WEEKLY JAMS:
Wednesday: Teddy's Juke Joint's open mic, starts at 8:30 PM (no cover)
Wednesday: Blues Jam @ Deckbar & Grille (NO) hosted by Oscar &
 the
BluesCats (8:30 -12:30)
Wednesday: Blues Jam @ Bob's Pub (Lafayette) Hosted by Ronnie Vice, $5
cover, starts @ 8 PM
Thursday: Blues Jam @ Phil Brady's, hosted by Susan Owens ($5 cover,
starts @ 9:30)
Thursday: Blues Jam @ The Locks Bar & Grill (NO) Danny Alexander
 & his
Partners in Crime @ 8 PM
Sunday: Blues Jam @ Teddy's Juke Joint ($7 cover, starts @ 8 PM)
Monday: Blues Jam @ Bob's Pub (Lafayette) Hosted by Ronnie Vice, $5
cover, starts @ 8 PM
Tuesday: Acoustic Open Mic @ Phil Brady's (starts at 10 pm)
Tuesday: Blues jam @ Dean's on the River (Lafayette): 8 p.m.-midnight

BLUES SHOWS
Thursday, January 31
(Northshore) Ruby's Roadhouse: Big Daddy O (9 PM)
(NO) Café Negril: John Lisi & Delta Funk (6 PM)
(NO) Old Point Bar: Marc Stone & Westbank Mike @ 6:30, Andre
 Bouvier &
the Royal Bohemians @ 9
(NO) The Ritz Hotel - On Trois Lounge: Marva Wright @ 5:30
(NO) Tipitina's: Papa Mali w/ Stanton Moore, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux,
Big Sam & Anders Osborne + EOE @ 10 (Many & Various)

Friday, February 1
Boudreaux & Thibodeaux: Patrick Henry & The Liberation Band (9
 PM)
(Zachary) T&T Lounge: Susan Owens
(NO) Banks Street Bar: Marc Stone & Friends @ 11

Saturday, February 2
Phil Brady's: Sundanze & Friends (Spanishtown parade afterparty) (3
 PM)
(NO) House of Blues – Voodoo Garden: John Lisi & Delta Funk (5
 PM)
(NO) Blue Nile: Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove 'Papa Mali Soul Revue w/
Big Chief Monk Boudreaux @ 10:30 (Blues / Funk)
(NO) Live Bait Bar & Grill: Ready Teddy and his All-Star Band @
 Noon,
The Split @9:30 (R&B , Rock)
(NO) Parkway Bakery and Tavern: Ole Man River Band featuring Al
"Carnival Time" Johnson @ 2

Sunday, February 3
(NO) Café Negril: Smoky Greenwell and the Blues Gnus featuring Margie
Perez @ 9,  John Lisi & Delta Funk (2 AM)
(NO) House of Blues – Voodoo Garden: John Lisi & Delta Funk (1
 PM)
(NO) Banks Street Bar: Big Daddy Blue (solo acoustic) (9 PM)
(NO) Monkey Hill: Luther Kent (10 PM)
(NO) Live Bait Bar & Grill: The Leisure Kings @ 12:30 (Blues)

Monday, February 4
(Lafayette) Artmosphere: Henry Gray (6:30 PM)
(Houma) Y-bar: Josh Garrett & The Bottomline (2 PM)
(NO) Café Negril: John Lisi & Delta Funk (2 AM)
(NO) Bank Street Bar: John Lisi & Delta Funk (9 PM)
(NO) Monkey Hill: Luther Kent (10 PM)
(NO) The Circle Bar: Little Freddie King@ 10
(NO) Margaritaville: Brint Anderson @ 7
(NO) Old Point Bar: Mikal Evans @ 7, The Marc Stone Band @ 10

Tuesday, February 5 (Mardi Gras)
(Northshore) Ruby's Roadhouse: Josh Garrett & The Bottomline (8 PM)
(NO) Banks Street Bar: Westbank Mike & Fisher Project @ 8
(NO) Margaritaville: Brint Anderson @ 7
(NO) The Green Room: The Leisure Kings @ 11AM (After Parade)

Wednesday, February 6
(NO) Ritz Carrolton: Big Daddy O (6:30 PM)
(NO) Margaritaville: Brint Anderson @ 7 (Blues)

Thursday, February 7
(NO) Café Negril: John Lisi & Delta Funk (9 PM)

Friday, February 8
Phil Brady's: Ernest Scott (10 PM)
(BR) Bourbon Street Daiquiris & Grill: Kenny Acosta (6-10 PM)
(Gonzales) Junction 44: Big Daddy Blue (solo acoustic) (9 PM)
(Northshore) Ruby's Roadhouse: Chris LeBlanc Band (10 PM)
(NO) Rivershack Tavern: John Lisi & Delta Funk (9 PM)

Saturday, February 9
Teddy's Juke Joint: Josh Garrett & The Bottomline (9 PM)
(BR) Whole Foods Market: Kenny Acosta (11 AM)
(Hammond) Cate Street Pub: Chris LeBlanc Band (10 PM)
(Houma) Y-Bar: John Lisi & Delta Funk (10 PM)

Sunday, February 10
(NO) Big Al's Saloon: Big Al & The Heavyweights

Monday, February 11
(NO) Banks Street Bar: John Lisi & Delta Funk (9 PM)
(NO) The Old Point Bar: Josh Garrett & The Bottomline (9 PM)

Tuesday, February 12
(Houma) The Y-Bar: Josh Garrett & Johnny Sansone

Wednesday, February 13
Teddy's Juke Joint: Big Al & The Heavyweights (Teddy's Birthday
 Party)
 (7 PM)
(BR) On The Half Shell: Chris LeBlanc (acoustic)(6:30)
(NO) Carousel Bar – Monteleone Hotel: Big Daddy O (9 PM)
(NO) Café Negril: John Lisi & Delta Funk (9 PM)

Thursday, February 14
(BR) The Station: Chris LeBlanc (10 PM)
(NO) Carousel Bar – Monteleone Hotel: Big Daddy O (9 PM)

Friday, February 15
Boudreaux & Thibodeaux: Kenny Acosta (acoustic)(6-9 PM)
Roux House: Josh Garrett & The Bottomline (10 PM)
(Gonzales) Kabara: Chris LeBlanc Band (10 PM)
(NO) Carousel Bar – Monteleone Hotel: Big Daddy O (9 PM)

Saturday, February 16
Teddy's Juke Joint: Randy Pavlock (9 PM)
(BR) Whole Foods Market: Kenny Acosta (11 AM)
(BR) Superior Grill: Chris LeBlanc Band (6:30 PM)
(Lafayette) Blue Moon Saloon: Michael Juan Nunez & Seth Walker (8
 PM)
(NO) Carousel Bar – Monteleone Hotel: Big Daddy O (9 PM)

Monday, February 18
(NO) Banks Street Bar: John Lisi & Delta Funk (9 PM)

Wednesday, February 20
(Hammond) Cate Street Pub: Chris LeBlanc (acoustic) (9 PM)

Thursday, February 21
(Northshore) CRU Wine Bar: Chris LeBlanc (acoustic) (9 PM)

Friday, February 22
Teddy's Juke Joint: John Lisi & Delta Funk (9 PM)
Boudreaux & Thibodeaux: Kenny Acosta & The Housewreckers (10
 PM)
(BR) Sullivan's Ringside: Chris LeBlanc Band (10 PM)
(Zachary) T&T Lounge: Susan Owens

