MUSIC VIDEO: Album release: Maria Muldaur sings with Tuba Skinny

Every young man should have a crush on a girl singer, at least once in his life, right? When I was young(er) [MUCH "young(er") Ed.] I was hot for Maria Muldaur. 

I bought her first album, just to get the hit single "Midnight at the Oasis", but when I looked at the cover photo and listened to the first cut on Side B -- "Don't You Feel My Leg (Don't You Get Me High)" -- I couldn't help but feel "Heaven's above!" (Yes Father, I mentioned this in confession, ages ago.)

Over the decades I lost track of Ms Muldaur, so was delighted when she came out of retirement (I presume) to sing with my favourite New Orleans jazz (formerly Dixieland jazz) band, Tuba Skinny. 

Erika Lewis has been the vocalist with the band since Day One, but has recently been on a "time out", thus opening the door, so to speak, for Maria. She's put on some weight [You too! Ed.] but still has a beautiful sultry voice [Not you too! Ed.], just the type for this kind of folksy-bluesy music.

In May, Tuba Skinny and Maria Muldaur released "Let's Get Happy Together", their first (but, one hopes, not last) album together. Here is the official album release concert, recorded at the historic Dew Drop Social and Benevolent Hall in Mandeville LA.  

The album is on Stony Plain Records. You can click here to stream, download or order the CD. And don't forget to tip the band! When you donate, please tell them Walt sent ya! (No, I don't get a commission, just want them to know I'm trying to help.)

Footnote: Shaye Cohn, seen here playing the cornet, leads Tuba Skinny. Although she can play some half dozen other instruments, she doesn't sing... but in my fever dreams she doesn't need to! 

VIDEO: Latest Tuba Skinny webcast

Ed. here. It's been a while since Walt gave you a break from politics and religion. It's also some time since we reposted a video featuring Tuba Skinny (leader, Shaye Cohn), possibly the greatest New Orleans (formerly "Dixieland") jazz band extant. So here's their webcast from yesterday afternoon. If you like it, please tip the band: Paypal - tubaskinny@gmail.com; Venmo - @tubaskinny



Politics, religion... there was another topic we used to talk/write about... what was it... oh yeah, hockey! Poor Len Canayen reports that the 16 teams competing for the Stanley Cup have entered bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton and will start playing (in empty arenas, sadly) this coming week. Poor Len may... or may not... have something to say about the possibility of the Montréal Canadiens, seeded 16th, going home with Lord Stanley's silverware, in a few days.

VIDEO: Tuba Skinny livestream, May 16th - 90 minutes of great jazz

Just released yesterday, a treat for all you music lovers who are locked down, locked in and/or locked up. Not only to you get to hear the Best New Orleans jazz band extant, but you get to hear Shaye Cohn (and the others) talk. Just like having them in your own garage, or whatever. Almost an hour and a half, beginning with a fine old(ish) Duke Ellington tune. Enjoy.

New VIDEOS from Tuba Skinny - Ballin' the Jack & Sugar House Stomp

In all the excitement of the past week -- and what a week it has been! -- I didn't learn until today that my favourite New Orleans-style band, Tuba Skinny, had dropped some new videos recently. Here they are.

"Ballin' the Jack"


"The Sugar House Stomp"


Readers who are hot for Shaye Cohn [Project, much? Ed.] are gonna like these. Thanks to James Sterling for putting them up. If you tip the band (see link at start of video), tell `em Walt sent ya!

VIDEO: Brand new tune from Shaye Cohn and Tuba Skinny

Got the mid-winter blahs? Here's some New Orleans jazz that'll get you tapping your toes and feeling GOOD. The Tuba Skinny Jazz Band, praised here before, plays a new composition by Shaye Cohn. Robin introduced it as "The Diamond Dove Song" but James Sterling, who posted it to YouTube says he's not sure if that's the official title or if it's simply "The Diamond Dove".



Recorded at The Starlight Lounge in New Orleans, on 15 January 2020. Mr Sterling says you may need to turn up the volume, as he's experimenting with new recording equipment.

NEW TUBA SKINNY VIDEO: "Won't You Be Kind to Me?"

Ed. again. While we wait for Walt's blood pressure to get somewhere near normal, it falls to me to find other stuff for this space. "Other stuff" includes topics other than politics, religion and -- sorry, Len --hockey. From time to time we like to share a bit of music, guaranteed to brighten you day. In January we introduced Tuba Skinny, a New Orleans traditional jazz band formed in 2009. The ensemble includes tuba, trombone, cornet, tenor banjo, guitar, vocals, washboard, and clarinet, and is inspired by the jazz and blues music of the 1920s and 1930s.

The band has performed on streets and stages around the world, including music festivals in Mexico, Sweden, Australia, Italy, France, Switzerland and Spain. They're all great musicians, but my favourite, the erstwhile leader of the band, is Shaye Cohen. The granddaughter of noted jazz musician Al Cohn, she plays (in addition to cornet) the fiddle, piano, accordion, banjo and spoons! The only thing I've never heard her do is sing.

Listen for Shaye's stage direction before and during this performance of "Won't You Be Kind to Me?", a Memphis Jug Band/Hattie Hart song from 1929. This video was recorded on April 14th at The French Quarter Festival, Jackson Square Stage. Thanks to James Sterling for putting it up on YouTube.