopitulas]

Dave Anderson does play with the orchestra. The trio seems to pretty much be winging it but there may well be a book, as well. You probably saw 'em at the Apple Barrel last year... I have a gig there on Tuesdays and it is an amazing place, about as real as it gets.

[windowman]

Because in almost all those instances, these bands would have played the Jazz Fest with some other guitarist. In twenty years as working in New Orleans AND composing a formidable catalog of original music, he has appeared twice as a leader of his own group: once with his quintet Naked on the Floor and once with his Naked Orchestra. In contrast, in most years Irvin Mayfield gets both a small group and an orchestra slot (but not this year, apparently.) Freilich is only appearing once this year, with the Klezmers. Even 007 (featuring Threadhead Records own Alex McMurray) didn't get in this year. And even though Alex is playing at the Fair Grounds this year, I would also say that Jazz Fest has not shown him the love over the years, either--certainly not to a level commensurate with his talent.

Freilich also plays guitar on Derrick Freeman's 2008 CD, It Is What It Is, which is a mind blower of a disc of covers of every genre of pop music you can think of. Freilich probably is not appreciated as his talent warrants, but New Orleans is a city that suffers from a riches of talented musicians. The fact is that there is more talent than there are slots at jazzfest.

[Lit]

oh man i was reflecting about last year at the jazz fest festivities and i remembered "dave easley" a fantastic blow your mind pedal steel guitar player. if you get a chance to see him around town, dont miss. last couple of years ive seen him on frenchman st.. he performs solo and sometimes w/coco

Easley is awesome -- I'll never forget the Campbell Brothers show at the old point where he played with them!


Dave Easley is incredible, truly world class. He did spend some time in the great jazz drummer Brian Blade's band. One thing he does is create an organ sound on the pedal steel. Not only does he get the B-3 sound, what he plays sounds like an organ player. Heard to see how he does it on a pedal steel...

He has been doing a Sunday evening trio gig at Madigan's at the Riverbend, with Dave Anderson on bass and a guy I play with, Tom Chute, on drums.

i have seen this trio at one of the bars on frenchman st last year during jazz fest , i belive dave a. plays n.o.symphony, i think he reads sheet muisic while playing w/ dave easley. i ve seen easley many i times w/ coco , but this trio blew me away , they played "whipin post" what a hoot

Been listening to Shannon McNally's '07 Fest set, which I downloaded last night from Munck. It sounds great, but the thing that really jumps out at me is the guitar. Sounds very Jerry Garcia-like imo; much moreso than I recall from the lead guitar on her other recordings, or when I saw her last October at B&BBQ. I was planning to post a question about who played with her in that set, and I finally got to the end and she announced that it was Dave Easley. Man, what a talent, and what a great sound he lends to that set. Never really knew of him before, but of course I figured some folks here would have, which a simple search confirmed.

Anyone know what he's up to now? I'd love to hear some more from him, and I'd really love to see him perform live.

[duende]

the thing that really jumps out at me is the guitar. Sounds very Jerry Garcia-like imo; much moreso than I recall from the lead guitar on her other recordings, or when I saw her last October at B&BBQ. I was planning to post a question about who played with her in that set, and I finally got to the end and she announced that it was Dave Easley. Man, what a talent, and what a great sound he lends to that set. Never really knew of him before, but of course I figured some folks here would have, which a simple search confirmed.

Anyone know what he's up to now? I'd love to hear some more from him, and I'd really love to see him perform live.

I heard (more than saw) him with either the Wild Tchoupitoulas or Monk Boudreaux' band out at Fest one year - hidden behind the front line of indians - WHERE is that ragin' guitar coming from? The dancers moved a little, and there was Dave, over the pedal steel. He's on Monk's '09 release Rising Sun, which I now know about thanks to the thread!

