Some Choices For JazzFest's Second Weekend

Esperanza Spalding

I am not attending JazzFest this year, having opted for the French Quarter Festival. However looking at the schedule on nojazzfest.com, I have made some suggestions of acts that I recommend for the second weekend. I generally stay away from major label, national touring acts in this list.

Little Freddie King

On Thursday May 3, some blues worth catching in the Blues Tent include Kipori ‘Baby Wolf’ Wood; J’Monique’d and Little Freddie King. James Cotton closes the Blues Tent that day. I saw Mia Borders for the first time at the French Quarter Fest and was quite impressed that I bought a CD by her. She is on the Gentilly Stage where she will be followed by legendary bassist George Porter, Jr. & the Runnin’ Pardners. The Congo Square Stage has The Stooges Brass Band followed by Henry Butler. Grammy® Award winner Esperanza Spalding:Radio Music Society closes that stage. On the Fais Do Do Stage one can here the Savoy Family Cajun Band, and Rosie Ledet are featured along with Ani DeFranco. The WWOZ Jazz tent features the marvelous Dutch pianist-composer Amina Figarova Septet along with Regina Carter while the Economy Hall Tent has the vivacious Banu Gibson and trumpeter Kid Chocolate. The iconic and influential Dirty Dozen Brass Band perform on the Acura Stage.

Germaine Bazzle

Some suggestions for Friday May 4 in the Blues Tent include a couple of Bourbon Street favorites, Bryan Lee and Big Al Carson. Others in the tent this day include Reggie Hall, Wanda Rouzan and Deacon John. I saw the latter two at the French Quarter Festival and loved Wanda’s survey of New Orleans music while Deacon John did not get into his blues thing till his set was nearly over. Be curious if he displays more of a blues focus in the tent. On the Gentilly Stage one can see local favoriteTheresa Andersson as well as the Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela et C.U.B.A.. New Orleans vocalists Phillip Manuel and Germaine Bazzle along with Terri Carrington Lynne’s Mosaic are in the WWOZ Jazz Tent, while in Economy Hall Tent the reliable Connie Jones opens things up. Closing this stage will be Wycliffe Gordon Quintet’s "Hello Pops: A Tribute to Louis Armstrong." A younger, traditionally oriented cajun band, Feufollet, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band and Lil Nathan & the Zydeco BigTimers will have the folks at the Fais Do Do Stage dancing. The legendary Mavis Staples is in the Gospel Tent.

John Boutté

Saturday May 5 suggestions start with Guitar Slim, Jr; Mac Arnold; and the Joe Krown, Wolfman Washington & Russell Batiste Trio in the Blues Tent. Incidentally Dr. John will guest with the Warren Haynes Band to close this stage this day. Allen Toussaint and Irma Thomas are on the Acura Stage while Big Sam’s Funky Nation is on the Congo Square Stage. One of my favorite singers anywhere is John Boutté, and this is the day of his appearance in the WWOZ Jazz tent which will close with the genius of Herbie Hancock. Young Tuxedo Jazz Band; the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Louis Jones will be in the Economy Hall Tent while the great lineup at the Fais Do Do Stage includes cajun veteran Belton Richard; Jeffrey Broussard & the Creole Cowboys and Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers. On the Jazz and Heritage Stage on can see the Original Pin Stripe Brass Band along with the New Birth Brass Band. Aaron Neville does his annual gospel performance in Gospel Tent.

