The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has been a staple the final week of April since 1970. Since its inception, the festival has expanded, with fans now treated to two jam-packed weekends of non-stop music and plenty of shows during the week between. The fun doesn’t stop when Jazz Fest’s main stages shut down at 7 pm; rather, Jazz Fest late-night parties serve as the main attraction for some people’s entire journeys down to New Orleans.
Jazz Fest late nights are not just for the fans, instead, giving musicians a chance to collaborate and honor our most beloved heroes, both past and present. Almost exactly two years ago, America lost one of its greatest musical figures, Prince, the man in purple. It’s no easy feat to bring together a noteworthy cast of musicians to commemorate such a larger than life human, but Casey Russell from Magic Beans has done just that.
To close out the final night of Jazz Fest, keyboardist Casey Russell has brought together an all-star band of funky players, including members of Prince’s band, Turkuaz, The Main Squeeze, The Motet, Snarky Puppy, Thievery Corporation, Allen Stone, The Magic Beans, and Mama Magnolia, to present a stacked tribute set to Prince dubbed the Purple Party. The late-night dance party on Sunday, May 6th, at the Maison on Frenchmen Street will immediately follow Joey Porter‘s tribute to Herbie Hancock. Fans are encouraged to come clad in purple.
Live for Live Music’s Sam Berenson got a chance to sit down with musical director of the Purple Party, Casey Russell, for a chat about all things Prince, Jazz Fest, his musical roots, and more.
Live for Live Music: The Purple Party is an extra-fitting event for you to be leading. Tell us a little bit about where you grew up.
Casey Russell: I grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, land of the purple funk, which also happens to be the home of Bob Dylan. Prince and Bob are two of the most influential musicians of all time. I grew up about five minutes from Loring Park, where Prince recorded the infamous Loring Park Sessions at the age of 19, and 15 minutes from his famous Paisley Park Studios. In Minneapolis, we show unconditional love for Prince. It’s an honor for me to be able to pay tribute to his music in such a capacity.
L4LM: What significance has Prince played in your musical career?
CR: His music has always been a huge inspiration. If you know me, you know I love funk. Prince’s inspirations were all the old school funk cats, like Sly and the Family Stone, Earth Wind & Fire, James Brown, etc. He was able to expand upon their music, creating a sound of his own that would influence generations to follow. I’m a part of one of those generations. Prince has played a huge part in informing my decision on what’s funky or dope.
Also, shout out to my dad, Jimmy Russell, who had the incredible opportunity to play with Prince in 1999 (and on the song “1999”) on New Year’s Eve in Minneapolis alongside George Clinton, Morris Day, and The New Power Generation. I was just a kid, but Prince has been on my radar ever since that night.
The Magic Beans – Prince Tribute – Pittsburgh, PA – 9/20/2016
[Video:Â Artpua]
L4LM: What’s your favorite Prince album or era of Prince?
CR: I’m all about the old-school funky records. A few of my favorite albums are For You, Dirty Mind, and the self-titled Prince album. We’ll be playing a bunch of tunes from those records. The Loring Park Sessions is right up there too, so we’ll be playing a few of those tunes as well. We’re even playing a hit by 94 East, one of Prince’s older bands in the late 70’s, named after an interstate that passes through Minneapolis.
L4LM: Do you share any history with these fellow musicians partaking in the Purple Party?
CR: I have played with Ryan Jalbert, Lyle Divinsky, Jeff Franca, Corey Frye, and Steve Watkins in Colorado a few times in the past. Megan Letts and Will Trask are my good friends and musical comrades. This will be my first time gigging with Sput, MonoNeon, Shira [Elias], Sammi [Garett], and the Snarky Horns. I’m very lucky to be a part of such an incredible lineup!
L4LM: What’s your favorite memory of New Orleans?
CR: The first time I went to Jazz Fest. Magic Beans had a 10 p.m. gig at the Dragon’s Den just off Frenchman street. We finished the gig, and Joey Porter had put us all on the Motet guest list for the Motet show at the Maison at midnight. We had the best time ever! This was our first time at Jazz Fest and also our first time in New Orleans. We didn’t quite realize how late the party kept going. We were pleasantly surprised when our good friend who was going to Tulane at the time took us to the House of Blues at 2 a.m. to catch the New Mastersounds and then to the Maple Leaf to end the night with Johnny Vidacovich and company. We were getting very loose that night, but I will never forget it.
L4LM: What does adding Mononeon of Prince’s live band add to this show?
CR: Beyond having a member of the band who actually played with Prince for a time, it adds the funkiest bass-playing imaginable.
L4LM: Changing gears, Magic Beans just released a new album, Casino Cabaret. How have things been going since your latest studio release?
CR: Things in Magic Bean land have been great! We are very pumped on the album, and we’re gearing up for an East Coast tour right now, which will conclude with a date at the Fillmore in Philly supporting the Disco Biscuits on 4/20. Heady.
L4LM: The current Magic Beans lineup has solidified over the past few years with the addition of bassist Chris Duffy, formerly of Dirty Paris. What are your goals as a band for 2018?
Casey Russell: The same goal as every year: Try to take over the world!… Or at least play Red Rocks. We couldn’t be happier with Chris Duffy holding down the low-end!
L4LM: Beanstalk Music Festival has a very special lineup this year. Are there any acts that you’re particularly excited to see?
CR: Beanstalk is the best. I’m personally looking forward to Cory Wong. I just had the chance to see his band at Cervantes, and I also played with him the next night at the Dance Party Time Machine. He is one seriously talented individual. I think it will be a crowd favorite.
L4LM: Who are three artists you’re listening to in your free time right now?
CR: PHO from Minneapolis, Mama Magnolia, and The Runnikine, both from Colorado. Also, lots of Prince.
If you’ll be in New Orleans For Jazz Fest, don’t miss Purple Party: A Tribute To Prince featuring members of The Main Squeeze, Turkuaz, The Motet, Snarky Puppy, Thievery Corporation, Allen Stone, and more at the Maison in New Orleans on Sunday, May 6th. For more info, click here; to purchase tickets, click here. For more info, click here; to purchase tickets, click here. For our full guide to Jazz Fest late nights, click here.
