Beats On The Bayou
TLDR - Played a gig at the legendary Tipitina’s in New Orleans; Bucket list achievement.
New Orleans; The only place in the American south where you can eat your weight in Gumbo (or Beignets) AND be bombarded by enough Jazz to question your career choices. It isn’t just the birth place of Jazz — it’s a musical mecca; the holy city every musician should visit at least once in their life. Growing up listening to Louis Armstrong, the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, and Irma Thomas certainly leaves an impression; finding myself walking Bourbon st. and visiting the places these musicians came into their own was an enlightening experience to say the least.
A tour of the French Quarter puts you within ear shot of no less than a dozen different live bands at any given moment; each of which contributing to the cities authenticity and bustling social sphere — Inbetween mounds of powdered sugar and the copious amounts of voodoo shops, you start to really see what this city is about.
It isn’t particularly well known outside of my “circle” of people that I’ve been an active musician for over 20 years (drummer). In my younger years I had the privilege of touring Colorado; but as I got older I found myself leaning more into studio work and dove into as many different genre’s as I could — ending up on a few progressive metal albums I’m particularly proud of.
As chance would have it, that experience landed me in a band alongside Eden’s Curse & James Labrie (Dream Theater) bassist Paul Logue — and an elite frontline of other very talented musicians from around the world (seriously). I was sent down to the Big Easy for work, with the added objective of playing at the legendary Tipitina’s (right on the Mississippi) alongside this talented group of people.
Tipitina’s Stage
On the Mississippi; now owned by Stanton Moore (Galactic)
Tipitina’s Backline
I’m not sure I’ve used a better backline; FoH was also excellent!
A Gretsch sponsored kit & a performers choice buffet of Zildjian’s.
Show time.
“We love you New Orleans! Goodnight!”
Now, my visit may not have been during Jazz Fest - but it was during Mardi Gras. I’d like to believe Professor Longhair would have been proud 😎.
A full array of static cameras and a production team were present, filming & recording the performance (and the event); a repeat performance is planned for May this year with production being considerably ramped up — expect a complete cinematic edit from me with multitracked audio at some point in the near feature. 🤘
“I guess dreams really do come true, down in New Orleans!”
