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February 2012 Music Calendar

February 2012 Music Calendar

Calendar updated daily!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

  • ($15) The Louis Armstrong Centennial Band @ Birdland NYC
  • ($20-$35) Chrisette Michele: A Tribute to The Legends w/ Robert Glasper @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
  • ($45-$58) Skrillex @ Pascha NYC

Thursday, February 2, 2012

  • ($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train – Late Night DJ Set @ Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($7) Break Science and Monolith Code Album Release Party @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($8) Larkin Grimm, Cuddle Magic, Tall Tall Trees @ The Rock Shop
  • ($15-$18) Emancipator @ Highline Ballroom

Friday, February 3, 2012

  • (Free) The Statesmen (Jonah Smith, Josh Dion, Scott Metzger, Ben Rubin) @ Rockwood Music Hall – Stage 2 (Midnight)
  • (Free?? – $10) Eclectic Method @ Cameo Music and Art Gallery (The Loving Cup)
  • ($10-$12) Soul Rebel Brass Band @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($10-$12) CEG Presents: Kung Fu with Sophistafunk @ Sullivan Hall
  • ($35) Brooklyn Music Shop Presents: Joan Osborne, The Holmes Brothers, with Special Guest Catherine Russell @ Grand Prospect Hall
  • ($35) Brad Mehldau and Mark Guiliana Duo @ Smoke
  • ($45-$58) Skrillex @ Roseland Ballroom
  • ($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ New York Hall of Science

Saturday, February 4, 2012

  • (Free) American Babies @ Rockwood Music Hall – Stage 2
  • ($5) Leroy Justice @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($35) Brad Mehldau and Mark Guiliana Duo @ Smoke
  • ($45-$58) Skrillex @ Terminal 5

Sunday, February 5, 2012

  • Oddly enough, I found nothing for this date!

Monday, February 6, 2012

  • ($8) Jim Campilongo Electric Trio with Stephan Crump & Tony Mason @ The Living Room
  • ($22) Howie Day w/ Matt White – RESIDENCY @ City Winery
  • ($25) Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
  • ($45-$65) Steve Earle & Allison Moorer w / The Dust Busters – Residency @ City Winery
  • ($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ New York Hall of Science
  • ($150-$2500) JAY Z with Special Guests: Benefit for United Way of New York City and The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation @ Carnegie Hall

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

  • ($20) YES! Trio featuring Ali Jackson | Aaron Goldberg | Omer Avital @ The Jazz Standard
  • ($20-$25) Roy Hargrove Big Band w/ special guest Roberta Gambarini @ Blue Note Jazz Club
  • ($25) Bone Thugs-N-Harmony w/ Krayzie & Wish @ Gramercy Theater
  • ($150-$2500) JAY Z with Special Guests: Benefit for United Way of New York City and The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation @ Carnegie Hall

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

  • (Free) Nutritious @ Bembe
    • We’re giving away 10 pre-release copies of Nutritious’s 2012 Exclusive Mix
  • ($20) YES! Trio featuring Ali Jackson | Aaron Goldberg | Omer Avital @ The Jazz Standard
  • ($20-$25) Roy Hargrove Big Band w/ special guest Roberta Gambarini @ Blue Note Jazz Club
  • ($22) Howie Day – RESIDENCY w/ Julia Sinclair @ City Winery
  • ($25-$30) Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe pres The Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers” with Anders Osborne @ Webster Hall
  • ($30) Ed Palermo Big Band featuring Legendary Frank Zappa Band Member Mike Keneally @ Iridium Jazz Club
  • ($37.50) George Clinton & The Parliament-Funkadelic All-Stars @ B.B. Kings
  • ($40) Anthrax @ Best Buy Theater

