Apr
30
to May 2

THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME:: a new orleans jazz fest

SOUND OBSERVATORY NEW ORLEANS PRESENTS:THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COMEApril 30 – May 2@Three Keys at Ace Hotel New Orleans:600 Carondelet Street New OrleansSound Observatory New Orleans presents a FREE three-day festival of new music from New Orleans most…

SOUND OBSERVATORY NEW ORLEANS PRESENTS:

THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME

April 30 – May 2

@Three Keys at Ace Hotel New Orleans:

600 Carondelet Street New Orleans

Sound Observatory New Orleans presents a FREE three-day festival of new music from New Orleans most innovative ensembles and the masters that inspire them.

The festival –sized iteration of SONO’s monthly series is re-introduction to the ideas of jazz in 2018 New Orleans in homage to Ornette Coleman. The Shape of Jazz to Come shows us what can happen in a community when we let the art take the lead.

On Monday, April 30th we introduce New Orleans to the genre bending music of Harriet Tubman: the band. Based in NYC and deeply inspired by the ideals of freedom, Harriet Tubman’s music plumbs the souls depths for liberated musical expression. The music of Harriet Tubman is a continuation of contextual and musical innovation exhibited by artists like Ornette Coleman, Jimi Hendrix, Derrick May, Art Ensemble of Chicago and Parliament-Funkadelic. It is the passion project of guitarist Brandon Ross, bassist Melvin Gibbs and drummer J.T. Lewis – now in it’s 20th year.  The New York Times named their latest release Arminata (Sunnyside) to its top ten albums of 2017. Simply put, Harriet Tubman is required listening for anyone enthusiastically attending or vehemently rejecting the 2018 New Orleans Jazz Fest.  9PM FREE.

 Tuesday, April 1st   NEW ORLEANS NEW MUSIC DOUBLE BILL:

9PM Naked on the Floor with special guest Steven Bernstein

11PM::  redrawblak featuring Shannon Stewart

 Naked on the Floor features the music of composer/arranger Jonathan Freilich (Naked Orchestra, New Orleans Klezmer All –Stars), longtime band member James Singleton (Astral Project, James Booker) on bass, Doug Garrison (Iguanas) on drums, Dan Oestreicher (Trombone Shorty) on baritone sax, Brent Rose (Joe Crown) on tenor sax and special guest Steven Bernstein (Sex Mob, Bernstein, Butler ) on trumpet. Freilich’s compositions make use of the surroundings by taking classic New Orleans instrumentations, and driving street beats and spin them into anthems and ballads all with a slight tinge of madness.  A true musicians’ musician, Freilich has an uncanny ability to put a band together and each concert is rare and special occasion.

 11PM::  redrawblak featuring Shannon Stewart

The experiential, redrawblak is the electronically infused project of saxophonist Brad Walker, (Sturgill Simpson) joined by multi-instrumentalist Aurora Nealand, and drummer Paul Thibodeaux. Tonight the trio is joined by modern dancer and choreographer Shannon Stewart, and brings the best of New Orleans improvisational underground scene into the festival fray.

 Wednesday May 2

 9PM James Blood Ulmer Solo

11PM Helen Gillet & Nikki Glaspie

 James Blood Ulmer at 78 is among the most distinctive and influential electric guitarists to arise in the past four decades. A direct descendant of Ornette Coleman, James Blood Ulmer has made a career built on left turns and reinvention. And now in the 21st century, Ulmer continues to progress as his most recent history finds him being recognized as an elder statesman of the blues. At the core, however, remains the one and only James Blood Ulmer. Tonight in an exclusive , solo blues performance that is not to be missed.

"... the missing link between Jimi Hendrix and Wes Montgomery on one hand, between P-Funk and Mississippi Fred McDowell on the other."– Greg Tate, Village Voice

New Orleans cellist Helen Gillet  is joined by drummer Nikki Glaspie (Beyonce, Nth Power) for a live- looping late set with a wide range of percussive sounds, melodies and vocal play from two powerhouse musicians of our time .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Apr
26
to Apr 27

ASHLIN PARKER TRIO: WHAT IS BLACK, The Musical Informance. Also CURATED Vinyl Pop Up by NOLA MIX RECORDS!

The Jazz Fest ( ish ) installment of The Shape of Jazz to Come, SONO's monthly new music series at the Ace Hotel will serve as the sonic pre-cursor for the days to follow. Trumpeter Ashlin Parker has been a friend of SONO since it's inception. We ha…

The Jazz Fest ( ish ) installment of The Shape of Jazz to Come, SONO's monthly new music series at the Ace Hotel will serve as the sonic pre-cursor for the days to follow. Trumpeter Ashlin Parker has been a friend of SONO since it's inception. We have been waiting for the right opportunity to present some of his music in a setting wherein can also adequately speak to his social mission role in the New Orleans Music community. Parker can be seen weekly at Snug Harbor with the great Ellis Marsalis, trading horn parts with Derek Douget and bringing lots of fire on to the stage alongside the eldest statesman of the Marsalis Empire -  or on the festival grounds with his trumpet supergroup, Trumpet Mafia. Ashlin is a cousin to so many young players on the scene, encouraging them in the traditions of the New Orleans sit-in - SO it is a real treat to catch him playing his own arrangement in his own trio. We felt, during a jazzfest full of special guest and sit -ins that often lack direction or rehearsal time, we would feature the luxury of steadily climbing, well rehearsed,  modern trio with direct social mission. WHAT IS BLACK , is just that - in the artists own words: 

