Jesse Hiatt Band
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Music
Press
Hiatt has an impressive ensemble of players and employs them judiciously, never allowing the horns or the backup singers to overwhelm the lead vocals, which he carries off with soulful aplomb. This tight, oh-so-smooth outfit shines on "Prison", a funky uptown blues song where socially conscious lyrics are bolstered by a nimble horn section. "When We're Together" allows Hiatt to throttle down and display some subtle vocal feeling. These well-produced tunes suggest Hiatt could put on a spirited show, maybe even open for the DMB. - Music Connection Magazine
Of all the up and coming songwriter-performers whose work has struck my ear, Jesse Hiatt stands out. In an earthy variety of styles and genres reminiscent of the youthful Randy Newman, Hiatt’s wayward lyrics fixate on love. But at his poet’s touch, ballads, blues and boogie-down dance songs address, celebrate and question love as a quivering, ever-moving target.
“Choose Your Road,” the seductive title track, invites replay upon replay. “I’m losing altitude,” the opening verse confides. “My compass rose is spinning. / I’m losing all control /Just trying to aim into your wind ... You can choose your road /But not the way it goes. / Even your hindsight is often blind.”
In the powerful minor blues Hiatt calls “Prison” -- executed at handclapping, chain gang tempo – listeners are made to understand that, at the rate we’re imprisoning one another, “Soon we’ll all be doing time.”
While “Mississippi Dreamcatcher,” “Midwestern Girl,” “Indian Summer,” “Out of My League,” “Love, “When We’re Together” further explore the body and soul of love from Biloxi to the Hoosier plains, "Some of Us” reminds us to give thanks. “Some of us are hungry, / Some of us are lonely, Some of us are homeless, / And some of us are joyous.” The joyfulness that crackles through all of Jesse Hiatt’s music breaks into thunderous sky-relief in “Memories of New Orleans,” a tribute to fabled and troubled Crescent City and some of her mighty music icons: Professor Longhair, The Meters, the Wild Tchoupitoulas, and Dr. John.
Lovingly arranged and orchestrated in a striking array of horns, rhythm and voices,, Jesse Hiatt’s CHOOSE YOUR ROAD -- a winning debut album, that deserves wide attention and airplay -- has opened up my heart and ear.
-- Al Young,
California Poet Laureate, 2005-2008
- Al Young
Discography
Listen to The Debut Album
"Choose Your Road" at
www.jessehiattband.com
Photos
Bio
The Jesse Hiatt Band is about the common musical thread that runs through New Orleans, West Africa, Motown and Oakland. The grooves and rhythms of American popular music have their roots in Africa, and for years Jesse has been working on a singular vision for a new style that blends west African finger-picking guitars, funky horns, soulful backup singers, the magical sounds of a real Hammond B3, shake-your-booty drums and deep powerful bass-lines all with a distinctive and unique California flavor.
The Jesse Hiatt Band started as a veritable super-group of talented Northern California musicians who've earned their names playing alongside celebrated artists such as Boz Scaggs, Bruce Springsteen and Josh Groban (Rich Armstrong), Lacy J. Dalton and Great American Taxi (Jim Lewin), Claudia Villella and Smith Dobson (Dan Robbins), Raphael Sadiq, Sista Monica ,The Neptunes and Eric Clapton (Tammi Brown) and Maria Muldaur (David Tucker). Jerry Martini and Cynthia Robinson the original horn section from Sly & The Family Stone are special guests on the debut record.
In March 2010 Jesse Moved to New Orleans, and quickly established himself as a local performer and songwriter. He is currently performing in New Orleans with some of the most burnin' cats in town, at clubs like the Maple Leaf and D.B.A.
The Jesse Hiatt Band has been filling shows with culturally diverse audiences from all generations. There just seems to be something in this rich groovy gumbo to please everyone, and the international upbeat positive sound is truly uplifting and gets people out of their seats. This is feel-good music for hard times! We hope you will enjoy our sounds.
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