With a name like Dr. Sick, are you thinking you are going to find a standard artist profile here? No, friend, you are not, because neither did I.
Google “Dr. Sick” and you will find a long, fun list of “current projects”, the kind of list that could probably only be cobbled together in New Orleans. I’ll include that list in full below the upcoming video. But before you get lost in that, allow me to point to just two such projects that, together, explain how Dr. Sick ended up on the Django in June staff this year.
First up, Swing 21/Champagniacs: “French Jazz and waltzes and show biz originals performed by Dr. Sick, Russell Welch III (guitar) and Dallas Vietty (accordion) or Henry Westmoreland (tuba).” Last we heard, this was a steady Friday night gig at Marigny Brasserie – 640 Frenchmen St. Note the participation of our old friend Dallas Vietty, who first steered our attention to the talented Doctor.
Note, too, the participation of Russell Welch, who first joined our guitar staff last year. You see him again on the “project” list as the sole member who can’t get fired from the Russell Welch Hot Jazz Quartet, described as “Un-traditional Gypsy Swing music, interspersing original compositions with unique arrangements of European and early jazz songs.” Sick and Russell will bring that Un-traditional take on Gypsy Swing to the Academy of Music on night one of our weekend concerts. We’re not promising tap dancing on that occasion, so enjoy it here:
From Dr. Sick’s site, fiddlekiller.com:
AND NOW, A DESCRIPTION OF MY PROJECTS:
SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS:
Not a reunion, but a revival! Acclaimed swing band from the 90’s doesn’t quite sum up the show. Brand new songs added to the long standing tradition of reimagining the popular styles of music from the early days of recordings, especially the 1930’s. With Jimbo Mathus at the helm, the songs you remember are interspersed with new and exciting tunes written and recorded by the new line-up.
DR. SICK SEXTETTE:
This band is a high energy experiment, mixing Pop sensibility with elements of punk, swing, country, metal, funk, and Americana. All original songs, rotating cast of characters, all New Orleans all the time. Lately it’s been a power duo with 19 guitar pedals. Album coming soon!
THE LATE GREATS:
My Jazz Quartet enjoys mixing the styles of New Orleans music with songs less expected. Everything from Broadway tunes to Rockabilly. Album Coming Soon!
THE SALT WIVES:
Always entertaining, very eclectic, this band features European cabaret hits from yesteryear. Show up for the accordion, stay for the multi-lingual sing alongs!
OBLIQUESTRA!
Choro, Waltzes, European and American Vaudeville, Klezmer, everything from Raymond Scott Quintette to Tom Lehrer to Marlene Dietrich to Andrew Brid’s Bowl of Fire to Bertolt Brecht to Tom Waits to Mel Brooks.
JUMBO SHRIMP JAZZ BAND
Loud fun genre defying swing music led by Colin Meyer on trombone.
RUSSELL WELCH HOT QUARTET:
Un-traditional Gypsy Swing music, interspersing original compositions with unique arrangements of European and early jazz songs.
THE ROTTEN CORES
Louisiana based “Swampy-Tonk” combo, with fiddle, slap bass, hybrid guitar and punk drums, all in a rockabilly format.
FLYWAY
Rock, funk, folk, guitar heavy grunge band.
999 EYES FREAK SHOW/ THAT DAMNED BAND
Names you can trust. While primarily a stand alone unit, TDB is an accordion driven post-apocalyptic street band, that backs up 999 EYES whenever the freaks want to come out and play!