An Interview with Dr. John

On Tuesday, September 7th, I had the opportunity to interview the American music icon Dr. John from our Seattle Performance Studio, as well as hear him play a couple of songs. Below is a summary of my interview and the performance, written by KPLU’s Nick Morrison. You will also see photos, and at the end you will find a link to the audio of the performance and interview in its entirely.

Mac ‘Dr. John’ Rebennack has been at the heart of New Orleans funk and R&B since the 1950’s so when he paid a visit to the KPLU/Jazz24 studio for a solo piano/vocal performance, we were sure we’d get a good dose of The Crescent City. We certainly did.

He began by treating us to two songs from his most recent CD, Tribal. The songs, Potnah and Change Of Heart were written by Dr. John and Southwest Louisiana singer/songwriter, Bobby Charles (writer of such Louisiana classics as See You Later Alligator and Walkin’ To New Orleans). In fact, as Dr. John tells interviewer, Kevin Kniestedt, Tribal was initially meant to be a collaboration between Rebennack and Bobby Charles. Unfortunately, Charles passed away in the early stages of the project so Dr. John finished it himself, as a tribute to his old friend.

Dr. John also talked about the ongoing plight of the residents (and refugees) of New Orleans and South Louisiana, five years after Hurricane Katrina and now in the midst of the BP oil spill aftermath.

He concluded by performing one more song: Dorothy, a touching instrumental written for his mother.

By the end of the session it was clear that Dr. John is a man with a mission. Wherever he goes, he takes the musical pleasures and the societal pain of New Orleans with him. He wants us to enjoy the music while never forgetting that his beloved home city is still a long way from being healed.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW AND PERFORMANCE WITH DR. JOHN

Click for past KPLU Studio Sessions

“Now In Stores” VII

Here are five more recent (or soon to be) jazz releases worth giving a listen to:

1. Tribal by Dr. John (429 Records, August 3, 2010) CLICK HERE TO BUY

Iconic American musician Dr. John goes TRIBAL with the follow-up to his 2008 Grammy Award Winning release ‘The City That Care Forgot’ for ‘Best Contemporary Blues Album.’ TRIBAL, featuring a track with Grammy winner Derek Trucks, is a unique spicy mix of New Orleans funk and blues with a spiritual and Native flavor with songs written by Dr John and a few of his friends – Allen Toussaint and the late Bobby Charles and joined by his ultra funky Lower 911 band of musicians.

2. 6 String Theory by Lee Ritenour (Concord Records, June 29, 2010) CLICK HERE TO BUY

6 String Theory is a special project put together by legendary guitarist Lee Ritenour in celebration of the world’s most popular instrument – the guitar! Joining him in this tribute to the guitar, the all-star line-up includes George Benson, BB King, Slash, Steve Lukather, John Scofield, Joe Bonamassa, Robert Cray and Vince Gill among many other superstars. Blending rock, blues, jazz, acoustic, country and classical, they come together for a seamless project that promises to take the listener on a musical journey and exploration of the guitar. Also featured on vocals are BB King, Robert Cray, Vince Gill, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Majal, Joe Bonamassa and Jonny Lang. Debuting on this release is sixteen-year-old guitarist Shon Boublil who was the grand prize winner of Lee Ritenour’s Yamaha Six String Theory Guitar Competition.

3. Raconte-Moi by Stacey Kent (EMI France, June 8, 2010) CLICK HERE TO BUY

2010 release, an all-French album from the American Jazz vocalist. Raconte-Moi..(Tell Me) revisits great classics of the French musical heritage with songs by Barbara, Paul Misraki, Georges Moustaki, Henri Salvador, Michel Jonasz, Keren Ann and Benjamin Biolay, and also showcases original work by talented young songwriters like Claire Denamur, Camille D’avril and Emilie Satt. Stacey Kent bridges the divide between genres, elegantly and daintily stamping her own personal hallmark on this shining album. EMI.

4. Whirl by The Fred Hersch Trio (Palmetto Records, June 21, 2010) CLICK HERE TO BUY

‘Hersch’s music luxurious, free-flowing, unashamedly gorgeous jazz is idiosyncratically, unmistakably a creation of his own,’ David Hajdu wrote in a recent, riveting New York Times Magazine profile on Hersch’s music and life. The piece detailed Hersch’s recovery from a harrowing, near-death health battle and placed him in the forefront of contemporary, innovative jazz artists and chronicles his influence on many of today’s brightest young musicians. Whirl is Hersch’s first recording since undergoing intense physical therapy and achieving full recuperation. Hersch is widely considered a genius on the piano. He moved to New York from Cincinnati in the 1970s, earning his credibility as a piano prodigy at Bradley’s. His list of credits as a band leader, co-leader, sideman and soloist are astounding. He has worked extensively with jazz masters Stan Getz, Joe Henderson, and Jane Ira Bloom, Art Farmer, Toots Thielemans, Gary Burton, Bill Frisell, Sam Jones and Charlie Haden and has appeared on over 100 recordings. He is also a three-time GRAMMY© nominee.

5. Home by Jane Monheit (Emarcy, September 21, 2010) CLICK HERE TO BUY

Los Angeles, California. “Home,” Jane Monheit’s eagerly anticipated new CD, is set for release by Emarcy/Universal Records on September 21st, 2010. An ode to the golden age of the jazz standard – the genre which Jane identifies with most – “Home” celebrates the treasured tracks of songwriters and lyricists past and present whom Monheit greatly admires including Rodgers and Hart and Schwartz & Dietz. A sumptuously sung passionate song cycle of 12 tunes self-produced by the modern-day jazz diva, “Home” is Monheit’s tenth CD and will be accompanied by a world tour beginning in the Fall. Accompanying Monheit on “Home” are long-time Monheit band-members Michael Kanan (piano), Neal Miner on bass and Rick Montalbano on drums, who were joined on the CD by guest artists John Pizzarelli (vocals and guitar), Peter Eldridge (vocals), Frank Vignola (guitar), Joe Magnarelli (trumpet and flugelhorn), Mark O’Connor (violin) and Larry Goldings (piano).

Now in Stores (Late May, June, and July)

“Now in Stores” – 5/16/2010 to 5/22/2010

“Now in Stores” – 5/2/2010 to 5/8/2010

Now in Stores” – 4/25/2010 to 5/1/2010

“Now in Stores” – 4/18/2010 t0 4/24/2010

“Now In Stores” – 5 Noteworthy Jazz Albums Released this Week (4/11/2010-4/17/10)