NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL - 2008

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'Tis spring, 'tis spring
The bird is on the wing.
Absurd, absurd;
The wing is on the bird.~ Ogden Nash



       Opening day has come and gone. Tax day has passed. We denizens of the Midwest survived the earthquake yesterday with nary a scratch, bump,  or bruise. Pope Benedict will soon be winging his way East, back to Vatican City. It's time to pause, gaze toward the hazy horizon, and take a look into the crystal ball to see what lies looming there.

       It's the time of year when my musical Mecca beckons to me. It's time for me to pack my bags. Time to  go to New Orleans to "get myself lost and found again."  Yes, is time for The Fess Jazztival!!!

      Going to Tipitina's for the annual INSTRUMENTS A'COMIN' fundraiser, got tickets for a sold out funky Meters/Derek Trucks Band night show, the Ponderosa Stomp is always a ton of fun. And then there's Zydeco Night @ The Rock 'N Bowl. Gotta see Snooks Eaglin, Irma Thomas, John Mooney, Sonny Landreth, The Iguanas, the subdudes, & Coco Robicheaux, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, June Yamagichi, John Hammond, & The Preservation Hall Band.


       Anybody else going this year? I keep my fingers crossed every year for an appearance by Los Lobos, but they haven't played the Fairgrounds since 2004. Well, we can always dream ....

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     ... Just when I thought Jazz Fest couldn't get any better, this comes along:

A STOMPIN' GOOD TIME

In other festival news, the Ponderosa Stomp returns to its traditional two-night schedule this year, with music on three stages at the House of Blues Tuesday and Wednesday. Unfortunately, Dave Bartholomew won't perform this year as previously announced. This year also marks the debut of the Ponderosa Stomp Music Conference at the Cabildo from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. At this free event, musicians, businessmen, producers and historians will be there to tell the stories of rock and soul's history. Among the figures celebrated will be Harold Battiste and Cosimo Matassa, along with a drum summit that will include Bob French, Smokey Johnson, Earl Palmer, John Boudreaux and Zigaboo Modeliste.

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http://wwoz.org/ontheair/livebroadcasts/

     Enjoy! 

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    Jazz Fest ended Sunday evening with the Neville Brothers' first appearance together in New Orleans since 2005. Many guests appeared on the stage with them to celebrate: The Wild Tchopitoulas Mardi Gras Indians, George Porter, Jr., Ivan Neville, Carlos Santana, and many others. The fairgrounds officially close at 7:01 P.M. each day, but the Nevs played until 7:35.

     They were preceded by Carlos Santana and his band, who turned in a scorching performance.

Other highlights:

Stevie Wonder - my first experience with his music in a live performance. Yes, B.P., he is all dat!

Big Sam's Funky Nation - saw him 4X in 8 daze. (note to crack: he formerly played with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. His latest CD is "PEACE, LOVE & UNDERSTANDING". Serious contender for James Brown's "Hardest Working Man In Show Business" title.)

Snooks Eaglin

funkyMeters

Richard Thompson

John Mooney & Bluesiana

Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys

The Lee Boys

Sherman Washington & the Zion Harmonizers

John Boutte

Kermit Ruffins

Shamarr Allen

Paul Sanchez

Kenny Bill Stenson & the ARK-LA Mystics

Alejandro Escovedo- his first appearance at the NOJ&HF.

Art Neville's Band

Papa Grows Funk

Joe Krown- with one of my favorite bassists, Cassandra Falconer

D.L. Menard & the Louisiana Aces

the subdudes

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Pine Leaf Boys

Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys .... and many others!


     Great time!



     

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   Some performances presented by ATT Blue Room:


Alejandro Escovedo
Bonerama
Dr. John
Ivan Nevilles Dumpstaphunk
Kim Carson
Papa Grows Funk
Porter Patiste Stoltz
Roddie Romero and the Hub City All-Stars
Salvador Santana Band
Susan Cowsill
The Subdudes
Here's how to get there:

- Click on http://www.attblueroom.com/music/#-
- There's a box halfway down the page. On the top tab, click "concerts".
- Select Jazzfest. On the right hand side, you'll see the performer's name.
- Click the performer's name, and voila!


   This was Alejandro Escovedo's premier performance at the NOJ&HF and it was a thrilling show. He & his band were first up on the big stage one muddy morning. It was a nice way to wake up, they sure were rockin' that morning!