Happy Birthday, Jon Cleary!

Jon Cleary was born on August 11, 1962, in Cranbrook, Kent, England, but for at least the past 20 years he has been a student of New Orleans life and musical culture. Based in New Orleans, Cleary is an accomplished pianist, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter. He has performed with numerous music luminaries including B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal and Eric Burdon. Be sure to catch Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen when they perform their brand of funk and R&B … you will be happy you did!

Photo by Masahiro Sumori

Where Dat? Here's Da Answer to the Game!

“Monkeys” by Rona Pondick, in the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden in City Park

Red Dress Run NOLA - 8/10/2019

The New Orleans Hash House Harriers, AKA the drinking club with a running problem, sponsor the Red Dress Run on the 2nd Saturday of August every year. This 5K Run is not exclusive to NOLA, but the Big Easy version has the lion’s share of outlandishly wild costumes, exceptional live music, and copious amounts of alcohol. While the Red Dress Run is a lot of fun, it is a worthwhile fundraiser with all proceeds going to charity.

Happy Birthday, Louis Armstrong!

Louis Armstrong, also known as Satchmo, Satch, and Pops, was born in New Orleans on August 4, 1901. He is the most famous and influential jazz musician of all time, and was a beloved American icon and cultural ambassador. He was born into poverty, learned to play the coronet at the Colored Waif’s Home for Boys in 1913, and emerged as a trumpet virtuoso whose highly inventive, improvised solos transformed jazz. His distinctive, gravelly voice and charismatic stage presence propelled him to great popularity, both at home and internationally, and not just with his musical recordings, but on radio, films and television. He has innumerable popular songs, but he is best known for the heartwarming “What A Wonderful World” and the cheerful “Hello Dolly”, for which he won a Grammy in 1964. Armstrong passed away in his sleep from a heart attack, a month before his 70th birthday, on July 6, 1971. A 12-foot statue of Armstrong, trumpet in hand, is located in Louis Armstrong Park, located in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, just across from the French Quarter.

Satchmo Summerfest is the premier American festival dedicated to the life, legacy, and music of New Orleans' native son, Louis Armstrong, and it takes place at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the U.S. Mint on August 2–4, 2019.

Shamarr Allen at The Mint on 8/10/2019

Shamarr Allen is the definition of New Orleans! Hailing from the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, Allen has influences in jazz, hip-hop, rock, funk rhythms, blues and country. He is the lead vocalist and trumpeter of his band “Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs.” In addition to performing with his band, Allen has collaborated with many renowned artists around the world such as Willie Nelson, Patti LaBelle, Galatic, Harrick Connick Jr, and Lenny Kravitz, to name a few. He is a sought after artist for festivals and venues around the world. In addition to displaying his skills on the front-line as a lead performer, Allen is also a music composer, writer, and producer. With a scintillating and unique sound, look, and exemplary talents, Shamarr Allen transcends musical boundaries. He is the True Orleans experience!

Cha Wa to perform at the Skirball Cultural Center on 8/8/2019

New Orleans’ Cha Wa brings their funk-laced beats, bass-heavy sousaphone, brass band-meets-Mardi Gras Indian vibe to the Skirball Cultural Center. Do yourself a favor and catch the Grammy-nominated Cha Wa on 8/8/19! Yeah, you right!