Thursday, February 9, 2012

  • (Free) BrooklyNites Jazz featuring Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra @ The Brooklyn Museum
  • ($5-$10) Uncomun: Loud Apartment CD Release with Bernie Worrell and Maya Azucena @ DROM
  • ($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train – Late Night DJ Set @ Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($8-$10) Freaks Night Out feat. Erik Deutsch, Joe Russo (Furthur, The Duo), Scott Metzger (Wolf!), Hagar Ben-Ari (Dap Kings) @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($10) Mark Guiliana’s “Beat Music” w/ Aaron Comess (w/Teddy Kumpel & Richard Hammond) @ Rockwood Music Hall – Stage 2
  • ($12-$15) Papadosio @ Highline Ballroom
  • ($15-$80) A Tribute to the Music of Motown with Ray Chew @ Carnegie Hall
  • ($20-$25) Roy Hargrove Big Band w/ special guest Roberta Gambarini @ Blue Note Jazz Club
  • ($30-$42) Bob Mould @ City Winery
  • ($50-$65) Primus: A Benefit for Baby Matthew / Be The Match Foundation @ Gramercy Theater
  • ($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ New York Hall of Science

Friday, February 10, 2012

  • (No Price Yet) Guns N’ Roses @ Roseland Ballroom
  • ($10) Turkuaz @ The Studio at Webster Hall
  • ($15-$20) Blowoff: Featuring the DJ Sounds of Bob Mould & Richard Morel @ Highline Ballroom
  • ($20) Tab Benoit @ Hiro Ballroom
  • ($20-$23) Tea Leaf Green @ Bowery Ballroom
  • ($20-$25) Roy Hargrove Big Band w/ special guest Roberta Gambarini @ Blue Note Jazz Club
  • ($30) Buster Williams @ Iridium Jazz Club (2 sets)
  • ($50-$330) Barry Manilow @ Radio City Music Hall

Saturday, February 11, 2012

  • (Free) NY Funk Exchange @ Club Groove
  • ($10) THOR Takes Over Hiro Ballroom @ Hiro Ballroom (All Ages)
  • ($10) lespecial @ Sullivan Hall (Late Night Set)
  • ($12) Tea Leaf Green @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($15-$20) John Kadlecik Band (from Furthur, DSO) @ Sullivan Hall
  • ($20-$25) Roy Hargrove Big Band w/ special guest Roberta Gambarini @ Blue Note Jazz Club
  • ($30) Buster Williams @ Iridium Jazz Club (2 sets)
  • ($35) Rebirth Brass Band: Pre-Mardi Gras Celebration with 2012 Grammy Nominees @ Hiro Ballroom
  • ($50-$330) Barry Manilow @ Radio City Music Hall

Sunday, February 12, 2012

  • (No Price Yet) Guns N’ Roses @ Terminal 5
  • ($20-$25) Roy Hargrove Big Band w/ special guest Roberta Gambarini @ Blue Note Jazz Club
  • ($30) Ralph Stanley @ B.B. Kings
  • ($40-$100) An Intimate Valentine’s Concert with Jim Brickman @ Best Buy Theater
  • ($50-$330) Barry Manilow @ Radio City Music Hall

Monday, February 13, 2012

  • ($8) Jim Campilongo Electric Trio with Stephan Crump & Tony Mason @ The Living Room
  • ($10) An Evening with: Nigel Hall and Alecia Chakour @ Rockwood Music Hall – Stage 2 (9pm)
  • ($25) Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
  • ($33-$95) Tibet House Benefit Concert @ Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
    • Feat. Laurie Anderson, Antony, James Blake, Tim Fain, Philip Glass, Stephin Merritt, Rahzel, Lou Reed, Dechen Shak-Dagsay
  • ($35) Les Paul Mondays feat. Special Guests Earl Slick (Guitarist with David Bowie) and Lee Rocker (Bassist from Stray Cats) with The Les Paul Trio @ Iridium Jazz Club (2 sets)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

  • ($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
  • ($40-$60) Richard Thompson – Special All-Request Shows @ City Winery
  • ($50-$330) Barry Manilow @ Radio City Music Hall
  • ($75-$85) Cedric The Entertainer @ The Beacon Theater

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

  • (Free) Nutritious @ Bembe
  • (No price yet) Guns N’ Roses @ Webster Hall
  • ($15-$17) Legendary Meters Drummer: Zigaboo Modeliste’s NY Foundation of Funk Revue ft. Andy Hess, Brian Mitchell, Jonathan Batiste & Jamie McLean @ Highline Ballroom
  • ($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
  • ($40-$60) Richard Thompson – Special All-Request Shows @ City Winery
  • ($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ New York Hall of Science

