Allow me to introduce you to my new Traditional Jazz Band: The ON THE LEVEE JAZZ BAND.  This group premiered in New Orleans and Pensacola in mid-November and has generated a considerable buzz among lovers of New Orleans Jazz.

OTL plays the music of Kid Ory and his Creole Jazz Band with respect and a keen understanding of the stylistic elements that set Ory’s music apart from other “Revival” bands of the ’40s and ’50s.

Our musicians — Ben Polcer, Clint Baker, Joe Goldberg, Kris Tokarski, Alex Belhaj and Josh Gouzy — are very aware of the unique musical sounds made by their predecessors in the Ory band.  (So am I.  Ory’s drummer Minor “Ram” Hall was the first New Orleans-style drummer I heard on record and has been an influence on my own playing for over 50 years).

Here is a sample of the music we play, recorded at the “Foo Foo Fest” at Phineas Phogg’s in Pensacola, FL on Nov. 13:

On The Levee Jazz Band – Down Home Rag