Keith Frank

On the closing day, Sunday May 6, Kermit Ruffins and the Funky Meters are on the Gentilly Stage on which the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (likely with special guests) replace the disbanded Radiators to close the festival on this stage. Mem Shannon and Rebirth Brass band are on the Congo Square Stage while Orange Kellin and George French are in Economy Hall Tent which closes with Ruby Wilson’s tribute to Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey. In the WWOZ Jazz tent, there will be a Living Tribute to Harold Battiste as Jazz ambassador (and legendary A&R man and teacher). Harold Battiste gets a heartfelt “thank you” from New Orleans jazz greats Jesse McBride, Ellis Marsalis and Germaine Bazzle. David Sanborn appears with organist Joey DeFrancesco. On the Fais Do Do Stage will be the Red Stick Ramblers, and Keith Frank. Asleep At The Wheel also is on this stage. On the Jazz and Heritage Stage will have Los Hombres Calientes feat. Bill Summers and Irvin Mayfield along with a performance by Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias. In the Gospel tent will be the Boutté Family Sunday Praise with John, Lillian, Tricia, Lorna, Tanya, and Arséne. Tom McDermott and Friends will be on the Lagniappe Stage followed by Ed Volker, formerly of The Radiators. The main Acura Stage closes out, as is traditional, with The Neville Brothers.

There are my suggestions of musical performances that will undoubtedly include some performers outside of what you might normally see. I should mention, there are also fascinating interview-oral histories taking place throughout on the Allison Miner Stage. For those lucky enough to be there, I hope hope the weather cooperates and that you have a culinary as well well as musical feast at JazzFest


All photos copyright by Ron Weinstock

Amina Figarova

John Boutté Crescent City Vocal Magic

John Boutté at 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Photo © Ron Weinstock

I had heard of John Boutté and even purchased his CD Jambalaya prior to ever having a chance to see him perform. His performance of Louisiana 1927 from the first post-Katrina JazzFest, issued on a WWOZ CD for members, was one of the most compelling vocal performances I had heard in some time, and supplanted Marcia Ball for delivering the definitive performance of this Randy Newman song, of course enhanced by new lyrics and a terrific Leroy jones trumpet solo. Finally getting to see him a few years ago, he has become one of the must see acts at the New Orleans JazzFest, if his performances are the same weekend as I attend. Also, I have been fortunate to stay for his entire sets this year and 2009 as well as much of the set in 2010.


Boutté’s sets are also fortunately documented by JazzFest Live, the service that makes available on either CD or download, a number of performances from each year’s festival (Check jazzfestlive.com). This year’s set (from April 30, 2011 at the WWOZ Jazz Tent) was no exception so I am able to savor the performance I enjoyed in person. And what is striking is how his sets may have overlap in songs between years, but partly with different bands, but also partly from his own fresh interpretation of the same material, performances have a different character.


This year he had a full horn section with a piano-less band that included a fine band. The difference allows even songs performed one year after another like the Steve Goodman classic City of New Orleans (Arlo Guthrie did not write it) to sound transformed from his studio (and did the nice trombone solo in addition to trumpet), or earlier live performance from 2009. Same can be said of the traditional gospel “Beautiful City, titled by the JazzFestLive folks as One of These Days, with the earlier performance standing out with forceful acoustic guitar and trumpet in its sparser backing.


Then there is the jazz standard that opens this, Basin Street Blues, and a wonderful rendition of Little Willie John’s “Let Them Talk (titled by JazzFest Live as I Want The World To Know) done as a tribute to the legendary James Booker with nice horn voicings in support. Particularly moving is the moving rendition of his post-Katrina collaboration with Paul Sanchez Try to Find a Meaning, which he dedicated to those suffering in the Midwest US and Japan suffering from the natural disasters of the first part of 2011. 

John Boutté - Photo © Ron Weinstock

Boutté combines a marvelous delivery of a song’s lyrics with a way of phrasing that is completely engaging, mixed with a warm stage presence. Then there is also a wonderful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, with lovely flute accompaniment. By the time John Boutté closed with Treme Song, which many will know from the HBO series Treme, the audience had been satiated with his performance even if we wanted it to continue for another hour. And like his other JazzFest performances available from JazzFest Live, this sounds so very good back home.


I look forward to my next opportunity to listen to a musical Boutté call. 

Deacon John Jumps the Blues Again

2011-0501 New Orleans JazzFest Day 3-1220117, a photo by NoVARon on Flickr.

