Sure, Jeremy Davenport is "easy on the eyes," as Cosmo magazine points out, but it s his vibrant trumpet and classic crooning that won over the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Paul McCartney, Sting, and Harry Connick, Jr. Pairing up with fellow prominent New Orleanians Basin Street Records, Davenport is set to win even more hearts of fans with his fourth release, We'll Dance 'Til Dawn.

Jeremy Davenport is no stranger to the jazz world. Raised in St. Louis by a music educator mother, and trombonist father, who performs in the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, his love of the music and performing arts were in his blood. So much so that in the eighth grade his father arranged an auspicious introduction to trumpet idol Wynton Marsalis that would change his life forever. A merit scholar at the prestigious Manhattan School of music, Davenport began private study with Raymond Mase and Wynton Marsalis. He went on to study at the University of New Orleans with the patriarch of the Marsalis family, music educator and jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis.

Davenport was honored to become the youngest performer on four world tours with Harry Connick Jr.'s Big Band, after being introduced to Connick by Ellis. Coming off tour in 1989, he finally settled in New Orleans, and has been a well-respected member of the New Orleans family ever since, including being inducted into the New Orleans Jazz Hall of Fame in 2000. 

Mr. New Orleans

Jason Marsalis, the consummate drummer turned mallet-master, returns this January with Melody Reimagined: book 1 the first in a series that finds the New Orleans-born phenom in his element writing, producing, and arranging all original music that is deeply informed by not only the rich tradition of jazz, but a wide understanding and appreciation of music in general. The youngest member of and NEA Jazz Master with his musical family, Marsalis has proven his genius and dedication to the art form of jazz by first establishing himself as a world class drummer, and then completely reinventing himself as a master on the vibraphone and other mallet instruments in the mold of greats such as Milt Jackson and Bobby Hutcherson. In fact, he has been selected as a featured artist to tour with the legendary Lionel Hampton Big Band to share the music of the legendary bandleader. An all-around musical polymath, it is a true treat to hear Marsalis perform a whistle-solo, or demonstrate his perfect pitch—he recently made his debut on vocals singing a low bass line on the Kermit Ruffins/Irvin Mayfield produced track “Don’t Worry Be Happy” in addition to providing vibraphone, marimba, whistle, woodblocks, shakers, snaps, claps, and chest drum.

Those familiar with Marsalis’ recent work such as 2014’s The 21st Century Trad Band and 2013’s In A World of Mallets (that hit #1 on JazzWeek radio charts) will recognize his solid band formerly dubbed The Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet, and now called The 21st Century Trad Band with Austin Johnson on piano, Will Goble on bass, and Dave Potter on drums—a group of young, dynamic players that bring a fresh perspective, but who can hang with the elite playing of Marsalis on vibraphone.

The concept of Melody Reimagined grew out of live performances where the band would play a mixture of originals and covers of jazz standards. Frequently, they’d put together spontaneous arrangements of the standards to keep things interesting. The practice of taking the harmonic structure, or chord progressions from one song and writing new melodies has been around throughout jazz history. For example, Duke Ellington’s “In a Mellow Tone” is based on the harmony from “Rose Room,” while Charlie Parker’s “Ornithology” is based on the harmony from “How High the Moon.” For this album, harmonies and chord changes from the American songbook, jazz standards, traditional jazz, and even 1980’s pop music inspire these new pieces. For example, “Passionate Dancer” draws from Michael Sambello’s #1 hit “Maniac” of Flashdance fame. Marsalis makes a mash-up of the structure of two classics—Horace Silver’s “Peace” and Charlie Haden’s “Silence” on “A Peaceful Silence.” And he excellently demonstrates how the inspirations of trad jazz found in much of the music of New Orleans can be used to make truly modern jazz, while also making a point about the misunderstandings of the city’s Mardi Gras celebration with “Bourbon Street Ain’t Mardi Gras.” Jason’s father, Ellis, and brother Delfeayo both make cameos on the beautiful ballad “80” based on the chord progression of “The Very Thought of You,” a touching tribute to the memory of Jason’s mother.

Whether you’re a true scholar of jazz, or simply a casual listener, Melody Reimagined: book 1 offers something for you, as simply an enjoyable album of music, but also something you can spend hours studying and re-listening to catch all its nuance.

Melody Reimagined: book 1

Ratio Man Strikes Again

"Good Times Bad Times (feat. Michael Mullins)" is the lead track off of Bonerama Plays Zeppelin, The upcoming album from Bonerama on Basin Street Records. Out April 26, 2019, available for pre-order February 28, 2019. Get "Good Times Bad Times" instantly when you pre-order from iTunes or the Basin Street Records web store. This track features scorching-hot vocals from none other than Michael Mullins, the 18-year old son of Bonerama frontman, Mark Mullins.

“Bonerama is viewed by some as one of the most genuine, unique and interesting bands to come from the Crescent City, incorporating brass, funk, soul, rock, blues and alternative into their one-of-a-kind sound. Three trombones, plus sousaphone, guitar and drums all deliver powerful sounds that you have to hear to believe.” – Relix Magazine

Included in “New Orleans Jazz Fest 2018: The 7 Best Things We Saw” – Rolling Stone

Anybody who’s been to a Bonerama live show is no stranger to the band laying down some funked-up, brassy renditions of classic rock songs. Fans of those moments are in for a treat, because the band is gifting the world an album of nothing but Led Zeppelin covers. Bonerama Plays Zeppelin is exactly what you think it is, a collection of your favorite songs from the greatest rock band of all time covered by the greatest trombone band of all time. If you have any doubt that a Trombone-centric band can really rock, pick a tune at random from this release, and be defied. Whether it be the lava-hot vocals on “Black Dog”, the distorted wah-wah trombone replacing the traditional guitar on “In My Time of Dying”, or even a surreal lightning-fast sousaphone solo on the funkified version of “Heartbreaker,” Bonerama proves they can rock with the best of them.

Known the world over for its incendiary live performances, Bonerama has been bringing its specialized brand of New Orleans music to the masses for over 20 years. Bonerama is currently comprised of Mark Mullins (trombone, electric trombone and lead vocals), Craig Klein (trombone and lead vocals), Greg Hicks (trombone and vocals), Bert Cotton (guitar), Matt Perrine (sousaphone and electric bass) and Walt Lundy (drums and vocals).
The album comes to you from New Orleans stalwart label, Basin Street Records, the second on the label following 2017’s Hot Like Fire. It was produced by Mark Mullins, Craig Klein and Tracey Freeman, recorded at Music Shed Recording Studios in New Orleans, and features outstanding original artwork re-imagining the classic Zeppelin symbology by Molly Reeves. Buy from Basin Street Records webstore, or get a physical copy to receive the bonus track “The Ocean”!
Come out for the CD release party April 19, 2019 at Tipitina’s (under new musician-owned management)!
Pre-Order on iTunes or from Basin Street Records to instantly get “Good Times Bad Times!” Buy a physical CD or buy from Basin Street Records directly to receive a free download of “The Ocean.”

Bonerama Plays Zeppelin

Good Times Bad Times (feat. Michael Mullins) from Bonerama Plays Zeppelin

Basin Street Records is a New Orleans based record label.  We are the label home to music from: Kermit Ruffins, Los Hombres Calientes, Jason Marsalis, Irvin Mayfield, Dr. Michael White, Jon Cleary, Henry Butler, Theresa Andersson, The Headhunters, Jeremy Davenport, Rebirth Brass Band, Davell Crawford, Saràyah, and Bonerama. Established 1997.

Ratio Man Strikes Again

BasinStreetRecords

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