Each year on Monday between jazz fest weekends, it's piano night at Generation's Hall. The performers include piano players Marcia Ball, Eddie Bo, John Cleary, Davell Crawford, Dr John, John Gros, and Joe Krown. Joe is one of New Orleans's favorite sons, and during the weeks before and until after Jazzfest he can be seen every night in the area's local clubs. Places like "Le Bon Temps", "The Funky Butt", "The Maple Leaf Bar", "The Rock & Bowl", and even at "Liuzza's", the favorite meeting place for the patrons of the fest.

Joe is most famous for being the keyboard player in "Gates Express", Clarence Gatemouth Brown's all star band. He also has his own band "The Joe Krown Organ Combo" and is a member of the acoustic blues trio Sansone, Krown & Fohl. Joe has released his newest cd "The Joe Krown Organ Combo Livin' Large" just in time for this years Jazz Fest.

This is Joe Krown's Organ Combo's fourth cd and the band features Joe Krown, Hammond B-3; Brint Anderson, guitar (Dr. John, George Porter); Brent Rose, sax (Galactic, Nicholas Payton); Brian "Breeze" Cayolle, sax (Allen Toussaint); Mike Barras, drums (Lenny McDaniel, Marva Wright); Jim Markway, bass (Percy Sledge, John Mooney); and Bob Sunda, bass (Junior Wells). Throughout the outing The Combo gets into a Booker T and the MG's type groove, Memphis meets New Orleans. Joe Krown has written eight of the eleven tunes on the album. Favorites include Joe's "New Finish", "Slow Daddy", "Under the Influence", "Stick a Fork In It", and the title track "Livin' Large". Another highlight is Joe Sample's "My Mama Told Me".

If you like your Rhythm and Blues injected full of Hammond B-3 Organ, and if you like 'Livin' Large" then say hello to Joe whenever your down in The Big Easy. Visit Joe's website www.joekrown.com to purchase any of Joe's seven cds, including his "New Orleans Piano Rolls" cd from 2003 and this newest one from the Joe Krown Organ Combo.

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com

(c)2005 Richard Ludmerer