Friday, April 24th

6:00PM DOORS, 8PM SHOW

Gabrielle Cavassa

Born in Escondido, California of Italian descent, Gabrielle Cavassa began “obsessively listening” to records from a young age. Largely self-taught, she developed a unique approach to singing that would later characterize her artistry. Cavassa received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from San Francisco State University, but credits the Bay Area music scene for her “real education.” She moved to New Orleans in 2017, where she continued her education in local clubs.

“I really respect songs and I really want to honor them in the best way,” says vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa. With her riveting Blue Note debut Diavola, Cavassa makes her artistic arrival with an album that unveils her range as a band leader, a songwriter, and a fearless song interpreter who treats each gesture with subtlety and reverence. The California-born, New Orleans-based artist presents a collection of original songs and
luminous arrangements alongside collaborators Joshua Redman, Jeff Parker, Paul Cornish, Larry Grenadier, and Brian Blade.

Co-produced by Redman and Don Was, Diavola subverts the self-portrait. The album explores coexistences of the angel and the devil — a dynamic central to Cavassa’s artistry and personal identity — engaging a dualism of possession and surrender, of urgency and repose. “I’m not willing to let go of either,” says Cavassa, “or I haven’t been able to.”

James McClasky

James McClasky and the Rhythm Band is New Orleans-based band dedicated to performing classic rhythm & blues in a unique, jazz inflected style. James McClaskey and his band deliver hard swinging dance music inspired by the great blues and jazz musicians of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. James McClaskey arranges and leads the group on vocals and electric tenor guitar. Greg Sherman is on acoustic guitar, Andy Reid is on upright bass, Robin Rapuzzi is on drums and they are regularly flanked by a talented group of horn players.