BRAD TRENT
Big Mamou (from left, Steve Skinner, Fred Parcells, Billy Loos, Julianne Fenhagen, John Sherman, Jim Fenhagen and Michael Levine).
Jim Fenhagen of the high-energy band Big Mamou says its upcoming Mardi Gras shows — taking place March 4 at 11th Street Bar in New York, and March 8 at Tierney’s Tavern in Montclair — will feature “a very eclectic mix of Mardi Gras Carnival music, New Orleans funk, classic country, zydeco, blues with a New Orleans jazz feel and a few swampy originals.” (Mardi Gras falls on March 4 this year.)
The band last played a Mardi Gras show at Tierney’s five years ago. “We have pretty vivid memories of playing that gig in 2020, not realizing that we and the rest of the country and world would be shut down with the pandemic the following week,” says Fenhagen, who plays upright bass and harmonica for the band.
KEN SPIELMAN
John Sherman, right, and Jim Fenhagen of Big Mamou at The Crawfish Fest at Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta.
“We dodged a bullet for sure, as no one in the band or folks that we know who attended came down with the virus. Richard Thompson sat in with us on guitar as we played his tune ‘Wall of Death,’ which is a regular part of our repertoire.” You can watch a video of that performance, below.
In regard to this year’s shows, Fenhagen says that “with Fred Parcells on trombone — and the addition of Steve Skinner on piano — we are veering into a more New Orleans sound, which has been fun especially for Mardi Gras.”
Other band members include the formidable vocalist Julianne Fenhagen (Jim’s wife), soulful accordion player John Sherman, feisty drummer Billy Loos (Karyn Kuhl & the Gang) and sizzling guitarist and pedal steel guitarist Michael Levine, who has just released a new album titled For Guitarists (And Other People Too), featuring nine instrumentals with rock, Americana and bluegrass influences.
Recent additions to Big Mamou’s repertoire include The Neville Brothers’ “Yellow Moon” and Li’l Queenie & the Percolators’ “My Dawlin’ New Orleans.”
“We also are keeping in the repertoire two songs we performed at the recent ‘Last Waltz by The Band” tribute (concert) at the Montclair Art Museum produced by our friend Rostafa: ‘Rag Mama Rag’ and ‘Down South in New Orleans,’ ” Fenhagen said.
“To keep things on the raunchy side, we uncovered a tune by a cool cat named Pokey LaFarge, who grew up in John Sherman’s hometown of Normal, Illinois. Neither of them is normal. Don’t want to give away the title … just come and find out.”
Big Mamou, which formed in 2003, represents a rich musical community that regularly brings residents together for fundraisers, fun and a reprieve from the disturbing news cycle. Co-founding members Julianne and Jim Fenhagen and John Sherman met at a Montclair Co-op school picnic.
“John was playing solo accordion and, being musicians, we gravitated to the bench where he was sitting,” Jim said. “Julianne and I had just moved to town and our son and John’s son were going to be classmates at the co-op. The idea of Big Mamou was pretty much formed that day.
KEN SPIELMAN
Julianne and Jim Fenhagen of Big Mamou at The Crawfish Fest at Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta.
“Julianne and I had been playing alt-country music in a New York City-based band and John was into Cajun and zydeco, which Julianne and I were totally into. We recruited a drummer and guitarists for the early gigs, but added current member Billy Loos from Weehawken the following year, followed by Mike Levine a bit later. When Fred Parcells, another Montclair resident, became available after his band, Black 47 stopped touring, we grabbed Fred …Steve Skinner is an accomplished producer and session keyboardist. He has worked with Southside Johnny, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle and Bette Midler and adds a lot to the band.”
Big Mamou’s sound is very compelling and dancing is almost guaranteed at their shows.
“We have a very eclectic taste in music and have always been inspired by and gravitated to the musical mix of genres that you find in New Orleans and the surrounding areas,” Fenhagen said. “It’s energizing and infectious.”
In addition to their shows March 4 at 8:30 p.m. at 11th Street Bar in New York, and March 8 at 8 p.m. at Tierney’s Tavern in Montclair, the band will perform every other month at 11th Street Bar, with shows scheduled for May 8, July 10, Sept. 10 and Nov. 13. For information, visit bigmamouband.com.
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