NOLA 2025
/I returned last week from the annual Brass Queens trip to New Orleans. This is the third time I’ve gone to NOLA with this band, and it has become one of the trips I most look forward to every year. We did two recording sessions, played two concerts, ate well, and saw a ton of great live music.
I knew the trip was off to an auspicious start when I was randomly assigned the Baby Dodds room in our hotel. Dodds was an early 20th century New Orleans drummer who pushed the boundaries of what a drummer could do in a band. He laid the foundation for big band swing and brought New Orleans drumming to the spotlight.
In his autobiography he writes, "It was my job to study each musician and give a different background for each instrument. When a man is playing it's up to the drummer to give him something to make him feel the music and make him work. That's the drummer's job."
at music box studios. thanks ricky from caesar brothers band for lending me a kit for the week.
The next day, we recorded at the Music Box Recording Studio with Keanon Battiste. It was a small studio, and for the first time ever we recorded in small groups instead of as a full ensemble. Nora (Sousaphone) and I went first and the rest of the band played over what we tracked.
typical night on frenchmen
That night, we popped over to Frenchmen Street to hear one of our favorite NOLA Brass Bands, New Breed, at Blue Nile. Here’s a picture of Nora playing with some of our New Orleans brethren on the corner of Frenchmen and Chartres.
The next day, we played a set at Howlin’ Wolf. Unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures whilst there, but it was a vibe. Shouts to NY homies Bryan and Collin for coming to the show with 15 or so guys who were in town for a bachelor party. And congrats to Dan on his upcoming wedding!
yamaha oak custom and one hundred mics at esplanade studios
On Friday, we recorded at Esplanade Studios, one of the best rooms I have ever recorded in. The engineers, staff, equipment, and vibe were all top notch. There was even a pool table in the basement! I really I hope I get to return to this space for more recording in the future.
the stage at preservation hall
The highlight of the entire week was on Saturday, when Nora and I got to sit on the stage for a set at Preservation Hall. The band was full of musical assassins, with my new friend Shawn King on drums. This is it. This is hot jazz. It does not get better than this. The pinnacle. It was so good I had to go back for another set the next day.
The stage at favela chic
Our last band obligation was Sunday night, where we played our yearly late night set at Favela Chic. This one is a mental challenge, as we play from 10pm-2am, but it is always a blast. There is no cover at the door, so patrons walk in and out throughout the night and hopefully leave a tip in the bucket or buy a drink at the bar. The band crushed it again this year, and we left that show exhausted but fulfilled.
my wife and i outside of tips with a free venue-provided banana
I saw so much great music that I can’t even mention it all here. The highlights were the Headhunters at the Civic Theatre, NY’s own Red Baraat at Blue Nile, Cha Wa at the Gallatain Street Festival, and of course Galactic at Tipitinia’s.
tiki drinks at Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29
I would be remiss to not mention some of the great food and drink we had.
Top 3 Food
Pork Belly at Mister Mao
Avocado Chaat at Mister Mao
Red Snapper Ceviche at Pêche
Top 3 Drinks
The above Pandan Painkiller from Lattitude 29
Mid-afternoon draft Abita Amber at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop
Obviously a Hurricane from Pat O’Briens.
I’m already daydreaming about going back next year. Perhaps we will get to play an official slot at Jazzfest :-)
