The performances are scheduled air nightly Friday through Sunday on TNT at 7 p.m.
Other New Orleans musicians slated to perform over the weekend are Ivan Neville, Ellis Marsalis, Kermit Ruffins, Rebirth Brass Band, Trombone Shorty, Jonathan Baptiste, Davell Crawford, Stephanie Jordan, and Christian Scott.
Connick and Branford Marsalis, both Louisiana-born musicians, collaborated to create the predominantly Louisiana lineup that includes artists with jazz, funk and blues backgrounds. They both perform Sunday.
Surprising to me, because jazz isn't televised nationally anymore than the Bucks are. Even if a jazz musician wins a big grammy, they'll get him to play a novelty act instead of taking the stage with his band. If they have a celebration of "Jazz - America's music" at the white house, it'll be filled with pop musicians and so watered down, I can't recognize it.
Could it be that the NBA is presenting real jazz on national tv? Branford Marsalis is one of my favorite living bandleaders (though it doesn't indicate whether he'll be with his band). I listened to the Rebirth band growing up. I was at Berklee at the same time as Christian Scott, so it's cool to see his career take off. Now I know this won't be a 45 minute set filled with 10 minute solos, etc. They'll probably play 3 minute highly-choreographed arrangements of their tunes, and will feature more vocals than normal, but still.... jazz on tv? Played by musicians with an actual jazz background?
I also think it's great that they're showcasing something specific to the city (though for the record, New Orleans hasn't been the center of the jazz world since the early 1920's - can't believe how many times people ask "bet you'd love to live in New Orleans"). They should try to always spotlight a few local musicians in these types of things.
This weekend will be a great break from Bucks basketball. Rookie game tonight. Dunk contest tomorrow night. Big game on Sunday. Music before each thing at 7pm (I assume that's EST).
