Interview with Aurora Nealand pt.1
Aurora Nealand is all over the current New Orleans local scene. She seemed to emerge out of nowhere. Some of her appeal is that she has a humble nature, coupled with a fiery attack when she plays, and a real fearlessness about sitting in and getting involved. She plays solo performances with a gas mask and an accordion. You'll see her playing soprano sax and clarinet exchanges with herself at Pres. Hall with The Royal Roses (see earlier post on front page.) You'll see her playing duos with pianist/composer Tom Mcdermott. These are just a few of the interesting things she gets up to. I have seen her under deeper cover than that, and been amazed at how easily she blends in or stands out. She reveals a lot here about where she is coming from and where she wants to go. She also talks a lot about the various communities and social scenes that currently surround some parts of the local scene.
Part 1- Rory Danger& The Danger Dangers, what Aurora understands about the phase she's in, escape from the feeling of need for approval, engagement in the traditional jazz scene, exposure to Wendell Brunious and Leroy Jones, Preservation Hall, search for ways to use study of traditional or older musics for personal expression, beginnings in music, studying electronic composition at Oberlin, early biography, The Jazz Vipers