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Posts Tagged ‘Rebirth Brass Band’

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 2010 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival:

An “Easy D” Perspective: Saturday, May 1, 2010

Mike "Easy D" Deasy

Mike "Easy D" Deasy

(Read Easy D’s “Prologue” here)

(Read Easy D’s “Wednesday, April 28, 2010” here)

(Read Easy D’s “Thursday, April 29, 2010” here)

(Read Easy D’s “Friday, April 30, 2010” here)

Moving slow this morning.  Quick check of the weather forecast reveals no change.   Total cloud cover, breezy, chance of rain.  This is great.  No need to continuously apply SPF 30!  Time to get on the school bus!  Unfortunately, we missed the first period of classes.  However, we arrive in time to catch the end of the Henry Butler & the Game Band set at the Gentilly stage.  This band had much more of a gospel feel than New Orleans Social Club showcasing Henry Butler’s great voice as well as his piano playing prowess.

Henry Butler @ Jazz Fest 2010

Henry Butler @ Jazz Fest 2010

We were focused.  It was time to hoof it over quickly to the Acura stage for Anders Osborne.  During the trek,we loved listening to snippets of Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band at the Fais Do Do stage and Rebirth Brass Band at Congo Square.

Rebirth Brass Band @ Jazz Fest 2010

Rebirth Brass Band @ Jazz Fest 2010

Saturday at Jazz Fest gets extremely crowded.  It’s good to have a strategy so that you can enjoy viewing the performers without having to battle the crowds.  This is especially true as one gets older and perhaps less slim (like me).  Over the last couple of years, our Krewe has adopted the following strategy for the Acura stage once the crowds build: position ourselves in front of the big screen to the left of the stage near the Grand Marshall entrance.  This is where we went next.

As with the jazzfest set last year, Anders Osborne played with the Stanton Moore Trio.  What a powerful group!

Anders Osborne – Guitar and Vocals

Stanton Moore –  Drums

Robert Walter – Organ

Will Bernard – Guitar

Anders Osborne @ Jazz Fest 2010

Anders Osborne @ Jazz Fest 2010

It has been a year since I have seen Anders Osborne live, but I have been following his career closely and could not help but notice that his appearance has taken a turn to say the least.  When viewed on the big screen, Anders’ appearance is, how can I say this tactfully, even more disconcerting.

Anders Osbourne @ Jazz Fet 2010
Anders Osbourne @ Jazz Fet 2010

However, there was nothing disconcerting about the performance or the great songs from Anders’ brand new album American Patchwork.  Most notable was the killer tune ‘On the Road to Charlie Parker’ as well as another gem ‘Acapulco’.  During the set, Anders thanked the Stanton Moore Trio for helping to ‘get my shit together.’  It’s easy to see why with such great collaborators providing the right mood for Anders’ introspective lyrics.

Anders Osbourne @ Jazz Fet 2010

Anders Osbourne @ Jazz Fet 2010

Later in the set, Anders brought another collaborator, guitarist Pepper Keenan (Corrosion of Conformity, Down) for a couple of tunes, including the haunting dual lead guitar laced ‘Darkness at the Bottom’.

Pepper Keenan w/ Anders Osborne & the Stanton Moore Trio @ Jazz Fest 2010

Pepper Keenan w/ Anders Osborne & the Stanton Moore Trio @ Jazz Fest 2010

Afterwards, Anders quipped about starting a ZZ Top cover band with Pepper.  I found Anders set to be quite powerful and emotional, certainly destined to be one of my highlights of Jazzfest 2010.  Anders is currently touring with the Trio on the west coast promoting the new album.  Go see them if you can!

After that set, I was spent.  Seems like just the right time to head to the Blues tent and grab a seat for Chris Thomas King.  You may remember Chris from his co-starring role in the Coen Brothers film O Brother Where Art Thou.  I learned several years ago that Chris is a great singer and delta blues guitarist when I caught him at a blues festival in Wheeling, WV.  His Jazz Fest set featured Chris playing mostly acoustic instruments with a couple of tunes on electric.  My guitar playing buddy was impressed.

Chris Thomas King @ Jazz Fest 2010

Chris Thomas King @ Jazz Fest 2010

Crawfish Strudel

Crawfish Strudel

Time for some food!  I was ‘beered out’ by Saturday, decided I should look for a different beverage.  I selected the Rosemint Iced Tea (unsweetened).  Delicious.  At this point I was looking for something I had not tried for and saw a sign for something called a Crawfish Strudel.  Hmmm.  Better check that out.  What I saw was a small rectangular flaky bread loaf with a slit through the top stuffed with a soupy concoction with chunks of crawfish.  Kinda like a small bread bowl, if you will, but very delicate.  A very nice surprise!  While I was working through the food lines, I could see the big Acura screen between the booths.  I noticed that Irma Thomas was sitting in with Galactic!  I guess I picked the wrong time to get hungry!

Band of Horses @ Jazz Fest 2010

Band of Horses @ Jazz Fest 2010

By this time, our dogs were barking (it’s hell growing old), so we worked our way over to the Fais Do Do stage.  Got there in time to see BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet finish their set.  Excellent.  Most of my Krewe ended up randomly gathering as the Honey Island Swamp Band set up for their set.  One brought a chair and set it up toward the back of the crowd.  Some friends and I parked on the bleachers to the left of the stage.  Some were in the standing area in front of the stage.  It’s great to have a group split during a day at the fest then randomly meet near the end of the day.  Some of my group reported that the Band of Horses set at Gentilly was killer.  Others reported that Galactic had many special guests throughout their set, not just Irma.

Then the Honey Island Swamp Band tore into their set.  The Honey Island Swamp Band is:

Chris Mulé – guitar, vocals

Aaron Wilkinson – mandolin, guitar,harmonica, vocals

Sam Price – bass, vocals

Garland Paul – drums, vocals

Honey Island Swamp Band @ Jazz Fest 2010

Honey Island Swamp Band @ Jazz Fest 2010

I have been following Chris Mulé and Aaron Wilkinson for years, since their days as part of Eric Lindell’s band.  Both are great players and singers.  In addition to the band, the stage was filled with a keyboard player, backing vocalists, and a horn section, quite a departure from the spare traveling band I saw just a few weeks ago at a small club in my hometown.  But what a dancin’ party it was at Fais Do Do!

I knew that the crowds for Pearl Jam at Acura would be impossible.  I made the decision long before coming to New Orleans that I would end Saturday at the Gentilly stage for guitar god Jeff Beck.  It has been about a decade since I last saw Mr. Beck.   I am happy to report that he is getting better with age if that is possible.  His very tight band consisted of a phenomenal female bass player and singer, drummer, and a keyboardist.  Most tunes were instrumentals, but hey, that’s OK, Jeff makes the guitar sing like no one can.  Also, gotta love a guy that is comfortable in his wardrobe.  Great ending to yet another great day.  Heavy clouds, no rain!  I like this trend!

Jeff Beck @ Jazz Fest 2010

Jeff Beck @ Jazz Fest 2010

Saturday Night, 5/1

Some of our Krewe were talking about going to see Anders Osborne and the Stanton Moore Trio again at The Rock ‘N’ Bowl on Saturday night.  I wasn’t wild about going to the same venue two nights in a row and I wasn’t wild about seeing Anders again on the same day after that draining (in a good way) set at the fairgrounds.  Last year, I did not make it to the Frenchman Street area in Marigny, an area just east of the French Quarter.  Frenchman Street is a street lined with music clubs and restaurants that is more of a scene, hip, vibrant, bohemian, you name it area than the much more touristy Bourbon Street.

Soulive @ Jazz Fest 2010

Soulive @ Jazz Fest 2010

We decided to go see Soulive at The Blue Nile.  Upon arriving on the scene, the streets and sidewalks are literally jammed with people.  Most I have ever seen on Frenchman Street.  When we approach The Blue Nile, we land in a block long admission line.  We finally make it in to the club just before the show starts.  There was a large deep crowd of people in front of the stage.  We positioned ourselves just to the right of the stage.  While not the best vantage point, at least we can clearly see the keys.

Soulive @ Jazz Fest 2010

Soulive @ Jazz Fest 2010

Soulive is Eric Krasno (guitar), Alan Evans (drums) and his brother Neal Evans (keyboards).  What a pleasure to see this band in such a small venue!  I have always loved Kras’ guitar playing, but from our vantage point, we had a bird’s eye view of Neal’s thumping left hand bass line playing coupled with his right hand organ playing.  How does he do that?

Soulive @ Jazzfest 2010

Soulive @ Jazzfest 2010

As the set progressed, the crowd got much larger and our bird’s eye view became less ideal.  There was nowhere to move or breathe for that matter, so we moved a little further back.  By this time, Nigel Hall joined the band to sing a few tunes, some of which were James Brown-like.  At least we had a little more space to shake our bones!   Several minutes later, the long set ended.  Terrific performance!  We decided to get some air and check out the street scene.

Across the street in front of the now closed Café Brasil, there was a blues band (electric) playing.  What fun!  Not 30 feet from the blues band, a brass band was holding court in the middle of the intersection.  All the while, people were stopping to listen, dancing, and strolling by.  We continued walking up the street taking in all of the sights and sounds.  Most of us decided that we weren’t going to fight the crowds and return to the Blue Nile for the 2nd set.  The one guy that did stay behind later reported that the second set was all Beatles tunes. RUBBER SOULIVE! Darn!

There were no cabs to be had on Frenchman Street, so we decided a stroll through the neighborhoods was in order.  It was a very pleasant evening and the walk did us good.  Once we were back in the French Quarter, we happened to stroll by the Co Co Club on Bourbon Street and saw the most excellent blind blues guitarist, Bryan Lee, playing.  What a bonus!  Even though there was no cover and we could have gone inside, we had a great view of Bryan and the sound was great out on the street.  We paused for about 10 minutes enjoying the band.

What a great night!  And back to the hotel just before 2:00?  I love it!

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The 41st New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival:

A Russ Agdern Perspective: Thursday, April 29, 2010

(The Fairgrounds Reopen, Marisa Arrives, Let’s Zydeco!)

Mr. Russ Agdern

Mr. Russ Agdern

(Read Russ’s “Wednesday, April 28, 2010″ here)

Cake Cafe (Photo by Bryna Stiefel)

Cake Cafe (Photo by Bryna Stiefel)

So after a five hour sleep, I shower, get dressed, catch up with my buddy for a minute, then it’s off to the Cake Café for a croissant and up the Fairgrounds for Day 1.  It’s a little overcast, the perfect kind of Fest day, not too hot and sunny.  Text my folks to let em know I’m on my way.  Stop to buy water from the same lady I buy water from outside the fest every year, grab my cubes (slang, term to describe Jazz Fest schedule) and tell the nice lady hanging out to remember me and not be surprised when I sweat through them and come back every day.  Get my stuff searched, my ticket scanned, and wow, I’m in.  HAPPY JAZZFEST!

