January 13, 2014

Louisiana Weekly

New Orleans Jazz CDs of 2013

imgres“Vibraphonist James Westfall, a Houston native who again makes his residence in New Orleans, is an immaculate player who assembled The Wee Trio, a talented and aggressive group, in 2005. The Wee Trio Live at the Bistro stands as an excellent representation of the variety of rhythms, styles and textures – from funk, to swing and even a cover of David Bowie’s “Queen Bitch” – of their performances.” – Geraldine Wyckoff

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January 3, 2014

Offbeat Awards

Every year Offbeat Magazine hosts an awards banquet here in New Orleans. I’m honored to be on a list with musicians that I look up to and/or have mentored my career. The idea of winning or “beating” these artists has no appeal to me but I can’t help but to feel honored to be mentioned on the same list!

 

If you would like take part in the voting process you can click on the link below.

http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e8p3kcn2hpec6b5h/a0317t1hpzw8cib/questions

 

Or if you would like attend the event please visit:

http://www.offbeat.com/best-of-the-beat-awards-2013/

December 18, 2013

The Wee Trio in Downbeat Magazine

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October 17, 2013

James Westfall Quartet at the Ellis Marsalis Center this Tuesday

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October 5, 2013

Saturday October 12th 8pm

Live at the Marigny Opera House

Celebrated husband and wife James and Kathleen Westfall (the vibraphonist and the classical soprano) present a recital of modern repertoire blending varieties of musical genres. A free event; suggested donation: $15

2013Kathleen_headshot-240x300photo: Scott Myers

photo: Scott Myers

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August 24, 2013

The Colt 45s

The Colt 45’s EP has just been released as a FREE DOWNLOAD! 

 

Westfall_Colt45_CD Cover

 

Download your copy here and enjoy the sounds of some New Orleans finest country legends:

 

James Westfall – Vox, Piano, Organ, Vibraphone
Alex Pena – Vox, Acoustic Guitar
Jesse Smith – Electiric Guitar
Trey Boudreaux – Bass
Nick Solnick – Drums
Rex Gregory – Saxophone

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June 19, 2013

Fire House BBQ

In case you were wondering about the BBQ link under the ETC… tab at the top right corner, that link takes you to my BBQ blog. I had the misfortune of trying some BBQ in my own neighborhood recently and decided to blog about it…

You can check out the link at:  http://jameswestfallmusic.blogspot.com/2013/06/fire-house-bbq-new-orleans-la.html

or you can read it below.

 

Fire House BBQ (New Orleans, La)

When I saw them putting up this sign about a year ago, I got really excited because this is literally right around the corner from my house. Why has it taken me a year to finally try this BBQ you may ask – I never saw a pit nor smelled the burning of wood. Not only that, this place closes durring the winter. Why does this BBQ place close durring the winter you may ask – because it’s not a BBQ place, it’s a Snowball stand…Dun Dun Dun!

Yea you aren’t going to get a legitimate BBQ experience here. You will however get a legitimate Snowball experience, if you like that sort of thing which I do not.  As I walked into the 10×10 room I asked the lady behind the counter (who was behind a bullet proof glass window) for 1/2 a slab of ribs. Ribs seemed to be the only BBQ they had. She walked out of the back door and didn’t return until 10 minutes later. Turns out, people that actually order the BBQ from Fire House get the BBQ from the the restaurant next door. I assume that they are owned and operated by the same people/person.

 

 

This is what I got:

 

 

These ribs fell right off the bone. They had that soggy texture with no flavor and no smoke. I spent hours trying to dig these ribs out of the sauce, I couldn’t find them. Classic case of OBBBQ (Oven-Baked BBQ). You want a lecture about using an oven when it comes to BBQ, go down the road to Donaldsonville and talk to J.B. (at the 44 second mark)-

 

 

Below are some pictures of the menus from this establishment:

Fire house BBQ will be receiving a generous score of 0.5 out of 5.
No Urbanspoon banner this time because they aren’t even listed….

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June 12, 2013

The Next Generation Big Band (Harold Battiste Presents)

haroldbattistepresentsI’d like to encourage everybody to purchase this cd. This cd was spearheaded by pianist Jesse McBride who commissioned former students/disciples of Harold Battiste to do big band arrangements from “The Silverbook” for this record. The arrangers featured were Rex Gregory, Brice Winston, Andrew Baham, Antoine Drye, and your truly.

 

Since my new website doesn’t have a sideman discography, I’ll now be promoting those cds under the blog like so under “Discography” category.

Purchase: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/haroldbattistepresents

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May 21, 2013

James Westfall gig at Snug Harbor

Welcome to my first official Blog Post that has nothing to do with BBQ!

I’ll be performing at Snug Harbor (New Orleans) as a leader on Sunday June 2nd. Sets at 8pm and 10pm. The band will feature the greats Rex Gregory, Barry Stephenson, and Geoff Clapp.

More info TBA

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