Here is Part 2 of a very coherent interview with one of the hardest working horn players currently in New Orleans (or mostly out of it right now since he has been with the meteorically rising, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue.)
Dan Oestreicher first hit the radar for this writer when he presented himself at a Naked Orchestra show at the Mermaid lounge and made clear that he should be playing with the group. He did that for the rest of that evening and for a long time afterward.
He played with many of the most forward thinking New Orleans musicians and frequently he is there right when they are looking the most forward. This includes the The Other Planets, The Magnetic Ear, 3 now 4, James Singleton, Irvin Mayfield's New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Roger Lewis's Baritone quintet (where Dan is playing Bass sax instead of his more heard, Bari sax,) The Naked Orchestra, The Jonathan Freilich group, his own group- The Diesel Combustion Orchestra, and more. He is seen playing some tuba and really tends to go very deep when he is exploring anything, but especially music. He also knows a good deal about saxophone lore and trade as well as the other end of the spectrum, analog synthesis.
He is in Trombone Shorty's band, touring constantly, and because of this he is in a unique position to discuss the meaning of New Orleans music (if there is really such a thing at all) and improvisation as it stands in the world outside of New Orleans. His perspectives are well informed and if nothing at all show a blazing mind for inquiry and a fearless and healthy statement of opinion. He could go anywhere from here. If you were into horse racing you might see him listed in the racing form as one to watch.
The interviews are still available as a podcast on itunes or from the interviews page here...
