and players, many of whom had large
followings on their own. The versatile
pianist could be found at places such
as Lucky Pierre’s with such well-known
band leaders as Jacques Gauthier and
others. It was here, playing the midnight
to 5 a.m. gig, that McDermott was
able to develop a stronger feel for New
Orleans music and expand his traditional
jazz repertoire.
“I’ve essentially had three careers
as a musician in New Orleans,” says
McDermott. “I started off as a pianist for
hire, subbing around town, followed by a
steady gig with the Dukes of Dixieland.
And now I have regular duet and solo
piano gigs at several main clubs.”
In 1990, McDermott joined the Dukes
of Dixieland, which provided him with
a steady gig and a steady income that
enabled him to buy a home in New
Orleans. It also allowed him to travel
and play in clubs and cities all over the
world. He stayed with the band for eight
years, before leaving to pursue solo work.
“Not many people can say one of their
first gigs with a band was at Carnegie
Hall. I can,” he proudly notes.
Since then, the sexagenarian has
recurring shows at clubs like Chickie
Wah Wah where he peforms duets
with some of the leading musicians
in town, including vocalist Meschiya
Lake, saxophonist Aurora Nealand and
clarinetist Evan Christopher.
The Backroom at Buffa’s is another
spot where McDermott plays weekly
duets, but he often opens these shows
with solo piano accompaniment to silent
movies such as the Buster Keaton film
“COPS!” It’s an unusual way to kick off
a show but one that is memorable and
it gives McDermott the chance to play
tunes he might not otherwise get to
showcase.
“Duets are better for me,” he says. “I
get more name recognition. Plus, I can
earn twice what a quartet makes,” he
adds.
McDermott’s duets double as a sort of
mentorship for younger players in town;
musicians who some older traditional
players might have overlooked. Always
out listening to music, he has purposely
sought out new, younger players and
bands and he says he enjoys the music
they play.
“There’s a sort of trad revival going on
and it’s very exciting,” he says.
In addition to his regular gigs around
New Orleans, McDermott makes an
annual drive across America in the
summer months to get out of the New
Orleans heat and visit and play with old
friends. He has grown his online and
musical communities and plays many
house and private parties all over the
country to supplement his income. It
also allows him to experience different
places, people and things.
Travel is something McDermott
loves to do as he finds inspiration in the
music and cultures
of other places. For
many years, he has
been visiting Brazil,
where his interest in
its music has grown
exponentially. He has
recorded several CDs
featuring choros.
“Choro is a
Brazilian music form
with many similarities
to ragtime and trad
jazz,” he explains. For
McDermott, rhythm
is an integral part of
his playing and he is
drawn to many types
of music that have interesting rhythms.
It’s one of the reasons he is so drawn
to other music legends such as James
Booker, Professor Longhair, Dr. John,
Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino and
Louis Armstrong.
One of his newer projects is a
contribution to a documentary film on
the history of New Orleans music, where
he talks about New Orleans musician,
composer and native Louis Moreau
Gottschalk, whose music has roots in
Afro-Cuban rhythms.
His newest CD, Podge Hodge, is a
collection of earlier recordings and
favorite songs on one compilation.
McDermott has written and recorded 15
albums as a leader, and has been a part
of many other recordings of friends and
fellow musicians. In total, his recordings
include 75 original tunes.
He has also written music for television
and film and appeared in several episodes
of the David Simon production of Treme
when it ran on HBO. Much of his
music could be heard on the show and
McDermott has become a friend to the
famed producer as well.
Regardless of where his travels take
him, McDermott is always happy to
return home to New Orleans where he
plans to continue making new music and
reinterpreting more of his favorite songs.
PHOTOGRAPHER: ROB WELCH
MAY / J U N E 2 0 1 8 breakthrumediamagazine.com | BREAKTHRU MEDIA | 27
/breakthrumediamagazine.com