PETER NOVELLI BAND
"...a potent combination of New Orleans street rhythms, swampy backbeats, jazzy infusions, and a most sincere and innovative approach to the blues... one of the best storytellers in the blues today." —Blues Revue
Shows
News
Feb. 6 - New CDs, French Quarter Festival and return to Europe
Peter has been busy in Santo Domingo, capital of Dominican Republic (pop. 6 million) finishing recording sessions for 11 original instrumental songs. Drummer Guy Frómeta (Mike Stern, Juan Luis Guerra etc) is coproducing the CD. The new songs combine New Orleans grooves with Caribbean percussion.Peter also has been working on a new Blues-based CD. He has a dozen new songs that have a strong blues foundation with Novelli's trademark Louisiana/New Orleans blues, funk and R&B sound.
In April, Peter returns to the French Quarter Festival for the 4th year, on the Songwriter Stage where he'll be in the company of some of New Orleans' finest.
Aaron Neville headlines the festival.
Booking is underway for a return to Europe in July.
Accolades for Novelli's 2nd CD, Louisiana Roots & Blues
...like Sonny Landreth, (Novelli is) an all-round musician that easily fits into the rich musical traditions of Louisiana and is always open to other influences...Peter Novelli is a master of all styles and manages to deliver relaxed and laidback blues combined with the energy of the big city. Like other musicians who landed in New Orleans, he inhaled the magic voodoo atmosphere and it touched him and filtered through his music.
—ROOTSTIME (Europe), January 2013 (PDF)…a rich blend of south Louisiana blues-rock, touches of zydeco, and plenty of Crescent City grooves and sensibility…Fans of Tab Benoit and Sonny Landreth, as well as those interested in the current New Orleans music scene, would do well to check out Peter Novelli’s Louisiana Roots & Blues.
—Melanie Young, Living Blues Magazine, August-September 2012 (PDF)...a potent combination of New Orleans street rhythms, swampy backbeats, jazzy infusions, and a most sincere and innovative approach to the blues... Novelli’s second CD demonstrates his clear ability to write and perform songs with the most soulful artists anywhere. His blues are sophisticated and creative in a way that so few blues CDs are today. He deserves attention as one of the best storytellers in the blues today.
—Michael Kinsman, Blues Revue #136 Sep-Oct 2012 (PDF)Novelli’s guitar work recalls Louisiana’s native son Sonny Landreth. ...If you are unable to make it to this year’s Mardi Gras or Jazz-Fest, pay it no mind. This music will transport you there with the intoxicating effect of losing yourself in the French Quarter.
—Gary Weeks, Blues Blast Magazine Nov 2011 (PDF)He can appropriate the sharp wit of Randy Newman one moment, the tough blues shout of Tab Benoit the next, and the wistful romanticism of Allen Toussaint the moment after that...
—Nick DeRiso, Something Else! Reviews, August 19, 2012
Peter Novelli is a class act, and a first rate guitarist and singer... Louisiana Roots & Blues is packed from front to back with cleverly written, well performed and slickly-produced songs.
—Rex Bartholomew, Blues Blast Magazine Nov 2012 (PDF)