Album Review: Live at Birdland from the High Society New Orleans Jazz Band
Album: Live at Birdland Artist: High Society New Orleans Jazz Band Label: Turtle Bay Records Release Date: September 18, 2025 Website: https://www.conalfowkes.com Invoking merriment and laughter from beginning to end, the High Society New Orleans Jazz Band poured it on thick and steadfast during their live shows at Birdland Jazz Club in Manhattan. Recorded during their performances on August 22 and 29, 2024 for Live at Birdland, their production is released by Turtle Bay Records. From Dixieland jazz to ragtime, and from Tin Pan Alley swing to vaudeville showtunes, the band demonstrates the high octane of Jelly Roll Morton, the crisp synchronicity of Bix Beiderbecke, and the buoyancy and vigorous improvising on a melody reflective of Louis Armstrong. Co-led by Conal Fowkes on piano and Simon Wettenhall on trumpet and occasional vocals, the band is filled out by Kevin Dorn on drums, Josh Dunn on banjo and guitar, Harvey Ti...