Fais DO DO Stage (Photo by allentomdude)

Fais DO DO Stage (Photo by allentomdude)

For those who don’t know about Jazz Fest, there are three stages you always need to make time to check out: the Gospel Tent, the Jazz and Heritage Stage, and the Fais Do-Do (pronounced Fay doughdough) Stage.  Just do it; make the time.  Because at each of those spaces, there’s a really good chance you’ll hear someone you’ve never heard of before making incredible music.

McMain High School Gospel Choir

McMain High School Gospel Choir

I learned this lesson really well in 2008 and I try to stick to it, so seeing as it’s the first venue on the way in, I grab a seat in the Gospel Tent to check out the McMain High School Gospel Choir.  Local high school, apparently, I know nothing about them and sit down.  WOW.  Amazing!  Unbelievable voices, poise, energy, showmanship.  Just incredible!  All kinds of soloists started doing amazing things, and their band, comprised of high school musicians, was incredibly tight!  Texted my wife that the choir was so good I was thinking about converting, and the Gospel tent is so good it wasn’t the first or last time I’ve made that joke.

Kirk Joseph (Photo By Jeff Dupuis)

Kirk Joseph (Photo By Jeff Dupuis)

While there, I figured out roughly how my day was going to go, then made my way over to LB and her Krewe of folks at the fairgrounds.  LB  is a Jazzfest vet, having been many times, and I had the pleasure of bonding with her about Jazzfest at a Big Sam show last year, so we’ve been hitting great funk shows together since then.  Her Krewe had a nice spot by the Acura (main 1) stage, and I went to check out Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove.  Kirk Joseph is the original sousaphone player of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and is credited by many with taking Sousaphone playing into the realm of replacing an electric bass in a funk band.  This style of Sousaphone playing, taken up by others like “Tuba Phil” Frazier of the Rebirth Brass Band, has become the standard for many Brass Bands around the world, and Joseph was one of the innovators, so I wanted to see what his new band was putting down.  Nice lineup, multiple horns including what looked like a baritone horn (smaller version of a regular tuba), keys, guitar, and a couple of singers.  Doing a nice mix of funky stuff, flirtatious titles (don’t let me have a taste if I don’t get to have the whole thing), and stuff with a message about living together.

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

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

Speaking of tastes, it wouldn’t be Fest without the food!  Went off to get my first tastes of Fest, including the Pheasant, Quail and Andouie Gumbo from Prejeans that I look forward to every year, as well as the stuffed mushrooms that are just delicious.  And the nice folks at Prejeans gave me a FREE BOWL!  After I stopped to take a sip, I groaned at how good the stuff is.  One of the folks behind the table asked me why I stopped, I told her it tasted just like I remembered it did last year, and she handed me another bowl without waiting.  Awesome!  Some to share with LB’s buddies of the Superchill Krewe.  Yeah you right!

Dumpstaphunk (Photo by Jason Moran)

Dumpstaphunk (Photo by Jason Moran)

Nothing else grabbed my fancy, so I decided to stay put at Acura and give Dumpstaphunk a real chance.  I always kind of a weird feeling about them-  I feel about musical families the way I feel about royal families- having the name doesn’t impress me, you have to bring it.  Being Art Neville’s nephew and playing keys made me a little wary- I’m a huge devotee of Poppa Funk, and didn’t want to see someone up there just b/c of the name.  But Ivan really brought it on keys and with some great energy on vocals as well.  By the second tune, “Turn This Thing Around” which was talking about helping folks that need a hand, I was really digging the groove.  In some ways, Dumpstaphunk reminded me of a mix between the tight funk of the Meters and the cosmic slop of P-Funk.  Nasty grooves and a good message?  Sign me up.  Ivan and the whole crew were serious business, and I’m sorry I ever had a thought that he wasn’t earning it, because Ivan is a monster on them keys.

Walter Payton with Snapbeans & Gumbo Filé

Walter Payton with Snapbeans & Gumbo Filé

But as the crew was rampaging through “Put it in the Dumpsta” I checked the time and realized it was time to see an old friend.  Walter Payton, Jazz Bassist extraordinaire, music education giant of New Orleans, father of trumpet star Nicholas Payton, and longtime stalwart of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, was playing with his group, Snap Ppeas and Gumbo File, at the Economy Hall Tent.  The Economy Hall tent is one of three Jazz stages at Jazzfest, the stage representing traditional, New Orleans Jazz.  I had the pleasure of making friends with Walter on my first trip to New Orleans in 1999, and always try to get out and see him at Fest.  This was especially important this year as he had a stroke at the beginning of the year, so I really wanted to see him.  And it was tough. The musicianship was great, he had some tremendous folks playing with him, including guitar wizard June Yamagishi (from Papa Grows Funk, among other things) and a couple great singers and dancers.  But he wasn’t nearly as gregarious as previous years, one could tell he wasn’t quite recovered from the stroke and it made me quite sad.  When I spoke with one of the staff of Preservation Hall about Walter on Monday, she and I both started to tear up as she talked to me about him not wanting to slow down, wanting to keep going and pushing himself a little too hard to get back.  I made her promise to tell him I send my best and she did.  It’s a sad thing to see good people not quite at their best.  Here’s hoping for a continued speedy recovery, Walter.  The music world, and really the whole world needs you better.  Readers, if you’re not sure you agree, check out this great video of Walter singing the Louis Armstrong classic, “Shimmy Like My Sister Kate”

