As everyone across the land prepares for the big feast day on Thursday, local musicians and music fans are gearing up for a long weekend. The Vinyl District gives you a sneak peak at what’s happening in area clubs.
Tonight, the inventive drummer Hamid Drake (pictured) continues his local residency with a performance at the Blue Nile as part of the Open Ears Series. He is set to play in the upstairs room with Open Ears founder, the trombonist Jeff Albert.
Tomorrow night, Thanksgiving Eve, Tipitina’s has a compelling lineup that is a local supergroup of sorts. Billed as Tryptophunk (the moniker is a play on the mysterious sleep-inducing amino acid in turkey—tryptophan), the group features the bassist George Porter Jr., the keyboardist John Gros, the drummer Terrence Houston, the guitarist Brian Stoltz, and the trombonist Craig Klein. All of the players are very familiar with each other, so I suspect this will be one super jam.
Might I suggest a parade as well? The annual Pair-o-Dice Turkey Day Tumble takes place at “dark-thirty” Wednesday evening. The madcap group of amateur musicians rolls around the French Quarter beginning at Molly’s on Decatur Street. Their motto—“Save an Indian, eat a pilgrim.” The intrepid will dress up as either pilgrims or Indians.
If you’re able to get up off the coach Thanksgiving night, head to the Howlin’ Wolf for their annual Thanksgiving Throwdown. The Rebirth Brass Band and Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers will provide your digestive entertainment.
Friday night, I recommend heading back to Tipitina’s. The Joe Krown Organ Combo featuring Walter “Wolfman” Washington and Russell Batiste will open for the New Orleans Suspects (pictured above). The Suspects, another super group featuring Reggie Scanlan, late of the Radiators, “Mean” Willie Green on the Neville Brothers and members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, have added some new tunes to their repertoire and solidified their danceable take on New Orleans groove funk since debuting this past summer. A recent performance that I listened to on archive.org sounded great.
On Saturday night, Dave Malone, also late of the Radiators, will join Jimmy Robinson and Eric Lindell for a singer/songwriter showcase at Carrollton Station. This should be an intimate set that will also undoubtedly feature some guitar pyrotechnics as the evening progresses.
