Astral Project is a modern jazz quartet from
New Orleans
New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...
, Louisiana. It was founded by saxophonist
Tony Dagradi in 1978 and includes drummer
Johnny Vidacovich, bassist
James Singleton and 7-string guitarist
Steve Masakowski. The band originally included pianist David Torkanowsky who left in 2001. Astral Project blends jazz, funk, rock, and world music and has been called one of New Orleans' premier jazz groups.
Astral Project began performing at the Absinthe House on
Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street (, ) is a historic street in the heart of the French Quarter of New Orleans. Extending twelve blocks from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue, Bourbon Street is famous for its many bars and strip clubs.
Tourist numbers have b ...
where during their early years
Bobby McFerrin
Robert Keith McFerrin Jr. (born March 11, 1950) is an American singer, songwriter, and conductor (music), conductor. His Vocal pedagogy, vocal techniques include singing fluidly but with quick and considerable jumps in Pitch (music), pitch—fo ...
was known to often sit in. Having made several national and international tours, the quartet has continued to perform more recently at
Snug Harbor and at
Jazz Fest
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (commonly called Jazz Fest or Jazzfest) is an annual celebration of local music and culture held at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana. Jazz Fest attracts thousands of vi ...
in New Orleans. Astral Project has received several Big Easy Entertainment Awards.
Big Easy Entertainment Awards Winners 1988-2005
''bestofneworleans.com'', retrieved July 27, 2007
Discography
* ''Come With Me'' (Astral Project)
* ''Astral Project'' (Astral Project, 1997)
* ''Elevado'' (Compass
A compass is a device that shows the cardinal directions used for navigation and geographic orientation. It commonly consists of a magnetized needle or other element, such as a compass card or compass rose, which can pivot to align itself with No ...
, 1998)
* ''Voodoo Bop'' (Compass, 1999)
* ''Big Shot'' (Astral Project, 2003)
* ''The Legend of Cowboy Bill'' (Astral Project, 2004)
* ''Live in New Orleans'' (Astral Project, 2006)
* ''Blue Streak'' (Astral Project, 2008)
References
External links
Official site: Astral Project
*
*
by Larry Englund
{{DEFAULTSORT:Astral Project
Jazz ensembles from New Orleans
Musical groups established in 1978
1978 establishments in Louisiana
Compass Records artists