New Orleans (February 13, 2013) – Save the date to celebrate French Quarter Festival’s 30th Anniversary – April 11th -14thin New Orleans. Known as the “largest free festival in the South,” and touted by leading tourism officials as the “kickoff to the festival season in New Orleans,” French Quarter Festival will present an exciting array of entertainment, including hours of live performances by local musicians, authentic New Orleans cuisine, and spectacular events over four full days.
French Quarter Festival’s 30th Anniversary will feature more than 400 hours of music from more than 1,300 local musicians on more than 20 stages in the French Quarter. The artist selection showcases a variety of popular New Orleans genres including traditional and contemporary jazz, Cajun-Zydeco, world, brass band, blues, rock, and pop from some of New
Orleans’ most well-known musicians.Festival goers can savor upscale dining in a festival atmosphere at the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch” – a variety of authentic local cuisine from more than 60 critically acclaimed New Orleans restaurants. Some of the restaurants at festival include Antoine’s, Galatoire’s, Muriel’s, R’evolution, Jacques-i-mo’s, Boucherie, Crescent Pie and Sausage, GW Fins, Trey Yuen, K-Paul’s, Tujague’s, Praline Connection, and more
In an effort to promote the cultural heritage of the City of New Orleans and the Vieux Carré, French Quarter Festival presents the return of Let Them Talk: Conversations on Louisiana Music. This addition will feature a new film series titled TimeCode:NOLA to be screened at the Louisiana State Museum’s OLD U.S. Mint. Both series focus on the creativity New Orleans has fostered in music and film through the use of storytelling and interactive discussions with musicians and filmmakers. These informative films will give insight to the local culture of our unique and ever evolving city. French Quarter
Festival also showcases other one-of-a-kind, family friendly special events, including free dance lessons from the NOLA Jitterbugs, two children’s areas exhibiting activities in nutrition, fitness, arts, culture, and history, Dancing at Dusk, Battle of Bands, Opera at Dusk, and much more!
Locals and early bird visitors are invited to the return of French Quarter Festival’s “Locals’ Lagniappe Day,” where locals can appreciate a full fourth day of music, food, and fun Thursday, April 11th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at both the Riverfront Park and Jackson Square.
The 2013 French Quarter Festival will feature a special 30th Anniversary Gala, on April 11th at Antoine’s Restaurant. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling (504) 522-5730. A portion of the proceeds from the Gala will benefit The Roots of Music (www.therootsofmusic.com).
Visit www.fqfi.org/frenchquarterfest or call (504) 522-5730 for more information about French Quarter Festival and other events produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc
French Quarter Festival is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (www.fqfi.org), the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. promotes the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
February 28, 2013 – Through 2012, the TGIF ‘Thank Goodness it’s Festival!’ kickoff party opened French Quarter Festival weekend. For 2013, French Quarter Festivals, Inc. and the 30th Anniversary Committee presents the first French Quarter Festival 30th Anniversary Gala, Thursday, April 11th at Antoine’s Restaurant. The gala will open with the Patron Party at 7 p.m. and will continue with the Gala from 8 – 10 p.m. Guests will enjoy dinner from Antoine’s and other festival favorites, with an open bar, courtesy of Abita Brewing Company and Republic Beverages. Live entertainment will be provided by Jeremy Davenport, Harmonouche, The Roots of Music, and special guests.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at www.fqfi.org/frenchquarterfest/gala.html or by calling (504) 227-3124.Patron tickets are $250 and Gala tickets are $150. Purchase tickets before March 31st to take advantage of discounted Gala tickets at $125. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Roots of Music (therootsofmusic.com).
Visit www.fqfi.org or call (504) 522-5730 for more information about French Quarter Festival and other events produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc.
