The evening opens up with special guests The Hot Tamale Brass Band from Boston who will bring us some Dixieland magic. Inspired by Little Feat's classic album Waiting For Columbus, the brass instrumentalists will join our feature band to create a particularly rare though pleasingly familiar experience.
Costumes are encouraged but certainly not required!
photo by Hank Randall
Mardi Gras Halloween Bash | Rochester Opera House | 2013 - Official Press Release
30 September 2013 at 15:38
For Immediate ReleaseThe Ultimate Mardi Gras Halloween Featuring Bill Payne and Gabe Ford of Little
Feat, Truffle, and the Hot Tamale Brass Band
Rochester, NH- There are two major celebrations that require (well okay – technically they’re optional) masks. The first is the Mardi Gras – a New Orleans institution
celebrated worldwide. The other? Boo! Halloween.
This year ChickenJam Productions has upped the ante to your traditional Halloween festivities. How? By mashing the two parties into one holistic celebratory entity, which happens on Thursday, October 31st at the Rochester Opera House. Yes. Halloween.
The Mardi Gras Halloween bash will be headlined by Bill Payne and Gabe Ford of legendary New Orleans flavored roots rockers Little Feat, and will also feature local funk rockers Truffle, and Boston based horn blowers, the Hot Tamale Brass Band. All very much influenced by New Orleans and the goings on that surround the Mardi Gras. All scarily good at their musical craft.
It’s been a year since Mr. Payne last visited New Hampshire for a sold out engagement in Dover – lured to the Granite State by ChickenJam founder Chris Kofer.
“Little Feat has long been a staple at parties, or simply for my own listening pleasure when I throw a record on the turntable,” said Kofer. “What led Bill and I to do shows together is quite random, but such is life. It started with a flight out to see my boy just before Christmas at Montana State. I put the rental car radio on scan… Happened upon an announcement about: "in town", "tomorrow night”, "Little Feat's Bill Payne.” That's all I heard. And all I had to hear. I scored tickets to a radio station (KGLT) benefit show where Bill was to play in a little music studio. One thing led to another. I acquired Bill’s number in a transaction that involved a Christmas present for my boy, and took it upon myself to test out the waters of what would be a solo show in New Hampshire. Sometimes, all it takes is a question.”
In regards to the Halloween extravaganza, Payne reminisces about last year’s performance, and in working with Truffle.
“Truffle took off like a rocket when they hit the stage. To be honest, I sat there in audience thinking, ‘how am I suppose to follow that with just a keyboard?’ I was met with rapt attention. I couldn't have asked for a better audience. And then when Truffle came up and joined me… WOW. The rocket ship took off again, higher and higher. A magic night! Truth is, when you’re working with world-class musicians, you’re not really working at all. The audience was ready for anything. That is one of the reasons I thought it would be great to reconnect this year. I'm going to be joined by Gabe Ford, Little Feat's drummer this time around. Playing music with Gabe is a truly wonderful experience. Combine that with Truffle and LOOK OUT! As they say, "But Wait There's More." The Hot Tamale Brass Band will be there, too. They are a New Orleans style horn section. They speak the lingo. They will open the show. They will also be back to kick hard later in the night, as well. What's not to be excited about? Expect the unexpected.”
Truffle frontman Dave Gerard has similar sentiment and is equally as excited for this year’s engagement:
“This show is another step up from last year, being at the Opera House, and being on Halloween! Playing with Bill last year on Little Feat tunes, and trading solos between Ned (Chase), and myself on Truffle tunes… It was a highlight in my time playing music. He’s just so good, and you can hear bits and pieces of the music he has created in his improv playing. Listening to a response riff to one of mine and hearing a bit of “Gringo,” is a real gas. He’s also a very gracious man, and musician. Add to the mix the fact that this year we’ll also get to work with Gabe Ford… The assault only grows. Three drummers on stage at once! That’s worth the price of admission alone…”
“Halloween is a great night for partying,” voiced Payne. “You can never go wrong with invoking New Orleans as a model of how you're going to throw down – especially in regards to this particular evening! The music is contagious, it's fun to play and listen to, and it is all about the ultimate in audience and band participation. New Orleans is something that touches everyone at one point or another. We'll make sure it moves people's bodies and stirs their souls this Halloween. Boo!”
Mardi Gras Halloween takes place at the Rochester Opera House on Thursday, October 31st. The show starts 8:00pm (doors open at 7:00). Tickets are $23 and can be purchased in advance on the Rochester Opera House’s webpage.
