New Orleans, La.
Veteran Newcomers
www.neworleanssuspects.com

“I can’t believe I landed in a band with musicians of this caliber. Man – they kick my ass all over the stage!” After more than 33 years with New Orleans’ beloved Radiators, you might wonder what it takes to get bassist Reggie Scanlan this excited. The answer is The New Orleans Suspects: Scanlan, guitarist/vocalist Jake Eckert (Dirty Dozen Brass Band), keyboardist/ vocalist CR Gruver (Outformation), sax player Jeff Watkins (who served as James Brown’s musical director) and drummer Willie Green (The Neville Brothers). A happenstance jam session a couple of years ago produced a funkified vibe that was too good to ignore – and when The Radiators called it quits in June 2011, the door opened for the Suspects to get serious about things. Even a battle with pancreatic cancer in 2012 couldn’t stop Scanlan. Two days after a month-long stay in the hospital, he was onstage with the Suspects at Jazz Fest. Their latest album is Caught Live at the Maple Leaf and a record of all-new material is due this spring. And, if you’re wondering how Scanlan’s feeling these days, he’ll tell you: “I don’t have time to get sick, man – we’re too busy playing!”

“I can’t believe I landed in a band with musicians of this caliber. Man – they kick my ass all over the stage!” After 33 years with New Orleans’ beloved Radiators, bassist Reggie Scanlan…