Festival Sponsors for the 30th annual French Quarter Festival include: Chevron (Title Sponsor), Capital One Bank , Abita Brewing Company, Ford Motor Company, WWL-TV, Rouses Market, Harrah’s Foundation, Pepsi, Tropical Isle, French Market Corporation, Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation, Popeye’s, Musician’s Performance Fund, House of Blues, Louisiana State Museum, PJ’s Coffee and Tea of New Orleans, Louisiana Lottery, BMI, Hotel Monteleone, United Airlines, Pat O’Brien’s, Dickie Brennan & Company, Palm Court Jazz Café, Windsor Court Hotel, Court of Two Sisters, Tulane Medical Center, Tulane Hospital for Children at Tulane Medical Center, Hermann Grima House, Applitite, New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park, Rolland Lock and Safe, Pelican Ice, SDT, OffBeat Magazine, Where Y’at Magazine, New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, NOLA Jitterbugs, Preservation Hall, The Historic New Orleans Collection, St. Louis Cathedral, The Royal Sonesta, WWNO 89.9 FM, WYES, Entercom New Orleans, Clear Channel, Sunburst Media, Louisiana Cookin’, Kids and Family New Orleans, Inthenola.com, Where Magazine, Curve Magazine, New Orleans Magazine, Louisiana Life Magazine, Acadian Profile, MyNewOrleans.com, St. Charles Avenue Magazine, New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, DownBeat Magazine, 96.1 The River, 101.5 WYNK, 102.5 WFMF, and 1150AM WJOB.
French Quarter Festival is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (www.fqfi.org), the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo Summer Fest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. promotes the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
February 28, 2013 – Tourism officials call French Quarter Festival ‘the kickoff to festival season in New Orleans,’ and what started as a neighborhood festival and ‘locals’ event’ has grown into one of the largest music festivals in the United States. The 2012 French Quarter Festival hosted over 574,000 local and out-of-town visitors and had an economic impact of over $260 million. ‘Locals’ Lagniappe Day’ was launched in 2011, and French Quarter Festival officially became a four-day event. For the 30th anniversary, organizers will add new special events to festival; welcome incredible new restaurants to ‘The World’s Largest Jazz Brunch’; continue to program world class local musicians; and create special experiences for festival goers – all weekend long.
Sponsors help to keep this a true community event – Chevron joins as Title Sponsor and commits to multi-year sponsorship of both French Quarter Festival and Satchmo SummerFest
French Quarter Festivals Executive Director, Marci Schramm, can often be heard telling people that ‘the hardest thing about producing largescale, high quality events – that are free and open to the public – is paying for them!’ Chevron has been a longtime sponsor of French Quarter Festival, supporting both festival musicians and children’s programming. Under the leadership of Vice President Warner Williams, Chevron has made a multi-year commitment to become Title Sponsor of both French Quarter Festival and Satchmo SummerFest. This investment will allow non-profit French Quarter Festivals, Inc. to add new programming to the festivals, to engage in more long term and strategic planning, and to grow the August Satchmo SummerFest – which is a major summertime event for the City, during a time when businesses need a boost from tourism. “Chevron is proud to join the annual celebration of New Orleans’s vibrant culture as title sponsor of the French Quarter Festival. This investment is part of Chevron’s commitment to arts which we believe inspires, celebrates diversity, stimulates economic growth, and fuels the social vitality of the community our thousands of employees call home,” said Warner Williams, Vice President North America Exploration and Production, Gulf of Mexico Business Unit.
Showcasing New Orleans Music and Local Musicians
On twenty (of its twenty-one) music stages, only Louisiana artists are featured (the festival hosts one ‘International Stage’ where traditional jazz bands from all over the world perform). Part of the great appeal of French Quarter Festival is that attendees get a true and authentic New Orleans experience – locals and visitors can hear a broad range of artists and a diverse variety of musical styles and genres. French Quarter Festival is committed to keeping Traditional Jazz alive, and features New Orleans’ finest artists throughout the four days of festival, on stages all over the French Quarter. For 2013, the Cabaret Stage will move to the Palm Court Jazz Café, and is sponsored by the Hotel Monteleone
– the ‘Official Hotel’ of French Quarter Festival and Satchmo SummerFest.
For the 30th anniversary, festival organizers will bring back an event from the early years of French Quarter Festival by launching the ‘Chevron Evening Concert Series.’ A second line parade loaded with New Orleans talent and personality will precede these special sets on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Festival. This year’s Chevron Evening Concert Series artists include the Dirty Dozen Brass Band (celebrating their 35th anniversary), Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet (sometimes referred to as ‘the best Cajun band in the world’), and Grammy Award winner Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience (celebrating their 31st anniversary).
Notable artists who will be performing at French Quarter Festival’s 30th anniversary celebration include: Soul Rebels, George Porter, Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, NOLA Nightingale Revue, Raw Oyster Cult, Bonerama, Chris Owens, the Dixie Cups, Harmonouche, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Preservation Hall-Stars, Walter ‘Wolfman’ Washington, Chubby Carrier, Donald Harrison, Jr., Davell Crawford, Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Orchestra, Meschiya & the Little Big Horns, Papa Grows Funk, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio, Bill Summers & Jazalsa, John Autin and ex-Treme featuring Al ‘Carnival Time’ Johnson, Dr. Michael White, and more.
