Jay Mazza: New Orleans Author

Up Front and Center- New Orleans Music at the End of the 20th Century

“Up Front and Center- New Orleans Music at the End of the 20th Century” is the first in-depth account of this very important era in the history of New Orleans music. It is filled with vivid descriptions of many of the most significant musical performances in the last two decades of the 20th century. Jay Mazza is an outstanding writer who was a constant presence in the clubs, concert halls, and festivals of the period.

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Not Just Another Thursday Night: Kermit Ruffins And Vaughan’s Lounge

Author Jay Mazza attended over 350 of those performances. Using notes, recollections, archival news reports and extensive interviews with many of the musicians, he has crafted a detailed history of a special time and a unique venue, which holds an exalted place in the memories of those who were there. The book features photographs by Herman Leonard, David Rae Morris, Cheryl Gerber and others.

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I Got the Fish in the Head – A Radiators Retrospective

Intended for fans of New Orleans music and culture, the book is as much a cultural retrospective on the city and its rock scene as it is a musical tribute. Filled with distinctive characters that passed through the bars, pubs and clubs where the Radiators played, the book is a who’s-who of the New Orleans scene as told by someone who was there in person at almost every important juncture of the last 30 years. The foreword is by Reggie Scanlan- bassist for the Radiators

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Meet Jay

“You can always trust Jay Mazza’s musical judgment. He’s always on the scene to find out the real deal.” Kirk Joseph, founding member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Backyard Groove

“He’s been on the scene for as long as I can remember.” Corey Henry, Corey Henry’s Tremé Funktet

“Jay Mazza is the ultimate authority on the New Orleans music scene. If he doesn’t know it, it’s not worth knowing.” Reggie Scanlan, bassist for the Radiators and formerly for Professor Longhair

Jay on track at Jazz Fest

Being interviewed at Jazz Fest

Jay holding the Scribe Award from the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame

Golden Eagles Skeleton

Jay with folk artist, Ashton Ramsey

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"Up Front And Center- New Orleans Music At The End Of The 20th Century"

“With this intimate history of clubs, musicians and festivals, Jay Mazza places you on the bar stool, the street corner and the dance floor-the best vantage points for understanding the changes on the music scene of the 1980s and 1990s. An invaluable key to understanding life in New Orleans at the end of the 20th century.”

-Brian Boyles

Former Director of Public Relations and Programs, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities

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I Got The Fish In The Head - A Radiator's Retrospective

Jay Mazza, NOLA musicologist extraordinaire has penned a whopper of a tale in his “I Got the Fish in the Head”.

Buckley Weinholt

Long time Fish Head

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"Not Just Another Thursday Night"

In our current age when old New Orleans and all it meant fades into the shades of the past, Mazza’s book encapsulates what has and hopefully will continue to make New Orleans a place all its own. His details on the musicians and characters that played, carried on, and acted all unnecessary at this gig make their personalities jump off the page. It will make any reader want to take a cab and a time machine back to this establishment immediately. Read More

-David Kunian

Offbeat Magazine

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"Not Just Another Thursday Night"

That diverse, funky and freewheeling scene surged between the last quarter of the 20th century and Hurricane Katrina, and it’s Mazza’s favored milieu. “Not Just Another Thursday Night” is another passionate chronicle he’s written from the front row, bringing that world, which may be on its way out, to life. It’s particularly well-timed, as shortly before the book’s publication, Ruffins announced the end of his weekly gigs at Vaughan’s. Read More.

-Alison Fensterstock

NOLA.com

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"Not Just Another Thursday Night"

Author Jay Mazza has the title right – there was nothing ordinary about the weekly, Thursday-nights gigs at Vaughan’s Lounge with the always-affable trumpeter/vocalist Kermit Ruffins. For 20 years, it was a scene the likes of which will doubtfully ever take place again.

To paraphrase the always- quotable Dr. John, it was the right place, at the right time involving the right people with the right free-wheelin’ attitude. Read More.

Geraldine Wyckoff

Louisana Weekly