When stepping into the role of producer and bandleader for her third full-length album, BABY DON’T, New Orleans-based singer-songwriter Sarah Quintana drew from her wildly varied musical experiences—working with Cajun legends, French musicians, New Orleans roots-rock bands, and storytelling folk artists—to create a “Louisiana” record her way. With a less-than-traditional, but absolutely swinging rhythm section and with the help of friends like the Lost Bayou Ramblers’ Louis Michot and multi-instrumentalist Leyla McCalla, the fruits of Quintana’s labor shine a light on everything that makes the Pelican State the continued hotbed of America’s original forms of music, all while coming full circle in her own musical journey, self-producing a kaleidoscope of rhythm, blues, jazz, and soul fit for life’s every turn.
Out now, fans can stream or purchase BABY DON’T in its entirety at this link or on Bandcamp. Be sure to check out Quintana’s official music video for “baby, don’t” right here and for more information and tour dates, please visit sarahquintana.com.
BABY DON’T In The News:
"On BABY DON'T, Sarah Quintana explores Louisiana sound on her own terms" - WWNO
"...an addictive ear morsel that bridges a classic New Orleans R&B sound with a modern pop sensibility." - Glide Magazine
"BABY DON’T is Sarah Quintana’s Louisiana record." - Gambit Weekly
BABY DON’T Tracklist:
laisse le bon temps rouler
baby, don’t
rolling and tumbling
be my love
miami
tout mon coeur
how long
just because
bump in the road
More About BABY DON’T: Out now, BABY DON’T was recorded at the iconic Dockside Studios in Lafayette, Marigny Studios in New Orleans, and shotgun-house living rooms across town. It features an all-star lineup that includes some of Quintana’s longtime friends and collaborators—Rex Gregory on saxophone, Louis Michot of the Grammy-winning Lost Bayou Ramblers, multi-instrumentalist Leyla McCalla (Carolina Chocolate Drops), and Grammy-nominated Corey Ledet.
Forging her own sound while paying homage to classic Louisiana artists like Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, Shirley & Lee, Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet, Bobby Charles and anything recorded at Cosimo Matassa’s studio in the 50’s, the result is soulful and timeless—a swamp-pop version of Shirley and Lee’s “Let the Good Times Roll,” old-timey tunes like “Be My Love,” complete with a traditional jazz tailgate, a cajun two-step (“Bump in the Road”), French blues (“Tout Mon Coeur and Rolling and Tumbling”) and several, highly-addictive, upbeat originals (“Just Because” and “Baby, Don’t”).
More About Sarah Quintana: Throughout a notable career as a New Orleans singer, songwriter, and performer, Sarah Quintana has been firmly rooted in her hometown’s rich music tradition—but eager to playfully explore its boundaries and possibilities. Her two self-released full-length studio albums, live concert release, and EPs brim with a blend of jazz, folk, and rhythm & blues, and her new LP BABY DON’T brings together an all-star lineup for an album inspired by Louisiana’s music and culture of the 50s and 60s. Sarah has partnered along the way with acclaimed Louisiana-based musicians, including Grammy winners Michael Doucet, Kevin Clark (The Nightcrawlers), and Leyla McCalla. She has received recognition from the Grammy Foundation Recording Academy, The Voice Foundation, The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Foundation, and Big Easy Awards among others. When she’s not writing, performing, or touring internationally, Sarah works as a music educator and a vocal coach specializing in gender-affirming care, to help others find power in their own voice. Quintana is also a fellowship-trained voice pathologist and a faculty member and singing-voice specialist at LSU Health Sciences Center, where her research highlights the importance of creating vocal-health care pathways for Louisiana’s culture bearers and oral traditions.