French Quarter Festival’s Musician Sponsorship Program continues to grow. For 2013, over one hundred companies, individuals, and foundations have signed up to support local musicians by ‘adopting an artist’. Sponsors come from all over the United States – from Minneapolis to Maryland – and are helping to keep French Quarter Festival free for the community. This year the Sheraton Hotel (also celebrating its 30th anniversary) joins as the largest single sponsor of festival musicians since the program’s inception. The 2013 French Quarter Festival will feature over 1,400 local artists. The Festival is still seeking 2013 sponsorships. Contact Georgia Rhody at (504) 522-5730 or email georgia@fqfi.org for more information.
2013 French Quarter Festival – big news for the 30th!
Over 60 food vendors make up ‘The World’s Largest Jazz Brunch’ at Festival – featuring classic New Orleans dishes as well as cutting edge cuisine from the best restaurants in the region. New food vendors include: John Folse’s Restaurant R’evolution (French Quarter); Schiro’s (Indian dishes from the Marigny restaurant), Dreamy Weanies (gourmet meat, vegan, kosher, and Halal hot dogs from the French Quarter), and festival favorite Jacques-i-mo’s returns to Jackson Square. A number of restaurants have been with the festival since its beginning in 1984, and have been great partners for 30 years: Court of Two Sisters, Pat O’Brien’s, Ristorante Carmelo, Trey Yuen, Tujague’s, Vaucresson Sausage, Desire Oyster Bar, and The Gumbo Shop.
Abita Brewing Company continues its partnership with French Quarter Festivals, Inc. for both French Quarter Festival and Satchmo SummerFest. A new contract unites the organizations through 2018. For the 30th anniversary celebration, Abita will be pouring Strawberry Abita at French Quarter Festival – for the first time ever. French Quarter Festival is the only Louisiana festival that will have this popular seasonal brew, made with Ponchatoula strawberries. In addition, Abita Amber, Purple Haze, Jockamo IPA, and Abita Light will be on tap.
For years, the TGIF ‘Thank Goodness it’s Festival!’ kickoff party preceded the Festival. For 2013, festival organizers and the 30th Anniversary Committee are planning a 30th Anniversary Gala at Antoine’s Restaurant, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting The Roots of Music. The Gala is scheduled for Thursday, April 11th (opening day of Festival) with a Patron Party from 7-8 pm and Gala from 8-10:30 pm. Guests will enjoy dinner from Antoine’s and other festival-favorite restaurants, with open bar courtesy of Republic and Abita Brewing Company. Entertainment includes Jeremy Davenport, Harmonouche, The Roots of Music, and special guests. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.fqfi.org or by calling 504-227-3124. Patron tickets are $250 and Gala tickets are $125 ($150 beginning April 1st)
2013 welcomes expanded programming for the free dance lessons at French Quarter Festival. New for 2013 – there will be more dance classes at the French Market Traditional Jazz Stage. The Children’s Stage will also feature a new offering in addition to the Second Line dance classes for kids: Heal2Toe dance and exercise classes taught by Darryl Young (aka Dancingman504). Dance lessons are scheduled for the French Market Traditional Jazz Stage; Zydeco dance lessons at the Cajun Zydeco Stage; second line dance lessons and Heal2Toe at the Children’s Headquarters. Between musical breaks, festival patrons are invited to learn traditional dance-styles such as the Charleston, Swing, Zydeco and Second-line. Instructors from NOLA Jitterbugs will demonstrate, entertain, and educate visitors on these various dance styles.
In partnership with Applitite, the French Quarter Festival iPhone App is back, along with the Android App – and they are still both FREE, courtesy of Capital One Bank. Fans can receive up to the minute announcements, downloadable music schedules, complete menus, special events, merchandise updates, shuttle information, and unique offers to enhance their festival experience. The application is now available for download. 2013 schedules, menus, and other information will be uploaded in March, prior to French Quarter Festival.
