Jazz News: Super Bowl music reviewed; Jon Batiste’s new club; CO Music Hall of Fame to induct Jim Horowitz
This is Jazz News, a look at what’s news in jazz, music, and the arts.
Let’s recap the music elements around yesterday’s Super Bowl in the Crescent City, New Orleans, Louisiana.
The pre-game show began early (noon), leaving plenty of time for footage from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band throughout the day. Captured outside their building in the French Quarter, the music of “Pres Hall” conveyed the culture and spirit of the host city. Preservation Hall’s Instagram account has a few short clips: Preservation Hall Reels
“Lift Every Voice” – Native New Orleans songbird Ledisi handled the song known as the “Black National Anthem” with reverence and a sense of joy, with perfect vocal accompaniment by a combined choir from New Orleans area high schools.
The day before the game, Lady Gaga recorded “Hold My Hand” (a 2022 single also used in the “Top Gun: Maverick” soundtrack) as a tribute to the victims of the Bourbon Street attack, with a baby grand piano in the middle of Bourbon Street surrounded by first responders and NFL personalities, including Broncos and former Saints head coach Sean Payton.
Shortly before kickoff, Harry Connick, Jr. welcomed the fans in Caesar’s Superdome and the global television audience New Orleans-style, followed by a trumpet serenade from Terence Blanchard. Local radio host and NBA-Pelicans announcer Wild Wayne introduced viewers to what HBCU marching bands are all about, in this case, the dazzling Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band, with the Soul Rebels (shouting out the 504 area code), and the Southern U. “Fabulous Dancing Dolls.” Claiming the title of the world’s only all-female brass band, The Original Pinettes took the 50-yard line stage, followed by a bounce brief (and TV safe) music showcase. Bringing the show home with Harry Connick Jr. for a stadium version of Professor Longhair and Theresa Terry’s “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” were trumpeter Leroy Jones, Freddie Lonzo, and the Spirit of New Orleans Gospel Choir, plus Black Indians in full regalia.
Trombone Shorty and contemporary Christian music vocalist Lauren Daigle brought a funked-up version of “America the Beautiful.”
New Orleans’ own Jon Batiste anchored a joyous “Star Spangled Banner” with gospel piano and soul voice.
You can find videos of all the performances on YouTube HERE
Jon Batiste has opened his first jazz club. Jon Batiste’s Jazz Club at Baha Mar, the luxury resort in the Bahamas. He’ll present a costumed show reflecting local traditions, DJs, and a house band playing standards and modern fare, plus touring artists. Nassau had a glamourous golden age of night clubs in the 50s and 60s, when The Cat and Fiddle Club, The Silver Slipper, and The Banana Boat hosted Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr, and others. (SOURCE: Travel & Leisure / Batiste Jazz Club)
The Colorado Music Hall of Fame has announced their first inductee of the 2025 class, Jazz Aspen Snowmass founder Jim Horowitz, for his contributions to music and music education since it was established in 1991. Jazz Aspen Snowmass holds multi-day outdoor festivals in June and over Labor Day Weekend. His induction will be at the Labor Day weekend festival. (SOURCE: Jazz Aspen Snowmass / Jim Horowitz to join Colorado Hall of Fame)
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