Saturday, February 23
Teddy's Juke Joint: Bryan Lee (9 PM)
Boudreaux's & Thibodaux's: Big Al & The Heavyweights
(Washington Parish) Birdies Roadhouse: Big Daddy O (9 PM)

Monday, February 25
(NO) Banks Street Bar: John Lisi & Delta Funk (9 PM)

Wednesday, February 27
(NO) Café Negril: John Lisi & Delta Funk (9 PM)
(Northshore) CRU Wine Bar: Chris LeBlanc (acoustic) (9 PM)

Thursday, February 28
(BR) Superior Grill: Chris LeBlanc Band (6:30 PM)
(NO) Rivershack Tavern: John Lisi & Delta Funk (6 PM)

Friday, February 29
Teddy's Juke Joint: Lil' Dave Thompson (9 PM)
Roux House: Chris LeBlanc Band (10 PM)
(Lafayette) Grant Street Dancehall: Irma Thomas (7:30)

OTHER GENRES
BATON ROUGE
Thursday, Jan. 31:
Manship Theatre: Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars
Chelsea's: Dirtfoot
North Gate Tavern: Tuesday's Debut and Sequoyah Prep School
Click's: Here is Why, Halo Error and the Dead Flower Audition
The Varsity: Roger Creager
Boudreaux and Thibodeaux's: Sweet Root Acoustic

Friday, Feb 1:
Spanish Moon: People of Peru and The Spores
Chelsea's: Red Stick Ramblers
North Gate Tavern: Ill Whiskey and Nesta
Click's: Save the Last Bullet, Revibe and Norcio
Boudreaux and Thibodeaux's: Ross Rosenbloom

Saturday, Feb 2:
Spanish Moon: Quintron & Miss Pussycat
Chelsea's: The Legendary J.C.'s
North Gate Tavern: ConCoCtion, Cohen, Field Day and The Blue Hit
Click's: Waiting for Brantley at
Boudreaux and Thibodeaux's: Theodore Funxtable, Chubby Chenier and The
Bayou Swamp Band

Monday, Feb 4:
Spanish Moon: Band of Horses, Cass McCombs & The Middle Class and
 Tyler
 Ramsey

Tuesday, Feb 5:
North Gate Tavern: M.O.D., Peckernut, SHAT

LAFAYETTE
Thursday, January 31
307 Downtown: Open mic with Fire & Brimstone, 11 p.m.-2 a.m.;
 Reggie
 Dupre
Artmosphere: Jay Rees
Bella Notte: Blue Soul
Blue Dog Cafe: Eric Gautreaux
Blue Moon Saloon: 8-11 p.m., Red Stick Ramblers
Bob's Pub: Charles Ventre
Charley G's: 6-9 p.m., David Egan
Club Zanga's: Open mic night
Coyote Blues: Matt Castille
Gloria's H&C Restaurant & Lounge: Steve Adams with BBC
Ironhorse Bar & Grill: 8:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.; David Allan Coe &
 Blaine
Roy opening
Mulates: Lee Benoit
Prejean's: 7-9 p.m., Clarece Denias
Randol's Cajun Restaurant: 6:30 p.m., Hubert Maitre & Friends

Friday, February 1
307 Downtown: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Dege Legg, Screams of Triumph, Ashes of
 Babylon.
Antlers: JC Melancon
Artmosphere: Don't Pet the Dog
Bella Notte: Blue Soul
Blue Moon Saloon: 8-11 p.m., Black Joe Lewis w/ The Pine Leaf Boys
Charley G's: 7-10 p.m., Larone Ruben
Clementine's: Steve Adams with BBC
Club 190: Jam session with Coz Fontenot
Coushatta Casino Resort: Groovy 7
Coyote Blues: Matt Castille
Creole Zydeco Club: 9:30 p.m., Keith Frank & The Soileau Zydeco
 Band
GG's Club: Avery Michaels & Exit 209
Guamas Restaurant: Major Handy
Ironhorse Bar & Grill: 9:30-1:30 p.m., Steve Hagan and Hard Whiskey
Jefferson Street Pub: The Cornmealers
Morvants: 8 p.m.-midnight, The Bayou Blend Performers
Mulates: Lee Benoit
NuNu's Nightlite: Lost Bayou Ramblers
La Poussiere: 7-11 p.m., Al Berard Family Band
Prejean's: 7-10 p.m., Woody Daigle and the Cajun Five
Randol's Cajun Restaurant: 6:30 p.m., Jambalaya
El Sido's: Donna Angelle & The Zydeco Posse
Wrangler's: 3:30-7:30 p.m., Damon Troy & The Cheap Shots

Saturday, February 2
307 Downtown: 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Caleb Elliott & Stewart Street 
Artmosphere: Henry Gray (6:30
Bella Notte: Prime Time
Blue Dog Cafe: 7-10 p.m., Marty Christian with Jonno Frishberg and
Rodney Bernard
Blue Moon Saloon: 8-11 p.m., Lost Bayou Ramblers with Jesse Dayton
Bob's Pub: BBC with Steve Adams
The Brass Room: 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Bob Marley Birthday Celebration
The Bridge Bar: 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Melanie Formeman & Spellbound
Bubba Frey's Restaurant: Mowata House Band
Cafe Des Amis: Lil' Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers
Charley G's: 7-10 p.m., Mike Guidry
Clementine's: 9 p.m.-midnight, The Road Doctor Revue
Coushatta Casino Resort: Groovy 7
Coyote Blues: Charlie Rees
The Dugout: The Cornmealers
Fred's Lounge: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Lafayette Rhythm Devils; 1-5 p.m., Don
Fontenot et Les Amis De La Louisiane
GG's Club: GG SHINN & The Hot Damn Band
GJ's Seafood & Steak House: Howard Noel Jr. & Cajun Boogie
Grant Street Dancehall: Roddie Romero & the Hub City All-Stars plus
The Red Stick Ramblers
Ironhorse Bar & Grill: 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m., The Louisiana Outlaws
Mulates: Noon, Jay Cormier, 6 p.m., Kira Viator
NuNu's Nightlite: Pine Leaf Boys
La Poussiere: 7-11 p.m., Walter Mouton & The Scott Playboys
Prejean's: 9-11 a.m., Woody Daigle and the Cajun Five; 7 p.m., Gervais
Matte and the Branch Playboys
Randol's Cajun Restaurant: 6:30 p.m., Kevin Naquin
Route 92: 6-10 p.m., Ray Johnson Band
El Sido's: Keith Frank & The Soileau Zydeco Band
Stevie G's: Steve Adams with the Foret Tradition
Vermilionville: 12:30-2:30 p.m., Acadien Cajun Band
Visions Bar & Grill: 10 p.m., J. Paul Jr.
Wrangler's: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Damon Troy & The Cheap Shots; 9:30
 p.m.,

Sunday, February 3
Artmosphere: Micho Courville Band/Bowl Game on the Big Screen
Atchafalaya Club (Pat's Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant): 6 p.m., Steve
 Riley
Blue Moon Saloon: 6-10 p.m., The Figs, Mario Matteoli and Hungry Hungry
Bob's Pub: Charlie Reese
Dean's on the River: 2-6 p.m., Music by the River
Grant Street Dancehall: Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie plus
 The
Pine Leaf Boys
Mulates: Noon, Jay Cormier; 6 p.m., Jamin' Cajuns
Randol's Cajun Restaurant: 6:30 p.m., Corey Arceneaux & The Zydeco
 Hot
 Peppers
El Sido's: Sid will be in St. Martinville with Lil Nathan and the
Zydeco Big Timers
Stardust Lounge: 3 p.m., Cajun Jam
Vermilionville: 1-4 p.m., Thomas "Big Hat" Fields
Visions Bar & Grill: 10 p.m., Russell Cormier Reggae
Whiskey River: Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie with Balfa
 Toujours
Wrangler's: Damon Troy & The Cheap Shots

