A (musical) note on the gumbo...

 

“What we play is life.” 

-Louis Armstrong

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How did a nice Jewish girl from Connecticut end up steeped in the sounds of New Orleans? Simple: I visited... and fell madly in love. The music, the spirit, the ghosts, and the joy all pulled me deeper down the rabbit hole.

Euphonic Gumbo is my love letter to the Crescent City. We stirred in a little of everything: the syncopated strut of early jazz, the spice of a Cajun fiddle, the echo of folk ballads, Jelly Roll Morton’s “Spanish tinge,” and, of course, nods to the great piano “professors” famous for making the ivories dance. It’s music that honors both life and death, mischief and memory, Disney dreams and Longfellow laments.

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This album is a celebration, a second line, a reverent revelry. A party, plain and simple. 

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Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Julie

 

TRACK LISTING

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Song list: 

1. Down in New Orleans Medley (Bourbon Street Parade/Go to the Mardi Gras/Basin Street Blues) | 5:17

2. Ticklin’ Time (Let the Good Times Roll/Tipitina)  | 3:52

3. The Lakes of Pontchartrain  | 4:09

4. Funky Fête (Iko Iko/Tootie Ma Is a Big Fine Thing, featuring John Manzari)  | 3:07

5. Ma Belle Evangeline  | 3:19

6. Pretty Baby  | 2:45

7. Don’t You Come Home, Bill Bailey!  | 2:43

8. St. James Infirmary (featuring John Manzari)  | 5:38

9. J’ai Passé Devant Ta Porte  | 3:07

10. Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans? (Live at Birdland)  | 4:40

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ARTISTS 

Julie Benko Vocals

Jason Yeager Piano, Hammond Organ (1, 2), Celeste (6), Arrangements

John Manzari Vocals (8), Tap Dance (4, 8)

Andy Warren Trumpet, Flugelhorn (3)

Linus Wyrsch Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone (2, 4)

Evan Arntzen Tenor Saxophone (10) 

Ron Wilkins Trombone

Michael O’Brien Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass (2, 4)

Jay Sawyer Drums

Sasha Papernik Accordion (5, 9)

Gabe Terraciano Violin (9) 

Justin Poindexter Guitar (9), Banjo (9)

Jim Caruso Announcer (1, 10)

 

Photography by Kevin Alvey

Produced and Arranged by Julie Benko & Jason Yeager

Executive Producers: Mike and Julie Frakes

Tracks 1-9 recorded on June 12th, 2025 at Samurai Hotel Recording Studio, Astoria, NY 

Recording Engineer: David Stoller

Assistant Engineer: Grady Bajorek

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