A Night In Treme – and You’re Invited.
The University Musical Society (UMS) of the University of Michigan is hosting an event Friday 11.11.11 that makes regular chances to see these musical greats seem ordinary. In a pitch to bring the culture of New Orleans performances straight to Ann Arbor, they’ve assembled a krewe that won’t soon be forgotten. Once you see this music performed, you’ll have an entirely new appreciation for the jazz roots of modern jam bands, as well as some of the more exciting aspects of live performance.
The Treme Prince, Glen David Andrews
Clipping directly from the show’s program notes, we find the following lineup:
- Donald Harrison, Jr.
Musical Director, Alto Saxophone, and Vocals - Cyril Neville
Vocals and Percussion - Dr. Michael White
Clarinet - James Andrews
Trumpet and Vocals - Glen David Andrews
Trombone and Vocals
I first met up with Glen David Andrews in New Orleans in January 2009 on a work trip that had me at the New Orleans Convention Center. Not content to sit in the hotel and order room service the first night I was in town, I scoured the local listings on Jambase for music, and found that he had a regular gig within walking distance of the hotel. To say that I was astonished would be an understatement – as a trombone player through middle school to high school, I love the instrument. But I’d never seen a trombone player Crowdsurf. GDA more than lives up to his twitter handle of @TremePrince.
Rebirth Brass Band’s been on the festival circuit for a while, and their performances can only be described as uplifting. Caught them in front of a crowd of about 50 (What is it with Lansing?) at Lansing’s Common Ground Music Festival in 2010.
Rebirth Brass Band at the Common Ground Festival
Cyril Neville’s also been out on the festival circuit in one form or another, and I was able to catch his Dumpstaphunk performances at the Summer Camp Music Festival in Chillicothe, Illinois earlier this summer. He’s pretty much the “king” of an era of NOLA musicians, and having him present will undoubtedly bring the funk to this group.
But I’m probably most excited to see Michigan’s own Detroit Party Marching Band, who I’ve seen perform at a Burning Man-themed “End of the World” party in an abandoned industrial complex, but most recently at Detroit’s Theatre Bizarre, where they marched all night amongst the crowd, performing in the lobbies of the Masonic Theatre in Detroit.
I’ve not to my knowledge seen the great Donald Harrison Jr., Dr. Michael White, or James Andrews but am ridiculously excited for this show.
And lastly, if you’re a University of Michigan Student, Ann Arbor Native, or just curious, all of these cats will be assembling at the Cube on Campus at 7PM on 11.11.11 and performing a second line that ends in front of the auditorium. Can you say insanity in Ann Arbor? Might have to go down in the record books as the biggest second line ever assembled in Michigan. Bring your beads, and I’ll see you at the show.
The University of Michigan UMS has assembled a great guide with biographies here, and you can still buy tickets at 734-764-2538 or the box office will be open at 6:30 PM.