An American Culture way too beautiful to become taboo. We speak of it, yet we dare not to be the one in charge of defining it. We describe many things as it but we don't ever describe what "IT" actually is...What is Black? Some things we absolutely refuse to describe as Black. In many situations, the majority feels that it is divisive to describe things as Black because it applies ownership and excludes non-Black participation. Yet, without defining what Black is, these assessments are difficult to ground. What is Black? Out of all of the cultural contributions to come out of the Black Community, (Soul Food, Black Church, Ebonics, Fashion, etc.) has Black Music become the most taboo and personal of all? Join us as we trace the survival of the African Aesthetic in Art outside of Africa through the first "controversially" Black Music in America, Jazz...born here in New Orleans, played and danced to by everyone... "What is Black?"

Special Guest DJ's will hit the decks before, in-between and after the two sets, spinning vinyl  on the theme of the evening, covering jazz, blues, gospel and early hip-hop.

We are also delighted to partner with Ben at  NOLA MIX RECORDS - for a vinyl pop up sale at the concert. Ashlin will hand -pick a crate of vinyl that illuminates the topic of the evening. 

The concert is free and open to the public and will serve as the official kick-off  to Jazz Fest at the Ace Hotel and their series  "The Six of Saturns"  

RSVP for guaranteed Entry here: http://www.acehotel.com/calendar/neworleans/sono-presents-shape-jazz-come-ft-ashlin-parker-trio

We are proud to provide the cultural context for how and why we celebrate the music of New Orleans and all that came before the incarnation of the festival we enjoy today. 

 

 

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Apr
16
7:00 PM19:00

THE MONOCLE ENSEMBLE feat. choreography by Shannon Stewart

A very special works in progress presentation of new music from Aurora Nealand's upcoming solo album, KINDHUMANKIND- debuting the music as well as several new arrangements  for a full band and singer,  featuring choreography by Shannon Stewart.  The radiant Helen Gillet will also entertain us with a solo set. 

The Monocle Ensemble Includes: Nathan Lambertson, Graham Hawthorne, Will Thompson, Julie Odell, Tif Lamson, Aurora Nealand,  and more!

Tickets are sliding scale $5 -$20.

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Jan
18
to Jan 19

THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME: AMINA SCOTT QUINTET feat. AMBER MATTHEWS

  • Three Keys // Ace Hotel (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The First Installment of our baller new series, THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME in THREE KEYS at the ACE HOTEL. 

A monthly series dedicated to the presentation of jazz as it was intended -- a reflexive and ever evolving art form. New Compositions. Contemporary Ideas. Excellent and Exciting Musicianship. Adventure, Surprise and Romance. 

For the first edition of The Shape of Jazz to Come, we are amped to feature bassist Amina Scott and her quintet with special guest vocalist Amber Matthews

Amina Scott is on the rise. Her calculated, bass heavy compositions offer a hint to her linage as an Oakland native, (i.e.Thundercat) and a nerdy passion for hip-hop, but make no mistakes, this woman is a full-on jazzer. A recent Loyola grad, Scott is in demand about town on both electric and upright bass. She has shared the stage with Nicholas Payton, Joe Dyson, Christian Scott, Kermit Ruffins, among others. Her quintet features Stephen Gladney on Tenor Sax, Cyrus Nabipoor on Trumpet, Oscar Rossignoli on keys, Gerald Watkins on drums and guest vocalist Amber Matthews; sure to be a classy night of new jazz in Three Keys. 

Amina Scott -- Bass / Compositions 

Amber Matthews -- Vocals 

Stephen Gladney -- Tenor Sax 

Cyrus Nabipoor -- Trumpet 

Oscar Rossignoli -- Keys 

Gerald Watkins -- Drums 

Expect a mix of Scott's own compositions, originals by her band members, and her interpretive arrangements of other tunes. 

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NO WAY TO SAY GOODBYE - THE MUSIC OF LEONARD COHEN
Dec
6
7:30 PM19:30

NO WAY TO SAY GOODBYE - THE MUSIC OF LEONARD COHEN

NEW ORLEANS LUMINARIES CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF LEONARD COHEN

Helen Gillet, Luke Allen, Mark Bingham, 
Bremner Duthie, Ingrid Lucia, 
Maedea Lady LaRose, Bart Ramsey, Lydia SteinAnna Pardenik, Harry Mayronne, Micah McKee, David Symons, and house band The Salt Wives
play their favorite Leonard Cohen tunes.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6
7:30 DOORS// 8PM SHOW
SANCTUARY CULTURAL ARTS CENTER
2525 BURGUNDY STREET// MARGINY


On Tuesday, December 6th a cadre of prolific New Orleans songwriters come together to honor the legacy of the late Leonard Cohen organized by accordionist/composer David Symons. 2016 has seen the passing of an inordinately high number of extraordinary artists, with Cohen atop a list that also includes Prince and David Bowie. The familiar feeling of losing a hero or mentor, coupled with the maelstrom of Trump’s America and the outrageous actions taken against the Standing Rock Sioux has shocked so many of us into a combination of disbelief, confusion, and action. 