Monday, February 4
307 Downtown: Tru Man Posse plus Rex Moroux & Friends, 9 p.m.-2
 a.m.
Antlers: The Mudd Pumps and special guest LA Outlaws
Blue Moon Saloon: 8-11 p.m., The Chinaball Club and Black Bayou
Construcktion opening for the Bluerunners
Bob's Pub: Blue Monday
Coyote Blues: Marcus Oubre
Fred's Lounge: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Don Fontenot and the Basil Ramblers;
2:30-6:30 p.m., Ray Abshire; 7-11 p.m., Jamie Berzas & The Cajun
Tradition Band
Grown Folks: Blues Party
Mulates: 6 p.m., Jay Cormier
O' Darbys: Jam session with Danny Collet
Prejean's: 7-9 p.m., Les Freres Michot
Randol's Cajun Restaurant: 6:30 p.m., Lafayette Rhythm Devils
Raxx Sports Bar and Grill: Steve Adams with The Foret Tradition (Lundi
Gras Blow Out)
El Sido's: Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws (Houston) with Lil'
 Nathan
and the Zydeco Big Timers
Visions Bar & Grill: 3 p.m., The Quarterback
Wrangler's: Terry & The Zydeco Bad Boys

Tuesday, February 5
307 Downtown: 4-10 p.m., The Good Captain, The Vettes, Split the Sun,
Tuesday Debut and more
A Hole in the Wall: Jam session with Bobby Michot
Antlers: JC Melancon
Artmosphere: 6 String Rodeo, Roebucks
Bisbano's Cellar Door: 9:30 p.m.-midnight Jazz Night -- Elephant
 Jerrold
Blue Moon Saloon: Doors open at 9 a.m., music begins at noon; Dash Rip
Rock, Pine Hill Haints, & Keith Blair Band
Bob's Pub: Kip Sonnier
Fred's Lounge: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Lafayette Rhythm Devils; 1-5 p.m., Kyle
Huval and friends
Mulates: 6 p.m., Jay Cormier
Prejean's: 7-9 p.m., Woody Daigle and the Cajun Five
Randol's Cajun Restaurant: 6:30 p.m., Louisiana Tradition

NEW ORLEANS
Thursday, January 31st
528 'A Music Club' – Harrah's Hotel: George French Band @ 8
The Apple Barrel: Dave Gregg @ 8, Marc Stone @ 10:30
Arnaud's Jazz Bistro: The Gumbo Trio @ 6:30
Balcony Music Club: SLAMMERS @ 10
Banks Street Bar: Walter 'Wolfman' Washington & The Roadmasters @
 10
Blue Nile "Upstairs": West Bank Mike and the Fisher Project @ 10
(Blues/Funk/Soul)
Bombay Club: Philip Melancon @ 7
Boomers Nightclub - Boomtown Casino: Foret Tradition @ 9
The Circle Bar: The New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars @ 10
Citron's Bistro: Charles Farmer @ 7:30
Club 300: Steve Masakowski Jazz Quartet @ 7:30 (Jazz)
D.B.A.: Alex McMurray @ 7, Little Freddie King @ 11
Donna's Bar and Grill: Evan Christopher & Tom McDermott @ 9
The Dragon's Den "Up-Stairs": Lotus @ 10
Funky Pirate: Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters @ 8:30
The Hi-Ho Lounge: 101 Runners @ 10
Hotel Monteleone - Carousel Lounge: John Autin @ 9 (Piano
 Extraordinaire)
House of Blues: Miranda Lambert @ 8
Howlin' Wolf: Rebirth Brass Band After parades end
The Jazz Emporium: BRW @ 8 (R&B)
Kerry Irish Pub: Les Poissons Rouges @ 9
Le Bon Temps Roule: Soul Rebels @ 11
Le Citron Bistro: Charles Farmer @ 9
Maple Leaf: The Trio w/ Johnny Vidacovich, George Porter Jr & Guest
 @
 10
Margaritaville: Eddie Parrino @ 7 (Rock)
Palm Court Jazz Cafe: Crescent City Joymakers @ 8 (Jazz)
Preservation Hall: New Birth Brass Band @ 8 (NEW ORLEANS JAZZ)
Ray's "Boom Boom" Room: Ernest Skipper & Bobby Love @ 10 (R&B)
The Ritz Hotel - Me'Lange: YaDonna West w/ Mike Lemmler, Karl Budo
 &
Dave Pulphus @ 5:30
The Rivershack Tavern: Balsa Wood Flyers @ 8
Rock n Bowl "Mid City Lanes": Keith Frank @ 8:30 (Zydeco)
Royal Sonesta Hotel - Mystick Den: Betty Shirley @ 9
Snug Harbor: Martine Urbach Quartet @ 8 & 10 (Jazz)
The Spotted Cat: Vavavoom @ 10 (Gypsy Jazz)
Sweet Lorraine's: The Next Generation @ 8 &10
Vaughan's: Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers @ 10:30