Mardi Gras Indian (Photo by Mica Lawson)

Mardi Gras Indian (Photo by Mica Lawson)

Having a bit of time to kill before Dr. Klaw, my next must see, I headed over to catch Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots over at the Congo Square stage.  On the way, I got caught in some second line fun with some Mardi Gras Indians and the Paulin Brothers Brass Band.  Oh yeah, if ten stages of unbelievable music isn’t enough for you, there are often Brass Bands and Mardi Gras Indians parading through the fairgrounds at random times.

Paulin Brothers Brass Band (Photo by Maitri)

Paulin Brothers Brass Band (Photo by Maitri)

So after waving around a napkin and shaking it with the Paulin Brothers Brass Band, who were just great, went off to see Sunpie.  Sunpie is impressive, multi instrumentalist, great singer, and a big presence.  He apparently used to play football, he’s a tall dude.  He’s also all over the place, playing WWOZ’s piano night, playing with his own band, later on that weekend with the Mardi Gras Indians Orchestra, and on the awesome new Ensemble Fatien disc.  I was looking forward to catching him and the Sunspots later that night at the Mid City Lanes annual Legends of Zydeco show, but wanted to catch a peek now.  He didn’t disappoint, romping through Louis Jordan’s “Choo Choo Ch’boogie” and a couple others before I danced my way back to the Jazz and Heritage Stage for Dr. Klaw.  Some really great accordion work, and that band is awful tight.

Alright Dr. Klaw!  Dr. Klaw is one of these bands that only exists in a few places like Jazz Fest and Jam Cruise, a mutant mash up of Chapter 2, represented by Eric Krasno on guitar and some vocals, Adam Deitch on drums, and Nigel Hall on Keys and vocals, and Dumpstaphunk, represented by Nick Daniels on bass and lead vocals and Ian Neville on guitar.  It was kinda weird to see a guitar based band at the Jazz and Heritage stage, but I didn’t mind it.  These guys were fantastic- Nick Daniels syncing up with Adam Deitch for some sick grooves, Eric Krasno letting it out and singing it out a lil bit, and Nigel laying down some tasty stuff on the keys.  Ian was good too, but seemed content to let Kras take the lead.  Ivan Neville was on the side of the stage most of the set, grooving and possibly chomping at the bit to get in the mix, but didn’t end up stepping in.  My personal highlight was Nick Daniels and Nigel Hall sharing vocals on a tasty as hell version of “Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder.  It’s only halfway through Day 1 at the Fairgrounds, and I already got a “best covers of 2010” list brewing in my head.  The fellas headed into Nigel Hall’s “Leave Me Alone” but not being in the mood to hear that particular track, I bounded towards the track side of the Congo Square stage to get a good spot for the Soul Rebels Brass Band.

Soul Rebel Brass Band

Soul Rebel Brass Band

The Soul Rebels are one of New Orleans’ many great second generation Brass Band outfits.  I say second generation because you have older guard groups like the Treme Brass Band, the Paulin Brothers, and then, starting with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and of course, the mighty Rebirth Brass Band, you have a second wave of brass bands that combine the traditional music with Funk, R&B, Rock, and Hip Hop to make more contemporary flavored music.  The Soul Rebels have been around at least sixteen or seventeen years.  I got down with their groove for a bit before chatting a little with some folks that were set up near me, including a woman who asked me if I spoke Hebrew (in Hebrew).  Ah, the surprises of wearing a Hebrew letter Yankees hat to Jazz Fest.  She let me know there were actually a lot of Yids and Israelis at Jazz Fest, and that I should look out for the Krewe at, what else, the Israeli flag by Acura.

Someone bumps into me and it’s KD! KD is the person that finally went to Fest in 2007 and inspired me to get off my tuchus and go there, and she’s just good people.  Starting last year, she’s been “living the dream” and spending 12 days in New Orleans for Fest.  We catch up, she tells me where she’s been, who she’s been seeing and how she’s doing.  We both grumble at the mediocre hip hop stuff that’s entered the Soul Rebels set.  I’m sorry y’all, I’m from New York and I take Hip Hop seriously, so I’m kinda tough on folks dropping random things in.  Y’all wouldn’t like it if Talib Kweli picked up a saxophone and started half ass-ing “Do Whatcha Wanna” either.  Glad to see KD but feeling like a different energy, we hug and part ways, and I head back to the Jazz and Heritage stage to catch 101 Runners.

101 Runner (Photo by Kaarin Tisue)

101 Runner (Photo by Kaarin Tisue)

MAN!  What a difference!  These guys are pouring it out there, goin nuts over “Shallow Water” and whipping the crowd into a frenzy.  I have to say, watching people discover this stage is a favorite of mine.  People don’t know what to make of the Mardi Gras Indians groups but they get into them pretty quickly with their incredibly funky grooves and their catchy call and response melodies.  Perfect.  Off to snag a Loretta’s Praline and get a decent spot for Elvis Costello at the Gentilly Stage.  Well, I didn’t head over soon enough, because I can hear strains of a killer version of “Hey, You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” wafting skyward as I approach.  The lawn is packed, no good spot for me.  I unfold the chair and grab a seat.

