Great news for locals and Jazz Fest-ers alike ... Vaughan's Lounge, the home to hot jazz and hipsters of all classes IS featuring live music every Thursday night same as they ever were. Yes, they've had to wade through oceans of red tape as far as live music permits are concerned but their determination to keep the good times rollin' has paid off in spades.

Each and every Thursday night (a five spot will get you through the door) you'll find Kermit Ruffins and his Barbecue Swingers holding forth and you never know who'll stop in and jam with the band. I've seen everyone from jazz drummer Shannon Powell (heir to the James Black throne) to piano virtuoso/Atlantic Jazz recording artist Henry Butler (and listen to that brother sing!!), hot local trumpeter LeRoy Jones, bassist Chuck Badie (a true godfather in New Orleans traditional and modern jazz who can also scat like crazy) and a slew of up-and-comers and wanna-bes sit in with the generous Swingers. And if Kermit's not cookin' hot sausage, chicken and sweet potatoes out the back of his truck, rest assured Vaughan's is gonna give you a belly full of some kind of beans and rice with sausage or ham hocks -- all absolutely FREE! They don't want ya drinkin' (at local prices) on an empty stomach. Now here's a bar that CARES about their customers! Less accommodating bar owners would be wise to take note. Vaughan's is located in the historic Bywater District on Dauphine Street at Lesseps. Hope to swing out with you there ...

If hot jazz is fine but you're more in the mood for some real down and dirty New Orleans Thursday night flava, I suggest you find your way to Kemp's. Located Uptown at Washington and LaSalle (across from the Magnolia Housing Project), Kemp's is home and throne to the ReBirth Brass Band (yeah, where Kermit came from), and everyone who's seen them there agrees that you haven't SEEN the ReBirth until you've seen 'em at Kemp's. A cheap $3 cover gives you a glimpse of a side of New Orleans night life known to few and the ReBirth blow their hearts and souls out to their people (Dirty Dozen trumpeter Efrem Towns sat in with the band recently and said that was the hardest he'd ever worked!). My born-and-bred vanilla cousin remarked after a night at Kemp's "What got me was the ritual dancing!" (Uh, that's called second-lining, cuz.) Indeed, be prepared to be mounted by the loa your own self and "Do Whatcha Wanna!"

Speaking of the ReBirth, they have a new CD forthcoming, just in time for Jazz Fest. "We Come to Party" offers nine sinfully delicious tracks that'll give ya that itch to twitch. Their version of the Marvin Gaye classic "Let's Get It On" will have you thinking about your lover in a whole different way and Michael Jackson's "Liberian Girl" will have you just plain thinking about your lover (You should SEE the crowd dancing to that one -- Lord have mercy, cut the lights and call the law!). Fans can expect to hear this group's most smokin', punchy, ambitious, original and innately FUNKY material to date ... "BEWARE!" warns trombonist/rapper Tyrus Chapman at the beginning of "Liberian" -- "damn this shit sounds good!"

Musicians and club owners lead complicated lives subject to abrupt changes -- please contact venues to confirm current performers.