Round 14 (2022)
The Tanglers
The Tanglers are a bluegrass band which has been around and playing in New Orleans for more than 10 years and has produced one album so far. From band member James Hausman, “We’ve recently had an amazing year where the band in some form or other has been invited to play more than four music festivals both in Louisiana and out of state. We intend to capitalize on this momentum and energy and get back into the studio. This grant will allow us to get started extremely quickly – we’re all very excited for this project to begin (and even more excited about how it’s going to turn out!)”. Check out more info on the Tanglers via FB at https://www.facebook.com/thetanglers/.
Chris Butcher
Chris Butcher will record his debut CD of original compositions. From Chris: “I moved to New Orleans five years ago as a professional musician. My goal was to soak up as much of the culture, vibe and music by playing and working with as many artists as possible. Long mentorships with Delfeayo Marsalis, The NOJO (Adonis Rose and the rest of the band), James Andrews and countless others have informed my art and kept me very busy as a sideman and engineer/co producer. I now feel it’s time to tell my story informed by my environment with the production of my debut project entitled Welcome to the Crescent City.”
James Martin Band
Following up on their Billboard Jazz charting 2019 release, “Keep Movin’”, the James Martin Band sets to further expand their modern New Orleans R&B Jazz Funk sound by recording original music the band has been developing on stages locally and internationally. James began his career 21 years ago as a founding member of Trombone Shorty’s Orleans Avenue with Jon Batiste and is a fixture in the New Orleans music scene performing with a “who’s who” list of New Orleans artists. Over the past few years, James’ high energy band featuring the city’s top next-generation talents has performed at festivals worldwide such as Jazz in Duketown in the Netherlands, the Port-au-Prince Jazz Festival in Haiti, the Copenhagen Jazz Fest in Denmark, the Tel-Aviv Jazz Fest in Israel, the New Orleans Jazz Fest, and Scotland’s Edinburgh Jazz Fest and can be found entertaining regularly in New Orleans at the Spotted Cat, the Carousel Lounge, and Tipitina’s. James’ music appeared frequently on CBS’ NCIS: New Orleans and has been heard on Anthony Bourdain’s Raw Craft, Popeye’s Chicken commercials, and an episode of Abu Dhabi TV where James was highlighted representing New Orleans music to an international audience. James has been active in the local community as demonstrated in his work teaching music to incarcerated youths at the Travis Hill School through the Preservation Hall program. For more on James and the band go to http://www.jamesmartinmusic.com/ and to help us fund more projects like these go to http://www.jamesmartinmusic.com/.
Save the Music Foundation
Building off of the 2018 Music Education Convening, Save The Music Foundation (STM), Artist Corps New Orleans (AC NOLA) and the New Orleans Arts Education Alliance (NOAEA) partnered to create an actionable strategic plan to advance music education in New Orleans – successfully launching a multi-year program to close the music education gaps existing in 30+ schools in the city by 2025. Since 2019, with support from the Threadhead Cultural Foundation, as well as local and national donors, STM has successfully delivered over 2,000 instruments, technology and equipment to 19 schools with insufficient resources, based on clear data and key recommendations from AC NOLA and NOAEA, securing commitments from 17 Charter Management Organizations to provide qualified music teachers to teach standards-based in-school music education, reaching over 11,000 students. Through this collective impact project, STM are excited to build off the passion and dedication to music in New Orleans by making a significant commitment to ensure all students have the opportunity to make music as part of their education. The Threadhead Cultural Foundation’s 2022 grant will help STM jumpstart an Intro to Music program at a qualifying New Orleans elementary school in the 23-24 school year – giving every student in the school equitable access to a comprehensive, in-school music education. For more on this important program go to www.savethemusic.org.
