Yesterday, LMB NOLA got the opportunity to interview Leo Nocentelli of Meters funk guitar fame, who quickly told us from his home in Burbank, CA that he was eager and “getting ready to come down to the Gumbo and do what I do.” This weekend marks a special trip for Nocentelli back to the Big Easy, as it will be the first time the New Orleans native has ridden a Mardi Gras float, where he will serve as a Grand Marshal on Sunday’s Thor parade in Metairie. Additionally, the guitarist will be receiving an honorary Mardi Gras Gibson guitar prototype billed as “The Bourbon Street” that, if all goes as planned, should hit store racks soon. Fans wanting to see the guitarist perform this weekend are in luck, as Nocentelli will also be performing with a polished cast of players as The Meters Experience on Friday night at Tipitina’s. Among other topics, Nocentelli chatted with us about the chances of a more extensive Meters reunion, the origins and phonetics of the Nocentelli name, and a solo album with some special guests in the works.