Friday, February 1st
528 'A Music Club' – Harrah's Hotel: Cullen Landry & the Midnight
 Streetcar, 9;
Arnaud's Jazz Bistro: The Gumbo Trio @ 6:30
Balcony Music Club: Ready Teddy & His All Stars @ 1, The Louisiana
Hellbenders @ 8, Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers @ 11
Blue Nile: Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes and Big Sam's Funky
Nation @ 10:30 (Funk / rock)
The Bourbon Orleans - Lobby Bar: Mark Coleman 'Mr. C' @ 5 (Solo Piano)
Cafe Negril: Sista Otis @ 2:30AM
Carrollton Station: Susan Cowsill & Russ Broussard and friends @ 10
The Circle Bar: Egg Yolk Jubilee @ 10
Club 300: Mary Jane Ewing Jazz Quintet featuring Tony Dagradi @ 8:30
Columbia Street Tap Room & Grill: Busta Brown @ 9
Columns Hotel: Traditional New Orleans Jazz, 5;
D.B.A.: Hot Club of New Orleans, 6; Rotary Downs, 10
Donna's Bar and Grill: The Darren Hoffman Quintet @ 10
Dos Jefes: Sunpie Barnes, 10
The Dragon's Den "Up-Stairs": Zydepunks @ 10 ( Punk)
Fair Grinds Coffeehouse: Tom Maron and Daron Douglas @ 6:30
Fritzel's Jazz Pub: Ryan Burrage & his Rhythmakers, 9
The Green Room: John Sinclair & His Blues Scholars + Coco
 Robincheaux @
 9
The Hi-Ho Lounge: Morning 40 Federation, Narcissy, Dirtfoot @ 10
House of Blues: Better Than Ezra plus Gram Rabbit @ 10
Howlin' Wolf: Rebirth Brass Band / Soul Rebels Brass Band @ 11
Kerry Irish Pub: Stephen Clark, 5; Foot & friends, 9
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop:  piano & vocals
Le Bon Temps Roule: Kevin O'Day Band @ 11, Gravity A @ 2:30AM
Legends Bar & Grill: Main Street @ 10
The Locks Bar & Grill: Janet Lynn @ 9
Maple Leaf: Krewe Of Oak Parade & Ball @ 8:30
Margaritaville: Danny T @ 7 (Cajun)
Mimi's in the Marigny: VaVaVoom @ 10 (Gypsy Jazz)
N.O. Jazz National Historical Park: Navy Band New Orleans Brass Band,
noon; Kevin Clark & Tom McDermott, 2
Old Point Bar: WestBank Mike and the Fischer Projects @ 9:30
One Eyed Jack's: Suplecs plus Hawgjaw @ 10
Palm Court Jazz Cafe: Thias Clark w/Palm Court Jazz Band @ 8 (Jazz)
Ray's "Boom Boom" Room: Fredy Omar con su Banda @ 10
Republic New Orleans: Scum Gumbo @ 11
The Ritz Hotel - Library Lounge: ARMAND ST. MARTIN @ 6
The Rivershack Tavern: MARK CARSON @ 9:30
Rock n Bowl "Mid City Lanes": Benny Grunch + Shamarr Allen @ 8:30
Royal Sonesta Hotel - Mystick Den: Riccardo Crespo & Sol Brasil @ 7
 (
Brazilian Carnival)
Ruby's Roadhouse: Five Finger Discount @ 9:30
The Rusty Nail: Clyde Albert Band @ 5:30, Ken Swartz @ 10
Saturn Bar: Grey Gardens Faerie Ball @ 8
Snug Harbor: Ellis Marsalis Quartet, 8 & 10
The Spotted Cat: New Orleans Jazz Vipers, 10; Peter Orr, 2 a.m.;
St Roch Tavern: Haferlocken Swingers and Kid Twist @ 9
Swizzle Stick Bar (Lowes Hotel): Troi Bechet @ 5
Tarantula Arms: GROOVESECT @ 10 ( jazz/funk + Techno)
Tipitina's: The Greyboy Allstars and The Legendary JC's + Backdoor
Slam @ 10 ( Funk, soul and rock n' roll)
Tulane University - UC Quad: Billy Iuso & The Restless Natives @ 2
The Windsor Court - Le Salon: Rachel Van Voorhies @ 2:30 (Harp)
The Windsor Court - Polo Club Lounge: Michael Pellera @ 7, Banu Gibson
 @ 9

Saturday, February 2nd
Arnaud's Jazz Bistro: The Gumbo Trio @ 6:30
Balcony Music Club: Gal Holiday & Honky Tonk Review @ 8, Russell
 Baptist @ 11
Banks Street Bar: Juice with Soul Fiye & Anders Osborne @ 10
 {Endymion
Returns to MidCity}
Cafe Negril: Sista Otis @ 2:30AM
Carrollton Station: Dash Rip Rock w/ Jeff Coleman and The Way High Men
@ 10 {Annual Lundi Gras Extravaganza}
The Circle Bar: James Hall and The Bad Off @ 10
Club 300: Soul Project @ 8:30 (R&B)
Columbia Street Tap Room & Grill: Supercharger @ 9
Covington Farmers' Market: The Great Roy Blaum @ 9:30 AM
Donna's Bar and Grill: Bill Malchow & The Go Cup Band @ 10
The Dragon's Den "Up-Stairs": Haeferflocken Swingers / DJ Kid Twist @
10 ( Swing Jazz / Exp)
Fair Grinds Coffeehouse: James Winfield 'The Sleeping Giant' @ 8
The Green Room: Fusion folk @ 10
The Hi-Ho Lounge: Rotary Downs, Not So Elvis, Brian Coogan @ 10
Hookah Cafe: Funkier than Thou @ 10 (NOLA-style funk)
House of Blues: Better Than Ezra plus Gram Rabbit @ 10
Howlin' Wolf: Rebirth Brass Band / Papa Grows Funk @ 11 (After Parade
 Party)
Kahve Coffee Shop: Delia Nakayama & Peter Nu @ 6
Kajun's Pub: The Louisiana Hellbenders @ 10
Le Bon Temps Roule: E.O.E. (Equal Opportunity Employment) @ 11,
Groovesect @ 2:30 AM
Le Citron Bistro: The Estelle Campagne Quartet @ 7:30
Maple Leaf: Morning 40 Federation @ 10
Margaritaville: Irving Bannister's All Stars @ 7 (R&B)
Old Point Bar: J.D Hill & the Jammers @ 9:30
One Eyed Jack's: The Bingo Show! @ 10
Palm Court Jazz Cafe: Lionel Ferbos w/Palm Court Jazz Band @ 8 (Jazz)
The Ritz Hotel - Library Lounge: ARMAND ST. MARTIN @ 6
The Rivershack Tavern: The Mustard Brothers @ 10 (Rock & Roll)
Rock n Bowl "Mid City Lanes": Krewe Of Motha Roux @ 3, Kermit Ruffins
& The BBQ Swinger @ 10
Ruby's Roadhouse: Voodoo Funk & Soul @ 9:30
Saturn Bar: Black Rose Band plus Golden Triangle and Knyfe Hyts @10
Swizzle Stick Bar (Lowes Hotel): Troi Bechet @ 5
Tarantula Arms: Bad Mustache @ 6, Michael Hurtt and his Haunted Hearts
@ 10, (gypsie jazz, rock-a-bayou hillbilly)
Tipitina's: Galactic w/ Gift of Gab and Boots Riley plus Soul Rebels @
 10
The Windsor Court - Le Salon: Patti Adams @ 2:30 (String Trio)
The Windsor Court - Polo Club Lounge: Michael Pellera @ 6, The Kaya
Martinez Trio @ 9

Sunday, February 3rd
Arnaud's Jazz Bistro: The Gumbo Trio @ 6:30
Balcony Music Club: The Louisiana Hellbenders @ 8, Ready Teddy &His
All Stars @ 10:30
Blue Nile: Big Sam's Funky Nation and Rebirth Brass Band @ 10:30 (Funk)
The Boot: Flow Tribe @ 11 (funk rock groove)
Checkpoint Charlie: Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue @ 10
The Circle Bar: Supagroup@ 10
Club 300: Jason Marselas @ 7:30 (Jazz Vibes)
Donna's Bar and Grill: Shannon Powell's Jazz Quartet @ 10
The Dragon's Den "Up-Stairs": New Orleans Klezmer All Stars @ 10
 (Klezmer)
The Dragon's Den: I Octopus @ 10 (Indie Rock)
The Green Room: Jay's Acoustic Junk @ 9
Handa Wanda's: Wild Magnolias and Black Eagles Unified Indian Practice
@ 6, (and after party)
The Hi-Ho Lounge: 3 Now 4 w/ James Singleton, Stanton Moore, Dave
Easley, Tim Green @ 10
Hookah Cafe: VaVaVoom @ 10 (gypsy jazz)
House of Blues: Cowboy Mouth @ 10
Howlin' Wolf: The Radiators @ 11 (After Parade Party)
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: Angelle Trosclair @ 9 (piano & vocals)
Le Bon Temps Roule: Mardi Gras Indians @ 10AM, Soul Rebels Brass Band
@ 11 (All Night House Party)
Margaritaville: Irving Bannister's All Stars @ 4, Eddie Parrino @ 7
(R&B / Rock)
Old Point Bar: I Tell You What @ 8
Palm Court Jazz Cafe: Lucien Barbarin w/Sunday night Swingsters w/Mark
Braud @ 8 (Jazz)
The Ritz Hotel - On Trois Lounge: ARMAND ST. MARTIN @ 10AM
Saint Charles Avenue Baptist Church: Dr. Michael White and the
Original Liberty Jazz Band @ 10AM (14th Annual Jazz Service)
Saturn Bar: Les Haferflocken Swingers @ 10:30
Tarantula Arms: Billion Dollar Baby Dolls w/ Miss Kitty Lynn @ 10
(Burlesque/Country)
Tipitina's: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave w/ Leo Nocentelli &
 5th ward
weebie, plus Hot 8 Brass Band @ 10
The Windsor Court - Le Salon: Patti Adams @ 2:30 (String Trio)
The Windsor Court - Polo Club Lounge: Rachel Van Voorhies @ Noon
 (Brunch)