Skrontch Music
“Lord, When You Send The Rain,” is the second iteration of saxophonist and composer Byron Asher’s Skrontch project, which explores the historical social and political contexts of early New Orleans jazz through contemporary composition. Written for a 10-piece acoustic large ensemble plus live electronics, this follow-up to 2019’s “Byron Asher’s Skrontch Music” (Sinking City Records), is an in-depth examination of the Blues. Through contemporary composition, creative improvisation, and future-forward sound design, the new recording investigates the historical impact of the Mississippi Delta musical form on the formation of jazz in New Orleans while teasing out the traditions of resistance embedded in the sounds of this Black American Music, from the Jim Crow era to the 1960s to today. THCF funding will cover fees for mixing and mastering and a promotional campaign. For more info on this and other projects by Byron go to https://www.byronasher.com/.
Carlo Nuccio
This grant was awarded to complete the unfinished record Carlo Nuccio worked on from 2013 to 2017. Ably produced by Carlo, the record features many fine New Orleans musicians including David Torkanowsky, John Fohl, Joe Cabral, Ray Ganucheaux among others, with many of the parts performed by Carlo himself. Carlo’s untimely passing in August of this year left a resumé that is both impressive and worthy: recording credits with Buckwheat Zydeco, Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses), Tori Amos, Dr. John, Marianne Faithful and a Grammy-winning album by Emmylou Harris. As the lynchpin of Nashville songwriting mainstay Pat McLaughlin’s band, Carlo contributed the beat for three of Pat’s albums. He founded the legendary Americana band Continental Drifters with his friends Mark Walton (Dream Syndicate) and Ray Ganucheau, and he navigated the band through many of their early sessions, contributing drums, guitar, engineering and his heartfelt singing and writing. Since then, he’s worked for many years with Alex McMurray, among New Orleans’ finest contemporary songwriters, in Royal Fingerbowl and in Alex’s varied projects as well as Paul Sanchez and Lulu and the Broadsides. For more on Carlo’s legacy and various projects go to https://carlonuccio.com/home.
Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival
The ninth annual Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival will be held March 8th through the 12th of 2023. The festival was organized to preserve the importance of the art, education, and music of this region. Additionally, the organizations mission is to create opportunities for local musicians as well as involve the youth of our community in this great art. Important as well is its sustainable outreach to senior centers in the Greater New Orleans Area to reconnect our seniors to the style of music that many grew up loving. Through its live music performances, interviews, and panel discussions, this yearly festival has become a showcase to highlight the many contributions and accomplishments of NEA Jazz Master Danny Barker: musician, singer, songwriter, educator, raconteur extraordinaire and author who played guitar and banjo with many top jazz artists over the course of his 70 years plus career. Danny also served as a mentor to numerous young New Orleans artists who have since come to prominence, including Wynton Marsalis, Herlin Riley, Leroy Jones, Gregg Stafford and Dr. Michael White. Keep up with the planning for this year’s festival by visiting their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dannybarkerfestival.
Trendafilka
New Orleans-based Eastern European polyphonic choir Trendafilka will be recording a second full-length studio album in Spring 2023. Drawing from the traditional repertoire of Slavic, Baltic, and Balkan communities and their diasporas, Trendafilka interprets ancient and contemporary community singing traditions of Ukraine, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Lithuania and Latvia. Performing repertoire gained through formal studies, independent research, and songs from their own families and heritages, members of Trendafilka aim to both represent and serve Eastern European populations of New Orleans while also integrating their unique repertoire into the greater New Orleans musical community. For centuries, Louisiana has been home to significant Eastern European and Slavic populations. Beginning with the settlement of Croatian immigrants in the early 19th century, New Orleans has seen further waves of immigration from Eastern Europe during both world wars, the collapse of communism in the 1990s, and today New Orleans is experiencing significant resettlement efforts for Ukrainian refugees. Each of these groups has brought with them a rich musical heritage which is seldom represented in the New Orleans music scene. For more on Trendafilka check out www.trendafilka.com.
