Live At Birdland
Turtle Bay, 2025
9/10
A live album that pulls from sets on August 22 and 29, 2024, the 7 piece outfit The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band brings us plenty of energy, soul and improvisation.
“Flee As A Bird/Oh, Didn’t He Ramble!” starts the music with a hazy delivery, before the animated horns enter alongside Tom Abbot’s bright clarinet, and “Here Comes The Hot Tamale Man” follows with Conal Fowkes’ playful keys amid Brian Nalepka’s lively bass.
“Ace In The Hole” and “Shreveport Stomp” land in the middle. The former blends Harvey Tibbs’ rich trombone with Simon Wettenhall’s strategic trumpet, while the latter carries an infectious energy that will get you on the dance floor immediately.
Close to the end, “High Society” is a busy yet meticulous moment of traditional jazz that makes great use of Josh Dunn’s banjo, and “When I Leave The World Behind” exits with a bit more restraint but that’s no less impactful, as plenty of solos enter the timeless landscape.
Fowkes, Wettenhall and Nalepka all take turns on vocals, and the sound quality is as great as the execution, where we’re treated to an exciting and joyous burst of jazz that will always be relevant.
Travels well with: Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine- Unexpected Guests; The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra- Mixed Bag