The 2013 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

Another Jazz Fest, come and gone, and we caught every act that we possibly could, across all seven days.   Some of our highlights, along with extensive photographic coverage, below:

Day # 1:

Standout performance and our favorite act of the day was Gary Clark, Jr.  We’ve seen him before (a lot, actually) and performing roughly the same material, but he continues to be amazing.  We’re still not sure why we’re surprised every time he plays “Bright Lights”, but there it is.  We’re already looking forward to seeing him again.

We caught Dr. John on the Acura stage, and to be completely honest, were a little disappointed that his Gris Gris-era garb doesn’t accompany the new band (The Nite Trippers).  We’d hoped for a resurrection of the old headdress, and although we love the new record “Locked Down”, we want more of the funk of the Gris Gris days!

Jean Knight took the stage as the Aretha Franklin of New Orleans, full of sass, and enough self-confidence to make your ears ring.  Wanda Rouzan brought the same (but personalized!)–the kids of New Orleans would be so lucky to keep up with this Audubon Charter school teacher!

Biggest surprise of the day?  The Campbell Brothers.  We missed them last time around and expected straight-ahead gospel rather than a grab-my-hips-before-they-run-away blues act, but no.   Vocalist Katie Jackson shook everything she had, giving up her hat and shoes along the way.   Dancing and whooping in the photo pit is a no no (wrist slaps and ultimate ejection are risks), so we behaved, but it was difficult.  If you haven’t seen them live, make sure they’re on your list for next time.

On Day 1, we also caught Henry Gray, his piano skills and amazing voice not the slightest bit diminished, the Dixie Cups, and a jazz mashup with Terence Higgins, Ike Stubblefield, Grant Green Jr, and Ron Holloway.  Check out some of our favorite photos from Day 1 below.  Clicking through a photo is an easy way to access that day’s entire gallery.  You can also check out all of the photos from Day 1 in the slideshow at the end of the post.

 

Day # 2:

Exercised your ultimate dork envy lately?  We did, with Andrew Bird.  Where his high-pitched voice and whistle meet his world-class violin playing remains a strange and unexpectedly pleasant place.  Charlie Musselwhite is so gentleman-like and charming onstage that you want to hand the fellow a nice cup of tea and a cookie–how can a top-of-his-game bluesman be so nice?  We were only allowed to shoot his set for three songs, so we may have missed the main course, but a snack with the man was OK with us.

Dwayne Dopsie is the best zydeco act out there today, with not a single slacker in his band.  He travels with perhaps the best frottoir player in Louisiana (from Mamou) and Kipori Woods is fantastic on guitar.  It didn’t take long for Dwayne to jump into the audience, lay flat on his back on stage, swing his towel, and bat his sweat into the sky.  And isn’t it great when your best stage outfit is a wife-beater and there’s a pack of 5 for $9.99 in the store next door?   We were convinced that Dwayne Dopsie could never top his 2012 performance at Jazz Fest.  Wrong.

Jill Scott has assets we didn’t know about–she’s well-rounded, fresh, and her impromptu saxophone imitation made fun of, but didn’t ridicule, a member of her band.  The large disc earrings she wore reflected gold onto her cheeks and onto the audience.  More, please.

Saturday’s biggest surprise was Charles Bradley–we cried in the photo pit.  He’s a soul singer straight out of the 60s, except not.  We’d never heard of him and when we were doing some research after the show, our hearts sank when we learned that he worked as a James Brown impersonator for years, not having much of a “real” musical career until he was “discovered” recently by Daptone.  His original material is top notch and when you hear the songs, you literally can’t believe that they weren’t written already, way back in the 60’s.  Another absolutely must-see act with a very interesting back story.  His live performance will blow you away!

We also caught Bonerama, Lil’ Buck Sinegal, and the Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians (Hi Perk!).  Check out some of our favorite photos from Day 2 below.  Clicking through a photo is an easy way to access that day’s entire gallery.  You can also check out all of the photos from Day 2 in the slideshow at the end of the post.

 

Day # 3:

Day 3 was the second worst day in terms of weather, only to be outdone by first Thursday (Day 4), so it was a short day.  We started off with a more traditional blast of zydeco, with C. J. Chenier.  We also caught the Midnite Disturbers, a name that never seems to recall the brassy supergroup fronted by Stanton Moore, that musically was the highlight of the day.  Just before the Earth, Wind, and Fire set the leader of the Houma Nation let us into his tipi, which was a life saver!  It was still raining at the beginning of Earth, Wind, and Fire, but they didn’t seem bothered.  We were a bit surprised at how much the group leans on two young male vocalists, dressed in black, to keep the tempo up, but they sounded exactly like you expect–Earth, Wind, and Fire.

We also caught the Neville Brothers and the Shannon Powell Quintet.  Check out some of our favorite photos from Day 3 below.  Clicking through a photo is an easy way to access that day’s entire gallery. You can also check out all of the photos from Day 3 in the slideshow at the end of the post.

Day # 4:

The most miserable weather for Jazz Fest in the entire history of the festival–blinding rain, 6″ deep mud, and occasionally, outdoor stages with one person watching.  And yet, still awesome.  We caught Dee-1, Delfeayo Marsalis’ group, Kem, had time to be blown away yet again by Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, the hardest working harmonica in the area, Roy Ayers, Kidd Jordan, Meschiya Lake, Quinten Corvette, Jeffery Broussard, Salio, Henry Butler, Widespread Panic, Patti Smith (alas, no front of stage photo access) and Theresa Andersson.  You’re wondering:  feet hurting, after lugging twenty pounds of camera gear through the mud for eight hours?  Calgon, take me away.