Elvis Costello @ Jazzfest 2010

Elvis Costello @ Jazzfest 2010

He’s performing some great stuff, and the local crowd has some real love for him as he’s been around the city post federal flood.  Does a few more great tunes I don’t know (I must confess to not knowing his catalog super well) and it’s great stuff… but for some reason, my soul is not there.  This is one thing that’s difficult to manage about Jazzfest- restless ears.  There’s so much good stuff happening at any one moment that it’s tough to stay in one place if you’re not feeling it.  So even though this was my first time seeing Elvis Costello, and even though he was great, and even though my friends reading this will probably smack me for saying this… I left Gentilly to end my day at another tent.

On my way to the main gate, I passed the Economy Hall tent, where there was a great tribute to Louis Prima happening, as part of the celebration of his 100th birthday.  One of Prima’s guitar players, Bobby Lonero, was leading a great band in a set of Prima classics.  Who could go wrong?  Great mash up of When You’re Smiling into Oh Marie, and then, when they asked the crowd for a request, everyone yelled for Just a Gigolo.  For those who don’t know, the David Lee Roth version was ripped off essentially note for note from Louis Prima’s arrangement.  Don’t believe me? Check this out:

John Popper @ Jazz Fet 2010

John Popper @ Jazz Fet 2010

Except Roth, the nice Jewish boy, leaves off my favorite part, when Prima is saying nobody/no one in multiple languages, including Yiddish at the end.  In any case, the band is doing a fantastic version of it, and while I know they’re doing a tribute, it’s putting a big smile on my face.  After they finish it, the band starts into “I’m Leaving You” Prima’s last song before he went into a coma and later passed, and not in a place to be down, I head towards the Blues tent where John Popper and the gents from Blues Traveler are closing out the day.  The harmonica work is great, and they launch into a great version of Sublime’s “What I Got” which is a great way to end the first day at the fairgrounds.  But, as you know from the previous post, this is not the end of the action, but merely half time, as it’s only 7pm and there will be music happening until sunrise tonight!

Upperline, NOLA

Upperline, NOLA

On the long walk to my rental car, I realize this is the only day I’ll be able to hit Upperline, an insanely delicious restaurant hidden between the garden district and the Tulane campus.  Not wanting to wait another year to have their insanely good Roast Duck with Garlic Port sauce, on a whim, I call to see if they have room for one.  If I can get there by 8pm, there’s a small table I can sneak into for an hour.  PERFECT!

The Monsters of Zydeco (nb, Mid City, y’all should really call it that next year) doesn’t start till 9ish, M’s flight lands at 10, delicious dinner, half hour of music, get M, 4 more hours of music.  Done!  I fly across town and, using my handy map (remember those, people? Who needs a GPS when you can read a freaking map!?!), and in 25 minutes, I go from Fairgrounds traffic to Upperline deliciousness.  As I sit down and order, I notice an African American gentleman heading towards the… holy crap, it’s DIESEL!  Karl Denson is playing a late show at Tipitina’s with his solo band, the Tiny Universe, and he apparently made time for one of New Orleans’ best restaurants as well. Yep, 2 out of 2 funky sax players agree, Upperline is the place to be.  I tuck in to my roast duck with praline pecan yams and, MAN, I am a happy camper.  Except when I look at my phone and find out that M’s flight, after first text that they were boarded and ready to go, is delayed.  NO!  Just so y’all know, M is my wife of 2 years, and one of the first things we’ve bonded over is Zydeco music.  Since the inception of the Monsters of Zydeco show in 08, I’ve been dying for her to get to Fest in time to see this show.  Sated and pleased with the meal but grumpy about the news, I make my way to Mid City Lanes.

Night Show review: Legends of Zydeco, Mid City Lanes, Thursday, 4/29.

Rock'N'Bowl, NOLA

Rock'N'Bowl, NOLA

I’ve been to the first two Monsters of Zydeco shows, and it’s pretty much all you could ask for in an all star show.  Four or Five of the very best artists in a style of music, playing full hour plus sets with their bands AND everyone is sitting in with each other as well.  Imagine four of your favorite rock bands getting together and doing something like that.  Awesome, right?  Except, this ACTUALLY happens at Rock’N’Bowl each year, unlike the all star concert in your head.

This show, as it was the last two years, is an absolute blast.  When you have Buckwheat Zydeco, CJ Chenier, Sunpie Barnes, Nathan Williams of Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, and old school Zydeco legend Clayton Sampy rocking out together, with zydeco and blues guitar master L’il Buck Sinegal leading the band, you know it’s gonna be a good party.  Sunpie was serving as the MC of the evening and doing a great job introducing everyone.  It seems that in Zydeco, there’s a lot of love to go around with all the musicians involved, and it certainly comes to the forefront on a night like this.

This year, while players were moving in and out, it was mostly Buckwheat’s band that formed a house band, with L’il Buck at the helm, and man, were they on it.  The people were on it, too, as the floor filled up with swingers and two steppers the second Sampy got it started.  I’ve been in Pantera and Primus mosh pits, and I can tell you it gets a little dangerous on the dance floor at Zydeco night at the Rock’N’Bowl.  Sampy played some great French language old school classics and the people were really feeling it.

