Photostory

Notes from New Orleans Jazz

photos by > Seth Kushner

A century after its invention, the innovative and infl uential music that emerged from the streets of the Big Easy has a spirit all its own. No one knows it better than the men and women who play it.

“The music is so special because it’s part of my heritage. A lot of the music you hear around the country is just straight backbeat or foxtrot. Our music has syncopation, where the rhythms are not just straight up tap 1, 2, 3 4.

Ours is pa-ting, po-tong, ping, pang pong, bow.”

DEACON JOHN MOORE, Guitar
Photographed at Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club

“It’s the spirit here in New Orleans that just permeates through every aspect of people’s lives. People who experience New Orleans for the fi rst time; there’s something that just overwhelms them… it’s just so laidback, it’s just so exciting.”

JAMIL SHARIF, trumpet
Photographed at Maison Bourbon

“I’ve been doing this now about 56 years professionally.
I’ve had the same horn for 56 years. I never named it; I just call it ‘My Baby.’ I can just feel it, like a spiritual connection.
The music comes from that”

DANIEL E. FARROW, saxophone
Photographed at Preservation Hall

Musician GEORGE FRENCH at Donna’s Bar & Grill

Vocalist PHILLIP MANUEL at Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club

RYAN BURRAGE AND HIS RHYTHMAKERS at Fritzel’s European Jazz Club

“There are a lot of people who play jazz… there are great jazz musicians all over, but the New Orleans musicians have a different kind of spirit. There’s an essence that comes through in their music.”

GERMAINE BAZZLE, vocalist
Photographed at Donna’s Bar & Grill

“I played all kinds of gigs at European festivals back in the day, but there’s nothing like playing in a small bar for all of your friends, neighborhood people and some tourists. I love to play in holes in the wall.”
KERMIT RUFFINS, Trumpet
Photographed at Vaughn’s Lounge