On September 8, WWOZ will broadcast Magnetic Ear, led by saxophonist Martin Krusche, live from the Blue Nile to celebrate the release of this eclectic all-star band's third CD. The lineup includes familiar faces from the New Orleans music scene, like baritone saxophonist Daniel Oestereicher of Big Sam's Funky Nation and trombonist Jeff Albert, founder of the Open Ears Music Series.

The broadcast is sponsored by LetsBeTotallyClear.org, so the show will be totally smoke-free, providing a healthy environment for the musicians, staff and audience.

About Magnetic Ear

Magnetic Ear was originally formed by Martin Krusche in 2005 as a trio featuring Kirk Joseph (founding member of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band) on sousaphone and Kevin O'Day on drums. After the chaos of hurricane Katrina the group was reformed as a larger collective, a home for returning musicians whose previous bands were scattered.

This configuration, which was nominated "best new emerging artist" for 2007, featured Martin Krusche on tenor saxophone, Daniel Oestereicher on baritone saxophone, Jeff Albert on trombone, Jon Gross on sousaphone and Justin Peake on drums. The band became as comfortable with a lush arrangement of an Ellington ballad as it is with an original jazz composition, second line or funk. That variety is well demonstrated on their release 'The Magnetic Ear live at Saturn Bar'.

The new extended Magnetic Ear features founder Martin Krusche on tenor saxophone, Daniel Oestereicher on baritone saxophone, Charlie Halloran and Jeff Albert on trombone, Jason Jurzak on sousaphone and Paul Thibodeaux on drums.

The orchestration of this group combined with the musical background of its players allows for a wide variety of styles. Their third album features the extraordinary abilities of musicians alien to the Magnetic Ear.