Dr. Michael White releases album

New Orleans Jazz luminary Dr. Michael White returns with Adventures In New Orleans Jazz, Part 2, released today on Basin Street Records. The second Adventures lays much closer to its roots than the internationally spiced Part 1. For an early taste of the album, watch Dr. White perform album track “Petite Fleur” on TV station Good Morning New Orleans. You can also download “I Love You Too Much To Ever Leave You” where it premiered with American Songwriter today.

A propelling force of classic New Orleans jazz, the unique experiences that the clarinetist had throughout his career paired with his ability to articulate the significance and timelessness of the music has made him a highly influential voice. Opening the record is “Jambalaya” which was a #1 country music hit when recorded by the famous singer Hank Williams.

“The song’s catchy melody makes it perfectly suited to be a traditional jazz instrumental.” White explains.

“Midnight Special” is the title track of the 1970s television popular music show and hit recording for the rock group Creedence Clearwater Revival. Original track “Eternally Blue“ is a lush and soulful composition held together by bouncing piano while Janis Joplin’s 1970 hit “Me And Bobby McGee” swings perfectly as an instrumental for both small jazz band and brass band “second line” interpretations. Also in a fresh brass band vein is the rock group The Turtles’ classic 1969 hit “Happy Together.”

In addition to receiving the National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship Award, White was named Louisiana Humanist of the Year by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, and he also won the Offbeat Magazine Best of the Beat Award as Clarinetist of the Year, and Gambit Magazine’s Big Easy Entertainment Award for Traditional Jazz Artist of the Year. He has also performed on recent records by Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Wynton Marsalis and Marianne Faithfull, and recently joined Herbie Hancock and others to perform in a special International Jazz Day concert. Join Dr. Michael White on an “adventure” as he explores and creates ensemble pieces from classic favorites.