Thursday, February 16, 2012

  • ($73) John Hammond & John Mayall @ The Allen Room at Lincoln Center
  • (Free) Taylor Carson @ Rockwood Music Hall
  • ($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train – Late Night DJ Set @ Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($15) Less Than Jake @ The Brooklyn Bowl (Early Show)
  • ($35-$40) Auktyon featuring John Medeski & Marc Ribot @ le Poisson Rouge
  • ($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
  • ($40-$60) Richard Thompson – Special All-Request Shows @ City Winery

Friday, February 17, 2012

  • ($8) Higher Nebulae @ Sullivan Hall (early show)
  • ($10) Gent Treadly @ Sullivan Hall (part of another band on the bill)
  • ($10-$13) Tall, Tall Trees @ Mercury Lounge
  • ($15) A toga-party with America’s #1 Party Band!: Otis Day & the Knights @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($18-$22) Saul Williams @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
  • ($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
  • ($55-$130) Aretha Franklin @ Radio City Music Hall

Saturday, February 18, 2012

  • (Free) Hot Peas ‘N Butter @ Carnegie Hall (45 Minute Children’s Performance)
  • ($8-$10) Skatalites @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($10) CEG Presents: MUN’s CD Release Party featuring MUN plus Pigeons Playing Ping Pong @ Sullivan Hall
  • ($13) The Souljazz Orchestra plus Zongo Junction @ The Studio at Webster Hall
  • ($22-$32) Emilie Autumn @ Gramercy Theater
  • ($30) Mingus Big Band @ Jazz Standard
  • ($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
  • ($38-$42) Davy Jones of The Monkees @ B.B Kings
  • ($50-$65) Mardi Gras Ball with Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers plus Bonerama w/ special guest Marco Benevento, DJ Cochon de Lait and special guests Outer Borough Brass Band @ Hiro Ballroom
  • ($50-$100) Peter Frampton: Back by Popular Demand! The Frampton Comes Alive 35 Tour @ The Beacon Theater
  • ($55-$130) Aretha Franklin @ Radio City Music Hall
  • ($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ New York Hall of Science

Sunday, February 19, 2012

  • ($18-$23) Big Gigantic @ Webster Hall
  • ($25) Mingus Big Band @ Jazz Standard
  • ($30) Arturo O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra @ Birdland NYC
  • ($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
  • ($50-$65) Mardi Gras Ball with Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers and Bonerama @ Hiro Ballroom

Monday, February 20, 2012

  • ($8) Jim Campilongo Electric Trio with Stephan Crump & Tony Mason @ The Living Room
  • ($15-$18) Jenny Scheinman’s Mischief & Mayhem w/ Nels Cline, Jim Black, and Todd Sickafoose @ le Poission Rouge
  • ($25) Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
  • ($32-$38) Marcia Ball and BeauSoleil @ City Winery
  • ($30) Les Paul Mondays: The Jon Herington Band (lead guitarist of Steely Dan) and the Les Paul Trio @ Iridium Jazz Club

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

  • ($15) Less Than Jake @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($20-$30) Monty Alexander: 50 Years in Music & 50 Years in Jamaica: UPLIFT! With Special Guest Christian McBride & Russell Malone @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
  • ($25) Tigran Hamasyan & Jason Lindner/Mark Guiliana Duo @ Highline Ballroom

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

  • (Free) Nutritious @ Bembe
  • (Free) Cabinet @ Rodeo Bar
  • ($20-$30) Monty Alexander: 50 Years in Music & 50 Years in Jamaica: UPLIFT! With Special Guest Christian McBride & Russell Malone @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
  • ($50-$60) Flogging Molly, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears and The Devil Makes Three @ Manhattan Center Hammerstein Ballroom
  • ($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ Roseland Ballroom