The Capital One Bank Second Line Shuttle grows with the French Quarter Festival audience! A sixth bus was added in 2012 and will be back for the 30th anniversary celebration. Free shuttles help transport local fans to the festival Friday through Sunday. Parking will be offered in the Central Business District along O’Keefe Street for just $10 per day and the shuttle ride is FREE, courtesy of Capital One Bank.
Strong partnerships play a major role at French Quarter Festival
In order to keep French Quarter Festival free and open to the public, the organization relies heavily on the contributions of sponsors and partners, beverage and merchandise sales, and vendor fees. For the 30th anniversary, the festival is thrilled to welcome Chevron, as Title Sponsor.
Festival Sponsors for the 30th annual French Quarter Festival include: Chevron (Title Sponsor), Capital One Bank , Abita Brewing Company, Ford Motor Company, WWL-TV, Rouses Market, Harrah’s Foundation, Pepsi, Tropical Isle, French Market Corporation, Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation, Popeye’s, Musician’s Performance Fund, House of Blues, Louisiana State Museum, PJ’s Coffee and Tea of New Orleans, Louisiana Lottery, BMI, Hotel Monteleone, United Airlines, Pat O’Brien’s, Dickie Brennan & Company, Palm Court Jazz Café, Windsor Court Hotel, Court of Two Sisters, Tulane Medical Center, Tulane Hospital for Children at Tulane Medical Center, Hermann Grima House, Applitite, New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park, Rolland Lock and Safe, Pelican Ice, SDT, OffBeat Magazine, Where Y’at Magazine, New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, NOLA Jitterbugs, Preservation Hall, The Historic New Orleans Collection, St. Louis Cathedral, The Royal Sonesta, WWNO 89.9 FM, WYES, Entercom New Orleans, Clear Channel, Sunburst Media, Louisiana Cookin’, Kids and Family New Orleans, Inthenola.com, Where Magazine, Curve Magazine, New Orleans Magazine, Louisiana Life Magazine, Acadian Profile, MyNewOrleans.com, St. Charles Avenue Magazine, New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, DownBeat Magazine, 96.1 The River, 101.5 WYNK, 102.5 WFMF, and 1150AM WJOB.
February 28, 2013 – In a city known for its delicious and diverse cuisine, even festivals are known for serving world-class food. During the 30th French Quarter Festival (Thursday, April 11 – Sunday, April 14, 2013) festival-goers will enjoy signature offerings at the ‘World’s Largest Jazz Brunch.’ The 2013 festival welcomes three new restaurants to the ‘World’s Largest Jazz Brunch’ program – Schiro’s Café, Dreamy Weenies, and John Folse’s R’evolution. Food and beverage vendors, located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint, make up the ‘World’s Largest Jazz Brunch.’
French Quarter Festival annually features authentic local cuisine from the area’s finest restaurants, including festival favorites such as crawfish and goat cheese crepes, cochon de lait po-boys, crawfish bisque, Oysters Bonne Femme, hot boiled crawfish, snoballs, and more. In addition to the food offerings, the festival offers an array of refreshing beverages including Abita Beer, Absoult Vodka, Malibu Rum and Jameson cocktails and daiquiris, Woodbridge wines and (new for 2013) mimosas, Pepsi products including Aquafina and Gatorade, Pat O’Brien’s hurricanes, and Tropical Isle Hand Grenades (and Skinny Hand Grenades). Most menu items range in price from $4 – $8 to keep the festival not only fun, but affordable.
In order to maintain the authenticity and quality of the cuisine, the Jazz Brunch Committee follows specific criteria for participating in the ‘World’s Largest Jazz Brunch.’ In order to qualify, vendors must be dine-in restaurants and New Orleans restaurants are given first preference. French Quarter Festival features neighborhood favorites – including Antoine’s, Desire Oyster Bar, Galatoire’s, G W Fins, Muriel’s, Court of Two Sisters, The Bombay Club, Bennachin, Praline Connection, and Tujague’s – many of whom participated in the first-ever French Quarter Festival in 1984.
Visit www.fqfi.org to view complete food and beverage menus, or download the free app for iPhone and Android – courtesy of Capital One Bank and Applitite. The ‘World’s Largest Jazz Brunch’ is served daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Jackson Square and Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Woldenberg Riverfront Park, except for Sunday when the entire festival closes at 7 p.m.
