Hittin’ the Note, Hittin’ the Wall: JazzFest ’11

Posted: May 6th, 2011 | Filed under: Community, Culture, Music | No Comments »

If you’ve been following me here, you know I love JazzFest.

I LOVE JazzFest. More than U of L basketball. More than Impellizzeri’s Pizza. More than anything on the globe or in the cybergalaxy, more than anything except my sweetie the Film Babe, I love JazzFest.

But there are times when it’s too much. Too hot. Too crowded. Simply too much.

Like this afternoon.

I hit the wall with three hours of music left, including the 20th anniversary of the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, arguably my favorite Crescent City ensemble.

I grabbed one last chocolate snowball and headed for my car. Back in the hotel, showered and air conditioned, content, I’m listening to the WWOZ live stream of the Mingus Big Band, playing the closing set as I write in the Jazz Tent.

Tomorrow, Scarlett, is another day. It will be my last at this year’s fest. I’ve changed my reservations. I’ll miss Sunday. Don’t cry for me, Argentina. Six days of this glorious celebration will more than sate me for this year.

* * * * *

I believe I wrote last year about Bonearama, a local rock/ funk band fronted by three synthesized trombones. Stunning stuff.

During their set, my pal David from PA asked if they were local?

At which point I immediately deadpanned, “Where else? Bonesylvania?

‘Trombonesia?

“Trombonia?”

Another pal Mark, asked, “If Jimmy Buffet’s fans are parrotheads, does that make Bonearama fans, Boneheads?”

Or, Boners.

* * * * *

Needing to start the day in a spiritual space, I headed immediately upon entry to the Gospel Tent.

The white-suited Wimberly Family Singers found the sweet spot with Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.”

The Electrifying Crown Seekers kept the vibe going. They opened by singing the Lord’s Prayer, then sang, “Just a little talk with Jesus/ Will make everything all right.”

While I’m of the Jewish persuasion, it worked, soothing my stressed soul.

* * * * *

The flip side was cajun country songstress Yvette Landry.

Loved her tune, “Friday Night Special.”

“Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, Cuervo/ I’ve had ‘em all/ But they’re only your friends/ ‘Til the clock on the wall says that’s all”

* * * * *

Local legend, former Meter, Leo Nocentelli joined the Soul Rebels Brass Band on stage. SRBB, if memory serves, was the first of brass band movement to merge its R & B/ funk/ Second Line horns with hip hop.

They did a sweet version of Allen Toussaint’s “Night People.” Which, because the house band Quickdraw played it every night, always reminds me of Eddie Donaldson’s.

Then they did a new Nocentelli composition, entitled, “Say Now Hey.” Which, in this town, makes total sense.

* * * * *

Don’t know I’ve mentioned the second line parades that proceed through the Fairgrounds several times a day. Lots of photo ops for the turista. These folks spend the entire year from Mardi Gras to Mardi Gras, sewing thousands and thousands of beads on these intricate — and very heavy — costumes.

* * * * *

Local Keeper of the Flame Kermit Ruffins spiced his set with an Otis Reddingish version of “Try A Little Tenderness.”

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