It’s simply a magical place. Everything about it is infused with passion. Even leaving the airport is profound. The beautiful Fleur de Lis street lamps cascade the road all the way to the highway.
New Orleans JazzFest…I’m home.
I’m so at home in New Orleans that I look forward to driving on I-10 so I can see my favorite street sign in the world. It’s like I have a sister blvd– Annabel / Bonnabel! Love it!
I love getting to JazzFest on Wednesday night. It’s slightly more mellow than the others, plenty of people to hang out, great music to see, and then you are ready for the fairgrounds on Thursday, which are so pleasant when not a lot of people are there.
I’ve got to hit the Maple Leaf at least once a fest. Ivan, George, Johnny V & June were super jamming it up. Ivan has become such a dear friend to me. I truly am blessed for the deep relationships that have come into my life over the years. He’s one of the greatest gifts I’ve gotten.
Let it be known, the WEATHER both weekends was some of the best it’s been in YEARS. Perfectly sunny skies, no humidity, just fabulous…
I love walking to the fairgrounds and seeing the same charismatic houses year after year. The colors on this one just make me smile, especially with the crystal blue sky behind it.
Ok…now it’s time to get serious for a few. My father died on March 28. Since then, my life has been turned upside down. He was my everything. He loved music as much as I did, he supported my career in the music business despite numerous tough times, he even managed a gospel band back in the day.
I had been looking forward to, almost needing JazzFest, more than imaginable. But I didn’t realize how hard it would hit me. The first thing I always do when I get to the fairgrounds is sit in the gospel tent. But this time was different.
The group signing hit a 20-part harmony and I immediately fell to my knees and started sobbing. Thank god a dear friend was right there to pick me back up and put me in her arms. I couldn’t stop. The gospel group was hitting notes in ways that moved me in involuntary ways. I couldn’t stop crying. And it wasn’t all about me missing Dad. It was strongly about just feeling beyond grateful for being there…at JazzFest…in the gospel tent…in New Orleans…at that moment. It was what one would call a spiritual experience.
Lets talk about another spiritual experience…Crawfish Monica. Seriously, I dream about it all year long. There’s nothing like the first bite into the delicious, flavorful, comforting, familiar wonderfulness of Crawfish Monica. First a huge cry in the Gospel Tent, then a huge bite into my favorite fairgrounds food. Happy Thursday, People!
Thursday night…Jam Cruise hosted the Royal Family Ball at the CAC. Sometimes funk groups like Dr. Klaw, that are actually a bunch of musicians from various bands, don’t necessarily have a press photo. We needed one for the Jam Cruise site. So I arranged a photo shoot and with my little point and click camera, along with the “cool” vibe of the boys, we came up with a GREAT shot, right?
Another group we have formed for the cruise is A Tribute to Sly & The Family Stone featuring the following bad asses. I had jump in for a photo because the boys are just damn cute.
Friday Fairgrounds…ran into a fellow Soft Shell Crab Po-Boy eater, Mr Marco Benevento! I think I’ll make him a street teamer. I feel like Marco and I have grown up together in the music business…been friends for over 10 years, both been growing and becoming more comfortable in our worlds. I’m really excited to have Surprise Me Mr. Davis on board Jam Cruise 10.
I really do think Arcade Fire is a great rock band. I’ve only ever seen them at night though. So a daytime performance was interesting. But I’ve gotta be honest. When I walked into that pit, the band came alive and I could see every expression on their faces. It was a cool moment.
Friday night was insane. I went from Galactic/Funky Meters > Anders Osborne > Warren Haynes at Preservation Hall > Bear Creek Allstars at One Eyed Jacks > New Mastersounds at HOB. Started at 8pm, ended at 6am. Now THAT’S a JazzFest night!
I love love love Ben Ellman. I love everything about him…his talent, his attitude, his diversity, his producing abilities, his DJ’ing, his adorable Jewish boy side, and especially, I love his friendship.
