River Eckert Band
Live at the 2025 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
***and1/2 out of *****
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The newest piano prodigy making his name, in the city where piano still rules the day, is the incredibly young River Eckert. The piano player/singer-songwriter delivered a set of classic covers and originals with a dynamite backing band at this years New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and released a live album directly titled from the Fairgrounds.
River is joined by Eddie Christmas (drums), Tucker Godbold (bass), James Beaumont (sax), and Jake Eckert (guitar) as the crew seem well rehearsed and flowing throughout this seven song live set. River's clear influences are on his 16 year old shoulders and the opening "Let's Make A Better World" is a fantastic cover of Dr. John's rolling tune. River's vocals sound decades older and more confident than he is, while the sax and piano make the opener a standout tune.
The slippery funk of The Neville Brothers "Congo Square" punches out more sax from Beaumont while Jake's guitar peels off a nice solo. The James Booker tune "Too Much Blues" is slowed down with more dynamite sax work, some great crowd participation and River playing a solo that his piano heroes would be proud of.
The band deliver a trio of original tunes mid set with the best kicking off the run as the Mardi Gras Indian vibe comes alive behind Christmas's drums during "Hey Hey Hey (Fi Na Nay)". "Pass That Torch" mellows out the mood a bit with electro keys to start and another round of solos but never really takes off while "Painting Pictures" is easy strolling with pleasant vocals from River, again in Dr. John fashion.
The live album wraps up with a spin through the New Orleans classic "Tipitina" and while the band was certainly on the same level as River throughout the set, this show closer shines a direct spotlight onto his vast talent. After a long piano intro and some amazing singing, River delivers a stunning version that Professor Longhair himself would be smiling at.
This capturing of River Eckert Band's Live at the 2025 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is a great showing from a dynamite young artist with a rocking band as a new generation continues in the New Orleans piano musical tradition.
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