Check out some of our favorite photos from Day 4 below.  Clicking through a photo is an easy way to access that day’s entire gallery. You can also check out all of the photos from Day 4 in the slideshow at the end of the post.

 

Day # 5:

And the weather improves.  Slightly.  Amanda Shaw:  stage charisma and mad violin talent exemplified (and dig those craaaazy glasses!).  Ana Popovich, a beautiful blues singer.  Corey Henry, the powerhouse of New Orleans trombone.  Holly Williams, to mellow things out a bit.  Marc Broussard, Marcia Ball, BeauSoleil, Maroon 5, The Iguanas, The Mavericks, and Willie Nelson (direct eye contact, fantastically mangled guitar–thanks, Willie!).  Enough diversity?  Well, then there’s one of our favorite performers of the entire festival:  Brushy One String, a street performer from Jamaica who plays a one stringed guitar, beating on the body for percussion.  Fabulous voice, irresistible rhythm, all coming out of one magical man.  Brushy, you’re awesome!

Check out some of our favorite photos from Day 5 below.  Clicking through a photo is an easy way to access that day’s entire gallery.  You can also check out all of the photos from Day 5 in the slideshow at the end of the post.

 

Day # 6:

A day of Galactic, Frank Ocean, MUTEMATH (we missed the crowd surfing activity–we were at another stage), The New Orleans Bingo Show, some New Orleans hip hop, Phoenix, JD and the Straight Shot, and our favorite show of the day, Stanley Clarke!  Hey, Galactic:  A request:  Cheeky Blakk on stage, please!

Check out some of our favorite photos from Day 6 below.  Clicking through a photo is an easy way to access that day’s entire gallery.  You can also check out all of the photos from Day 6 in the slideshow at the end of the post.

Day # 7:

The final day.  Several people asked us, “So, glad it’s over?”  Fuck no.  If we’re not going to Jazz Fest, we’re gonna go find more music, anyway–why not have it all in one place?  Anyway, let’s get one thing out of the way right now.  There’s a lot of hype surrounding Trombone Shorty, and a lot of talented musicians in New Orleans who never really get much exposure beyond the city limits.  We remember seeing Shorty when he was a baby, playing with Kermit Ruffins.   Here’s the facts:  Trombone Shorty has matured into a first class entertainer, with talent almost beyond imagining–and this is from a pair of cynical New Orleanians.  Trombone Shorty ripped Jazz Fest a new one.  He and his band created an out-of-body experience for the crowd (and the photographers!), whipping everyone into such a frenzy that we’re surprised that people go blood-crazed cannibal, eating their grandmothers, before licking the blood from granny’s walking stick/portable stool thing. Hey, for us, it was close.  A transcendental performance of the very first degree.  I hope it’s obvious that we were impressed.  Oh. My. God.  What an amazing show!   

We also saw Chief Bo Dollis pretend that he’s not the super Indian funk master anymore.  Of course he is!   Sure, the stamina might not be what it once was, but for the 15 minutes or so he’s on stage, the Big Chief has our full attention.  Funk dripping from every pore!  We loved his show and the Mardi Gras Indians are basically the only force keeping funk alive at Jazz Fest (and in New Orleans as a whole).  We also caught Satan and Adam, an unusual but talented blues duo, the Brassaholics Brass Band (in the top ranks of New Orleans brass and one of our very favorite bands), Aaron Neville, the Creole String Beans, the Black Keys, Clarence “Frogman” Henry, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, and Hall and Oates (who actually go back to the 60’s–who knew?).  Next to Shorty, our favorite act of the day was Wayne Shorter’s set at the WWOZ jazz tent. A fantastic show that included one of the most talented jazz drummers we’ve ever seen, Brian Blade.

Check out some of our favorite photos from Day 7 below.  Clicking through a photo is an easy way to access that day’s entire gallery.  You can also check out all of the photos from Day 7 in the slideshow at the end of the post.

And that’s it.

Slideshow for Day # 1 (click through to see the gallery):

Slideshow for Day # 2 (click through to see the gallery):

Slideshow for Day # 3 (click through to see the gallery):

Slideshow for Day # 4 (click through to see the gallery):

 

Slideshow for Day # 5 (click through to see the gallery):

 

Slideshow for Day # 6 (click through to see the gallery):

 

Slideshow for Day # 7  (click through to see the gallery):

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 30th, 2013 at 11:26 pm. It is filed under Blog and tagged with Amanda Shaw, Ben Harper, Black Keys, blues, Brassaholics, Brushy One String, Campbell Brothers, Charles Bradley, Charlie Musselwhite, concert, Corey Henry, Dee-1, Dwayne Dopsie, Earth Wind and Fire, festival, Frank Ocean, funk, Galactic, Hall and Oates, jazz, Jean Knight, Jeffrey Broussard, Jill Scott, Jumpin Johnny Sansone, Kem, Kidd Jordan, live music, Marcia Ball, Maroon 5, Midnite Disturbers, MUTEMATH, Neville Brothers, new orleans jazz and heritage festival, Phoenix, Quinten Corvette, Roy Ayers, Salio, Satan and Adam, soul, Stanley Clarke, The Iguanas, Theresa Andersson, trombone shorty, Wanda Rouzan, Wayne Shorter, Widespread Panic, Willie Nelson, zydeco. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.