From the first time I had the pleasure of hearing Deacon John Moore on a WWOZ compilation ripping through a terrific rendition of Elmore James'  Happy Home, I have been a fan of this New Orleans Rhythm and Blues Legend. Then the entire JazzFest set was made available on CD which showcased his ability to take classics from Elmore, J.B. Lenoir, B.B. King and Jimmy Rogers his own. After that came the release of Deacon John's Jump Blues, an album of classic rhythm and blues with Deacon John and others turning in a spectacular performance of songs associated with Ray Charles, Erma Franklin, The Spiders, Smiley Lewis, Johnny Adams and Joe Liggins with superb Big Band Arrangements by the Creole Beethoven, Wardell Querzergue. Tricia Boutté joined him for a Shirley & Lee Medley as well as handing Aretha's baby sister's Piece of My Heart. On the latter tune Allen Toussaint gusted on piano, while Henry Butler pounded the 88s behind Jumpin' in the Morning, an early Ray Charles classic and Dr. John was on piano for Joe Liggins' Goin' Back to New Orleans. In addition to this great recording, there was also a concert DVD of a concert of these artists and these songs. Since then, Deacon John is a must see for me at JazzFest if he is performing while I am there.


Sunday, July 1, Deacon John was featured on the Gentilly Stage, where he led his revue for a hour of super music with some surprises but also displayed his range as a performer. His Big Band included not only his brother Charles on bass guitar, but a sister on percussion and his daughter joining in on vocals. While I would not be unsympathetic with Deacon John playing slide guitar for an hour, the mix of music here included features for his backing singers as well as classic rhythm and blues and soul, his renditions of some standards and, an unexpected delight, a terrific rendition of a Steely Dan number. Then there were strong renditions of songs from Deacon John's Jump Blues and other songs of the genre (a rendition of Joe Liggins' "The Honey Dripper"), before he took out the slide and launched into "Happy Home" and followed with some modern urban blues. 


It was a well-paced set that displayed just how good and diverse a performer he is. I wish he could have played for at least another half hour. Deacon John is special to these eyes and ears. Here is a link to a documentary on him on Snag Films.


http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/going_back_to_new_orleans1/

Some JazzFest recommendations for Day 3 Sunday May 1

Lil Buck Sinegal

This is the final in my list of recommended shows for the first week of JazzFest, which is the weekend I am attending. I should mention that for those outside of New Orleans, WWOZ (wwoz.org) broadcasts selected concerts from the Festival and Monday May 1, they hold their annual Piano Night Fundraiser at the House of Blues, which is also broadcast.


11:15 AM in the Gospel Tent - Jo “Cool” Davis with guest James “Sugarboy” Crawford. The Gospel Tent features many great performers. Jo ‘Cool’ Davis is a singer that will suggest Bobby Bland for fans of blues and rhythm’n’blues, Special guest is James ‘Sugarboy’ Crawford, who led the cane Cutters and had a major hit with Jock-A-Mo, which folks may know as Iko-Iko. Crawford has given up secular music to sing gospel.

Luther Kent

12:20PM in the Blues Tent - Lil Buck Sinegal. After leading Lil Buck and the Gold Tops which included organist Stanley ‘Buckwheat Zydeco’ Dural, he played fort a number of years with zydeco king Clifton Chenier. A fine blues singer and guitarist, he is part of Buckwheat Zydeco’s band today. Its always a treat to see him play on his own.


12:30PM in the Jazz Tent - Jazz & Blues feat. Luther Kent, Phillip Manuel, and Big Al Carson. An intriguing appearnace together on stage of Bourbon Street staple, Big Al Carson; blues belter Luther Kent who once fronted Blood Sweat and Tears; and the smooth jazz vocal style of Manuel promises some musical fireworks.

Frankie Ford

12:50PM on the Gentilly Stage. Classic New Orleans Revue with Frankie Ford, Jean Knight and others. With the Blue Eyed Soul Band, Ford, who rocked the world with Sea Cruise for Ace Records in the 1950s and Knight, who had a smash hit with Mr. Big Stuff lead a revue to take folks back to the heydays of New Orleans rhythm and blues.

Tom McDermott and Evan Christopher

2:00PM at the Lagniappe Stage - Tom McDermott and Evan Christopher. McDermott is a marvelous pianist who can rag a Bach composition, make you think he studied under Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton as well as mesmerize you with his interpretations of Brazilian choros. Evan Christopher is a Jazz Journalists Association finalist for Jazz Clarinetist. He is rooted in the New Orleans clarinet tradition but also will play in a gypsy jazz context interpreting Ornette Coleman. He and McDermott make magic together when they are paired like at this set.

Deacon John at 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

3:00PM at the Gentilly Stage. Deacon John. Once a studio regular who grew up with music on the streets and in his home, Deacon John Moore can croon a standard with silky smoothness as well as revive an old The Spiders' classic I Didn't Want to Do It, or play slide guitar and revive Elmore James' Happy Home. A consummate entertainer, superb musican and singer, Deacon John always has tight bands that can jump an older Roy Brown classic as well as rework vintage B.B. King. His annual JazzFest performances are a treat. For recordings, sample Deacon John's Jump Blues. 

Red Baraat

5:55PM on the Jazz & Heritage Stage - Red Baraat. Led by Sunny Jain on the d’hol, hand held drum, Red Baraat superficially might be called Bollywood meets Bourbon Street, but in addition to the infectious grooves built upon Punjabi songs there is some strong solos. In addition to the leader, pay attention to the brilliant trumpeter, Sonny Singh and Mike Bomwell’s baritone sax. I have seen them at the Montreal International Jazz Festival and recently at the Kennedy Center, and I look forward to their joyous music with plenty of heart but also substance. 

Some JazzFest recommendations for Day 2 Saturday April 30

Shannon McNally

For Day 2 of the 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival I have a selected several acts that may be lesser known but should be of interest. 

Charlei Gabriel

11:15 AM on the Gentilly Stage. Shannon McNally & Hot Sauce. I saw Shannon as one of the guests with Lil Band of Gold at their trubute to Bobby Charles held at the House of Blues between the two weekends of the 2010 JazzFest. A fine roots. She may be one of the guests at this year’s Bobby Charles tribute on April 29 and hosts her own Charles tribute with guests including C.C. Adcock and David Egan at Chickee Wah Wah, Saturday April 30. She has recorded a Bobby Charles Tribute album Small Town Talk but I am not sure if it has been issued. Jon Pareles of the NY Times has written: “She has the voice: bruised, smoky and ornery, right at home where country and soul meet… She has the melodies and the timing… she’s irresistible.” 

Alvin Youngblood Hart

12:25 in the WWOZ Jazz Tent - Kidd Jordan & the Imporvisational Jazz Ensemble. There is little free or avant garde jazz at JazzFest. Kidd Jordan is the exception and the JazzFest website states “His deep roots in all music makes his sound accessible to open-eared, novices of free jazz.”


1:40PM at the WWOZ Jazz Tent -The Tenor Sax Woodshed feat. Christian Winther and Charlie Gabriel. I saw tenor saxophonist Charlie Gabriel last year as part of an organ combo and was impressed. I later told that for years he torued with the likes of Aretha and was currently part of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band touring ensemble. Whatever, his playing really impressed me and I assume Mr. Winther brings a similar robust tenor style.


2:30PM in the Blues Tent - Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory. One of the young blood acoustic blues guitarists that included Corey harris that showed an affinity for performing classic country blues. He is more of a modern day songster these days and I have seen him do rock and roll and rockabilly with equal authority.

Pine Leaf Boys

3:00PM on the Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do Stage - Pine Leaf Boys. This is a terrific, traditionally oriented cajun band with respect towards tradition, and with considerable exuberance.

John Boutté

4:05PM in the WWOZ Jazz Tent - John Boutté. Given the boost from his association with the Tréme HBO show, John Boutté’s profile has risen. A terrific vocalist who transcends jazz and can deliver a classic New Orleans R&B Chuck Carbo classic as strongly as San Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come, or his own loving tribute to his sisters, Sisters.

Some JazzFest recommendations for Day 1 Friday April 29

Corey Ledet

I will be heading down to New Orleans for the Annual Jazz & Heritage Festival for the first weekend. I will also be attending Lil’ Band O’ Gold’s Bobby Charles Tribute at the House of Blues’ Parish Room on Friday Night and WWOZ Piano Night on Monday May 2. Of course this assumes no problems with my flight getting down there, etc. However, here are some recommendations of lesser known performers that you should think about seeing. I have avoided major touring acts like Jeff Beck, Robert Plant or Tom Jones or Wyclef Jean and also some of my favorites like the Joe Krown Trio and Irma Thomas.


For Day 1 here are several acts of note


11:15 at the Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do Do Stage - Corey Ledet & His Zydeco Band. Ledet is among the more traditional of today’s zydeco acts, but certainly can lay down a hot two step or waltz. He can channel Clifton Chenier or John Delaphose, and do a zydeco take of an Elvis hit, Burning Love. He has a fine CD A Matter of Time as well as with Cedric Watson recorded the excellent Going Down to Lousiana.

Henry Gray

12:00 in the Blues Tent - Henry Gray & The Cats. Howling Wolf’s pianist for over a decade before he moved back south to Baton Rouge for the past four decades or so where he has mixed in his Big Maceo influenced piano style heard on recordings by Wolf, Jimmy Rogers and others with a healthy dose of Louisiana Swamp Blues exemplified by his Cold Chills. He has never received the acclaim of a Pinetop Perkins, but in my mind he is Pinetop’s equal and a better singer. His annual JazzFest appearance is always a treat.


12:15 in the WWOZ Jazz Tent - Derek Douget. If Derek had moved out of New Orleans, he is a saxophonist people would be talking about. I have seen him play with the marvelous trumpeter Maurice Brown as well as with Irwin Mayfield’s NYNO. He has a terrific CD, Perpetual Motion, as well as appeared to numerous cds including those by Adonis Rose, Leah Chase, Maurice Brown and Ellis Marsalis (He is the saxophonist on An Open Letter to Thelonious).

Derek Douget

1:30 in the WWOZ Jazz Tent - Germaine Bazzle. . What can one add to New Orleans jazz Diva, a singer of exquisite tone, taste and nuance. Always has some of Crescent City’s best musicians supporting her.

Germaine Bazzle

2:45 at the Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do Do Stage - Warren Storm - Willie Tee & Cypress. As a drummer, One probably cannot count the number of recordings Warren Storm played on (many Excello swamp blues classic) but he is also a great blues-eyed soul singer which can be heard when he anchors Lil’ Band ‘0 Gold. I am less familiar with Willie Tee Trahan, but the saxophonist and Storm hooked up in the 1980s playing bars throughout the Gulf Coast and recording some fine ‘swamp pop.’ Really looking forward to seeing them.

Warren Storm

4:00PM in the WWOZ Jazz Tent - Anat Cohen Quartet. She is becoming a perennial nominee for Best Clarinet Player in the Jazz Journalist Awards and the DownBeat Awards. Conversant with traditional swing, hard bop and world music, the Israeli born Anat will be also leading her Quartet on Saturday in the People’s Health Economy Hall Tent which might suggest two very different performances displaying two different sides of this remarkable msuician and composer.]


There are a few selections. Plenty of other great music including John Mooney, Donald Harrison, Jon Cleary, Los Hombres Caliente, Keb' Mo and the Golden Striker Trio featuring Ron Carter. 

Anat Cohen