Etta James at BB Kings in 2008 (more by Ryan Muir)

Etta James, whose assertive, earthy voice lit up such hits as "The Wallflower," "Something's Got a Hold on Me" and the wedding favorite "At Last," has died, according to her longtime friend and manager, Lupe De Leon. She was 73.
She died from complications from leukemia with her husband, Artis Mills, and her sons by her side, De Leon said.

She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, and also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C. James died at a hospital in Riverside, California. She would have turned 74 Wednesday. -[CNN]

It's really sad to hear of the loss of such an iconic voice. RIP Etta James, you will be missed.

Continue reading "Etta James, RIP"

photos by Graeme Flegenheimer

"From the moment you set foot inside the main gate at the Fair Grounds Race Course, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is like a music and food lover's "Choose Your Own Adventure" novel, with nearly every option inciting pure sonic and culinary bliss. A morning beignet in the Gospel Tent with Arthur Clayton & Purposely Anointed? A lazy afternoon perked up by some Crawfish Monica and the Drive-By Truckers joined by Booker T? How about a stroll to the Gentilly Stage for the sounds of Spoon and the Dirty Dozen horns, stopping for a quick bowl of gumbo along the way? Etta James and a Soft Shell Crab Po-Boy, anyone? All signs point to yes...

...Now in its 40th year, the 2009 edition of Jazz Fest continues to ramp up post-Hurricane Katrina, expanding to its full complement of 12 stages, up from nine last year, and seven days, up from six in recent years. The event's first of two weekends boasted music from nearly 200 acts, including the likes of Dave Matthews Band, Crescent City native Wynton Marsalis and his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Joe Cocker, Erykah Badu, James Taylor, Earth Wind and Fire, Pete Seeger, Hugh Masekela, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Etta James and many more." [All About Jazz]

Jazz Fest ran from April 24-26 & April 30-May 3 at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, LA. More pictures from the first weekend of the festival below...

Continue reading "a set of pictures from New Orleans Jazz Fest 2009 "

DOWNLOAD: Etta James talks smack about Beyonce (MP3)

Etta James @ BB King's in 2008 (more by Ryan Muir)

This is not a joke: 71-year-old Etta James actually threatened to beat the crap out of Beyoncé Knowles -- and it's caught all on tape!

The war is all over Etta's song, "At Last " -- Beyoncé sang the tune at Obama's 1st Inauguration Ball on Jan. 20th ... but last week at a concert in Seattle, James was still pissed.

While on stage, Etta told the crowd, "Your President, the one with the big ears ... he had that woman singing my song. She gone get her ass whipped."

She continued, "The great Beyoncé ... I can't stand Beyoncé," according to audio from Crown City Media.

Ironically Etta didn't kick up this sorta fuss when Beyoncé portrayed her in "Cadillac Records." [TMZ]

TMZ later pointed out that the song is not even an Etta James song. She covers it too. The Chicago Sun Times says that "both Beyonce and President and Mrs. Obama were stunned by music legend Etta James' strong verbal whiplashing." Etta James told the Daily News she was just trying to get a laugh and meant no harm. Etta is definitely known for her between song banter at her live shows. Speaking of which...

Etta James returns to B.B. King Blues Club and Grill in NYC for three shows in May. Tickets are on sale.

Etta is also one of many artists who will be Jazz Fest in New Orleans this year...

American rock superstars Bon Jovi have been added to the already star-studded music lineup of the 40th anniversary New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented by Shell, organizers announced today. Making their first-ever Jazz Fest appearance, Bon Jovi will perform on Saturday, May 2. The 2009 Jazz Fest is scheduled for April 24-26 & April 30-May 3 at the Fair Grounds Race Course.

Bon Jovi joins Wynton Marsalis, Dave Matthews Band, James Taylor, Sugarland, Joe Cocker, Ben Harper, Tony Bennett, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kings of Leon, Neville Brothers, Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Allen Toussaint, The O'Jays, Erykah Badu, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Dr. John, Etta James plus hundreds of others previously announced to appear at the historic edition of the Festival.

Etta James also has a show scheduled in Atlantic City. All tour dates below...

Continue reading "ETTA JAMES disses Beyonce & Obamas (MP3), offends & apologizes ++ 2009 TOUR DATES (BB Kings, Jazz Fest)"

photos by Ryan Muir

Etta James played three NYC shows earlier this month. Ryan stopped by to take some pictures at the last one. He and everyone I asked about the shows said something like, "girl can sing!" (and "girl can talk a lot"). On Beyonce portraying her in an upcoming movie Etta said something like, "Yeah she looks good, but can she sing?" Etta's two sons were both in her band (guitar and drums) and she played a lot of covers including Randy Newman's "You Can Leave your Hat On".A recent review of a Michigan show adds:

Etta was amazing! She had "The Roots" band with her that was an 8 member band + 2 additional musicians, very tight and included a great harmonica. (I think 2 of the musicians were Etta's sons). Anyway, Etta's voice was as rich and full as its ever been, the show was punctuated with naughty little comments, spicy moves (watch out "chair dancers"!) and juicy tidbits of her life. She received a standing ovation when she first walked onto the stage and 2-3 more throughout the show . . . Outstanding Lady!

More pictures below.....

Continue reading "Etta James @ BB King Blues Blub & Grill , NYC - pics"

The legendary Etta James is playing BB King's in NYC tonight (April 14), tomorrow AND the next day. Some tickets are still available. Maybe Beyonce will be there getting into character. More tour dates at Ticketmaster.

Etta was supposed to play some shows with BB King and Al Green in 2007, but she had to cancel those after being hospitalized. Videos below...

Continue reading "Etta James - 3 shows in NYC this week, tour dates"

Beyonce Knowles has signed on to play blues singer Etta James in "Cadillac Records," a 1950s period film about the founder of Chicago's Chess Records and his lineup of stars.

The 10-time Grammy winner joins a cast that includes Adrien Brody as Chess Records founder Leonard Chess, Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon, and Columbus Short as Little Walter.

Darnell Martin ("Their Eyes Were Watching God") will direct the Sony BMG Films project from his own screenplay. Knowles will also serve as an executive producer. [Hollywood Reporter]