Check out my gorgeous friend, Anders Osborne. But he’s just beyond good looking. He’s one of HANDS DOWN the most talented musicians in our scene right now. But he’s actually been around since I was in college. He’s just 10x better than ever right now. His songwriting and voice are so passionate; his guitar playing is just so explosive. I am drawn to him and he won’t let me go until the song is over. And on top of that, he is a dear friend of mine who I hold so tightly in my heart.
Saturday fairgrounds…I love the multiple tribes that shine their colors around the site. These two little boys were so impressive. I hope they have as much pride in their tribes as I have watching them parade through the fest.
Voice of Wetlands Acura Stage – two of my favorite boys in the world, Anders & Howie Schnee. Howie and I have both been supporting Anders’ career for a very long time.
George Porter, like Ivan Neville, and I have become very close friends. Not only does he come on Jam Cruise every year, but we spend all year long involved in each other’s lives. I got to meet more of his family members this JazzFest and it was really special. Here we are pictured with Ciara, his granddaughter. She’s a sassy fun little lady.
Yeah you rite, Sam! This hottie has gone from Big Sam to Built Sam! He’s a force not to be reckoned with.
Kid Rock was FLOORED by Trombone Shorty on the Acura Stage. It was a HUGE moment for everyone. There’s something very “Kid Rock” about Troy. He’s sexy, powerful, talented and so much more. So glad my little camera could capture the compelling moment.
OK here’s one of the best stories of the week. Fest for me isn’t complete unless it includes at Crawfish Boil. But it was already Saturday and I hadn’t made any plans to attend one. So whatdya know…walking down Esplanade from the fest to our car…a table full of crawfish, garlic, potatoes, corn and even PINEAPPLE WITH NOBODY CHOWING DOWN…When I asked the boys drinking beer on the porch if I could have some, they BEGGED us to come eat. “No one wants to stop and eat.” I looked at them like they were crazy! HOW COULD YOU NOT WANT TO STOP FOR A FREE CRAWFISH BOIL??? We GLADLY indulged in as much crawfish as possible. Classic JazzFest moment.
Ah…JazzFest ALSO isn’t complete without a night on Frenchman Street. Saturday 2:00am we headed to Orgone at the Blue Nile. And of course, the same brass band, on the same corner of the same street, didn’t disappoint once again. Some things never change. And I like it that way.
Sunday Funday…the colorful parades were in FULL force prancing through the fairgrounds. This one was a sight to see. The LIFE, the SPIRIT, the DANCING of everyone involved was enlightening.
One of the absolute highlights of my entire weekend was walking onto Robert Randolph’s bus and seeing Marcus Randolph sitting there with a smile on his face. Marcus suffered from kidney failure a few years ago, had to have a kidney transplant and of course, had to get off the road.
As far as I knew, which was up until about a month ago, he still wasn’t playing with them. I had been in touch with him a bit on facebook and obviously talked to Robert about Marcus for the past few years So what a surprise it was to walk onto the bus and see him. I toppled him over with hugs and kisses, saying with tears in my eyes, “I had no idea you were back!!! Are you ok, my friend???”
We gently touched his kidneys and thanked God for his return.
My friend made a dynamic comment the other day when we were talking about how special New Orleans JazzFest is.
She said, “you really need a key to get in.” I thought that was so fascinating. Here’s what I take from it. I think the Fleur de Lis is the key. It signifies perfection, light and life. You don’t have to find the key, but you have to get it…you have to get what it means to fall in love with a city like New Orleans. YOU hold the key. If you are a tourist then you will go drink hurricanes on Bourbon Street. And god bless them. But if you are a true music lover with a heart for culture, those of us who are serious coinsures, there’s no other place on the planet where you can get so much music, and the highest quality of musicians, than in New Orleans for JazzFest. That place has soul, light and life. Just like the Fleur de Lis. I had to buy an ornate one to hang proudly around my neck. I just want to show a little more love for a city that has once again changed my life forever.