Thursday, February 23, 2012

  • (Free?) Gent Treadly @ East Side Billiards
  • ($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train – Late Night DJ Set @ Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($20) Phife Dawg (of Tribe Called Quest) and Friends @ B.B. Kings
  • ($25-$40) Monty Alexander: 50 Years in Music & 50 Years in Jamaica: UPLIFT! With Special Guest Dr. Lonnie Smith @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
  • ($25-$45) In-Tune Music Festival: Philip Glass performing Kaddish (7pm)
    • One of the greatest works to emerge from the Beat Generation was Allen Ginsberg’s Kaddish, a sprawling, propulsive poem about the poet’s estrangement from Judaism. The 2012 Tune-In Music Festival will begin with a world premiere, commissioned by the Park Avenue Armory from jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, to be performed by the composer and an eight-piece ensemble accompanying a reading of Kaddish by Ginsberg collaborator Hal Willner and artist Ralph Steadman, who will create the visual design and staging to accompany the piece. (Runs 75 minutes with no intermission)
  • ($30-$35) Sinead O’Connor @ Highline Ballroom
  • ($55-$250) HIAS Regina Spektor Benefit Concert @ Rose Theater at Lincoln Center

Friday, February 24, 2012

  • ($12) Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad @ Rockwood Music Hall – Stage 2 (10pm)
  • ($12-$15) Twiddle / FiKus with Psychedelphia and The Fundimensionals @ Sullivan Hall
  • ($15) Wyllys ft. Jennifer Hartswick w/ Special Guests @ The Blue Note (Late Night Series)
  • ($15) An Evening With The Cast and Crew of: The Adventures of Pete and Pete @ Bowery Ballroom
  • ($25-$45) Tune-In Music Festival: Philip Glass and Patti Smith: The Poet Speaks @ Park Avenue Armory (7pm)
    • Longtime Glass collaborator Patti Smith and her band join Glass for the second concert, “The Poet Speaks,” performing music and readings celebrating their favorite poets, including Ginsberg and William Blake, which will be the first New York performance for the pair. (Runs approx. 90 Minutes with no intermission)
  • ($30) Hit Squad – Reunion Show: Redman, Epmd, Das Efx, Keith Murray @ Best Buy Theater
  • ($30-$35) Sinead O’Connor @ Highline Ballroom

Saturday, February 25, 2012

  • ($10) Dopapod / Turbine with The Mantras , MiZ , XVSK @ Sullivan Hall
  • ($15) Kung Fu @ The Blue Note (Late Night Series)
  • ($20) Eric Lindell with special guest Otis Taylor @ Hiro Ballroom
  • ($22-$26) Buckwheat Zydeco @ B.B. Kings (Grammy Winning King Of New Orleans Zydeco)
  • ($25) Railroad Earth and Cornmeal @ Best Buy Theater
  • ($30-$37) Galactic, Soul Rebel Brass Band & Steel Pulse @ Terminal 5
  • ($30-$50) Tune-In Music Festival: The Philip Glass Ensemble performs his Music in 12 Parts @ Park Avenue Armory (5pm)
    • For the third concert, The Philip Glass Ensemble will offer a rare performance of the entire Music in Twelve Parts, Glass’s epic minimalist composition which he considers his “breakthrough” work. (Runs a total of 5 hours including two short intermissions and one hour long dinner break)
  • ($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ Roseland Ballroom

Sunday, February 26, 2012

  • ($15) Chris Rob: Game Rebellion @ Highline Ballroom
  • ($15-$35) Tune-In Music Festival: Philip Glass performs Afternoon Concert @ Park Avenue Armory (2pm)
    • The final day of the Festival will begin with compilation of unique artists that Philip Glass has assembled and represent the forward momentum of contemporary music. (Runs a total of 2 hours 15 minutes with one Intermission)
  • ($15-$35) Tune-In Music Festival: Philip Glass’s Another Look at Harmony – Part IV @ Park Avenue Armory (7pm)
    • The Festival concludes with Glass’s Another Look at Harmony, a choral work Glass started in 1975 for organ and 100 voices, performed by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, the Collegiate Chorale, and organist Michael Riesman, music director and keyboardist of The Philip Glass Ensemble. (Runs 62 minutes with no intermission)
  • ($25-$40) Monty Alexander: 50 Years in Music & 50 Years in Jamaica: A Night at Jillys ft Dee Dee Bridgewater & Freddy Cole @ The Blue Note
  • ($27.50) Marc Ribot’s ” Really The Blues” @ Iridium Jazz Club (2 sets)
  • ($30) Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra @ Birdland NYC
  • ($50-$75) An Unpredictable Evening With Todd Rundgren@ City Winery