[Canine Horror]

Been listening to Shannon McNally's '07 Fest set, which I downloaded last night from Munck. It sounds great, but the thing that really jumps out at me is the guitar. Sounds very Jerry Garcia-like imo; much moreso than I recall from the lead guitar on her other recordings, or when I saw her last October at B&BBQ. I was planning to post a question about who played with her in that set, and I finally got to the end and she announced that it was Dave Easley. Man, what a talent, and what a great sound he lends to that set. Never really knew of him before, but of course I figured some folks here would have, which a simple search confirmed.

Anyone know what he's up to now? I'd love to hear some more from him, and I'd really love to see him perform live.

I first became aware of Easley when someone accused me of being him a few years back ! (Better than Woody Allen I suppose).
I subsequently discovered that he was the genius pedal-steel player who I had seen on many occasions at Fest and elsewhere in the city playing in various bands.
Then I caught him and his band in the Apple Barrel two or three years ago, and it was just mesmerising watching and hearing him play.
Last year Runaround Al and his friend joined me at his set at the Neutral Ground straight after the Patry. We were pretty much the only folks there.
He seems to be gigging a bit more these days, I caught him at La Maison a few weeks ago on a Sunday I think, and there was a pretty healthy crowd all afternoon. He is definitely a fan of the Dead as he did a few of their numbers by request, and also a magnificent version of "Sleepwalk" requested by his limey look-a-alike.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ANqoGjdpWyk/TSuyvjTbwLI/AAAAAAAADdo/AmZixb5HjiU/s720/IMG_0945.JPG

[larrybalmur]

Lot's of great choices mentioned above-heres a couple more
Chris Mule- Honey Island Swamp BAnd
Tommy Malone (subdudes) -often overlooked as a guitarist-he has a new band playing around some

My top Louisiana 5:
-Sonny Landreth
-Steve Masakowski
-Jimmy Robinson
-Spencer Bohren
-John Mooney

[Lit]

I first became aware of Easley when someone accused me of being him a few years back ! (Better than Woody Allen I suppose).
I subsequently discovered that he was the genius pedal-steel player who I had seen on many occasions at Fest and elsewhere in the city playing in various bands.
Then I caught him and his band in the Apple Barrel two or three years ago, and it was just mesmerising watching and hearing him play.
Last year Runaround Al and his friend joined me at his set at the Neutral Ground straight after the Patry. We were pretty much the only folks there.
He seems to be gigging a bit more these days, I caught him at La Maison a few weeks ago on a Sunday I think, and there was a pretty healthy crowd all afternoon. He is definitely a fan of the Dead as he did a few of their numbers by request, and also a magnificent version of "Sleepwalk" requested by his limey look-a-alike.


Thanks, Marc. Great info. Nice to hear that he's a Deadhead. Can definitely hear it in his playing.

As for your seemingly growing list of look-a-likes, I'm still sticking with Declan.

[duende]

well, that picture helps explain the rippin' tone - love the shoe holding down the stack of sheets in front of the older Boogie amp!

I'd like to hear more of Cranston Clements, speaking of bad-a$$ guitar pickers.

[chopitulas]

I saw Cranston with Gal Holiday last night and he sounded great. He and Dave James really work well together.

[Bobert87]

Sonny Landreth, Steve Masakowski, Todd Duke, Malone...always enjoy listening to those guys.

[dank_bass]

Not one mention of Anders on here ... I know, I know, Not jazz, butt he can play a little

[Chas_P]

Sonny Landreth, Steve Masakowski, Todd Duke, Malone...always enjoy listening to those guys.

Certainly agree with Duke and Malone. They are not in your face guitarists; you just have to sit, listen and enjoy.

[funkkjunkie]

but anders plays bluesfests some times. :D

[Jim]

Not one mention of Anders on here ... I know, I know, Not jazz, butt he can play a little

I would like to hear Anders jazz it up a bit more. Play more jazzy jams. I've heard him do it but not nearly as much when he plays with Stanton.

[Jim]

+1, Chuck. IMO, Masakowski is THE jazz guitarist in New Orleans, for, what, 25 years running? And on 7-string guitar, no less.

+2

[Jim]

John Fohl puts down some fine blues guitar.

Yeah, I think Fohl is very underrated. He smokes with Johnny Sansone & Anders Osborne.

[Bobert87]

Whatever happened to guitarist Scott Godeaux? Saw him play with Allen Toussaint years ago and he did his own set early in the day on the big stage.
He had a cd I bought and it was great.

[Staxsun]

Whatever happened to guitarist Scott Godeaux? Saw him play with Allen Toussaint years ago and he did his own set early in the day on the big stage.
He had a cd I bought and it was great.

Scott doesn't play to the extent he did back then, but he's still around. I've seen him recently with Twangorama.

[PaulC]

listenin' to mr. mem shannon's "I'm From Phunkville" at the moment.... despite the presence of a few silly tunes on the cd,.. the man can play a lil' guitar for a taxi cab driver... though often takin' a back stage to his vocals on that cd,.. his guitar chops get to smokin' red hot here and there,.. especially on the "no religion" tune....

feelin' both pain and pleasure at the moment... the tunage is providin' the happy part,.. havin' once again left new orleans is causin' the pain.. hard to believe i was in that mecca of all meccas but some 47 hours ago,.. and then actually chose to leave but once again...

seriously goin' to have to put a stop to that leavin' nonsense at some point in the future...


can't recall his name,.. but it was nice to see that incredibly laid back professorial lookin' key board player sittin' tall and proud durin' the deacon john set at the best of the beat... have caught him a number of times playin' with mem in the past... took me a good tune or two to figure out why he looked so familiar... the suit and tie threw me....

[duende]

Shane Theriot! I thought he was still in Nash-Vegas, but if he's living and playing in New Orleans he'd make my list every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[Music is Art]

I'm a big fan of Carl LeBlanc. I came to know his work on banjo through Preservation Hall Jazz Band, but his guitar playing is very good. He can play blues and jazz both equally well, and I'm a fan of his voice too.

I had him do a solo guitar set opening for Pres Hall in Buffalo last year and he blew the crowd away. He just sat there, relaxed, telling stories with his music and playing some very advanced stuff like it wasn't any effort at all. Very cool.

[Lit]

Shane Theriot! I thought he was still in Nash-Vegas, but if he's living and playing in New Orleans he'd make my list every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Just discovered him last year. Really like his sound. Picked up Dirty Power last year and like it, but would like to hear more. Not that there's anything wrong with that release, but I think he's got even more potential than is on display there. Do you have anything else you'd recommend from him?

Shane also plays on Nine Lives, btw.

[duende]

Just discovered him last year. Really like his sound. Picked up Dirty Power last year and like it, but would like to hear more. Not that there's anything wrong with that release, but I think he's got even more potential than is on display there. Do you have anything else you'd recommend from him?

Shane also plays on Nine Lives, btw.

His studio credits are pretty numerous. Like a lot of players, however, he just perfectly compliments the piece at hand & doesn't shred as much as I'd like :) I saw him with the Nevilles several years ago & they cut him loose live, and I was floored when I went to see Del McCoury's sons in their "Traveling McCourys" setting with the Lee Boys - and there's Shane, just tearing it up!

[PaulC]

searin' hot guitar work seems to come easy for matt grondin....

http://www.myspace.com/mattgrondinmusic


by the way,.. as previously mentioned on another thread,.. matt grondin and snarky puppy need to play fest.... pretty please......


check the talent that sought to be on his cd....

Special guests:

John Popper-harmonica on “Juggernaut”

Karl Denson-tenor sax on “Lucid Dream” & “Emerald City”; flute on “Sun God”

Ivan Neville-organ and clavinet on “Juggernaut” and “Junglefunk”

Skerik-tenor sax on “Grease Trap” and “Junglefunk”

Trombone Shorty-trumpet on “Balboa”

JJ Grey-vocal intro on “Juggernaut”




currently enjoyin' http://www.myspace.com/shanetheriot

thank you.....