French Quarter Festival 2013 is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest (August) and Christmas New Orleans Style (December) . French Quarter Festivals, Inc. promotes the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
February 28, 2013 – French Quarter Festivals, Inc. unveils three 30th Anniversary French Quarter Festival Posters by artists Tami Curtis, Philip Bascle, and Simon Hardeveld. Each year, the festival’s Merchandise Committee selects a painting that portrays the fun, festive, atmosphere of French Quarter Festival. Consideration is given only to local artists. To keep the festival free and open to the public, French Quarter Festival relies heavily on merchandise and poster sales, sponsorships, and beverage sales to generate its operating budget.
Tami Curtis
For the 2013 poster, renowned local mixed-media artist, Tami Curtis draws inspiration from legendary New Orleans singer/trumpet player, Kermit Ruffins. Tami brings the food, music and culture alive by including elements that personify New Orleans and the French Quarter through her use of rich color, multi-dimensional paint application and spontaneous brush stroke technique.
Tami attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston where she received her BA in art education and a BFA in graphic design. She taught art in the public school system and in private institutions, served as education coordinator for the New Orleans Museum of Art, and has owned art based businesses involving pottery, hand-painted fabric items, art licensing and two dimensional art. Tami created posters for the 2012 Blues Music Awards, 2011 French Quarter Festival, 2008 Satchmo SummerFest poster, the 2009 Bayou Boogaloo, the 2007 Coastal Wine Tour (Southern Breeze magazine), and was the featured artist for the Louisiana Lt. Governor’s Global Economic Forum.
Editions:
1000 Artist-signed & numbered prints, $45
200 Artist Proofs & numbered prints, $65
Poster Size 18″ x 24
Philip Bascle
Jazz and the French Quarter have always gone hand in hand, especially at French Quarter Festival. Celebrating traditional and contemporary jazz and the 30th Anniversary of French Quarter Festival, Philip Bascle creates a beautiful, intricate collage of jazz instruments including the trumpet, piano, clarinet and trombone set on a background map of the French Quarter.
Over three decades Philip Bascle has been designing T-shirts and posters for almost all the major Louisiana festivals. In 2003 started his own poster company, Artifacts, which sells his work exclusively to local New Orleans galleries, and online. Along with his business partner, Pat Searcy, Philip has designed pieces for French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Lagniappe on the Bayou. Bascle is a seasoned poster artist for French Quarter Festival and has experienced great success with his works for several years.
Editions:
1000 Artist-signed & numbered prints, $45
200 Artist Proofs & numbered prints, $65
Poster Size: 16” x 25
Simon Hardeveld
For the 30th Anniversary, French Quarter Festival features a special limited edition poster created by New Orleans most well-known original painter, Simon Hardeveld. The first festival poster ever created by Simon displays Hardeveld’s characteristic, signature stylealong with a three-tiered birthday cake, vibrant sun and stars, and candled French Flags to commence the springtime celebration.
Since the early 2000s, Simon Hareveld has entertained many with his jovially phrased paintings that hang around New Orleansrestaurants like Chickie Wah Wah, Lola’s, and Joey K’s. Born in France and later moving to the United States to start three of his own restaurants, with wife Maria Hardeveld, Simon found his true calling to be a painter at his brasserie in Metairie when customers always wanted to buy his signs behind the counter. Most well-known for his set design work on New Orleans evening news, WGNO News with a Twist, Simon has been commissioned by restaurants, stores, locals, and tourists to create special original paintings for anniversaries, birthdays, or just home décor that captures the spirit of New Orleans. Overall, Simon’s pieces whimsically embody the unique culture of
this spectacular city.
Editions:
350 Artist Proofs & numbered prints, $65
Poster Size: 18” x 30”
Visit www.fqfi.org/shop to purchase for the limited edition 2013 French Quarter Festival posters and other official festival merchandise.
French Quarter Festival is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (www.fqfi.org), the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo Summer Fest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. promotes the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well-being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
An amalgam created from the words “harmonious,” “harmonica” and “manouche.”
‘Jazz Manouche’ is French for Gypsy Jazz.
New Orleans Gypsy Trad Jazz band Harmonouche, is a three year-old quartet and new addition to the local music scene. Harmonouche is quickly experiencing strong interest amongst music lovers, dancers, newlyweds and the curious, for its fun, fresh and creative interpretations. Their music is loaded with charisma, world class musicianship and a good dose of humor. The band delivers a unique sound orchestrated with jazz guitar, diatonic harmonica, singing, whistling and lip trumpeting (Raphaël Bas), accordion and piano (Bart Ramsey), clarinet (Chris Kohl) and stand up bass (Tim Paco).