Next up, Nathan Williams took a turn and he mixed a little more English into the songs and things got a bit more contemporary, there was the start of the mix of classic Zydeco and R&B, with Nathan leading the band in a rousing cover of “Hey Hey Hey Hey!” Nathan also put on quite a show, getting down on his knees at the front of the stage (he came right over to me several times, which was awesome) and hopping off the stage to play in the crowd.  Want some Zydeco..take a listen…

CJ Chenier

CJ Chenier

The sets were a good hour or so, and the set breaks were pretty short as they kept rotating in players.  Next up was Sunpie, and I was psyched to see the man take a turn- he got a serious groove going the dance floor was a frenzy!  Too bad I wasn’t getting to frenzy, thanks to the fools that delayed M’s flight… but wait, the phone’s ringing!  Hooray! M’s landed, and after Sunpie’s second song ends, I sprint to the car to go get her.  She hops in and we drive right back to the show as quick as possible.  We missed the end of Sunpie’s set, but CJ Chenier is getting started, and man, that guy can play. But hell, they all can play.  And while the other leaders/bands are coming on, everyone else stays and listens, and takes their cher out on the dance floor.  M and I would bump into CJ later on the floor during Buckwheat’s set.  CJ is going bananas, as is the band and the rest of the place.  CJ plays a good hour, dropping Hot Tamale Baby on us, and M and I twirl around the dance floor while trying not to get elbowed or body checked by another dancing couple.

Buckwheat Zydeco

Buckwheat Zydeco

We hit the set break, grab a drink, sit by an empty bowling alley and relax for a minute.  I find out that M is a complete trooper, having been up till 2 packing, gotten up at 6 and is still standing now and waiting for Buckwheat to come out.  What can I say, the girl loves her some Zydeco.  And Buckwheat didn’t disappoint.  We were especially psyched to cheer when the introduction of Buckwheat was no longer just about his Grammy nominations, but as a Grammy Winner!  Buckwheat burns immediately into “Whatcha Gonna Do?” and the place is going crazy.  CJ is dancing with someone and has a huge grin on his face.  Sunpie is out dancing too.  It’s fantastic- everyone is dancing, smiling and having a ball.  It’s Jazz Fest.  As the show winds down to a close, John Blanchard, Mid City Lanes Owner, asks everyone to clear a path, and one of the bartenders does ten or so back flips in a row!  Insane!  As the band is packing up, Sunpie decides we haven’t gotten enough, so he gives us a little Lagniappe (something extra) by firing up his accordion and singing some more.  CJ Chenier sits down at the organ to join him but for the first couple of minutes there’s no power, which Sunpie found out the hard way when he said “you got it, CJ” to give him a solo, and CJ yells (no mic, but audibly) “got what, I ain’t got nothin!” but finally the power gets back on and a washboard player jumps on stage, and they gave us another half hour of music!

Again, this is exactly what you want your All Star shows to be like- everyone doin their own thing and also doing it together.  For nearly six hours.  Yeah You Right!

I drove us back to our buddy’s spot, quieted the very energetic dog and helped M into bed.  After considering joining LB at Tips for KDTU’s show, I decided Fest is a marathon and I have many late nights still to go, so I climbed into bed with my baby at 3am instead of going back out- though not before predicting to LB that Robert Walter would sit in with KDTU that night and asking her not to tell me about it till the next day.  With my sweetie in town, and her fam due in the next day, and the alarm clock going off in 6.5 hours, Friday is going to be a fun day…

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Rob Adler, Funkster

Rob Adler, Funkster

Editor’s Notes: Everyone please welcome Robert Adler!!  A fellow music loving friend & writer who was nice enough to contribute some musings regarding his first weekend adventures at The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, aka Jazz Fest, to the Tiny Rager blog!   Rob attended Jazz Fest, this year from Thursday, April 22, 2010 through Saturday, April 24, 2010.

Tipitina's JazzFest 2010

Tipitina's JazzFest 2010

Robert Walter @ Blue Nile (4.22.10)

Robert Walter @ Blue Nile (4.22.10)

I arrived in New Orleans on Thursday, April 22.  The highlight of the night was definitely The Stanton Moore Trio consisting of Stanton Moore, Robert Walter, Will Bernard.  Sitting in with them that evening was Anders Osborne.  That was a treat!

Anders Osborne & Stanton Moore @ Blue Nile (4.22.10)

Osborne & Moore @ Blue Nile (4.22.10)

I also enjoyed the Nevillution at Tipitina’s in da French Quarter too! Especially when Troy “Trombone” Shorty, of Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, came and played with Charles NevilleArt (Papa) Funk showed up, but didn’t play – he killed it at the Acura stage on Saturday during The Funky Meters set.  We kept floating back and forth between the Nevillution show & The Stanton/Anders set….just a perfect first night.

Nevillution (04.22.10)

Nevillution (04.22.10)

The brass band (above) was playing right outside of Cafe Brasil, about 100 feet to the left of the Blue Nile as you walk outside the venue on Frenchmen.  That’s the vision I will have in my head and crave for the next 51 weeks until it’s go time again.

Dr Klaw - Blue Nile (04.23.10)

Dr Klaw - Blue Nile (04.23.10)

We slept in Friday day and did nothing. We heard that the rain was coming in hard and that they almost closed the festival down for the day, so we stayed in, slept, ate muffulata from Central Grocery, slept some more, etc…woke up at like 6:30pm and went full steam ahead!!    The line-up for the night consisted of Dr. Klaw, Chapter 2, Galactic, Pimps of Joy Time.

