The nonprofit Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau were formed when a group of friends banded together to bring the real obscure and true heroes of rock and roll back to the stage to play again.
During the past seven years, the Mau Mau have presented over 50 shows in New Orleans, Memphis and Austin featuring hundreds of legendary performers. Events have included the annual Ponderosa Stomp, which is attended by more than 1,000 partygoers each year to the monthly After Hours Music Series at the Odgen Museum where southern musical legends are interviewed and perform.
The Mystick Knights of the Mau Mau are promoters of the old time "it's so funky I can smell a rat" blues, "it's so funky it will decapitate your head" grooves, rockabilly "so raw it will scorch the earth," and real swamp blues "where the gators go chompin' on polk salad."
Influences
Sounds Like
Here's a partial (!) list of who has played for the Knights of the Mau Mau before:
Ace Cannon, Al Carnival Time Johnson, Alvis Wayne, Arch Hall, JR., Archie Bell, Augie Meyers, Barbara Lynn, Barrence Whitfield, BB Cunningham, Betty Harris, Big George Brock, Billy Boy Arnold, Billy Lee Riley, Billy Swan, Blowfly, Bo Dudley, Bob Moore, Bobby Charles, Bobby Page, Bobby Patterson, Bobby Rush, Boots Randolph, Brenton Wood, C.C. Adcock, Calvin Newborn, Carl Mann, Carol Fran, Carter Brothers, Charles Skip Pitts, Charlie Miller, Chick Willis, Chuck Badie, Clarence Frogman Henry, Clarence SamuelsClassie Ballou, Clifton James, D.J. Fontana, Dale Hawkins, Dan Penn, Dave Bartholomew, Deacon John, Deke Dickerson & the Eccofonics, Dennis Binder, Dennis Coffey, Dr Specs Optical Illusion, Earl Palmer, Earl StanleyEddie Bo, Eddie Bond, Eddie Kirkland, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, Ernest McLean, Ernie Vincent, Fillmore Slim, Fred Wesley, Freddy Roulette, G. Calvin Weston, Gatemouth Moore, Gene Terry, Gino Washington, Guitar Gable & the Musical Kings featuring King Karl, H-Bomb Ferguson, Harold Battiste, Hayden Thompson, Henry Gray, Herb Remington, Herbert Hardesty, Hi Rhythm Section, Homesick James, Howard Tate, Hubert Sumlin, Irving Bannister & the Allstars, Jamaladeen Tacuma, James Blood Ulmer, James Burton, Jay Chevalier, Jean Knight, Jean Knight, Jeff Sarli, Jerry McCain, Jerry Raines, Jimmy Elledge, Jimmy Lee Fautheree, Jimmy T99 Nelson, Jockey Etienne, Jody Williams, Joe Clay, Joe Guitar Hughes, John Boudreaux, John Ellison of the Soul Brothers Six, John Fred, John Primer, Johnny Allan, Johnny Farina, Johnny Jones, Jumpin Gene Simmons, Kenny and the Kasuals, Kenny Brown Band, King Lloyd Band, Lady Bo, Larry De Rieux, Lazy Lester, Lil Bob, Lil Buck Sinegal, Link Wray, Little Buck and the Topcats, Little Freddie King, Little Jimmy Scott, Long John Hunter, Lonnie Brooks AKA Guitar Junior, Louisiana Red, Mando and the Chili Peppers, Matt Lucas, Mem Shannon and The Membership, Michael Hurtt and The Haunted Hearts, Nathaniel Mayer, Nick Holt, Nokie Edwards, Paul Burlison & Rocky Burnette, Phil Phillips, Plas Johnson, Question Mark and the Mysterians, Ralph Soul Jackson, Ray Sharpe, Rayburn Anthony, Rebirth Brass Band, Rick Stone, Robert JR. Lockwood, Rockie Charles, Rod Bernard, Roky Erickson, Roscoe ChenierRoy Boogie Boy Perkins, Roy Head, Rudy Ray Moore, Rudy Richard, Salvador Doucette, Sam Carr, Sam the Sham, Scotty Moore, Skip Easterling, Sleepy Labeef, Sonny Burgess, Sun Ra Arkestra, Syl Johnson, T.K Hulin, Tammy Lynn, The Alarm Clocks, The Bad Roads, The Bo Keys, The Climates, The Fabulous Wailers, The Gants, The Nightcaps, The Rockabilly Country Band, The Seeds, The Souls of the Slain, The Tennessee ThreeFeaturing W.S. Holland and Bob Wootten, Tom Worrell & Sheba Kimbrough & Alfred, Tommy McLain, Tony Joe White, Tony Owens, Toussaint McCall, Travis Wammack, Wardell Quezergue, Warren Storm, Wiley and the Checkmates, William Bell, Willie Cobbs, Willie Tee, Zakary Thaks, Zigaboo Modeliste.
"For those who are trying to figure out JUST what were talking about here, the Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau is not a band. It is a secret organization solely dedicated to the preservation and promotion of rock n roll sainthood in New Orleans. Some would say Martyrdom would be a more descriptive term. The point is, there are so many greats from the early days, real rock n rollers in our midst and next to nothing is being done to shine the spotlight on them. In many cases they are the ones who deserve it the most. And in many cases, as has been proven in other places, theyre still capable of tearin the roof off the joint. The Knights of the Mau Mau are simply dedicated to providing the that roof
and an atmosphere conducive to tearing that roof off." --- Excerpt from issue number 2 of the Knights' hand scrawled fanzine.
The Ponderosa Stomp
The Ponderosa Stomp is a real rock'n'roll player's ball the event you don't wanna miss all year. It's a chance to strut your stuff down in the groove and hard and fast. It's two nights of insanity that's guaranteed to overwhelm your senses. It's no time for fooling one sonic assault after another will blow your mind. Most importantly, it's a time you'll never forget especially after you leave with your head swimmin', one neuron still firing, your legs achin' and ass hurtin' from shakin' all week long.
Just who are these Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau?
While they prefer to remain anonymous, evidence points to a handful of other
secret societies, including the masked Mau-Mau guerillas that reigned remotest
Africa in the 1950s - immortalized by the late Screamin' Jay Hawkins in his unforgettable Feast of the Mau-Mau - and the legendary Knights of the Round Table.
It's fitting, then, that these Mystic Knights continue their quest of bringing lost blues, rock n roll, country and soul to the forefront with the same aplomb with which King Arthurs men of long ago searched so zealously for the Holy Grail. Whether or not New Orleans' Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau descend from such noble lineage, it's obvious that they know how to launch a crusade.
The musicians performing at the Ponderosa Stomp are all stars, the very creators of the rock'n'roll genre. They'll play the material that revolutionized the genre, recreating those influential riffs and breaks, backed whenever possible by the original studio personnel. Join the Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau in honoring these often-uncredited musical geniuses at the 7th Annual Ponderosa Stomp.
Great music! Thanks for your friendship, and welcome aboard the Redline ship. Looking forward to sharing the journey ahead with you. Take Care, and thanks again. Peace,
Join us at the Beachland Ballroom This Saturday - Tonight! -May 9th - Cleveland, OH - with Wraygun, Topcats, Chris Webb w/Jason Kay & Gary Small, and Webb Wilder - - carve it into your calendar - Link Wray’s Raymen
