Paul Sanchez

Jambalaya is John Boutté doing what he does best. In front of two distinct bands made up of friends and long-time musical associates, Boutté belts out or softly caresses themes that remain close to his heart. It is this sincerity and the jazz musician's sense of timing and improvisation that makes Boutté stand out in a crowd. There's a mix of new and previously released material such as the now familiar "Sisters" and "At the Foot of Canal Street." You can't go wrong with Bill Huntington on bass and Shannon Powell behind the drums. It's the one-two punch of the snare drum that gets things rollicking on "Two Bands Rollin'," which was written by Boutté and Paul Sanchez. The song speaks of New Orleans all the way. Lyrically Boutté sings of well-known folks like Doreen Ketchens and Tuba Fats blowing in Jackson Square and in the style of this city's old rhythm and blues masters, Boutté throws in a couple of "hey walla wallas." Reggie Houston is right in the game with some honkin' sax. Likewise, the "Treme Song" is equally full of local references. Another newly penned number,(with Paul Sanchez), is the solid soul groove of "Shake My Gate"-and, adds Boutté, the alternative way to get his attention is to, "scream up my alley." Boutté eases into this fine tune and cleverly inserts some Otis Redding-style phrasings. In an album of gospel, R&B and jazz, Ann Lenox's "Why" not only adds a new color to the disc but also shouts of Boutté's stylistic range. Lillian Boutté pops in for a duo with her brother on "Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight." Boutté is in capable and comfortable hands with the tasty pianists Loren Pickford and Al Bemiss, articulate guitarists Todd Duke and John Bagnato, drummer Joe Vinnitelli and percussionist Ruben Watts.