Monday, February 27, 2012

  • ($8) Jim Campilongo Electric Trio with Stephan Crump & Tony Mason @ The Living Room
  • ($10) Erik Deutsch Demonio Teclado CD Release Party @ Rockwood Music Hall – Stage 2
  • ($25) Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
  • ($27.50) Marc Ribot’s ” Really The Blues” @ Iridium Jazz Club (2 sets)
  • ($50-$75) An Unpredictable Evening With Todd Rundgren@ City Winery

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

  • (Free) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall
  • ($15) Bowlive III @ The Brooklyn Bowl: Special Guests: John Scofield & Luther Dickinson
  • ($30-$40) Leo Kottke @ City Winery
  • ($35-$40) Robert Glasper Experiment:With Special Guests Yasiin Bey, Chrisette Michele, Lalah Hathaway & More @ Highline Ballroom
  • ($50-$150) Van Halen with Kool & The Gang @ Madison Square Garden
  • ($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ Roseland Ballroom

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

  • (Free) Nutritious @ Bembe
  • ($15) Bowlive III @ The Brooklyn Bowl: Special Guests: John Scofield & Luther Dickinson
  • ($30-$40) Leo Kottke @ City Winery

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The 41st New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

A Russ Agdern Perspective: Part I

Mr. Russ Agdern

Mr. Russ Agdern

What a week!  My third trip to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) was nothing short of incredible.  The surprises were many, the disappointments were few, the food was awesome, and when you get to hear some of the best music in the world in one the most important musical towns in the world, you’re in for a good time.

2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival takes place over the last weekend of April and first weekend in May at the New Orleans Fairgrounds, but, like most parties in this town, can’t be contained in one venue, so Fest spills out in the clubs, halls, restaurants, bars, record stores, boats, coffee houses, laundromats, Carnival float warehouses, street corners and empty lots of the Crescent City.  Two things set Jazz Fest apart from other festivals in my mind – the musical diversity and the food.

Who Dat Ville

Photo by Marisa Harford

While heavy metal, pop, opera, classical aren’t there, and quality hip hop is not so represented (The Roots and Chali 2na were both here in 2008, haven’t seen a hip hop group I like since at the fairgrounds), some of the very best in Jazz, Funk, Blues, Gospel, Zydeco, Cajun, Folk, Rock are all over the place at the fairgrounds and in the venues around town.  Ani DiFranco and Gift of Gab played club shows, members of REM sat in with Bonerama, Pearl Jam, Elvis Costello, Simon and Garfunkel, Van Morrison all played at the fairgrounds, so don’t be fooled into thinking this is solely a Jazz festival, because it ain’t.  Sure, there are 3 different jazz stages at the fairgrounds (one for general jazz, one for traditional New Orleans Dixieland Jazz, and one split between brass bands and Mardi Gras Indians) but there are also two main stages, a gospel and blues tents, a zydeco/Cajun stage… you get the idea.

Prejean's pheasant, quail and andouille gumbo (Photo by Prejean's Restaurant)

Prejean's pheasant, quail and andouille gumbo (Photo by Prejean's Restaurant)

The food at the fairgrounds is tremendous.  It is freaking delicious and goes way beyond “best festival food you’ll have” into some of the best you’ll ever have…period.  I wait all year for Prejeans Pheasant, Duck, and Andouille Gumbo.  Their Fried Chicken and Jambalaya combo is one of the best ways to spend $8.  And I’m not even talking about all the things most folks seem to like, like the crawfish monica, the shrimp po boys, the cochon de lait sandwiches, the mango freezes… trust me when I say you should budget yourself 20 bucks per day for food at the fairgrounds. You’ll thank me.