Monday, February 4th
Arnaud's Jazz Bistro: The Gumbo Trio @ 6:30
Balcony Music Club: Trinit 2 @ 10AM, Big Chief @ 6:30, E-O-E @ 9:30,
Slang Angus @ 11
Blue Nile: Soul Rebels Brass Band @ 10:30 (Brass)
Club 300: Chip Wilson @ 7:30 (R&B)
Donna's Bar and Grill: The George French Band w/ Ms. Germaine Bazzle @
 9
The Dragon's Den "Up-Stairs": Gravity A @ 10 (Live Jungle)
The Dragon's Den: Mad Happy / The Other Planets @ 10 (Electro Pop /
 Exp. Jazz)
House of Blues: Dr. John's Mardi Gras Mambo @ 10
Howlin' Wolf: John Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen /
 Bonerama
@ 11 (After Parade Party)
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: Angelle Trosclair @ 9 (piano & vocals)
Le Bon Temps Roule: Johnny Vidacovich Trio @ 11, Papa Mali @ 2:30AM
Mat and Naddie's Restaurant: The Courtyard Kings Gypsy Jazz Duo @ 7
 (Jazz)
Mimi's in the Marigny: Panorama Brass Band @ 10 (Trad Jazz / Brass)
One Eyed Jack's: Morning 40 Federation plus Mr. Quintron and Miss
Pussycat plus Static Static plus DJ Jonathan Tobin @ 10
Ray's "Boom Boom" Room: Red Hot Brass Band @ 6:30, Bob French and
 Friends @ 8
Republic New Orleans: Big Sam's Funky Nation & DJ Jubilee @ 10:30
Tarantula Arms: Billy Iuso & The Restless Natives @ 10 (New Orleans
 Jam)
Tipitina's: Galactic w/ Chali 2na plus N.O. Klezmer Allstars @ 10
The Village by the River: The Mohawk Hunters, The Black Eagles, The
Creole Wild West, and The Wild Magnolias @ Noon

Tuesday, February 5th
The Apple Barrel: The Louisiana Hellbenders @ 5
Arnaud's Jazz Bistro: The Gumbo Trio @ 6:30
Balcony Music Club: Trinit 2 @ 10AM, Elliott Cohn @ 5, Big Chief @ 9,
Ready Teddy & His All Stars @ Midnight
Blue Nile: The Fessters @ 6 (NOLA R&B)
Cafe Negril: Sista Otis @ 6
Club 300: Jessie Boyd Jazz Trio, featuring Micheal Pellera and Troy
Davis @ 7:30
Columbia Street Tap Room & Grill: Four Unplugged @ 9
The Hi-Ho Lounge: Zelozowa, Project Blue, Rising Sun, Endora's Mask @ 9
House of Blues: Yonder Mountain String Band @ 9
Old Point Bar: OutLaw Jim & the Whiskey Benders @ 8
The Spotted Cat: VaVaVoom @ 1 (Gypsy Jazz)

Wednesday, February 6th
The Apple Barrel: Sista Otis @ 8
Arnaud's Jazz Bistro: The Gumbo Trio @ 6:30
Balcony Music Club: OPEN MIKE @ 9
Banks Street Bar: Gravity A @ 11
The Circle Bar: The Fens@ 10
The Green Room: Local Talent Night @ 9
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: Angelle Trosclair @ 9 (piano & vocals)
Nirvana: Andrew McLean & Michael Voelker @ 6:30
Palm Court Jazz Cafe: Palm Court Jazz Band w/Tom Sancton @ 8 (Jazz)
Rock n Bowl "Mid City Lanes": Joe Krown @ 8:30 {Swing Night}
Saint Anna's Episcopal Church: Rudy's Caribbean Funk Band @ 7,
(Musician Outreach, Dinner and Assistance Services)
The Spotted Cat: VaVaVoom @ 10 (Gypsy Jazz)
St. Joseph's Church: Pierre Pichon,Rafael Bas and Nathan Lamberton @
11AM ( Outreach for the Homeless ) (Musicians' Outreach Free Concerts
for the Homeless)
Tarantula Arms: LYNN DRURY @ 10 (acoustic rock)
The Windsor Court - Le Salon: Rachel Van Voorhies @ 2:30 (Harp)


-- 
Sandor Gulyas
Graduate Student - Louisiana State University
Dept of Geography & Anthropology
Vice President - Baton Rouge Blues Society

First, to any club owner/promoter following this list.  Big Daddy
Blue/Mike has recovered enough from his heartattack (back in November)
to start taking gigs again.  You can contact BDB/M at
www.bigdaddyblue.com or www.myspace.com/bigdaddyblueandtheredhotz.

Shows of note this weekend (before Mardi Gras & IBC) include Robin
Trower in BR tonight and NOLA on Friday, Bryan Lee at Teddys on
Friday, Lil' Ray Neal at Phil Bradys on Saturday, and Johnny Lang in
NOLA on Saturday as well.

WEEKLY JAMS:
Wednesday: Teddy's Juke Joint's open mic, starts at 8:30 PM (no cover)
Wednesday: Blues Jam @ Deckbar & Grille (NO) hosted by Oscar &
 the
BluesCats (8:30 -12:30)
Wednesday: Blues Jam @ Bob's Pub (Lafayette) Hosted by Ronnie Vice, $5
cover, starts @ 8 PM
Thursday: Blues Jam @ Phil Brady's, hosted by Sundanze ($5 cover,
 starts @ 9:30)
Thursday: Blues Jam @ The Locks Bar & Grill (NO) Danny Alexander
 & his
Partners in Crime @ 8 PM
Sunday: Blues Jam @ Teddy's Juke Joint ($7 cover, starts @ 8 PM)
Monday: Blues Jam @ Bob's Pub (Lafayette) Hosted by Ronnie Vice, $5
cover, starts @ 8 PM
Tuesday: Acoustic Open Mic @ Phil Brady's (starts at 10 pm)
Tuesday: Blues jam @ Dean's on the River (Lafayette): 8 p.m.-midnight

BLUES SHOWS
Wednesday, January 23
(NO) Jazz Emporium: Bryan Lee (8 PM)
(NO) DBA: Walter "Wolfman" Washington (10 PM)
(NO) Cafe Negril: Washboard Chaz Blues Trio @ 9:30
(NO) Balcony Music Club: LITTLE FREDDIE KING @ 10
(NO) Dino's Bar & Grill: Andrew Duhon @ 9
(NO) Funky Pirate: Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters @ 8:30
(NO) Margaritaville: Brint Anderson @ 7
(NO) St Roch Tavern: Mike Hood with Blues, Booze and Barbeques @ 6

