Round 7 (2015)
Alexandra Scott
Alexandra Scott will be going into the studio to record new works with her Magical Band, whose members include Sam Craft (Sweet Crude, Alexis & the Samurai), Rick Nelson (The Afghan Whigs), Kelcy Mae, Marc Paradis (Johnny Sketch & The DIrty Notes) and Rebecca Crenshaw (Little Maker). Co-writers and collaborators include Earl Scioneaux III (aka The Madd Wikkidd) and Josh Paxton.
Armand Richardson
Armand ‘Sheik’ Richardson is a photographer, musician, instructor, activist and founder of the Arabi Wrecking Krewe which helped gut and repair over 100 local musician’s houses post-Katrina. Sheik will use the funds to publish a book of original Jazz photographs going back to 1971 when he started using an SLR camera, taking tens of thousands of photos documenting the careers of almost all of the brass bands from that point and many contemporary Jazz Musicians. Included will be bands like Young Tuxedo, Original Tuxedo, Onward, Imperial, Olympia, Preservation Hall, Doc Paulin, Royal Excelsior and many more. He will also document his extensive archive of never seen photos of the likes of Harold Dejean, Henry Dudley, Danny Barker, Elenor Tatum, Fats Houston, Frank Assunto and many others. Dr. Michael White and Gregg Stafford are advising for this book and John Kemp, author and editor of 15 books, will do the introduction and advise as well.
Dancing Grounds
Dance for Social Change (DSC): Raising Student Voices is an annual leadership summit that brings New Orleans youth together to catalyze action through the arts. Fifty young artists from across the city will work with professional dancers, musicians, and poets to create original performances about pressing issues facing their school communities. DSC will take place from January 9 to February 21, 2016, culminating in a free, public performance with youth and professional artists at Akili Academy (3811 N. Galvez St. NOLA 70117) on February 21, 2016.
Dave Jordan
For over 20 years Dave has been a staple on the New Orleans music scene. From his mid-90’s-00’s work with his hard touring funk band Juice; to his 2010 critically acclaimed solo work with Anders Osborne; to present day, his work has been described as “the personification of the New Orleans ethos.” Mixing elements of southern rock and south Louisiana roots music, his current band, dubbed the Neighborhood Improvement Association, is a rotating cast of some of the finest roots rock, funk and blues musicians in New Orleans, featuring lead guitarist “Westbank” Mike Doussan.
Dinerral Shavers Ed Fund
The Dinerral Shaver Music and Cultural Education Program is an initiative created to not only teach the musical and cultural history of New Orleans, but to utilize artistic, hands-on, and educational approaches to help impact lives in an effort to counter the culture of violence. This organization believes that, in order to effectively compete within society and in the global economy, we must produce erudite youth who are creative, collaborative, and innovative thinkers. This program will teach our city’s youth the history of New Orleans cultural traditions. With the help of Luther Gray and Bamboula 2000, Benevolent and Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, New Orleans’ Brass Band Community, Mardi Gras Indians, and several infamous Jazz Legends and historians, this organization plans to take students on a fascinating historical journey through New Orleans history. Ideally, we hope that this initiative can improve the confidence, knowledge, and integrity of New Orleans youth. By successfully building partnerships and intimate relationships, DSEF aims to heal a broken community, educate the masses, and save our lost generations.
Jenna Guidrey
A grant goes to Houma LA native and singer/songwriter Jenna Guidry for a 4 song EP of original music. From Jenna: “I have been songwriting since I was 10 yrs old. In 2009, at age 11, I recorded my first EP which consisted of 3 original songs. Two of the songs received regional radio play in Southeastern Louisiana. Since then, I’ve been busy learning more about music and songwriting. I had the opportunity to work with songwriting mentors Kris Bergsnes, Brian White, Mark Stephen Jones, and Ryan Shea Smith in Nashville. Since moving to New Orleans, I’ve been working with mentors Paul Sanchez and Tom Drummond on both songwriting and studio techniques. I am performing at various venues in New Orleans solo and doing performances with Tony award winning actor and singer Michael Cerveris. I am now nearing the end of my senior year at NOCCA where I study both academics and jazz piano. I am excited to see where the next stage of my development as an artist will lead. This grant will allow me to record a 4 song EP which will consist of original songs I’ve been writing. The EP will be produced by Paul Sanchez. I am hoping this EP will show my growth as an artist, writer, and musician. Thank you Threadhead Cultural Foundation for generously providing me with the opportunity!”
