Author Archives: Samantha Hilsenrod

All the Jazz Fest hoopla has subsided. The residents of New Orleans have funked and danced until their behinds couldn’t shake anymore, and it’s time to just chill. Thursday at the Republic, lo-fi producer Henry Laufer, better known to fans as Shlohmo, promises a chill time giving down tempo fans the perfect opportunity to do just that, with his atmospheric beats that inspire more head nodding than booty dropping.

An L.A. native who has been making a name for himself in the lo-fi electronic scene, Shlomo’s beats give a heavy nod to both hip hop and psychedelic influences.

With his work reminiscent of the Mo’ Wax sound, Shlohmo has become a critic’s darling since the release of his 2011 full length album Bad Vibes.

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Boom Boom Room Presents, the San Francisco based promotion company, is celebrating its fifteenth year at Jazz Fest by adding a show like no other. Tonight, May 1st from 8:30 PM to the wee hours of the morning, the Howlin’ Wolf, will be bumping with the beats of Brand New Slang, a house band curated twenty four months ago specifically for the event, “Funkin’ Dat Hip Hop.”

Featuring Robert Walter (Greyboy Allstars), Brian J (The Pimps of Joytime), DJ Logic (Project Logic), Mike Olmos (The New Mastersounds), Simon Lott (Charlie Hunter), Victor Little (Booker T, Billie Preston), and Joe Cohen (Jazz Mafia), as well as many special guests, the stellar collaboration will perform live some of the most famous funk, soul, and jazz samples in hip hop history.

The show will take the form of a flow, with no breaks or pauses, and rappers will hand off the stage to one another after completing their set. Robert Walter’s Brand New Slang are not the only stars the event boasts, and such hip hop legends as Kevvy Kev, Camp Lo, Chali2na (Jurassic 5), Kool Keith, and New Orleans’s own Manny Fresh (pictured at top) will be spitting their rhymes over the live music. The event will culminate in an explosive fever pitch, as the band is joined by the rapper’s own DJs and the MCs duke it out in a freestyle battle.

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The Word—featuring John Medeski, Robert Randolph (pictured at top), and the North Mississippi Allstars—will reunite for this special Jazz Fest after-show for the first time since 2012. It will be the supergroup’s only performance at Jazz Fest and one of only three shows the band is currently scheduled to play. The other two are in New York.

The idea for the band originated nearly fifteen years ago, when Medeski, Martin and Wood joined the North Mississippi Allstars on tour. In 2000, The Word became a reality when pedal-steel guitar master Robert Randolph joined Medeski and NMA in the studio to record their self-titled debut. The 2001 release was hailed as one of the best albums of the year and the group toured briefly to promote the record before each returning to their respective careers. The show at the Joy Theater promises to be a rare treat, the likes of which have not been seen in over two years.

The Word is an all-star group of musicians, boasting multiple Grammy nominations among them. All are masters with varied resumes, making The Word a true collaborative project drawing from a variety of genres, with a distinct emphasis on rock, blues, and gospel.

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Jazz Fest can be an expensive, albeit fun, endeavor. Many visitors and locals alike are dismayed when the end of April approaches and it becomes clear how much two weeks of merriment really add up to. With gate prices at the Fairgrounds at $70.00 this year—and many after-shows costing upwards of $50.00—fun doesn’t come free. However, never fear funky friends! We’ve got you covered. We’ve scoured the web and talked to promoters and locals alike to bring you our low-cost and free (!) picks for the first week that won’t lighten your wallet too much.

The Dragon’s Den will host local favorites The Quickening on Friday April 25. Known for a repertoire heavy on both Grateful Dead covers and originals, this is a natural choice for Phish and jam band fans on a budget with entry at the door a mere ten dollars. Blues band Big Danko opens.

The following evening, Saturday April 26, Chris Mule (pictured at top) of Honey Island Swamp Band will host an evening with his side project, The Perpetrators and pedal steel guitarist Roosevelt Collier of the Lee Boys. Those who enjoyed Honey Island’s set at the Fairgrounds earlier that day will find this to be another, great low-cost option ($10). Ian Cunningham of the Upstarts opens. The venue will also host electronic dance parties in the upstairs portion of the club both nights until dawn.

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