Happy Talk Band
Happy Talk Band will complete their fifth full length studio recording, “Low Shoulder”. This will be Happy Talk’s first release on vinyl. From Luke Allen: “It’s been five long, challenging years since our last recording, and we’re all enthusiastically committed to this new batch of songs and grateful for this generous grant from the Threadhead Cultural Foundation. I’m excited to announce that my ten year old son, Arlo, will be joining the band on keys, and that Alex McMurray will be producing.” For more on Like and the band go to https://lukespurrallen.com.
Dinerral Shavers Educational Fund (DSEF)
The Dinerral Shavers Educational Fund (DSEF) Music and Cultural Education Program is designed to educate both youth and cultural ambassadors about the history of New Orleans’ music and cultural traditions. This includes implementing cultural education cohorts throughout schools and community organizations, as well as hosting seasonal music and cultural series in the park. DSEF’s Music & Cultural Series in the Park was created during the COVID 19 pandemic and allowed staff and youth to gather and learn safely in an outdoor setting. Today, DSEF’s Cultural Series in the Park has grown to an exciting event, which features live music, art and interactive cultural presentations. From Nikita Shavers: “The generous funds provided by TCF will allow DSEF to host its 2022 Music and Cultural Series in the Park. Thank You Threadheads!”
Nightcrawlers
The New Orleans Nightcrawlers will create a video for an anthem dedicated to the N.O. Pelicans called ‘Smooth Like A Pelican.’ From Craig Klein: “It was created by our bass drummer Tannio Hingle and we recorded it, played it for filmmaker /producer Jonathan McHugh who conceived the collaboration idea as he is now the Tenured Chair of Loyola University. He collaborated with Grammy winning Bob Brockmann. He, like McHugh, knows rap and the brass band culture really well as he has worked with artist like The Fugees, Notorious BIG, Toni Braxton, Babyface, Bob Dylan to name a few. The Nightcrawlers would like to make a video for “Smooth Like A Pelican”. This song features 3 of N.O. hot young rappers, Pell, Alfred Banks and Hasizzle. It sounds unlike anything we have done before, and we are super excited to do this and know that a video will take this song the next-level. Since our last record won a Grammy (Thanks to the Threadheads) we need to come back strong and make a contemporary statement. This video is the perfect way to do that! To keep up w/ the N.O. Nightcrawlers go to https://neworleansnightcrawlersbrassband.com/.
Lynn Drury
Lynn Drury will create a record of new music. From Lynn: “The last few years have been a strain, to say the least. Like many artists, I had a lot of time on my hands to reflect and grow. Through that time, I’ve written another album’s worth of songs. Yeehaw!! And now, thanks in part to a Threadhead Cultural Foundation Grant, I’m getting to record them! We are headed into the studio in late January. I am continually overwhelmed with the support of fans and patrons alike. I’m grateful for the Threadheads for supporting a culture that feeds so many. Thank you!” For more on Lynn and her music go to www.lynndrury.com.
The Cultural Curriculum Project
The Cultural Curriculum Project develops, coordinates and funds meaningful and engaging public school field trips that connect students with art, culture, and history of South Louisiana. Culture bearers and community leaders are paid a living wage to share their expertise, traditions, and personal stories with students; promoting cultural appreciation, preservation, sustainable cultural economy and respect for our communities. Thanks to the Threadhead Cultural Foundation, CCP will present our Rhythms and Roots field trip twice, serving 100 students. The field trip takes students to the heartbeat of the Crescent City, Congo Square. The day is filled with cultural education: experiencing West African drum and dance with the Congo Square Preservation Society; learning about New Orleans jazz history on a sculpture garden tour presented by Louis Armstrong Foundation Inc.; and making adaptive instruments with the Preservation Hall band then playing these instruments with the band. It’s an exciting day connecting with the culture and community of New Orleans. More information about our programs or to book your own field trip or tour visit www.culturalcurriculum.org.
