Deep in the heart of New Orleans’ working class Gentilly neighborhood lies a typical truck stop underneath the I-10 high-rise. Not unlike thousands of other truck stops, there was a gas station, convenience store, and 24 hr greasy spoon. Near the back of the building beside the video poker casino was Gallager's bar. Here local characters and life long truckers chilled with friends, beer and a pool cue.
Tuesday night was the night to throw down, the Gentilly Groovemasters were in the house. This is where the band formed and met each week to play their own tunes and favorites from the Blue Note song book, classic R&B hits, and funky Crescent City grooves interspersed with latin rhythms.
Hurricane Kartrina ravaged the Gentilly Neighborhood and truck stop, leaving the Groovemasters without their Tuesday night home. They’re now in the process of recording their first record together and try to capture the good times and document the musical bond they shared every Tuesday night.
MONTREAL JAZZ FEST SHOWS!!
Drop in to L'Absynthe (1738 St-Denis) Saturday, July 7th and Sunday, July 8th to totally groove with an amazing collaboration of Montreal and New Orleans musicians. This musical event is going to close the Fest in style. New Orleans guitar wizard Brian Seeger, super-funky queen of Crescent City bass Cass Faulconer, and NOLA hornman Scott Bourgeois will burn it down with their Montreal counterparts: the incomparable André Leroux on sax, Mimi Marchal goddess of percussion, and drum masters John Fraboni (Saturday) and Max Sansalone (Sunday). These are free shows, although $10 in the tip jar will go a long way in showing your love, and filling the gas tank.
