JazzFest, Part 2: The Music

OK, so we know that for the entire weekend we were happy from food, so all that was left was to enjoy the music.

I had just come off a hellish 6-9-12 months or so, and really needed a break. So I got myself into the jazz mood by catching Michelle Mailhot at the Mad Cow cabaret festival. As always, she was wonderful, and her pianist, Mark Shilansky, was very good. I really enjoyed the show, and learned a couple of new things. Actually, can you learn anything OTHER than things that are new to you? Actually, I suppose, but never mind! After the show we stopped by the Grand Bohemian, where another friend, Chris Davis, was playing with a jazz quartet. Very cool stuff! We only stayed a half hour or so, because I knew I had a long two days ahead of me!

Back to New Orleans!

Remember, first we got food (priorities!), then were drawn to a completely funky sound on the Congo Square stage. Turned out to be a group called "Groove Academy" - not a school for musical adolescents, but a very tight, very fun 70's funk-disco group. We set up our chairs and enjoyed our food (and beverage) - nothing much was required of us by the music.

After a half hour or so, we went to the Acura stage (one of the 2 big ones) and I had my first discovery of the festival. (You folks probably know more of these people than I do, so most of these were discoveries. But several were REALLY discoveries - they were awesome!) Anyway, Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen. Wow! First of all, he's a Brit who has adopted New Orleans - weird. Always wears a hat, I believe to offset his impressive nose. Best of all, he's a keyboard player! Does sort of rock, blues, New Orleans-type music. Really, REALLY liked him - gonna get a CD! Kickin' band, too!

After him, we saw a bit of Rockin' Dopsie and the Zydeco Twisters on the same stage. Not quite as impressive. First of all, they were having some sound issues (hello, no bass?). Second, it wasn't until the third or fourth number that they actually did a Zydeco tune. They started with some straight rock and roll stuff, then a motown cover, then something else. The zydeco was fun, but I don't think they ever got past the sound issues. Plus, Jon Cleary was a tough act to follow!

The hardest part of the festival is deciding what to see. By watching these guys, I missed several other cool sounding groups - the most intriguing had to be the New Orleans Klezmer Allstars. Shame to miss that!

We went to the blues tent and listened to some of Tab Benoit. It was very . . . bluesy. Lynn is more of a fan than I, so that's when I went to get the crawfish etoufee. And I wasn't prepared for the most impressive, and sublime, performance I saw.

Terrance Blanchard, jazz trumpeter, in the jazz tent. Wow. He played with a group of young (early 20's) musicians, and he played music he composed for the Spike Lee documentary on Katrina. Simply unbelievably powerful. He has a rich sound, complete mastery of the instruments, incredible taste . . . I was in heaven!

We stuck around to listen to some of the Pharoah Sanders Quartet - straight-ahead jazz - but I was done after Terrance. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a CD of the performance. (Some performances were recorded, and you could get a CD at the festival. Many weren't recorded due to licensing issues.)

Sunday started perfectly - in addition to the beignets and coffee, that is. The Julliard Jazz Ensemble. I was completely blown away! A quintet, with the professor playing sax, and the other 4 musicians (trombone and rhythm section) students. What players! Mature beyond their years! And they performed all original pieces, written by the students, and the last one by the professor. Again, I wish I could've gotten a recording. If my high school kids could see what's possible in a couple of years . . .

We then did some walking around (and eating), and set up our chairs for the New Orleans Social Club. This was a fun, rocking, FUN group with Willie Tee, Leo Nocentelli, Dr. John (you knew he had to show up!), and my OTHER big revelation: Henry Butler. Henry Butler is a blind pianist from New Orleans, and he's GREAT! When he took the stage (we couldn't see the stage or any of the big screens), he played a great piece with the band where he just did a piano solo. Only afterwards did we find out he had actually been singing, but he mic was out! I don't know, I kinda liked it as an instrumental! Anyway, Henry Butler is another CD I'm going to get!

Lynn took in some of George Thorogood and the Destroyers in the blues tent. WAY too full! I could hear just fine by the beignet tent!

We ended the festival with Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. They ended with a piece written by Mayfield after his dad died in Katrina. Incredibly touching piece, with Mayfield on trumpet. Very nice way to end.

Then off to the airport, sweaty, stinky, and happy! (Don't remember the other 4 dwarves!)

Next: Rock'n'Bowl and other cultural landmarks!