New Orleans Suspects

Biography

The New Orleans Suspects formed in 2009 as a pick-up band called The Unusual Suspects at the Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans, bringing together some of the city's most seasoned and respected musicians. Initially a local favorite, they transitioned to full-time touring by summer 2011, dropping 'New Orleans' from their name and quickly drawing large crowds across the U.S., from San Francisco to New York. Their sound fuses New Orleans funk, brass band traditions, boogie-woogie piano, rock, jazz, blues, and R&B, often compared to Little Feat meets swamp rock, with high-energy performances designed to fill dance floors.[1][2][3][5][6]

The band's core revolves around principal songwriters and vocalists Jake Eckert (guitar) and CR Gruver (keys), supported by a rotating rhythm section including drummers like Eddie Christmas, Willie Green, and Edward Christmas, bassists Eric Vogel, Charlie Wooton, and founding member Reggie Scanlan (who left due to illness), and saxophonists like Brad Walker and Jeff Watkins. They have released at least five full-length albums since 2011, including their self-titled debut, live album 'Caught Live at the Maple Leaf' (2012), 'Ouroboros' (2014), and 'Kaleidoscoped' (around 2016), with a sixth planned for 2023, earning praise from outlets like Village Voice, The New Yorker, and San Diego Union Tribune for their deep-rooted New Orleans groove.[1][2][3][4]

Recognized as standard bearers of New Orleans music by Jazzfest founder Quint Davis, the Suspects have become festival staples and have contributed to the community by organizing benefits for the New Orleans Musicians Clinic, inspired by Scanlan's health challenges. Their music features compelling originals alongside tasteful covers, showcasing the versatility of members with pedigrees from Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Meters, James Brown, and more, ensuring a legacy as a premier export of NOLA's funky heritage.[2][3][4]

Fun Facts

• Originally named The Unusual Suspects, they renamed to New Orleans Suspects in 2011 when committing to full-time touring, defying skeptics who predicted the supergroup would dissolve due to egos.
• Founding bassist Reggie Scanlan's illness prompted the band to organize benefits for the New Orleans Musicians Clinic, providing medical care to over 2,500 local musicians.
• Guitarist Jake Eckert is a Grammy-winning engineer and has performed with Dave Matthews, Warren Haynes, and Larry Carlton.
• Keyboardist CR Gruver is considered one of the best living practitioners of New Orleans boogie-woogie piano, blending Caribbean rhythms and second-line beats.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• James Booker - Stylistic influence on CR Gruver's piano style (Boogie-woogie and New Orleans piano machinations) [Pre-2009]
• Professor Longhair - Early collaborator and influence on Reggie Scanlan (Live performances and stints) [1970s-1980s]
• Dr. John - Piano style inspiration for CR Gruver (New Orleans boogie-woogie aggregate) [Pre-2009]
• Allen Toussaint - Piano and B-3 stylings influence on CR Gruver (Swelling organ styles) [Pre-2009]

Key Collaborators

• Jake Eckert - Core member, guitarist, principal songwriter and vocalist (All albums including Ouroboros, Kaleidoscoped) [2009-present]
• CR Gruver - Core member, keys, principal songwriter and vocalist (All albums, originals like 36 Cars) [2009-present]
• Reggie Scanlan - Founding bassist, original New Orleans Radiators (Early albums and tours) [2009-~2016]
• Jeff Watkins - Saxophone, former James Brown and Joss Stone band (Multiple albums and tours) [2010s]
• Willie Green - Drums, Neville Brothers (Early tours and albums) [2009-2010s]
• Dr. John - Guest performer and recording artist (Recordings and performances) [2010s]
• Little Feat - Recorded and performed with (Various projects) [2010s]

External Links

• Spotify