Thursday, January 24
(NO) Banks Street Bar: Walter 'Wolfman' Washington & The
 Roadmasters @
 10
(NO) Blue Nile "Upstairs": West Bank Mike and the Fisher Project @ 10
(Blues/Funk/Soul)
(NO) The Ritz Hotel - On Trois Lounge: Marva Wright @ 5:30
(NO) The Rivershack Tavern: John Lisi & Delta Funk @ 8

Friday, January 25
Teddy's Juke Joint: Bryan Lee (9 PM)
Boudreaux & Thibodaux: Kenny Acosta (6 PM) and Susan Owens and
 Filagree
 (10 PM)
(Gonzales) Junction 44: Big Daddy Blue (acoustic)(9 PM)
(NO) Rock n'Bowl: Snooks Eaglin (Birthday Party) (9 PM)
(NO) Funky Pirate: Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters @ 8:30
(NO) House of Blues: Robin Trower @ 8
(NO) The Jazz Emporium: Chuck C & Clearly Blue @ 8
(NO) One Eyed Jack's: Eric Lindell @ 10 (CD Release Party)
(NO) The Ritz Hotel - On Trois Lounge: Marva Wright @ 5:30
(NO) The Rivershack Tavern: Sheena & The Swamp Dogs @ 9:30
(NO) Rock n Bowl "Mid City Lanes": Snooks Eaglin @ 9 {Snooks' Birthday
 Party}

Saturday, January 26
Phil Brady's: Lil' Ray Neal (IBC Going Away Party)
Teddy's Juke Joint: Jonathan "Boogie" Long (9 PM)
Chelseas: Eric Lindell (10 PM)
(Prairieville) Fat Cat Saloon: Big Daddy Blue (acoustic)(9 PM)
(Northshore) Columbia St. Taproom: Big Al & The Heavyweights or…
(NO) The Green Room: Big Al & The Heavyweights @ 10 {OLYMPIA MARDI
 GRAS
 PARADE}
(NO) The Apple Barrel: Sneaky Pete @ 8, Coco Robicheaux & The Swamp
Monsters @ 11
(NO) Bombay Club: Luther Kent @ 9:30
(NO) Cafe Negril: Smoky Greenwell & The Blues Gnus @ 9, Sista Otis
 @
 2:30AM
(NO) Funky Pirate: Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters @ 8:30
(NO) Old Point Bar: the Marc Stone Band @ 9:30
(NO) The Ritz Hotel - On Trois Lounge: Marva Wright @ 5:30
(NO) Boomers Nightclub - Boomtown Casino: Little Richard @ 9
(NO) House of Blues: Jonny Lang @ 8

Sunday, January 27
(NO) Cafe Negril: Smoky Greenwell & The Blues Gnus @ 9
(NO) D.B.A.: Linnzi Zaorski @ 6, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio @ 10
(NO) The Jazz Emporium: Chuck C & Clearly Blue @ 8
(Madisonville)The Spot: Big Daddy O & Friends @ 3:30

Monday, January 28
(NO) Bank Street Bar: John Lisi (10 PM)
(NO) Jazz Emporium: Bryan Lee (8 PM)
(NO) The Apple Barrel: Sam Cammarata & Friends @ 8, Lisi &
 Roberto @
 10:30
(NO) Margaritaville: Brint Anderson @ 7
(Lafayette) Grown Folks: Blues Party

Tuesday, January 29
(NO) Jazz Emporium: Bryan Lee (8 PM)
(NO) Funky Pirate: Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters @ 8:30
(NO) Margaritaville: Brint Anderson @ 7

Wednesday, January 30
(Lafayette) Artmosphere: Big Daddy Blue (acoustic)(9 PM)
(Alexandria) Spirit's: Marty Christian (7 PM)
(NO) Jazz Emporium: Bryan Lee (8 PM)
(NO) DBA: Walter "Wolfman" Washington (10 PM)

Thursday, January 31
(NO) DBA: Little Freddie King (10 PM)


-- 
Sandor Gulyas
Graduate Student - Louisiana State University
Dept of Geography & Anthropology
Vice President - Baton Rouge Blues Society

First, to any club owner/promoter following this list.  Big Daddy
Blue/Mike has recovered enough from his heartattack (back in November)
to start taking gigs again.  You can contact BDB/M at
www.bigdaddyblue.com or www.myspace.com/bigdaddyblueandtheredhotz.

Shows of note this weekend (before Mardi Gras & IBC) include Robin
Trower in BR tonight and NOLA on Friday, Bryan Lee at Teddys on
Friday, Lil' Ray Neal at Phil Bradys on Saturday, and Johnny Lang in
NOLA on Saturday as well.

WEEKLY JAMS:
Wednesday: Teddy's Juke Joint's open mic, starts at 8:30 PM (no cover)
Wednesday: Blues Jam @ Deckbar & Grille (NO) hosted by Oscar &
 the
BluesCats (8:30 -12:30)
Wednesday: Blues Jam @ Bob's Pub (Lafayette) Hosted by Ronnie Vice, $5
cover, starts @ 8 PM
Thursday: Blues Jam @ Phil Brady's, hosted by Sundanze ($5 cover,
 starts @ 9:30)
Thursday: Blues Jam @ The Locks Bar & Grill (NO) Danny Alexander
 & his
Partners in Crime @ 8 PM
Sunday: Blues Jam @ Teddy's Juke Joint ($7 cover, starts @ 8 PM)
Monday: Blues Jam @ Bob's Pub (Lafayette) Hosted by Ronnie Vice, $5
cover, starts @ 8 PM
Tuesday: Acoustic Open Mic @ Phil Brady's (starts at 10 pm)
Tuesday: Blues jam @ Dean's on the River (Lafayette): 8 p.m.-midnight

BLUES SHOWS
Wednesday, January 23
(NO) Jazz Emporium: Bryan Lee (8 PM)
(NO) DBA: Walter "Wolfman" Washington (10 PM)
(NO) Cafe Negril: Washboard Chaz Blues Trio @ 9:30
(NO) Balcony Music Club: LITTLE FREDDIE KING @ 10
(NO) Dino's Bar & Grill: Andrew Duhon @ 9
(NO) Funky Pirate: Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters @ 8:30
(NO) Margaritaville: Brint Anderson @ 7
(NO) St Roch Tavern: Mike Hood with Blues, Booze and Barbeques @ 6

Thursday, January 24
(NO) Banks Street Bar: Walter 'Wolfman' Washington & The
 Roadmasters @
 10
(NO) Blue Nile "Upstairs": West Bank Mike and the Fisher Project @ 10
(Blues/Funk/Soul)
(NO) The Ritz Hotel - On Trois Lounge: Marva Wright @ 5:30
(NO) The Rivershack Tavern: John Lisi & Delta Funk @ 8

Friday, January 25
Teddy's Juke Joint: Bryan Lee (9 PM)
Boudreaux & Thibodaux: Kenny Acosta (6 PM) and Susan Owens and
 Filagree
 (10 PM)
(Gonzales) Junction 44: Big Daddy Blue (acoustic)(9 PM)
(NO) Rock n'Bowl: Snooks Eaglin (Birthday Party) (9 PM)
(NO) Funky Pirate: Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters @ 8:30
(NO) House of Blues: Robin Trower @ 8
(NO) The Jazz Emporium: Chuck C & Clearly Blue @ 8
(NO) One Eyed Jack's: Eric Lindell @ 10 (CD Release Party)
(NO) The Ritz Hotel - On Trois Lounge: Marva Wright @ 5:30
(NO) The Rivershack Tavern: Sheena & The Swamp Dogs @ 9:30
(NO) Rock n Bowl "Mid City Lanes": Snooks Eaglin @ 9 {Snooks' Birthday
 Party}

