Don Vappie performs
a Tribute to
Danny Barker
in Ascona, Suisse
The 2009 Jazz Ascona Festival, held in Ascona Switzerland, will feature a special tribute to New Orleans jazz banjoist, guitarist, ukulele player, singer, songwriter, author, historian, lecturer and actor Danny Barker - a figure of great personal and artistic stature who left a profound legacy in the culture of New Orleans. There will be two special events: the first will focus on the banjo and the guitar, on original compositions by Barker and on the Creole aspect of the music; the second will feature Lillian Boutté covering the main songs by Barker and his wife Blue Lu.
Don & Lillian have worked together many times over the years. Most recently, they performed at the New Orleans French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Both were such memorable performances that both Don & Lillian have decided to plan future duo projects.
For more information check the JazzAscona website at http://jazzascona.ch or go the schedule page at vappielle.com.
Creole Jazz Serenaders
BIG HIT at
Duke Ellington Festival
The Creole Jazz Serenaders put on a great show and introduced jazz fans in Washington DC to the unique sound of New Orleans' own Don Vappie. As one blogger wrote, the CJS played "... traditional New Orleans jazz but markedly different in sound. Vappie’s was a real orchestra (and) had an elegant sound that was nonetheless uproarious fun."
It was a great weekend with lots of music. "We've played out here on the mall in the past but this was obviously a more intense audience" said Vappie. "They got into everything we were doing. I really feel like we brought them a true taste of home."
The CJS made a big impression on the DC crowd. A blogger put it best "Good stuff, and endearingly different. Check our schedule page for upcoming appearances.
