Every Friday, I send a short email called the Friday Five—a quick hit of ideas worth your time. Each issue includes a curated mix of insights from books, business, habits, music, and more.
Music of the Week Alabama Shakes is a rock band hailing from Athens, Alabama. The group consists of Brittany Howard (singer, guitar), Heath Fogg (guitar), and Zac Cockrell (bassist). Blues, rock, and soul are the mixture of songs you hear from the Shakes. Some of my favorite songs include Hold On, Don’t Wanna Fight, and…
Music of the Week Dumpstaphunk is a funk and jam band from New Orleans featuring Ivan Neville, Tony Hall, Ian Neville, Deven Trusclair, Alex Wasily, and Ashlin Parker. The band was formed in the early 2000s during Jazz Fest in New Orleans. Ivan is the son of Aaron Neville of the Neville Brothers and nephew…
Music of the Week Joseph Nathan “King” Oliver was an American jazz player who pioneered the use of mutes in his music. Oliver was a mentor and teacher to music greats like Louis Armstrong. Born near Donaldsonville, Louisiana, Oliver moved to New Orleans, learning to play the trombone, followed by the cornet. He also spent…
Music of the Week The Neville Brothers were an American R&B/soul/funk group, formed in the 1970s in New Orleans. The group was made up of the four Neville brothers, Art, Charles, Aaron, and Cyril. Aaron spun out another group called The Meters, while Aaron’s son Ivan and Art’s son Ian are in the band Dumpstaphunk.…
Music of the Week Don Vappie is a jazz musician from New Orleans who started his music career at age 6 and now encompasses the guitar, banjo, vocals, mandolin, double bass, and washboard. The Blue Book of Storyville is a fantastic album that helped bring me much-needed mental calmness this week. Quotes of the Week…