[Harp-L] New Orleans Blues spots?

[Harvey Berman <cscharp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

David, as a New Orleans Resident, here are my blues picks during the time you are here:

Tuesday:  At Chickie Wah Wah on Canal Street at 7:00 there is Johnny Sansone, Anders Osborne, and John Fohl.  All great musicians cover $ 6.  No chance of sitting in unless you are a traveling superstar.  After that, at about 9:00 at The Balcony Music Club(BMC) is a duo with Mark Penton and Smoky Greenwell of War Fame.  Probably not a sit in opportunity, thought I do but they are both good friends.

Wednesday there is a Blues Jam at the Deck Bar and Grill on Jefferson Hwy at about 8:30 run by John Lisi.  You can play a lot here, depending on who is in the crowd.  John plays all over town, and knows a lot of musicians, so you never know who will be there.

Thursday there is a Blues Jam at Big Al's Saloon, run by Danny Alexander and which is sponsored by the Voodoo Blues Krewe (New Orleans Blues Society).  It a little loud, and smokey, but still a good time.  Danny is a nice guy, even though he beat my band out by a hair in the finals of the IBC local blues challange.  Also on Thursday Mark Penton plays a solo at the Funky Pirate on Bourbon Street.  I sit in with him on a regular basis, so If talk to him Tuesday night, and he will probably get you up here.  Bring a mic, as he only uses one.  Make sure it is XLR, because the PA's 1/4 inch does not work.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  There are blues all over town.  The Friday newspaper has a section called the Laignaippe which has a complete listing for the week.  Read it, though it is often wrong. Make sure you catch Big Al Carson, and The All Purpose Blues Band both of which play after Mark at the Funky Pirate depending on the day of the week.  Probably no sit in opportunity here unless they know you.

Monday there is a Blues Jam at Rock N Bowl in Mid City.  It costs $5 to get in, and you only get to play 3 songs.  It is not very well attended, though normally Rock N Bowl is great.  You get two free beers if  you play.  After that at about 10:00 go back to Frenchman Street to Cafe Negril.  They have a Super Jam session run by Wolf, again bring a mic If you are good, you can stay up all night.  Also you never know who will show up, but everyone is great.  It is sort of a locals thing.  Also down the street at Le Maison De Music, there is another jam run by a drummer named Gene.  Anything goes there.  Blues, Soul, Funk, Rap, it is a great time.

I put the out to the whole list, because I have repeated this 3 time within a couple of weeks.  Now everyone know what I know.  Of couse there are many other choices here.  I personally stay away from Bourbon Street after about 10:00 for numerous reasons.  You can find Grandpa Elliott on the corner of Toulouse and Royal, and there are bands all along Decatur St, and the French Market.  The Band at the Gazaboo during the week is pretty good about letting you play also.

I will be out of town until through the 15th, though you might find me on Frenchman on Monday.

Enjoy your visit.

Harvey Berman
 
 
 
 
 
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:34:08 -0700 (PDT)
From: David Fairweather <dmf273@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] New Orleans Blues spots?
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <138822.23988.qm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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I'll be visiting New Orleans for the first time November 10-17.  Any suggestions on where I should go to hear and/or play blues harp?