Lyrica Baroque
Lyrica Baroque’s Creativity Day is a day-long event during NOLA Chamber Fest dedicated to offering support, education and chamber music opportunities to New Orleans students and educators. Creativity Day 2023 will be held March 25th at the University of New Orleans and serve youth from five community partner organizations: The Willow School, St. Katharine Drexel Prep, the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra, Palacios House of Arts and Crescent City String Academy. We are thrilled to welcome guest teaching artist Chloe Swindler to New Orleans to share her story and work with these students. Thank you, Threadhead Cultural Foundation, for your continued support of music education in New Orleans! For more info go to https://lyricabaroque.com/.
Sam Price and the True Believers
Sam Price & the True Believers will release a third album (their 2nd full-length). Formed in 2015 by New Orleans bass player/singer/song-writer Sam Price, the True Believers create music that is soulful and funky with lyrics that are hopeful and kind. Their eponymous debut in 2017 was chosen ‘Best Roots Rock Album of the Year’ by Offbeat Magazine and praised by critics. 2019’s ‘Dragonfly’ was produced by Papa Mali and released on vinyl pressed at New Orleans Record Press. In over 30+ years on the N.O. music scene Sam has performed in a wide variety of musical genres, most notably as the band leader of Afro-Cuban jazz group OTRA, and as the dynamic bass player and backing vocalist in roots rock favorites, Honey Island Swamp Band. The True Believers are in conversation with Anders Osborne about producing the new record and are ever grateful (and in awe of) the Threadhead Cultural Foundation for the amazing and generous work they do in pursuit of their mission! To learn more about Sam’s projects and music go to www.sampricemusic.com.
Dusky Waters
Dusky Waters represents the most magical time of day and Waters describes the Mississippi from which she draws strength and inspiration. Dusky’s songwriting is honest and vulnerable to its core. She writes of love and love lost, of the draw of the South, and of the unending quest to find one’s truest self. She draws inspiration from musical powerhouses Elizabeth Cotton, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and the gospel and roots music she was raised on in her homes in Arkansas and Louisiana. Dusky plays accompanied by her friend’s violist Analiese De Saw, upright bassist Dylan James, pianist Tommy Henson, and percussionist Conner McCready. Dusky Waters’ sound is fresh with a mix of instruments, musical styles, and non-traditional melodies. Every Dusky show is an intimate experience where they enchant listeners with intricate layers of melodies and stories told through soulful lyricism. Dusky Waters is recording a second full length studio album, Pass it On (release date: Summer 2023). On this album, Dusky writes of loving and living in Louisiana during the pandemic years. Dusky will record this album at Platinum Cutz studios with sound engineer Derek DeBlieux and the album will be produced by Conner McCready. The band is extremely grateful to the Threadhead Cultural Foundation for grant funding and support with this project. For more info go to www.duskywaters.com
New Orleans Klezmer Allstars
From Glenn Hartman: “We are humbled and thrilled to be selected as recipients of a Threadhead Grant. We are entering our 33rd year as a band and are excited to make a recording with our latest line up of Allstars, which includes Dan Oestreicher, Aurora Nealand, Nick Ellman and Ben Ellman on horns; Glenn Hartman, Jonathan Freilich, Joe Cabral and Doug Garrison as the rhythm section. We have an innovative collection of new tunes which we are eager to share with the ears of the world. We haven’t been able to release a recording since 2016, so this new project is long overdue. Thank you Threadhead Nation for believing in our vision!” For more on the band go to www.klezmerallstars.com.