Photo By Lynn Lesh 2010

Photo By Lynn Lesh

This being my third Jazz Fest, I tend to have a rhythm I like to follow, things I like to do.  Some of my favorite moments of Fest have happened during the in between days or extra days, so I tend to do second weekend with an extra day or two on either end of the weekend.  This gives me time to actually see the city, something I don’t really do as much while the music is in full swing.  This also gives me a chance to catch additional great music at various places, including the Louisiana Music Factory which hosts many in store sets during the days surrounding Fest.  I think this review works best chronologically, so let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

Welcome to NOLA

Welcome to NOLA

Wednesday: April 28, 2010: Day One

Arrive at airport, no traffic on Bronx/Queens Expressway and breeze through security line… only to find a gate full of ANGRY people.  Why so serious?  You see, the airlines don’t apparently know that it is Jazz Fest, even if millions of people do.  So they oversell flights, and are shocked when they need 5 volunteers to go later, but folks already have reservations and concert tickets.  I considered getting bumped, but wanted to get to town.

House of Blues, New Orleans

House of Blues, New Orleans

I don’t normally do House of Blues shows, would rather support local clubs.  But today, they had Kermit Ruffins of the Barbecue Swingers, doing a “Treme House Party” on stage with Walter Wolfman Washington, Dr. Michael White, Henry Butler, and Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews.  This sounded awesome.  Plus, Fesshead Krewe (represented by a metal bust of Professor Longhair) was hosting a party in an empty lot, with The  Rebirth Brass Band and an all star band of Neville-related project alums (Band called “Never Was Brothers”), which sounded great.  So no flight credit for me. Really excited about this House of Blues‘ show.  So excited that I call after I land to see if I should get tickets early or just walk up.  The box office suggested coming early so I head right from my host’s place towards The French Quarter.  On the way, pass by Fesshead Fest, and never have a received a look of utter betrayal like the one I got from the man waiving people in to Fesshead Fest.  The guy was shocked that I kept driving, how could I do this to him?!  But I stopped long enough to hear The  Rebirth Brass Band rock out one tune and was it hot!

Café Du Monde beignets

Café Du Monde's Beignets (Photo by Marisa Harford)

Park on Decatur, run to the box office, snag a ticket, stop by Café Du Monde for some beignets (French donuts with powdered sugar) and some Café Au Lait (coffee with milk).  Great couple musicians jamming on some folk and soul music out front, a sister with dreads on guitar, a youngish guy on guitar, a drummer… another guitarist walks up and joins them, as does a singer, who starts singin’ the hell out of some Bill Withers.  I love Bill Withers.  Hey, apparently, so does Cyril Neville, who’s suddenly standing five feet from me, also checking them out.  I decide not to say anything to him, even though he’s an amazing musician who’s done some amazing stuff, most recently touring with Galactic and burning down The Brooklyn Bowl after The Saints won the Super Bowl.  Another woman walks up and starts singing Aretha Franklin‘s “Chain of Fools” and is fantastic.  This is gonna be a good week.

Go hang with my host for a few moments before I head over the House of Blues, he’s an old friend through social justice work and is a good dude trying to good work in a city that needs it.  Off to HOB!

Photo by Matt Cornell

Kermit's Poster (Photo by Matt Cornell)

Show review:

This show had all the makings of an epic, but some things worried me – like why call it a “Treme House Party” when people can go see Kermit Ruffins playing in the Treme tomorrow night?  It’s Jazz Fest.  My guess is that lineup doesn’t need to piggy back off the show, even if it is popular.  Great opening act, singer and a guitarist accompanying.  Great voice, insane Mariah Carey-like upper range.  But the main event was a disappointment, for a few reasons:

1)      The curtain opened and we were watching a ‘Treme House Party’.  The stage was set with couches, chairs, a bar, and random non musicians hangin’ out, having drinks.  Weird.  The House of Blues brings you a fake version of something that exists for real a couple miles away tomorrow.

Trombone Shorty @ Kermit's Show

Trombone Shorty @ Kermit's Show (Photo by Matt Cornell)

2)      I had hoped there would be some real interaction between the guests, with each other, with Kermit.  But the show was a lot more of Kermit plays one song, special guest X leads The Barbeque Swingers for a few numbers, maybe Kermit joins on one, then special guest X leaves.  LAME.  Don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t actually lame, the musicianship was fantastic, but the vibe was off, and Kermit having a drink on stage, trumpet in hand, while someone else leads his band and doesn’t get in on it?  Weird stuff.

