This one's for fans of improvisational jazz: Long Sidewalks' album Staffa is one of the first projects of the New Orleans International Sound Exchange, a non-profit dedicated to fostering interactions between New Orleans-based improvisers and world-class musicians from other cities. Lucky 7s member Jeb Bishop traveled to New Orleans from Chicago to join the likes of Helen Gillet, Jeff Albert, Chris Alford, Marcello Benetti, Rex Gregory, Ray Moore, and Jesse Morrow to create this album, a reflection of the modern improv music scene in New Orleans.

The word "staffa" comes from Italian, translating literally to "stirrup," but with a meaning well beyond the simple noun. Drummer Marcello Benetti is a native of Venice, and brought the concept of staffa to the album title-- a fitting one for a drinking town. In Italy, it's the last drink one has before leaving the bar or party. The "stirrup," part comes in because the idea is that the rider has already started to mount his horse by the time he has this last taste.

Staffa was released May 26, 2015. You can stream it for free here. Staffa is also available on iTunes, or buy the CD or MP3s directly from Breakfast for Dinner Records.

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