Every now and again our special correspondent from New Orleans wakes from his Jazz induced stupor and sends us an update on the scene. ‘What’s the scene’? You may ask. It’s the scene that’s goin down. ( pronounced goin darrrnnn) And if you don’t believe us go to New Orleans and find out for yourself. 

It’s not that hard to get to and if you commit a crime and you’ll end up in the State of Louisiana penitentiary or worse. But you will learn the harmonica in your cell and perhaps emerge as a ‘Blues Sage’. 

What is a ‘Blues Sage’ you may ask? Doubtless it is an individual who through incarceration has learnt sagacity and irony in the school of hard knocks. A bit of ‘Anzachery’ Rolfe perhaps? His autobiography, soon to be published includes on the rear dust-jacket a 45rpm recording of ‘Two Little Boys” as sung by Australia’s very own Robert Johnson, Rolf Harris. Highly recommended by pcbycp for your Christmas stocking. 

Over to you Ken…. he writes….

Well, brothers, it’s been another hard week of research and learning in the crescent city, and I am glad to report that the rhythm continues.

You know how it is – inspiring and, for one who dabbles in this sort of thing, somewhat dispiriting at the same time. There is a young Honduran pianist here by name of Oscar Rossignoli.

Studied at Louisiana State University and in the succeeding 8 years has established himself as one of the go-to players in a town where the competition is reasonably fierce. He demonstrates a degree of accomplishment that I would not reach in 7 lifetimes. With a thorough grounding in Mozart and Chopin, he brings plenty to the table. An example from a few months ago:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaL3iR6kl7A

And then there is this guy:

Longtime drummer for Ahmad Jamal, regular with Wynton Marsalis, Herlin Riley is in another dimension of musicianship entirely. It’s beyond technique or groove or time; he taps into something so impossibly essential and joyful and deep that it makes me cry every time. And then, while crawling in the overarm Aussie stroke without dropping a beat, he’ll look you in the eye and share your laughter.

And so, bruhs, do not forget the continuing Jazzfest in place, the cubes for which are now full, and attached

Bro Ken