When I read The New York Times Arts and Leisure section, I often experience a transcontinental nostalgia, wishing I could transport myself to New York for a play or musicial event. Such a feeling occurred when I read that great New Orleans rhythm & blues man Allen Toussaint was playing at the Village Vanguard and then Joe's Pub with an all-star band including the guitarist Marc Ribot, clarinet player Don Byron and trumpeter Nicholas Payton. Then I read that Toussaint had also put out an album, "Bright Mississippi," along with the same players.
I bought the CD recently, and it's a wonderful album, with New Orleans jazz standards like "Dear Old Southland," "St. James Infirmary" and "West End Blues." Toussaint plays the piano on the album, paying homage to the traditions of Professor Longhair and Jelly Roll Morton while renewing their music with a fresh luster. Ribot, Payton and Byron similarly blend the best of the traditional with innotive flair. Thanks to Joe Henry for putting the project together
Speaking of New Orleans jazz legends, I sadly noted the death of Sam Butera, who led Louis Prima's band and did his classic arrangements, including "Sing, Sing, Sing." Butera led his band, the Witnesses, and in his work with Prima was a pioneer for a jazzy rock style. As Butera noted, many of his arrangements were shamelessly copied by later rhythm and blues and rock artists.
Prima, who wrote "Sing, Sing, Sing," a big hit for Benny Goodman, is long gone, but his longtime partner and ex-wife, Keeley Smith, is still going strong, one of those living legends who keeps the flame going.
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