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Nolatet
Nolatet: Somethin' To Relax With
by Glenn Astarita
Nolatet unites four veteran voices from the New Orleans jazz scene. Bassist James Singleton and drummer Johnny Vidacovich have formed one of the city's most durable and inventive rhythm sections since the late 1970s, anchoring Astral Project and backing everyone from Professor Longhair to Dizzy Gillespie. Vibraphonist Mike Dillon brings his trademark guerrilla energy and percussive mischief from Garage a Trois, while pianist Brian Haas--a longtime architect of Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey--contributes rangy, classically informed harmonies and fearless improvisation. The ...
Continue ReadingPat Metheny, Mitch Dalton, Audrey Ochoa, Ben Wolfe & Nolatet
by Joe Dimino
Kicking off the 958th Episode of Neon Jazz is the adventurous New Orleans-based ensemble Nolatet, featuring bassist James Singleton, drummer Johnny Vidacovich, vibraphonist/percussionist Mike Dillon, and pianist Brian Haas, with the title track from their hypnotic 2026 release Somethin' to Relax With. From there, we journey through a rich landscape of jazz brilliance with legendary voices and innovators like Terry Waldo, Pete Mills, Ben Wolfe, and the iconic Pat Metheny. Along the way, we spotlight inspired artistry from Audrey Ochoa, ...
Continue ReadingNolatet: No Revenge Necessary
by Doug Collette
The music of Nolatet's sophomore album No Revenge Necessary belies its laissez faire title. Almost a mirror image of its largely insinuating predecessor, Dogs (Royal Potato Family, 2016), this sophomore effort finds the Crescent city-based ensemble flexing its collective muscles early and often, so the record lends itself to uninhibited dance almost as often as contemplation of its intricate musicianship. But it's a circuitous route the band takes to the comparatively upbeat likes of “Pecos Wilderness." Prior to ...
Continue ReadingNolatet: Dogs
by Doug Collette
The wit in the name of Nolatet finds a direct reflection in the music they make. Yet together as a four piece unit, keyboardist Brian Haas (Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey), vibraphonist Mike Dillon (Critters Buggin,' Garage A Trois), bassist James Singleton (John Scofield, John Medeski) and drummer Johnny Vidacovich (Charlie Hunter, Robert Walter), create a seamless sound that transcends comparisons to their previous work. No question Dogs is steeped, and deeply so, within the grand tradition of New Orleans, but ...
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Nolatet
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
