New Orleans Musicians

Treme Star Kermit Ruffins Opens New Orleans Speakeasy

Ellen Freudenheim | Posted 05.11.2012

Ellen Freudenheim

The Grammy, a small golden trophy perched on a bare table, seems to belong to everyone in the room, a recognition of their life's work and New Orleans culture.

My City of Spirits: Bruce Springsteen Jams With Dr. John at Jazz Fest

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 05.02.2012

Karen Dalton-Beninato

It was supposed to be a two and a half hour festival set, and Springsteen went overtime. It was cathartic but I wouldn't call it closure. Post-Katrina, I wouldn't call anything closure. But listening to Springsteen, Dr. John, all the legends; they seem to be sending signals about where we all meet up in the end.

The Cosimo Effect: A Conversation with Cosimo Matassa

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 04.17.2012

Karen Dalton-Beninato

New Orleans recording engineer Cosimo Matassa turned 86 on Friday, and Saturday he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Dr. John: Locked Down and Released

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 04.04.2012

Karen Dalton-Beninato

Though the Trident tapes were never released, the sound also worked its way into some early Rolling Stones albums, because if Adam Levine moves like Jagger, then Mick Jagger moves like Dr. John.

The Way You Sing It

Gary Zukav | Posted 11.27.2011

Gary Zukav

A friend took a trip to New Orleans after Katrina. He is a jazz musician and singer. He has been most of his life, and he feels that jazz is the greatest thing that has happened in America.

Steve Earle: America's Hardcore Troubadour

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 09.11.2011

Karen Dalton-Beninato

Steve Earle played "This City" for a New Orleans audience last night, telling us a song is done when you play it for the people you wrote it for. "Now...

New Orleans Jazz Fest Honors 100 Years of Soulitude (PHOTOS)

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 07.06.2011

Karen Dalton-Beninato

It's impossible to decide which was the biggest love-in of the day: 99-year-old Lionel Ferbos singing "When You're Smiling" or John Boutte who wrote HBO's Treme theme song.

It's Mardi Gras Day In New Orleans (PHOTOS)

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 09.20.2011

Karen Dalton-Beninato

It's Mardi Gras in New Orleans and for longer than the United States of America has existed, freedom of expression has been found here. When the U.S. ...

Have Baton, Will Travel: Classical Music Combine in New Orleans

Laurence Vittes | Posted 05.25.2011

Laurence Vittes

The League of American Orchestra's biennial conductors' preview showcase is designed like the talent evaluation combine that pro football teams hold every year.

A Bowl Game for the Rest of Us Raises Funds in New Orleans

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 05.25.2011

Karen Dalton-Beninato

In a friendly private game of flag football, both teams used strips of toilet paper as flags and toilet bowls were integrated into the trophies.

Subdudes Rock for New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 05.25.2011

Karen Dalton-Beninato

The Subdudes first show in New Orleans this year benefited the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund, giving musical instruments and grants to musicians in the city.

Jazzfest Weekend One: David Simon & Garfunkel

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 05.25.2011

Karen Dalton-Beninato

At New Orleans' Jazzfest, Dr. John let loose, and the Huffington Post's own Harry Shearer spoke about Treme, Spinal Tap, and moving on after the hurricane.

New Orleans Musicians in Their Own Words

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 04.06.2012

Karen Dalton-Beninato

If the music moves you, buy the CD's, book the bands and fly down to hear more at the Jazz and Heritage Festival. Once you're there, the Wednesday bet...

Despite Governor's Warning, Bourbon Street Enjoyed

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 04.06.2012

Karen Dalton-Beninato

I overheard a group of Republican conventioneers walking into the French Quarter complaining about Michael Steele's efforts at damage control -- they grew silent as a float full of men in kilts danced and pulled passers-by into their mayhem.

Gulf Aid and Concert for the Coast Rock for Cleanup This Weekend

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 05.25.2011

Karen Dalton-Beninato

Looking to do your part in helping clean up the Gulf of Mexico post-BP Spill while festing?

New Orleans Stories Ripped from the Headlines

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 04.06.2012

Karen Dalton-Beninato

With Episode 5, we're halfway through Season 1. Former Times Picayune reporter Lolis Eric Elie wrote this episode, so it's a good time to describe the headlines that may have inspired plotline

The Saints Have Won the Superbowl and I'm Moving Home

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 05.25.2011

Karen Dalton-Beninato

Am I moving back to New Orleans because the Saints won the playoffs? No. That would be ridiculous. I'm moving back because the Saints have won the Superbowl.

Who Dat Man Style! Stats: Crawfish Claws, Flies on Humidity

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 05.25.2011

Karen Dalton-Beninato

Just when you recovered from our Jackson Squared, New Orleans Artist L. Steve Williams, Jr. has designed Who Dat Man to benefit the New Orleans Music...

Oscar-Nominated Song Caps New Orleans Winningest Week Ever

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 05.25.2011

Karen Dalton-Beninato

The Oscar-nominated "Down in New Orleans" written by Randy Newman for the Princess and the Frog rounds out what could turn out to be the winningest week in the history of the city of New Orleans.

Snooks and Booker: Memories of Mardi Gras

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 05.25.2011

Karen Dalton-Beninato

Rest in Peace Snooks. We lost New Orleans musician Snooks Eaglin this week, and when I asked my husband Jeff about his memories of their gigs back in...

Jammin' Generosity Gets Guitars to Young Rockers

Karen Dalton-Beninato | Posted 11.17.2011

Karen Dalton-Beninato

Today nola.com's Chris Rose described the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund guitar transfer (story here). Next month our charity is passing along a do...