NOLA-based funk and jazz outfit Naughty Professor breeds more than just good times. Despite the band’s rigorous national tour schedule, Noah Young remains one of the most sought after bassists in New Orleans. Playing 100-150 shows per year around the continental U.S. with NP already, he still maintains a busy schedule in New Orleans and consistently performs with various side projects. But 2017 is the year of Noah Young, and he will start by using the spotlight to debut his own solo work with the release of an album Start The Reactor on Friday, January 13.

The album will see Young explore the realms of funk and jazz-fusion in a diverse new setting. In his 6 + years of being active in the New Orleans music scene, the University of New Orleans Jazz Studies graduate has had the pleasure of performing and recording with several of his inspirations, like Chali 2na (Jurassic 5), Ivan Neville (Dumpstaphunk), Eric Bloom (Lettuce), Mike Dillon, David Shaw (The Revivalists), Sasha Masakowski, Nigel Hall (Lettuce), Russell Batiste, and many more. This album is the culmination of all those great experiences.

Check out his newest venture in the video for “Chewing Cud” exclusively below:

Noah Young’s full band includes drummer Walter Lundy (Bonerama), guitarist Danny Abel (Gravity A, Corey Henry’s Treme Funktet, Khris Royal and Dark Matter), saxophonist Brad Walker (Sturgill Simpson), keyboardist Jason Butler, keyboardist Sam Kuslan, with Noah on bass.

Young tells us, “I feel fortunate to have some of my favorite musicians in New Orleans on my debut album Start The Reactor. These guys did an incredible job bringing my songs to life. Also my man Bill Daniel (Naughty Professor’s guitarist) did a great job recording, and mixing the album at his spot Wild Child Studios.”

To celebrate the arrival of Start The Reactor, there will be a FREE album release concert on Saturday, January 14 at Blue Nile in New Orleans. Special guests Space and Harmony (featuring members of The Revivalists and Naughty Professor) will open up the evening, before Noah Young and his fantastic band take the stage. The show will start promptly at 10:30PM.