Tuba Skinny at Pappy and Harriet’s, Pioneer Town, Monday 11-9-26

 

I've been a fan of New Orleans jazz since I've known what it is, although other than visiting the city, I don't have much chance to see it live. We decided to take a trip to Joshua Tree and when my lovely wife discovered that Tuba Skinny would be playing at the world famous Pappy and Harriet's while we were there, she picked up tickets.

This was our first time at P&H's even though it has been a music venue for decades and many of our friends have just popped over for a show and driven back to Vegas the same night. We're a bit too old for that, but since we were staying nearby, we wanted to check it out. The venue is actually a restaurant/bar that stuck a small stage at the back of the building and simply ropes off the "event area" so pretty much anyone who is having a meal there can see - or at least hear - the show. It is a low stage with a few tables around the edge of the room and really just a few feet of standing room in front. An unusual setup!

But, Tuba Skinny are a combo that is good for an intimate setting and it felt like hanging out at one of the many bars in NO that has live music. Consisting of tuba (natch) for the bass parts, trombone, coronet (played by the female leader of the combo), clarinet, banjo, guitar and a charismatic percussionist playing a washboard with a couple tins for cymbals - he got a lot of sound out of that thing and the young kids that were there were totally enamored by him!

They played a mix of traditional - songs by the likes of King Oliver - and originals, mostly instrumental which gave everyone a chance to show off their individual skills as well as the way that they were able to intertwine their musical lines. The guitarist sang a few tunes in a Tom Waits-ian manner and the clarinetist looked like he was on his way to a fishing trip and looked fairly bored when he wasn't playing - even changed out his reed during a song at one point! 

The place was pretty well packed - especially for a random Monday night - and everyone was clapping'n' dancing' along with the band. Fun times!