Their genuine and energizing performances are nourished by the chemistry of these four established musicians – with a mix of unusual influences, a variety of styles and musical backgrounds. From Jazz Manouche, Tzigane, Swing, Blues, French Musette, Latin and World Music to Traditional Jazz, Harmonouche finds its own energy and balance to provide an exciting musical experience.
Harmonouche’s philosophy and vocation is to reach out, share, and captivate an audience with melodious beautiful ballads or fast tempo numbers with fiery themes and improvisations. During performances, musical boundaries are pushed to explore innovative musical grounds – inviting the audience to enjoy, feel good and be inspired by the journey.
Harmonouche was originated by Raphaël Bas, a French guitarist who migrated to the U.S. some twenty years ago and moved to New Orleans permanently three months before Hurricane Katrina. He stayed to help rebuild his new beloved city and to pursue his musical career. Over the years, Raphaël studied and developed unique techniques, combining guitar and diatonic harmonica on the rack, giving this popular – yet not so well known instrument – its full entity amongst more traditional instruments in Jazz ensembles. The result brought the ‘ten hole harp’ into that style, and away from straight Blues and Pop.
Growing up in France, Raphaël was largely exposed and influenced by master guitarist Django Reinhardt and Jazz Manouche music in general. Raphael’s own interpretation of this genre performed on guitar and harmonica, in tandem, creates unique combinations and a rich mixture of sounds.
When Harmonouche was formed, Raphaël invited talented, established New Orleans musicians to join the group. Harmonouche has performed at French Quarter Festival, Satchmo Fest, the Christmas New Orleans Style concert series, WWL-TV’s morning show, as well as established weekly shows around town such as Three Muses on Frenchmen Street and Bacchanal in the Bywater, to name a few.
Chris Kohl (clarinet) is known for his virtuosity, trademark sound and versatility, as well as his understanding and interpretations of all sorts of music. His creative aptitude and sensitive musical approach brings the band a surprising lift. His tasteful, spontaneous and fiery improvisation captivates audiences and brings any song to the next level. A well-established and respected musician for many years, Chris is co-founder of the Hot Club of New Orleans.
Bart Ramsey (accordion, piano, vocals) is the newest addition to Harmonouche. He is no stranger to Raphaël’s repertoire and style, having worked together over the last eight years on numerous projects. From their first collaboration and contribution to a fundraising CD (“From the Lone Star to the Gulf Coast”, Rabadash Records, 2005) to help local musicians who were victims of Katrina rebuild their lives, to the co-founding of the award-winning New Orleans band Vavavoom, Bart and Raphaël share an intimate musical complicity and connivance. Besides being an exceptional seasoned musician, Bart is also a renowned songwriter and leads his own band, Zazou City.
Tim Paco (stand up bass, tuba, sousaphone and ukulele) is an active, multi-instrumentalist well known in the region for having played with exceptionally large numbers of significant local and national performers including Pete Fountain, Warren Batiste and Tim Laughlin to name a few. Tim’s experience and thorough musical knowledge brings a solid rhythm support. And when it comes to solos, Tim knows how to make his instrument “sing” with dexterity, intuition and exceptional flair. Tim recently co- founded his own Hawaiian band, ‘The Royal and Dumaine Hawaiians’.
Harmonouche’s first CD was released in early 2011 and was partially funded by the Louisiana Economy and Cultural Foundation. Described by OffBeat Magazine as “an enjoyable bit of ensemble jazz from some fine New Orleans musicians,“ this album is often played on local radio stations. It also caught the interest of the renowned record label Putumayo, who has included the song ‘Confessin’ on their 2013 compilation release “Vintage France”.
Harmonouche plans to record a new album for release in Fall 2013.
“In French it’s said, ‘il est très bon,’ in Americanese simply, ‘he’s VERY good.” -Jack Fine
“Raphaël Bas mixes European and New Orleans musical traditions, playing
guitar and harmonica, and ends up with an unique Gypsy Gumbo!” – John Rankin
“Gypsy guitar and blues harmonica – a nice combination that places Raphaël in a class of his own.” -Don Vappie
“Raphaël Bas is one of the most innovative and imaginative of New Orleans jazz artists and his new release Harmonouche is filled with his creative genius and joy.”
- Jelly Roll Justice, WWOZ New Orleans
