New Orleans Music Today
New Orleans roots music is one of America’s most enduing regional styles. The city’s brass band, funk and traditional jazz sounds continue to be a wellspring of inspiration and grounding for musicians of many genres, and if there was concern that New Orleans music and culture would be left in the debris of Hurricane Katrina’s flooding, they have come back with renewed determination. Explore the challenges of performing and promoting New Orleans music today; the opportunities afforded by interaction between New Orleans music and other genres; and the unique cultural elements that continue to nurture one of America’s most musical cities.
Presenters
With over 100 albums to his credit, including two Grammy winners and eleven Grammy nominees, record producer and Rounder Records vice president of A&R Scott Billington has also been active in the music industry as a writer, graphic designer and musician. Among the artists he has produced are Charlie Rich, Irma Thomas, Ruth Brown, Johnny Adams, the Soul Rebels, Beau Jocque and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, while his writing has appeared in the Boston Globe, the Oxford American and other publications.
Seasoned eMCee, activist, computer programmer, and university professor, Truth Universal has been a leader on the southern Hip Hop scene for more than a decade. While he calls the flourishing New Orleans Hip Hop underground home, Truth has an international perspective that he brings to his music through his birth and childhood in Diego Martin, Trinidad.
Truth has shared the stage with the likes of Talib Kweli, dead prez, Mos Def, The Roots, Alanis Morrissette, Michael Franti, Immortal Technique, Luciano, Zion I and many more.
D. Lefty Parker is a Artist/Musician/DJ who discovered New Orleans 20 years ago. He has performed since with such greats as Ernie K-doe,
Katey Red, Big Freedia, Vockah Redu, Kermit Ruffins, and Quintron and Miss Pussycat. a Promoter and performer,
he is responsible for such events as the Ponderosa Stomp and the Sissy Sweetheats ball, and has an inclination to work anywhere in the community
that he might be helpful. Currently he is the Bassist for the Lonely Lonely Knights, and is attempting to paint Ernie K-doe portraits everywhere
while annoying his wife and dog with attempts to produce records for bounce,punk and blues artists.
Thursday, March 14