Josh Paxton
A grant was awarded to Josh Paxton and will go toward an album of New Orleans piano music. From Josh: “The song selection will be tunes that may not have originated here, or may not be part of the typical local repertoire, but I’m adapting them using the styles and techniques of the New Orleans piano greats, along with my own variations on those styles. It will probably be a solo piano album (possibly with a guest performer or two), though my goal is always to make the piano sound like a whole band”.
Luke Allen
Pothole Heart is the likely title of the upcoming Luke Spurr Allen/Happy Talk Band recording. It will be comprised of ten to thirteen songs, approximately two thirds of which will be solo, duo (with Alex McMurray), and trio (with Helen Gillet and Casey McAllister), and a third of which will be with the entire Happy Talk Band. Since releasing Starve A Fever (Happy Talk’s third recording), Luke has been occupied with running the night club he co-owns (Siberia) and raising a small child (Arlo). He has been steadily writing, performing, and demoing new material for the past five years and is looking forward to finally presenting this group of songs to the public.
Paavo Haninen
“Big Chief” is a documentary feature film that tells the story of Big Chief Justin “Tugga” Cloud, the Big Chief of the only all-children’s Mardi Gras Indian tribe, the Red Flame Hunters, and the youngest Big Chief in New Orleans. The film follows Big Chief Tugga, Ed Buckner–Tugga’s mentor and the founder of the Red Flame Hunters–and the other members of his tribe as they prepare for Mardi Gras and Tugga’s impending graduation from high school.
Ya Heard Dat
Ya Heard Dat (www.yahearddat.com) is a philanthropic production company based in New Orleans with a focus on bringing professionally produced video content to bands and artists that don’t have access to the thousands of dollars that it would cost to buy. Each show is filmed by the production team and edited live on a television switcher with the audio also mastered in house. Every act has access to the 4k video package that’s put together of their performance. This project will feature nine outstanding up-and-coming New Orleans bands in a series of three live shows.
Danny Barker Festival (Buddy Mann Memorial Grant)
The Danny Barker Festival took place a various venues around NOLA January 16-18, 2016. The festival is a labor of love and gratitude for the life and work of one of New Orleans’ most important, if unremembered, musicians and a reminder to keep his enduring spark alive. Daniel Moses Barker’s musical artistry was matched – and some say superseded – by his teaching and storytelling. Danny, as he was known to friends and students, was a critical linchpin in the revival of traditional New Orleans music and Brass Band traditions which had fallen from favor and, by the early 1960’s, were no longer vital. Danny reignited the torch. By founding the Fairview Baptist Church band and forming brass bands to teach young, aspiring New Orleans musicians not only the art, but the pride in craftsmanship that is the hallmark of the New Orleans tradition, Danny passed the torch along. It is not hyperbole to assert that the strength and vitality that are evident in New Orleans music today, can be traced back to Danny’s doorstep. In the spirit of Danny Barker, this festival also calls attention to a pioneering, essential of New Orleans’ musical legacy: the role of the banjo and guitar which have formed the heartbeat of early New Orleans jazz to all of 20th Century American music.
Fais Do Do ( Buddy Mann Memorial Grant)
THCF is proud to continue support for this new tradition that presents a range of Louisiana-based musical styles including Zydeco, Cajun, Country and French in a free, fun and family-friendly dance setting at the Maison club located at 508 Frenchman Street. The events take place on various Saturdays throughout the year. The event was begun by Lee Brundage, otherwise known as the ‘Mayor of Frenchman Street’, in the Spring of 2010 and continues presenting such local talent as Sunpie Barnes & the Louisiana Sunspots, Helen Gillet, T’Cannaille, Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Review, Washboard Rodeo, CajunGrass, Joe Hall & the Louisiana Cane Cutters and many more. The Maison is a comfortable setting with 2 stages which contributes to a continuous 3 hour flow of music for 2 bands per event, spacious dance floor with food and drink and nearby parking available.