Musical Gumbo: The Music of New Orleans

Musically, New Orleans is like no other city. Lichtenstein, a former New York Times reporter, and Dankner, on the music faculty at Loyola University of New Orleans, offer a playfully written guide to the history and diversity of Crescent City musical styles. Among the notables discussed are Buddy Bolden, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, the Neville Brothers, Branford and Wynton Marsalis, Clifton Chenier, Irma Thomas, Michael Doucet and Harry Connick Jr. Newcomers and frequent fliers to New Orleans will welcome the information about Mardi Gras, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, local clubs, record stores and musical archives. Best of all, Lichtenstein and Dankner provide valuable listings of recordings and videos that capture New Orleans music at its sauciest. Photos not seen by PW. (June)