Adam Deitch w/ Dr. Claw @ Blue Nile (04.22.10)

Adam Deitch w/ Dr. Klaw @ Blue Nile (04.23.10)

Seriously, Dr. Klaw brought the dirtiest, nasty funk you crave at shows — the kind that you want to hear when you’re knee deep in a funk set and they just need to turn it up a notch so you can get your freak on! And they turn it up even more because it’s Jazz Fest and you’re in New Orleans and everyone knows it!!  And that is when the magic seeps into the room. Everyone BROUGHT IT.

“Just another one of those wonderful night fest moments…This band was the perfect intermezzo between sets on 4/23, right after Dr. Klaw.”

Pimps of Joy Time @ Jazz Fest 2010

Pimps of Joy Time @ Jazz Fest 2010

When we got to Galactic it was 3 in the morning and the place was PACKED.  I mean jammed like cattle.  They had sold way too many tickets.  The sight lines from upstairs and sound were terrible, so we bailed around 4:30 and went up to Frenchmen for Pimps of Joy Time. They were fun and the room was spacious; very much what we needed at the time; room to breathe. We enjoyed it and walked around Frenchmen street taking in the scene, making friends, sitting on stoops, etc…

Rob and I chatted the other day:

Tube Line @ Jazzfest

Tube Line @ Jazzfest

Did I tell you about the tuba parade at jazz fest?  I was at the fest on Saturday eating some Crawfish Monica and I started to hear tuba lines….lots of them.  So, I turned around and saw twelve tubas heading my way.  What they done was gather all the tuba players from the NOLA community (Kirk Joseph, Tuba Phil Fraizer, Matt Perrine of Bonerama, Ben Jaffe of Preservation Hall Jazz Band etc…).  They had gotten together and paraded around the fairgrounds playing their tubas!”

Cyrille and the Chief Raging

Cyrille and the Chief Raging

Saturday was awesome during day!! The clouds broke during The Funky Meters set and the sun shined with a wonderful breeze during My Morning JacketThe Midnite Disturbers KILLED it too, on Saturday, and closed their set with the Rebirth Brass Band‘s classic, “I FEEL LIKE FUNKIN IT UP!”

Dr Klaw w/ Kofi Burbridge

Chapter 2 w/ Kofi Burbridge

I really forgot how amazing the people and the vibe is. It’s like, sure, you can see a ton of NOLA funk and musicians at gigs in New York and at musical festivals or wherever, but there IS ONLY ONE JAZZ FEST – and that’s in New Orleans.   The vibe was WAY up all weekend in the clubs.  You could tell the second you walked into the right venue that you were in the right place. Smiling, familiar faces, great aroma, nobody says no! It’s all…Can you move over? Yes.  Can I have some of that? Yes.  Can you tell me who that is? Yes.  Can you please play more Clavinet?  Yes. Kraz, can you come out for a 4th time to play with Vinyl? Yes.

Monphonics @ Jazzfest

Monphonics @ Jazzfest

On Sat night, for example, the vibe was so high and the selection of music up on Frenchmen was so plentiful that we actually blew off Big Sam’s Funky Nation & Dirty Dozen Brass Band to go see a band called Monophonics at the Blue Nile!!  Thank heavens that we did.  I saw one of the best funk sets I’ve ever seen.  These guys were on fire fueled by their b3 / clavinet / organ player, Colin Brown.

Neville's Galore @ Jazz Fest

Neville's Galore @ Jazz Fest

These guys are from California, the Bay Area, but I hope they bless us back east with an NYC tour.   Their horn section was top notch, too. They opened for Vinyl, who came out around 4am and just totally blew me away, too.   They had the Monophonics horn section and their keyboard player out for about an hour during their set and all hell broke loose.   Eric Krasno came out and jammed with both bands.

Everyone was so happy to be there.  I wish I was going down there tonight (Monophonics are playing at the Howlin’ Wolf tonight / 4am)….51 weeks and counting.

Jazzfest: A Whirlwind Perspective (04.22-24.10) by Robert Adler

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Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Show Karma.  That is what it is was all about.  Show Karma. And by god, we got it!!!

Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.10.10)

Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.10.10)

With $30 left in my music budget until midnight, I spent all day Thursday in an intense internal struggle over seeing Rebirth Brass Band & Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk for $35 or seeing South Memphis String Band for $15.  Seriously, it is a beautiful thing not having credit cards but sometimes you’re forced on a budget and have to make choices.  I know it would have made for a very mellow evening seeing SMSB vs. the boys from NOLA, but I do love Luther Dickinson, so the struggle ensued.  However, after being called out by one of my favorite drummers on Facebook: “dump or a string band..um, hello?” I figured the funky drummer had a point.

Vincent Broussard @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Vincent Broussard @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

As I arrived at Highline Ballroom a little before 9pm thinking we were missing the beginning of the show, I see members of the NYC Funk Live group scattered around outside! “Are they playing yet?”  “No!”  Show Karma 🙂  If that wasn’t good enough, while waiting in line for will call with $30 in my pocket for a $35 show, the gentlemen standing behind me says that he has two tickets for the $30 price. Cash exchange, transaction complete….SHOW KARMAAAA!!!!!!  Let the show begin!

Formed in New Orleans in 1983 by the Frazier brothers, The Rebirth Brass Band (RBB) has been a staple on the NY scene for years. More of “an institution,” one friend said, as they had been playing here for over 13 years.  Waiting for my beverage, RBB came out singing Ronnie Laws’ “Always There,” as they set themselves up on stage!