Ted Hefko
From Ted: “It’s time for a new Ted Hefko and The Thousandaires album! In December of 2019, I began bringing an electric guitar to The Thousandaires gigs and kind of went cold turkey on acoustic for a while. When the “pangolin plague” hit, it took me even further in the singer-songwriter direction. Whether virtual performances or solo and duo performances and tours, many of the opportunities I had to ply my trade during the pandemic forced me to work on my guitar playing and solo playing. I’ve really enjoyed digging into Chicago blues, outlaw country and early rock and roll these last couple years, and these styles will be reflected on my new album. I have about a dozen new song ideas I’m chipping away at and I’m really looking forward to getting back in the studio in 2023 and starting work on a new record. As always, The Thousandaires are an evolving roster of musicians, but you’ll hear from some familiar faces for sure. Thanks, all you Threadheads, for making it possible for me to keep recording and staying original.” For more on Ted check out www.ted.hefko.net.
N’Fungola Sibo African Dance and Drum Company
N’Fungola Sibo African Dance and Drum Company’s NOMAADS Festival will be held August 11-13, 2023. Last August, N’Fungola Sibo brought together local, national, and internationally renowned dancers, drummers, culture bearers, griots, elders, and youth for the New Orleans Music and African Dance Spectacle (NOMAADS) Festival, a three-day extravaganza of intensive workshops and live music, in an attempt to educate and celebrate the dance, drum, and musical traditions that bridge New Orleans, Africa, Cuba, and beyond. This generous award from Threadhead Cultural Foundation will help NSIBO realize its dream of making that inaugural NOMAADS Festival an annual New Orleans tradition. The 2023 NOMAADS Festival will bring master drummers and dancers from Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Cuba, and Haiti to New Orleans in cross-cultural exchange with local and national musicians and dance and drum companies, and further N’Fungola Sibo’s mission to use traditional West African dance, instrumentation, song, and folklore to promote positive energy, create representation, spread knowledge of African traditions to members of the diaspora in New Orleans (and well beyond), and impart community youth with both pride in their history and practical, social, physical enrichment and instruction. NSIBO’s programs include classes for youth and adults, in-school workshops and performances, a performing company which participates in all the major local music and cultural festivals as well as private events, and workshops and visiting artist series. You can find more information about N’Fungola Sibo’s programs, classes, and events at https://www.nfungolasibo.com
Lilli Lewis
Lilli Lewis will complete a recording of original songs highlighting Louisiana based Americana, Folk, Roots Rock and soul. From Lilli: “I have spent the last several years singing about how we, as a people, belong to each other. I live by the mantra “Practice radical decency,” and I try to use music to bring people together. Sometimes you just have to slow down long enough to see the humanity in the person next to you, even if you disagree with them, and that’s one of the most powerful roles music can play in our lives. I started using my music to spread this message after spending many years learning to slow myself down, and my upcoming record entitled “All Is Forgiven” is a collection of songs that try to tell the story of my personal journey. I’m aiming to deliver a collection with beauty and swagger, something that will move listeners in more ways than one.” To learn more about Lilli and her projects go to www.lillilewis.com.
Charlie Muir Lovell
‘Charlie Muir Lovell is printing the 100-page book “Back When The Good Times Rolled: Photographs by Charles Muir Lovell,” with 85 photographs and essays by Jason Berry, John Lawrence, and Gwen Thompkins, and with a foreword by Don Marshall. An initial grant was received for book production and a second grant to support printing from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation. The generous grant from the Threadhead Cultural Foundation was critical to making the book a reality. New Orleans photographer Charles Muir Lovell has spent more than twelve years documenting the city’s second line parades, social aid and pleasure clubs, preserving a unique part of New Orleans’ culture. His photographs have exhibited nationally and internationally, and are held in several permanent collections, including the Ogden Museum, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Historic New Orleans Collection, and he was the recipient of the Michael P. Smith Award in documentary photography from the LEH in 2020. You can learn more about Charles at www.charleslovell.com.
