When you visit New Orleans, make sure you pick up a copy of the Gambit Weekly. It’s a free news and entertainment magazine that’s available just about everywhere in the city.

Last week, Gambit Weekly announced the nominees for their 2007 Big Easy Music Awards.

Here are the nominations in my favorite categories:

Best Traditional Brass Band

– Treme Brass Band

– Pinstripe Brass Band

– Storyville Stompers

Best Contemporary Brass Band

– Dirty Dozen Brass Band

– Hot 8 Brass Band

– Rebirth Brass Band

– Soul Rebels

Best Albums

– The River in Reverse: Alllen Toussaint and Elvis Costello

– What’s Going On?: The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

– After the Rain: Irma Thomas