New Orleans Comes to Damariscotta with Tuba Skinny

The New Orleans band Tuba Skinny, set to appear at Schooner Landing on Sat., Aug. 30.

New Orleans Comes to Damariscotta with Tuba Skinny on Aug. 30

A band best known for playing their music on the streets of New Orleans is bringing their unique “Big Easy” sound to the Schooner Landing Pub on Sat., Aug. 30.

Formed in 2009, Tuba Skinny has steadily evolved from a loose collection of street musicians into a solid ensemble dedicated to bringing the traditional New Orleans sound to audiences around the world. Drawing on a wide range of musical influences -- from spirituals to Depression-era blues, from ragtime to traditional jazz -- their sound evokes the rich musical heritage of their New Orleans home. The band has gained a loyal following through their distinctive sound, their commitment to reviving long-lost songs, and their barnstorming live performances.

The band has performed on streets and stages around the world, notably in New York, and has also toured internationally, including Mexico, Sweden, Australia, Switzerland, France, Italy and Spain.

Tuba Skinny plays New Orleans jazz in the style of the early 1900s. The band has built up a wide repertoire, mixing classics with more modern tunes, including original compositions.

According to a blogger known only as “Ivan” at playing-traditional-jazz.blogspot.com, “The most exciting musical experience of the last four years has been discovering the band called Tuba Skinny. After evolving over five years, I think they have recently reached their most effective line-up.”

According to Ivan, “The songs are played against a rock-steady ‘walking’ rhythm, with tuba, washboard, guitar or banjo laying down the foundation while the cornet and trombone play the melody and frolic around it. Tuba Skinny is a model collective enterprise, without a star or prima donna. But I must admit a special admiration of Shaye Cohn, the young lady who plays the cornet and seems generally to direct the musical traffic.”

Tuba Skinny has released four albums: Owl Call Blues, Six Feet Down, Garbage Man, Rag Band and Pyramid Strut.

The members of Tuba Skinny are: Erika Lewis, vocals; Todd Burdick, tuba; Jason Lawrence, guitar; Gregory Sherman, guitar; Shaye Cohn, cornet; Barnabus Jones, trombone; Robin Rapuzzi, washboard; and John Doyle, clarinet.

The Tuba Skinny Schooner Landing appearance on Sat., Aug. 30 opens at 8 p.m.

Schooner Landing Restaurant and Marina is located on the bank of the Damariscotta River next to the Newcastle/Damariscotta Bridge in Damariscotta. They have a full menu from sandwiches to full dinners and are known for their fresh local seafood. For further information, contact Schooner Landing Restaurant and Marina at 207-563-7447 or check them online at www.schoonerlandingmaine.com.