Make Music NOLA
Make Music NOLA’s Creative Composition Week. From Angela White: “Make Music NOLA is thrilled to be receiving grant support from the Threadhead Cultural Foundation again! MMN began with just five students in a converted Walgreens in the Lower 9th Ward and has since grown to reach hundreds of students at multiple locations. Our mission is to give the children of New Orleans the keys to claim their musical heritage and the tools to build their creative legacy through music education. MMN primarily offers group instruction on string instruments, violin, viola, cello, double bass, and K-12 general music classes with a curriculum focused on local New Orleans music and music by BIPOC composers. Make Music NOLA’s goal is for our students to learn to love music and incorporate it into their daily lives, regardless of what career they choose for themselves. The grant awarded by the Threadhead Cultural Foundation will be used to pay teaching artists for Make Music NOLA’s Creative Composition Workshop in June. Our students will learn arrangements by Southern and BIPOC composers, and they will have the opportunity to create their own compositions, as well.” For more info on Make Music NOLA go to www.makemusicnola.org
Tennessee Williams Theatre Company
A fully staged production of “Night of the Iguana” by Tennessee Williams will be produced by the Tennessee Williams Theatre Company in collaboration with The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival and set to run March 9 – 26, 2023. From Nick Shackleford: “The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans is the first professional theatre company in the United States to focus on the works of America’s greatest playwright, Tennessee Williams. Thanks to the generous support from the Threadhead Cultural Foundation, we will kick off our 2023 season with a fresh present day take on the Williams’ classic, Night of the Iguana! The production will transport audiences to the edge of the continent, where Shannon has placed his back against the ocean in a last-ditch effort to overcome his own nature. Will his blue devil or his better angels prevail? And will the creature survive? Vices: Pride, Sloth, Gluttony, Lechery.” For more on this and other productions go to www.twtheatrenola.com.
Nickel-A-Dance
Nickel-A-Dance takes place in two series annually: A Spring season on all Sundays each March, and a Fall season on all Sundays each October. Each event takes place from 4pm – 7pm at The Maison on Frenchmen Street, is free, all-ages, and open to the public. NOJC hires a different esteemed traditional New Orleans jazz band for each event, rotating artists over 2-3 year rosters. This event attracts a diverse group of fans that meet on Frenchmen Street to celebrate jazz as America’s original dance music while listening to the best of today’s classic jazz bands. This is a tradition that is rapidly disappearing and deserves preservation & perpetuation. NOJC aims to keep the series free of charge and appealing to guests of all ages. For more on this and other NOJC endeavors click www.nojc.org.
Water Seed
Water Seed will complete post-production work on their upcoming original music/ video project. From Lou Hill: “Water Seed’s Safe Space (live album and documentary) is an in-depth behind the scenes look into the band’s internal recording and creative process. The billboard top 20 charting band has always worked hard to present the very best in New Orleans progressive music (future funk) and their documentary Safe Space will tell the story of the struggles, challenges, rewards and successes of a cutting-edge band from New Orleans. For more about Water Seed check out www.waterseedmusic.com.
Layla Musselwhite
Layla Musselwhite will complete an album of original songs inspired directly by the city of New Orleans, its history, the beautiful imaginative life and rich literary history. From Layla: “I got a grant to finish my album! Me & the Cosmic Gentlemen Alexander Mallet, Scott Jackson, Daniel Perez Iriondo recorded some badass tracks for our upcoming album Esplanade Studios this summer, it was so amazing to work with the great Misha & do this thing on hallowed ground. Now we got funds from this beautiful city of New Orleans & the awesome folks at the Threadhead Cultural Foundation to finish what we started! This project combines both musical and literary tradition, seen through a modern female perspective and rooted in the rich literary history of New Orleans which inspires me as a songwriter. I was raised in the blues, traveling on the road with my father as a child, and witnessed music and performances that are no longer with us since those great artists are gone. As such I am a bearer of a musical cultural legacy via my father, and it’s very meaningful to me to carry on this heritage. I’m also a songwriter with my own story to tell, and the rich literary history of New Orleans inspires me as a songwriter. “ For more on Layla and her band go to www.laylamusselwhite.com.