L4LNOLA is back at Gasa Gasa for a SimplePlay production! In the intimate setting of Gasa Gasa on Freret, the Jaden Carlson Band delivered an energetic performance to an impressed crowd. The 14 year old, Colorado-raised guitarist, is a genius! Leading the band as a guitar expert, Jaden Carlson also provides the lead vocals, with Will Trask on drums and Eric Luba on left-handed bass and keys.
This band can groove! As one of the most talented trios of young musicians in the world, The Jaden Carlson Band exceeded expectations. The band’s playful chemistry was apparent throughout their set as the audience watched in a focused silence. It is hard to take one’s eyes off of Jaden’s fast moving fingers as she traces the fretboard of her guitar. Backed by a colorful soundscape from Eric Luba on his keyboard and complemented by comic but extremely gifted Will Trask on percussion, the Jaden Carlson Band delivers! Performing a mixture of old and new material, the power trio brought talent from Boulder, CO, for New Orleans music fanatics to devour.
Surprising the audience, Jaden welcomed members of The Revivalists for a jam; Zack Feinberg on guitar, Ed Williams on pedal steel guitar, Andrew Campanelli on auxiliary percussion, and Rob Ingraham on saxophone. Meanwhile, the rest of The Revivalists supported their fellow bandmates from the audience. Watching Jaden nonchalantly lead the jam was a privilege.
The Jaden Carlson Band was followed by a great performance from Elysian Feel, a group of local music students from around the country who combine jazz, funk, and blues. Elysian Feel consists of Spence Bailey on guitar and lead vocals, Abner Deitle on trumpet, flugelhorn, and backing vocals, Dylan Kidd on lead guitar, Kendrick Magallanes on bass, Dylan Seals on drums, and Jeremy Kern on tenor saxophone. Their sound is rich, taken from a vast source of influences. They were the perfect follow up to the Jaden Carlson Band’s exciting performance, adding to the funk/jazz/blues vibe of the night.
Closing out the evening was Jaden Carlson’s good friends; Eminence Ensemble a progressive rock fusion quintet, based out of Boulder, Colorado (just 10 minutes from Jaden). Now in their sixth year together, Eminence is touring nationally, releasing new music, and creating a name for themselves in the Jam scene. The band’s influences range from Rush to Steely Dan to Michael Jackson, so you can be sure expect an explosive deliverance of multi-genre songs and performances. Eminence Ensemble consists of Justin Neely on guitar and vocals, Johnny Bosbyshell on keys, Tanner Bardin on drums and vocals, Nick Baum on percussion and vocals, and Zac Flynn on Electric Bass.
The night kept getting better as Alvin Ford Jr. sat in playing drums at the beginning of their set. Eminence Ensemble’s set blew the crowd away, making them reminiscent of late night acts at festivals like Gathering of The Vibes or Suwannee Hulaween. Nick Baum’s voice gave the band a soulful sound that distinguished them from the other acts. Finishing the evening strong with another jam session with Jaden, Eminence Ensemble certainly won the hearts over of some new fans down in the Big Easy.
If you happen to be at Art Outside in Austin, TX Sunday Oct. 25th, be sure to check out the Jaden Carlson Band. We promise you won’t regret it!
Words by Kali Serna and Zach Raynor, Photos by Emily Ferretti. Full Gallery below:
