THE BIGGEST ‘BONER YOU’VE EVER SEEN!

For over twenty years The Neville Brothers have closed out the main Acura Stage at Jazz Fest with a slight post-Katrina disruption. Per organizers, this has at times spawned awkward conversations, informing superstars like Santana, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Foo Fighters, and Kid Rock that they would be opening up for these local legends rather than vice versa. Local jam band The Radiators traditionally closed the Gentilly Stage on the opposite end of the fairgrounds but times they are a changing.

The Black Keys:
Opening for Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

When Aaron Neville recently parted with his brothers it demoted The Nevilles to opening for Dave Matthew and him to closing out Jazz Fest 2013 at the Gentilly Stage. The Radiators also split after decades together, though most members were represented elsewhere. Thus it was a little surprising to learn the replacement for The Nevilles would be rising star Trombone Shorty with his band Orleans Avenue. His national appeal has grown surprisingly over the past few years, especially considering he is rocking out on trombone–A STAR TROMBONE PLAYER– yet in his introduction the MC and festival organizer declared him ‘the future.’ The crowd had thinned somewhat after the Black Keys but there still had to be a good 80,ooo people watching to see if Shorty could fill some mighty big shoes–8 to be exact.

I Went To See Trombone Shorty And A Rusted Root Concert Broke Out!

Part of Trombone Shorty‘s appeal, though, is [Read more…]

FOUR-FIFTHS A LEGEND IS STILL A JAZZ FEST BARGAIN

ABOVE: Fleetwood Mac closes Jazz Fest Saturday with ageless anthem “Don’t Stop”

When Fleetwood Mac ended their spirited, age-defying set on the Acura Stage Saturday night with “Don’t Stop” it was the only Christine McVie penned tune (not counting collaborations) they performed. Despite the departure of one of their three singer/songwriters they couldn’t avoid granting a rabid crowd the chance to sing along with their most anthemic and enduring tune. McVie‘s departure, pairing them down to a quartet, is far from the first turmoil in this band’s history. Fleetwood Mac is legendary for [Read more…]

PUNGENT MUD, COLD WIND, & LUKEWARM MUSIC

The second Friday of Jazz Fest 2013 was a day unlike any other. Although this is only my 7th or 8th, local performers who had been appearing for decades scratched their heads at the rain, mud, and cold. “It’s the second weekend of Jazz Fest and I haven’t even sweated yet,” declared one WWOZ host. The first Saturday had gotten a little toasty but hadn’t quite topped 80–it just felt warm in contrast to the unseasonable cool. Then the rain had started Sunday for Dave Matthews, thinning the crowds and keeping the weather cool. It rained on off during the three-day break and by Widespread Panic’s set on Thursday it was pouring. Thus by Friday herds of galloping music fans had turned this municipal horse track into a giant mud bog spiked with the pungent smell of horse shit! On top of the mud, the weather turned from cool to downright cold, the wind cutting sharply through my light windbreaker. Worse, with the pop outfit Maroon 5 headlining–not my cup of voodoo juice–and no one strong anchoring the early line up, the music had cooled down as well. That is until [Read more…]

WIDESPREAD PANIC: MAKING RAIN FOR LA

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band Plays Before Widespread Panic During One Of Many Rain Showers

The Thursday opening to Jazz Fest’s second weekend is considered ‘locals day’ and tends to be a more laid back affair. The rain that had started Sunday, however, was still lingering and on and off showers that morning and afternoon kept the crowds even thinner than usual for the only Thursday of the festival. By the time perennial favorite Widespread Panic hit the stage, though, the fairgrounds were full. Their faithful wouldn’t be denied and this top-tier jam band delivered a solid show of jazz and funk inflected southern rock, stretching out leads like taffy on a weaving loom.

ABOVE: Widespread Panic opens their Jazz Fest set with “Climb to Safety”

A Little Rain Wouldn’t Spoil My Night Of Joy!

Widespread Panic once released a live album called Night of Joy whose title is a shout out to [Read more…]

GOD AND THE JAZZ & HERITAGE FOUNDATION KEEPS THE PEACE

Dave Matthews Takes The Stage

I broke up with Dave Matthews fans at Jazz Fest 2001. Although I’d seen Cowboy Mouth several times before that first Fest of the new millennium, I was stoked to see them in this setting where everyone plays their best, especially locals triumphantly returning for the hometown crowd. However, as I tried to reach the Ray Ban Stage (now Acura) the day of their performance, the Dave fans had gotten there early and spread out giant blankets, staked off expansive areas, and generally crowded everyone out. Half the blankets were empty, awaiting late arrivals or just hogging space, and as I tried to tip-toe my way along the edges–they’d block the walkway–I was yelled at and harassed at every turn. For the offense of stepping on the corner of one blanket, a girl jumped up, slapped my rear, and called me a ‘fat ass.’ I couldn’t get anywhere near the stage, but the people up front all had their backs turned, ignoring every other act and talking over the music as they waited. Even Cowboy Mouth, used to a hometown reception, got disgusted and stopped mid-song near the end of the set, dropped their instruments, and walked off stage. I applauded. In that moment, DMB fans became the Newman to my Seinfeld, and I’m not alone. Dave Matthews day is greeted with groans by Jazz Fest fans far and wide.

ABOVE: Dave Matthews opens his set with “Seven”

God Sends The Rain To Keep The Peace

This year, though, God and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation worked at mending fences. At some point between my last Fest in 2003 and my return in 2012, the Foundation instigated new rules: [Read more…]

JOHN MAY-ER MAY NOT MATURE INTO A FEST-WORTHY HEADLINER

I May-er may not be guilty of burying the lead in the past, so as Jazzfest 2013 gets under way I’ll begin at the end. John Mayer was headlining Day One on the Acura Stage after having to cancel last year due to throat complications. I have to admit, if there had been an intriguing offering elsewhere on the fairgrounds (I’ve never seen such slim pickings during the headlining hour) I would have ended up there.

“Welcome to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival”

My best friend Todd, of wedding hangover fame, is a huge John Mayer fan and took me to see him at Milwaukee Summerfest six or eight years ago. While the young star displayed glimpses of talent, both his performance and songwriting seemed immature; worse, I felt immature sitting on the lawn in the rain amongst tweener girls yelling “I love you John!”

I don’t know if this famous gaffe machine has matured as a human being, but I was pleasantly surprised that John Mayer has grown up as a musician, putting on a gritty, bluesy rock-n-roll show for the discerning Jazzfest crowd. It was a pleasant surprise to end a day that was average by ‘New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival’ standards but still better than the day anyone else on the planet had–Jazzfest is for me now what Christmas was as a child.

ABOVE: John Mayer’s sound matures, “I Don’t Trust Myself (With Loving You)” [Read more…]