We are New Orleans and our action is our song.

All the proceeds from the evening will directly support the Water Protectors protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. 
Tickets will be available at the door on a first come first served basis and are sliding scale$10 – 20. 

This evening is produced in partnership with Sanctuary Cultural Arts Center.

 

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NAKED IN WONDERLAND
Apr
27
4:30 PM16:30

NAKED IN WONDERLAND

  • 3405 Royal St New Orleans, LA, 70117 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

SONO CURATES A JAZZ FEST CRAWFISH BOIL 

AND CELEBRATES ART IN A MAGICAL BYWATER HOME CALLED WONDERLAND

EXCLUSIVE JAZZ FEST PERFORMANCE FROM

THE NAKED ORCHESTRA 

THE BYWATER DEBUT OF SONGS FROM 

ZOE BOEKBINDER'S PRISON MUSIC PROJECT

( YOU CAN READ ABOUT THIS PROJECT HERE: Zoe's feature in Mother Jones)

AND OF COURSE ANY CHANCE TO SEE

BRIAN COOGAN PLAY SOLO PIANO SHOULD 

ABSOLUTELY NOT BE MISSED. THIS IS VERY SPECIAL. 

AS IF THAT WERE NOT ENOUGH, VETERAN NEIGHBORHOOD ROCKSTAR

 HEIDE GRACE WILL BE SLINGING 

VODKA WATERMELON CARDAMON  COOLERS

THAT SHE MADE FOR YOU.

ONE TICKET GETS YOU ALL YOU CAN EAT CRAWFISH ( NOTE THE TIMES OF THE BOILS)

AND SOME OF THE BEST MUSIC IN THE CITY.

BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE RIGHT HERE WITH ZERO SERVICE FEES. 

 

 

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AURORA NEALAND AND SONO PRESENT: The Dosti Music Project
Mar
15
8:00 PM20:00

AURORA NEALAND AND SONO PRESENT: The Dosti Music Project

TWO SETS at 8pm and 10pm
$15 for 8pm set /$10 for 10pm set

Aurora Nealand and a roster of special guests join the Dosti Music Project for two sets of cross cultural collaborations at the legendary Snug Harbor Frenchmen This will be the Dosti fellows final performance after their week-long residency writing and recording in downtown New Orleans.

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DOSTI STREET STUDIO AT DANCING GROUNDS CELEBRATION
Mar
14
6:00 PM18:00

DOSTI STREET STUDIO AT DANCING GROUNDS CELEBRATION

Dosti Music fellows contribute to Dancing Ground's 3- year anniversary bash with the free public street studio. Collaborate off the cuff with these amazing musicians and dancers. This event takes place during the Second Saturday Gallery Openings along St. Claude Avenue and the vicinity. For more information about Dancing Ground or their anniversary performances and celebration please visit dancingrounds.org

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DOSTI IN THE DEN, SOUND GALLERY AND POP UP
Mar
13
7:00 PM19:00

DOSTI IN THE DEN, SOUND GALLERY AND POP UP

G-stringOrchestra 
Calypso Band
Dosti Music Project

FREE ADMISSION.

Bhava dinner pop-up by the amazing  Anne Churchill

The Dosti Music Project Fellows invite the public into The Tigermen Den, the central hub for writing and recording during their New Orleans Residency. They share the night with Bywater favorites, The G-String Orchestra and The Calypso Band as well as some special guest collaborators for an eclectic night of music hosted by  Sound Observatory New Orleans and The Tigermen's Den



 

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DARCY JAMES ARGUE'S SECRET SOCIETY
Jul
13
3:45 PM15:45

DARCY JAMES ARGUE'S SECRET SOCIETY

Live at the Kennedy Center - 5 January 2011 Solo: David Smith, trumpet WINDS David DeJesus Rob Wilkerson Sam Sadigursky Mark Small Josh Sinton TRUMPETS Seneca Black Tom Goehring Matt Holman Nadje Noordhuis David Smith TROMBONES Noah Bless Tim Sessions Kevin Moehringer Jennifer Wharton GUITAR Sebastian Noelle PIANO & KEYBOARD Red Wierenga BASS Matt Clohesy DRUMS Jon Wikan

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TIGRAN HAMASYAN SHADOW THEATER
Jul
3
6:00 PM18:00

TIGRAN HAMASYAN SHADOW THEATER

Tigran Hamasyan, piano Areni Agbabian, voix Ben Wendel, saxophone Chris Tordini, basse Nate Wood, batterie Vidéaste: Ruben van Leer Orchestre à cordes: Karen Jeauffreau, Jules Dussap, Charlotte Vergnes, Theo Ceccaldi, Noé Natorp, Manon Gillardot, Octovio Angarita & Myrtille Hetzel Production, booking & management: GiantSteps, www.g-steps.com Concert enregistré à la Grande

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