 

Chadrick Honroe @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Chadrick Honroe @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

The stage went as follows:

Phil Frazier – Tuba
Keith Frazier – Bass Drum
Derek Shezbie – Trumpet
Glen Andrews – Trumpet
Stafford Agee – Trombone
Derrick Tabb – Snare Drum
Vincent Broussard – Saxophone
Chadrick Honroe – Trumpet

As they played Duke Ellington’s “Caravan,” a jazz standard, I made my way through the crowd to my favorite spot up front and took a moment to look around and admire the view.  Everyone was smiling, everyone was dancing.  New Orleans is an infectious feeling, not just a location on a map. When I got to my magic spot, the rest of the NYC Funk Live crew was already gathered there waiting! “OMG, how did you find us?” shouts Meredith.  Show Karma 🙂 Hugs and kisses abound, new friends were introduced and the dance party for me finally commenced. (Did you know Rap musicians Redman and Busta Rhymes sampled “Carvan” song heavily in their 1998 song “Da Goodness?” Now you know!)
Derrick Shezbie @ Highline Ballroom (04.10.10)

Derrick Shezbie @ Highline Ballroom (04.10.10)

Trumpeter, Derrick Shezbie, is a fun one to watch.  Or should I say interesting?  Or possibly, scary?  I am terrified his cheeks are going to pop.  As he plays, his cheeks puff up to the size of a grapefruit and he holds down his right cheek with his free hand.  Apparently, he is afraid it’s going to pop as well.

Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.10.10)

Birthday girl w/ The Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.10.10)

At this point, Stafford Agee says “Happy Birthday” to someone on the right of the stage. Little did he know he was really talking to me, as this was the beginning of a weekend long celebration of me turning 30 years old!!! As my friends grinned at the irony and hugged away, a group of 4 lovely woman came up on stage and danced as RBB played “Happy Birthday.”

Derrick Tabb @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Derrick Tabb @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

The Rebirth Brass Band is as well known for keeping with the ways of a traditional brass band as they are for absorbing modern music into their performances.  As they rear into a heavy funky cover of Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop,” a dancing neighbor leans over and says, “I bet you never have a  problem getting up front do you?” HAHA! The Saxophone solo commences!  Filling it with their signature brand of heavy funk, RBB also covered Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean.” Listening to these song without lyrics being played by horns and drums was awesome.

Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Now it was time for a little Drum Line rage.  Both drummers, standing on the back line.  I LOVED drum lines performances/competitions in high school.  My favorite person on stage, the person who my eyes and ears always went back to was Derrick Tabb on the snare drum and cymbals.  A massively tall guy, compared to this tiny rager.  Standing, with the snare strapped over his shoulder, he  beat the hell out of the drum like it was nobody’s business.  His face would scrunch up and your insides felt like they should explode when he released his energy on that drum. He slammed away on the cymbals and just enticed me!

Corey Henry @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Stafford Agee @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

It was time to “Shake Your Booty,” a track off on their “Here To Stay” album, which brought everyone to their feet. I look to my right and Ivan Neville is admiring the band as we all are. It’s fun to remember that musicians are fans just as much as we are! “Shake your booty, Shake your booty…” The ladies from the dance party before return to the stage to shake theirs.

At this point, we had pretty much sucked in those around us into our dance party and had made some new friends. Stevie Wonder’s “Just the Two of Us” begins to unfold.  It was perfect timing as Meredith was beginning to hand out her NYC Funk Live cards to our new front row friends! Now, this whole time, the venue feels like it is getting hotter and hotter. Over the course of the night, Stafford Agee had unbuttoned a button here and there until the entire shirt was practically ripped open at one point.  It was hot! Or they were on fire…you decide 🙂 Towards the end of “Just the Two of Us,” Stafford turned to his left and it completely looked like he was meditating, haha, and he stays like that for a good minute.  Stafford, what was that?

Glen Andrews @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Glen Andrews @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

This is the time in the night I remember being VERY HAPPY!!!  I start getting text messages from my friends scattered around the venue: Kraz just walked in with his guitar.  Oh, it’s ON!!!! Eric Krasno of Soulive has entered the building!! It would have been pretty rad to hear his guitar amongst the drums and horns on stage that night, but alas…there were other plans in the works which you will have to read in the next post!!

Phil Frazier @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Phil Frazier @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

“All the fine women put your hands up!!!” screams Stafford! “Casanova,” a sexy, seductive song, came blasting out of the horns and pounding out of the drums. I do not think I shall repeat the lyrics! You can look those up yourself!  HAHA! Vincent Broussard gave us a solid solo and each horn followed in turn.  When Broussard needs to sing, the poor dear has to bend over 2 feet to reach his microphone which is a little lower then most because of his saxophone placement.  I can only imagine what his back must feel like after each show! Heating pad please…..

Rebirth Brass Band caped off their night with “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love.”  YES!!!  A song made for horns to play! A song that forces you to lift your feet and clap your hands. I need YOU…YOU…YOU!!!!  It was originally popularized by Solomon Burke but it became a favorite of mine when The Blue Brother’s covered it!!  There is a great live version of it on The Rolling Stones’ “Live Licks” album.

I NEED YOU..YOU…YOU……but what I really needed was Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk…and that was coming up after break……STAY TUNED!


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