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This week on the Caravan, we've got a set from John Boutte from the 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana. Growing up in New Orleans, Boutte was exposed to music as part of the city's daily life. From his Creole family's home, not far from where he lives today in the French Quarter, he could easily hear the music of weddings and funerals coming from the church out back. At a different time of year, the music of Carnival days and Mardi Gras was prevalent. He gravitated to music while in school, contributing the sounds of his trumpet and cornet to marching bands. Later, he moved on to street corner performances, singing with a cappella groups. He learned from a set of musical friends that included jazz artists such as Danny Barker, Louis "Big Eye" Nelson, and Paul Babarin. He didn't pursue music initially but came back to it later in life due to the constant encouragement of family and friends. In addition to his solo recordings, he contributed vocals to an album called Mardi Gras Mambo from Cubanismo, a dance band from Havana. Boutte and sister Lillian are not the only members of the family who have made music into a career. Niece Tania Boutte joined forces with Terri Degruy to establish TNT. Tricia Boutte, another niece, is known as vocalist Sista Teedy.

We've also got a set from Otis Clay this week, live from the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival in Helena, Arkansas. Otis Clay made most of his best-known records in Memphis during the early '70s, but he's still universally hailed as Chicago's deep soul king. Clay's intense vocal style reflects a gospel background. He made the secular jump in 1965, signing with Chicago's One-derful Records and issuing a series of gospel-tinged soul records that were a lot grittier than the customary Windy City soul sound.

Guest Host, Poppy Tooker, tells us about Food and The blues.

Air Date:
September 1st

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