Saturday, January 26
Phil Brady's: Lil' Ray Neal (IBC Going Away Party)
Teddy's Juke Joint: Jonathan "Boogie" Long (9 PM)
Chelseas: Eric Lindell (10 PM)
(Prairieville) Fat Cat Saloon: Big Daddy Blue (acoustic)(9 PM)
(Northshore) Columbia St. Taproom: Big Al & The Heavyweights or…
(NO) The Green Room: Big Al & The Heavyweights @ 10 {OLYMPIA MARDI
 GRAS
 PARADE}
(NO) The Apple Barrel: Sneaky Pete @ 8, Coco Robicheaux & The Swamp
Monsters @ 11
(NO) Bombay Club: Luther Kent @ 9:30
(NO) Cafe Negril: Smoky Greenwell & The Blues Gnus @ 9, Sista Otis
 @
 2:30AM
(NO) Funky Pirate: Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters @ 8:30
(NO) Old Point Bar: the Marc Stone Band @ 9:30
(NO) The Ritz Hotel - On Trois Lounge: Marva Wright @ 5:30
(NO) Boomers Nightclub - Boomtown Casino: Little Richard @ 9
(NO) House of Blues: Jonny Lang @ 8

Sunday, January 27
(NO) Cafe Negril: Smoky Greenwell & The Blues Gnus @ 9
(NO) D.B.A.: Linnzi Zaorski @ 6, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio @ 10
(NO) The Jazz Emporium: Chuck C & Clearly Blue @ 8
(Madisonville)The Spot: Big Daddy O & Friends @ 3:30

Monday, January 28
(NO) Bank Street Bar: John Lisi (10 PM)
(NO) Jazz Emporium: Bryan Lee (8 PM)
(NO) The Apple Barrel: Sam Cammarata & Friends @ 8, Lisi &
 Roberto @
 10:30
(NO) Margaritaville: Brint Anderson @ 7
(Lafayette) Grown Folks: Blues Party

Tuesday, January 29
(NO) Jazz Emporium: Bryan Lee (8 PM)
(NO) Funky Pirate: Big Al Carson & the Blues Masters @ 8:30
(NO) Margaritaville: Brint Anderson @ 7

Wednesday, January 30
(Lafayette) Artmosphere: Big Daddy Blue (acoustic)(9 PM)
(Alexandria) Spirit's: Marty Christian (7 PM)
(NO) Jazz Emporium: Bryan Lee (8 PM)
(NO) DBA: Walter "Wolfman" Washington (10 PM)

Thursday, January 31
(NO) DBA: Little Freddie King (10 PM)


-- 
Sandor Gulyas
Graduate Student - Louisiana State University
Dept of Geography & Anthropology
Vice President - Baton Rouge Blues Society

Harry Hypolite plays the blues in Cade in 2004. Photo by Terri Fensel

When Harry Hypolite was killed in a car accident June 22, Acadiana lost one of its most soulful bluesmen and an important link to Clifton Chenier, the King of Zydeco. Hypolite played with Chenier until Cheniers death in 1987, and the two men shared many musical and personal traits: fierce pride, a love of their craft and an unwavering work ethic.

In recent years, Hypolite was a fixture on the Acadiana club scene, regularly playing at venues such as 307 Downtown, Artmosphere and Clementines in New Iberia. When I last visited Hypolite at his trailer in Cade in the spring of 2004, it was a reminder of his signature warmth, determination and optimism. He never flinched in the face of the financial hardships and health issues, and our conversation was filled with his hopes for international festival shows and recording future albums.

I was honored to write the liner notes for his debut CD, Louisiana Country Boy, in 2001. The album introduced him to a whole new fanbase and received uniformly positive reviews locally and nationally. Hypolite was immensely proud of Louisiana Country Boy, and after his unexpected and tragic passing, the CD now stands as a testament to a moving musical legacy. The original liner notes for Louisiana Country Boy follow, and I hope they still pay tribute to a gentle giant who overcame immense odds.

Harry Hypolite finished his days work at the Fruit of the Loom factory in St. Martinville, La., and Clifton Chenier came by to see him. Hypolite occasionally played guitar with Chenier, the King of Zydeco, but now Chenier was issuing him a challenge.

He wanted me to play with him regularly, remembers Hypolite. Id told him before, I didnt think so, but he kept after me. That day he said, You feel like you want to play some music? Then youve got to go out and get it if you want to make it.

More than two decades later, those words speak volumes for Hypolite. After heeding Cheniers call and playing with the zydeco legend until his passing, and more recently touring and recording with Cliftons son, C.J. Chenier, 63-year-old Hypolite is moving from the shadows to the spotlight. Louisiana Country Boy is his debut release, a moving testament to the power of faith and conviction.

Nobody gave me a chance before, he notes. But I said, Im going to show em what I can do. For me, this comes deep down in my soul. I want to play the blues, and I want to tell people about my Creole heritage.

Although he toured the world with the Cheniers, Hypolites heart has always been in south Louisiana. He was born in St. Martinville on April 19, 1937, and the landscape was literally in his blood. As a boy, he picked cotton, okra and sweet potatoes, and worked the rice and sugar cane fields. Shoes were considered a luxury, and a grueling day in the brutal summer sun might net 75 cents and a plate of potatoes on a good day. The struggle was magnified when his mother died while he was young. I had hard times coming up, he says. I never forget where I came from.

Music became an outlet for him, and he started buying records by artists like B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters and Clarence Gatemouth Brown. He taught himself to play, but he wasnt just learning by copying the licks off 45-RPM records. St. Martinville was home to the Dew Drop Inn, a popular juke joint on the chitlin circuit (and no relation to the famed New Orleans nightspot), and Hypolite took a job there.

I used to stack up those soda water cases made out of wood and then stand up on em outside and watch the guys playing inside, he remembers. I got to see T-Bone [Walker] and Gatemouth [Brown], Albert King, Albert Collins. I got to see Guitar Slim many times. Lord have mercy, thinking about The Things (I Used to Do) brings me way back, when I was a young kid. I knew this was a song that would never be forgotten, and Ive been having it in my mind to do it again. I saw Slim many times, always in those colorful clothes red, green yellow, purple.

The stamp of those formative years is all over Louisiana Country Boy. Like his peers Gatemouth Brown, Lonnie Brooks and Phillip Walker, Hypolites guitar playing sings with the influence of the Gulf Coast, blending sweet single-note runs as wide open as Texas with greasier, syncopated licks cooked up for Louisiana swamp grooves. He takes a no-nonsense approach to playing zydeco and the blues.

Zydeco is simple music, muses Hypolite. Guys who try to play jazz and put big chords in zydeco make it hard on themselves. You just need to know how to phrase it right, and it has to have a feeling and a meaning to it.

Hypolite does just that on this recording by honoring Clifton Chenier with fresh versions of four songs from the King of Zydeco. He also pays homage to early blues inspirations. Big Bad Girl takes a cue from the school of slurred Jimmy Reed chords, and the brooding intro to Someday recalls the Fenton Robinson classic Somebody Loan Me a Dime.

And as the albums title track reveals, Hypolite has bottled pure emotion by writing and singing autobiographical songs that reach all the way back to his childhood. Hes been waiting for this moment for so long, played it over in his head so many times, that almost every song on this recording was done in one take, with no lyric sheets. On Colinda, You Used to Call Me and Hog for You Baby, Hypolite honors his heritage by warmly phrasing in Creole French. Three of the songs For Better or Worse, Big Bad Girl and Louisiana Country Boy Harry improvised on the spot.

