I started writing “The University of Bourbon Street” on my couch Dec 19, 2022, after Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers sent me one of his “are you ready for some homework?” Messages.
I got to work, keeping Allen Toussaint in the front of my mind, as well as Jimmy’s own story.
He loved it. He worked on the lyrics. We went back and forth until we had the music just the way we wanted it.
…We got together to record the tracks in late January, 2022 in Nashville.
One of the most profound experiences of this time period was rewriting the lyrics from beginning to end right there in the studio with Jimmy. No pressure!
But we did it. Despite his illness, he was 100% on and energetics, lighting up the room with that smile. Making everyone feel comfortable and laugh.
With the addition of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the song was complete.
I cannot describe how honored and happy I am to have had the opportunity to write this song with Jimmy, record it with a Coral and Reefer band, and then have the icing on top be the one, and only preservation Hall Jazz band.
So I’ll just leave it at that.
Also released today, Jimmy and the coral reefers’ version of Dylan’s “Mozambique”, which features the one and only Emmylou Harris!
That was fun to record as well… The jam at the end happened in real time live. Emmylou came in and did her magic. Jimmy was so happy.
Hope y’all get a listen. Go buy that LP & CD on the Nov 3 release date, from your local record shop! Like Grimey's New & Preloved Music!
https://americansongwriter.com/posthumous-jimmy-buffett-si…/
Thanks American Songwriter!
And thanks to WWOZ 90.7 FM New Orleans for play “U of Bourbon St”! At about 95 minutes in to the show, master DJ talks to maestro Ben Jaffe of Preservation Hall Jazz Band about JB, the song, the recording session, and then they play the song:
