Whatever musical project Hal Smith dreams up will be melodic and swinging, and his ON THE LEVEE JAZZ BAND is a fine example. I’ve posted videos from many sets this band has played — at various festivals — and here are a few more, performed on May 12, 2019, at the very gratifying Redwood Coast Music Festival. The first part of that set is here and — as if by magic! — the second is here. (In the amateurish candid photo below, something good is happening in the rhythm section — the usual procedure!)
Three more splendid interludes from the band — Hal, drums; Joshua Gouzy, string bass; Alex Belhaj, guitar; Kris Tokarski, piano; Joe Goldberg, clarinet; Charlie Halloran, trombone; Ben Polcer, trumpet.
GRACE AND BEAUTY, by Kris Tokarski, Joshua Gouzy, Hal Smith:
SOMEDAY SWEETHEART:
PANAMA:
There will be more videos to come from this band at the Redwood Coast Music Festival, and I dream of a 2021 reunion there . . . .
May your happiness increase!
JAZZ LIVES 
Fantastic – That is indeed a great rhythm section moment. Alex Belhaj is the greatest!
dear sir: you have a typo in the word lagniappe.
Fixed and thank you!
Loving how understated and driving and subtle Hal Smith’s drumming is and how unified the band is – bravi, gentlemen!