Few bands capture the essential joy and heart of jazz like the long reigning DDBA. They made a big sensation when they first hit the scene in 1984, and it’s easy to take them for granted. They’ve tried various themes and projects through the years; this one is a straight shot of modernized Crescent City music, gumbo-ed with a tasty mix of flavors. The sax team of Kevin Harris/ts and Roger Lewis/bs is really the backbone of the group, with a molasses thick sound that shoots out like a fire hose when it’s time to solo, as on “Tomorrow.” Guitarist Jack Eckert brings his guitar into some of the songs to give a lilting East African flavor as on “Jook” while the iconic “Saints…” will make you want to be in that number on Judgment Day. A sonic experience akin to strolling down Burgundy Street.
Savoy Jazz