3)      Because of 1 and 2, things were low energy for the first half, which is a shame b/c Walter Wolfman Washington and Dr. Michael White were great.  But Henry Butler really kicked things up a notch with his cover of “Mustang Sally.”  Then Trombone Shorty’s mini set was also great and he brought his brother James Andrews out to do “Skokie” and “Oop Oop A Doo.”

Treme on HBO

Treme on HBO

4)      I’m sure Treme is awesome.  I can’t wait to see the series, actually.  And I very much dig John Boutte, the guy who wrote the song that became the theme.  Still, it sounds a lot like the beginning to “Do Whatcha Wanna“, and I got very excited the four times I heard it this weekend, only to be disappointed.  My guess is musicians in NOLA will be as tired of that song as they are of “The Saints” very soon.

I know folks say that bad sex and pizza, even when they’re bad, are pretty good.  But whoever said those things must clearly not know good pizza and good sex, because pretty good doesn’t freaking cut it when it could be mind blowing.  While pretty good, and probably great for folks who didn’t know they could expect more, this show was probably the disappointment of the weekend.  It could have been one of those crazy moments of synergy when brilliant musicians make something happen, but instead it was a weird, gimmicky thing that was more like an all-star review than the party I had hoped for.

Irvin Mayfield and the NOJO Jam

Irvin Mayfield and the NOJO Jam

Next up, I stopped by the Jam Session at Irvin Mayfield’s new place, called a “head cutting session.”  For y’all don’t know, cutting heads is not just jamming, but is actually competitive combat.  Kinda how a poetry slam is to spoken word and performance poetry.  So, to hear it billed like that, I was hoping for some folks spitting fiyo.  What was going down there was a bunch of younger cats playing some charts together.

Megalomaniac's Ball - Garage A Trois (Photo by Jon Weber)

Megalomaniac's Ball - Garage A Trois (Photo by Jon Weber)

It was great to see them finding their feet, but again, not quite what I expected.  Still, the players was solid, lotsa horn players getting their groove on to “Straight“, “No Chaser” and whatnot.    Good times.  Caught several songs then felt my energy start to flag a lil bit.  While I was enjoying the jamming, it wasn’t worth starting the week off sleep deprived.  It was too late to hit The Megalomaniac’s Ball, featuring Garage A Trois, Stanton Moore Trio, Dead Kenny G’s, Mike Dillon and Earl Harvin Duo, at The Howlin’ Wolf, so I decided to head back towards the rental car.  A good but not great start to the week, was starting to feel a little bummed.  Thing is, some of the best shows I’ve seen at Fest have been the night before, so expectations were great and not met.

So…it’s 2am and I’m driving down Elysian Fields and about to turn onto my friend’s street…when I hear a brass band.  I immediately park.  Last year there were brass band battles on Frenchman, a block away.  I head towards Frenchman and sure enough there are two small groups going at it, with a frenzied group of dancers between them.  More and more players join up, including Clarence ‘Trixzey’ Slaughter, formerly of Trombone Shorty’s band.  It’s getting crazy.  The crowd is getting larger.  For the second time today, Cyril Neville bumps into me.  I decide again not to say anything.  A guy shows up with a baritone (smaller version of a tuba) and another guy with weird saxophones.  A shorter Latina woman is dancing like crazy.  Cyril bumps into me again and I thank him for such a great Super Bowl show at The Brooklyn Bowl with Galactic.

Cyril: Aww, thank you man.  You know, that night… we were Doin Work! You know?

Me: Yeah you right. And brother, you sure were.

Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews has now shown up and though half the crowd is spraining eyeballs trying to notice it is him without staring, he’s unarmed and just there to watch.  The band is taking it up and up.  Two drunk dudes are doing their best to ruin it by stumbling into the band but thankfully not succeeding.  Clarence ‘Trixzey’ Slaughter is KILLING on his horn.  Hell yeah! Finally, the band busts out “Saints” for a while, then second line and it’s a wrap.  Instead of bed by 2am, it’s more like 4:30am now.  And while still a little disappointed about the first show, I went to sleep real happy.  Seen some great musicianship and showmanship, and Jazz Fest hadn’t even restarted.  This was gonna be an awesome week.

~ Article by: Russ Agdern ~

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