My mind is like a computer, he says. All these things that are on my mind, all the things I want to say, I could never forget. Its not a record where you go piece by piece. Youve got to go straight up.

At a time when many blues artists are at the twilight of their careers, its the dawn of Harry Hypolites time in the sun. This is like a dream for me, he says. Im proud of this record, and Ive got plenty more tunes that I can do and that I think people are going to like. This is just the beginning.

by Marc Stone / Offbeat Magazine

You couldnt park on the same block as the Notre Dame Catholic Church that bright Wednesday morning. Summer had settled onto St. Martinville, but the Louisiana heat didnt stop people coming from far and wide to say goodbye. Small waves of mourners and well-wishers continued to file into the already packed church during the service. In the aisle stood a large coffin containing a big man in a powder blue suit with a long coat and matching hat; a giant of a bluesman, an eternal child, a Louisiana country boy. The same man whos picture was on the front page of the Times of Acadiana that day. Prayers and praise were uttered, songs were sung, and tears trailed down some of the faces. Harry Hypolite had gone home.

Ill never forget the day I met Harry. How could I? It was my first day on the road as a professional musician. I had boarded a plane from New Orleans on less than 24 hours notice to go on tour for a month with a bunch of guys Id never met. The gig was with C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Bandsome people called them the best zydeco band in the world. They met me in the lobby of the shoe box airport in Winston-Salem. I was the only person deplaning the eight-seater with two guitars, so C.J. figured I was his guy. He pointed a gunslinger finger at me and said You must be Marcus! Im C.J., and this heres Gumbo, Humpy and Red, and out in the van we got Big Daddy.

And so began my adventures with the Red Hot. A hulking man with ebony skin and suspicious eyes occupied the front passenger seat of the van. Big Daddy. He didnt say word one to me until we got to the barbecue joint. Not that anyone else said much either, these werent the warmest, fuzziest bunch of road dogs youd ever met. Harry and I finally broke the ice over plates of ribs and chicken, but it wasnt until we hit the stand that night that I saw that trademark sly grin, the beaming look that Harry had used to light up countless stages and work his way in and out of more situations than Ill ever know. He blended innocence and mischief into one seamless expression of joy, and his guitar rang out like a bell. His tone was pure, each note spoke the truth. I would keep my ears glued to Harrys guitar for the better part of a year, soaking up the sparkling lines and supple rhythms that he carried from a time long before my own. The blues, straight from the fields and tinged with the unmistakable lilt of a Creole man and his culture.

Harry Hypolite was born in St. Martinville, south of Lafayette, on April 15, 1937. He spoke Creole French until his one year of schooling introduced him to the English language. He picked cotton and cut cane, and he would stack soda crates outside the local juke joint to peep in the window and catch a glimpse of T-Bone Walker, Gatemouth Brown or Guitar Slim. It was the dawn of the age of electric music, and Harry was drawn to the loud guitars and even louder suits that marked the cutting edge of black music in the Deep South. By the early 50s Harry had an electric guitar and some slick suits of his own and began what would become a six decade career in music. He would play behind legends like Clifton Chenier, Big Mama Thornton and Slim Harpo and tour the world for over a decade with C.J. Chenier before joining his nephews Nathan and Dennis Paul Williams in Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas. From there he would embark on the too-brief solo career that finally put a spotlight on his considerable talents, earning him acknowledgement as one of the last of the real deal. His prowling stage swagger, the power that he exuded from his massive frame, the knowing light in his eyes, all reflected the energy of that magic time when electricity first lit up the backwoods with rhythm and blues and created the sound that jolted the American soul. By the time he died tragically on I-10 a few weeks ago, the country boy from St. Martinville had been around the world multiple times. He had been treated as cultural royalty in European capitals, shared the stage with almost all of the greats of the blues world, and touched people from every walk of life. Harry was magnetic, his charm could cut through any boundary and his music spoke straight to the heart. His big, gruff voice sang in English and French about the dire poverty of his childhood, his love for life and his taste for big-legged women. He meant it, every word of it, and he lived it.

At the time I joined C.J.s band, things werent so good. Despite their status as a major roots music touring act, the band was in disarray. The group was plagued with drug and alcohol problems and management was nearly non-existent. Harry was the last member of Cliftons band to remain on board, and after 15 years on the road together, he and C.J. had had about enough of each other. Even though Harry sang and led the band to warm up each set for C.J., usually to a great crowd response, he wasnt treated like a valued member of the bands front line.

In 1999 C.J. took an unannounced vacation while on a package tour with the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Gatemouth Brown. Long time Red Hot washboard player and fellow St. Martinville native Clifford Humpy Alexander Jr. convinced the promoter to let Harry fill C.J.s spot on the roster. Backed by Gatemouths band with Alexander on washboard, Harry stepped up to center stage and delivered. Harry left the band soon after with his sights set on a solo career.

I told him, you been a follower all your life, recalls Alexander. Youre a damn leader, go be a leader.

From the chaos of the Red Hot, Harry retreated to the family environs of Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas. Within a year Chad Kassem signed Harry to a solo deal with APO Records. Harry traveled to Blue Heaven Studios in Salina, Kansas and, at age 62, recorded his first album. Louisiana Country Boy, Harrys debut and only official release, brought him awards, festival gigs, international tours, and finally, the recognition that he had paid 50 years of dues to earn. The week he died the Times of Acadian readers poll dubbed his band Best Blues Band, an honor he could count amongst his Handy Award nominations, accolades in European magazines and his place in the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame.

I cant begin to tell you what a pleasure it was to know Harry. He helped me through some tough times on the road, and he always let me know I had a friend. We played all over the U.S. and Europe together, we knew each others families. He never failed to ask about my mom. The shows we did together in subsequent years were only made sweeter by that extra glint in his smile, the knowledge that he was the star of the show. Thanks to all of the people who supported our gigs with Harry, and to Mathilda Jones, Eric Lindell, Walter Washington and all of the musicians that took part in the Louisiana Blues Throwdown series, which was built as a feature for Harry.

It took a long time for Harry to even start to get his due, and its hard to see him go so suddenly when so many things were rolling his way. He was the real thing, no one else could wear that suit and swing that guitar quite like he could. When he sang in his big, raspy voice, with his impish cackle breaking loose now and then, it didnt matter if he was singing in French or in English thick with his Creole accent. Harry always got his point across, he knew how to talk to the soul.

Harry Big Daddy Hypolite passed away in a car accident on I-10 near Baton Rouge on the morning of June 22. Foundations are being set up in Harrys honor, and tribute concerts are being planned in New Orleans and Lafayette.

HERS A GREAT PIC OF HARRY RECORDING WITH MICHEL JUAN NUNEZ.

HENRY GRAY live august 2006

from www.henrygray.com

AUGUST

Saturday August 5, Baton Rouge @ Phil Brady's BarSunday
August  27 - Henry Gray & Lil' Buck Sinegal @ Labatt's Blues Festival  Edmonton, Alberta CANADA

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 12-15  National Endowment of the Art's National Heritage Fellowship Awards Events:
      Thursday,  Sept. 14, Receipt of National Fellowship at the Cannon Office Bldg. on Capitol Hill
Friday, Sept. 15, Fellowship Receipients' concert @ Strathmore Center for Music 
Saturday, Sept. 16, Kennedy Center's Open House Festival
Monday, Sept. 18, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage