A perfect blend of local and national artists

20th April 2015   ·   0 Comments

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

It seems amazing that the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will celebrate its 46th anniversary in 2015. The two-weekend event, which takes place at the New Orleans Fair Grounds from April 24 through April 26 and April 30 through May 3, has been major in reviving interest in this city’s music and has sparked the creation of a host of other music festivals. As the elder, it set the bar high as far as the artists invited to perform each year as well the quality of the production. Except in a few rare cases, acts have started on time – an essential for folks who rely on getting from one stage to another without missing a beat. The “second generation” of music events, French Quarter Fest, Voodoo Fest and Bayou Boogaloo as well as the smaller presentations that happen around town have had, for the most part, to live up to the standard that Jazz Fest laid out.

Who are considered the “big acts” this year depends on those folks that you might ask. Certainly, considering name recognition, many would immediately pipe in with pop superstar vocalist/pianist/composer Elton John. On the other hand, modern jazz fans, undoubtedly would immediately mention the legendary saxophonist Charles Lloyd. The Memphis, Tennessee native, whose album Forest Flower stands as a jazz classic, has shared stages with a who’s who of blues and jazz musicians ranging from guitarist/vocalist/composer Howlin’ Wolf to trumpeter Booker Little. He is the music.

For New Orleanians, what’s uplifting about scanning the seven-day Jazz Fest schedule is the remarkable amount of this city’s music families that are represented. The legacies live on in the likes of our own “superstar” Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, a grandson of Jessie “Ooh Poo Pah Doo” Hill and a member of the incredible musical Andrews family that includes his brother trumpeter/vocalist James Andrews.

The importance of passing on the music is evident in all styles – modern and traditional jazz, zydeco and Cajun, gospel, Mardi Gras Indian, rhythm and blues and beyond. Just think of the names like Marsalis, Brunious, Neville, Jordan, French, Paulin, Savoy, Chenier, Dollis, Fitch, Dejean…

They and, no doubt, their extended families will all be there carrying on their heritage and bringing it to yet another generation.

Here are just a few highlights of the Jazz Fest’s first weekend schedule.

Friday, April 24, 2015

National Fav: Jimmy Cliff, Congo Square Stage, 5:40 p.m. Last year at the House of Blues, the reggae master, who first received international recognition for his lead role in the 1972 film “The Harder They Come,” bounded on the stage and began his set with the spiritually lifting “Bongo Man” accompanied solely by a chorus of drums and background vocals. From there it was non-stop hits, including those from the movie’s sound track such as “You Can Get It if You Really Want.” Cliff touched on the history of Jamaican music that he helped to create from ska, to rock steady to reggae. Don’t miss the legends.

Local Fav: Nicholas Payton Trio with Vincente Archer and Bill Stewart, Jazz Tent, 4:10 p.m. Expect the unexpected from New Orleans trumpeter, keyboardist and composer Nicholas Payton. One aspect, however, is predictable. The hugely talented, Grammy-winning musician always puts on a strong and challenging performance. He’s matched with longtime music mate bassist Vincente Archer and drummer Bill Stewart.

Personal Fav: Kidd Jordan & the Improvisational Arts Quintet, Jazz Tent, 12:20 p.m. It’s not only a pleasure but important that saxophonist/educator Kidd Jordan performs at the Jazz Fest. His musicianship, intensity, brilliant improvisation and dedication should be an inspiration to all be they players or listeners. He’ll be with like-minded musicians including the quintet’s longtime drummer Alvin Fielder. Despite the free style of creative music, the continuum of jazz can be heard in his drums – he bebops in his head. New York’s influential William Parker, a regular with Jordan, is in on bass while Joel Futterman, who has recorded and played with Jordan numerous times, will man the acoustic piano with Maynard Chatters Jr. taking on the electric keyboards.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

National Fav: John Legend, Congo Square, 5:30 p.m. At just 35, vocalist/composer/pianist/actor John Legend has lived up to his illustrious name. The sophisticated, contemporary R&B artist has won nine Grammy awards, an Oscar for his and rapper Common’s song “Glory” heard in the 2015 film Selma and a Golden Globe award. He’s also noted for his many collaborations and for his philanthropic endeavors. A class act and you could say, “Don’t miss Legend.”

Local Fav: Ivan Neville’s Dumstaphunk with guest Art Neville, Acura Stage, 3:05 p.m. Is there anything funkier than spelling funk “phunk”? Don’t think so. Thumbs up for the Neville-ization of the Acura (Fess) stage with a next generation of Uptown rulers, Ivan Neville’s Dump­staphunk. This vocal harmony-heavy, bass-heavy, funk-heavy band brings together Ivan on organ and his cousin Ian on guitar, bassists Tony Hall and Nick Daniels plus special guest Art “Poppa Funk” Neville. Dig Ivan and Art on dueling organs.

Personal Fav: Kenny Garrett, Jazz Tent, 5:50 p.m. Alto saxophonist Garrett, 54, is at the top of his game as particularly demonstrated on his last two albums, Seeds of the Underground and Pushing the World Away. At last year’s performance at Dillard University, he and his band – the same musicians for his Jazz Fest set – struck out with purpose on some very challenging material though by the end the group had the entire audience up on their feet dancing to “Happy Talk.” The Grammy-winning artist, who encouraged the euphoric display by continuously repeating the tune’s riff, hadn’t played in New Orleans since 1986 when he was a member of trumpet legend Miles Davis’ band.

Sunday April 26, 2015

National Fav: Shirley Caesar, Gospel Tent, 3:45 p.m. “I got to sing, I got to sing,” the always exuberant Shirley Caesar once exclaimed of her ministry at the Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Singing and preaching are all one to the legendary, multiple award-winning gospel vocalist and composer who began singing in church at age eight and as a teenager joined the famous gospel group the Caravans. As a solo artist, her themes speak of day-to-day troubles and life situations as illustrated in early works such as “Don’t Drive Your Mama” and “Sweeping Through the City.”

Local Fav: Rebirth Brass Band, Congo Square, 3:30 p.m. The Grammy-winning (don’t you love to say that/hear that) Rebirth Brass Band just lights up a crowd, a stage, a street. Can a band be sophisticated and funky? The Rebirth Brass Band again says, “Yes it can!” on its new release Move Your Body, the follow up to its the award-garnering Rebirth of New Orleans. As the Rebirth proclaimed back on its 1984 debut release, it’s Here to Stay.

Personal Fav: NOCCA Allstar Alumni Jam: The Ellis Marsalis Legacy, Jazz Tent, 4:10 p.m. Two, apparently different, versions of a band made up of graduates of the noted New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) will perform on the first and second Sundays of Jazz Festival. The line-up this day includes saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr., drummer Joe Dyson, bassist Max Moran, pianist Conun Pappas (all of whom were mentored by Harrison) and guitarist Jeremy Marx. The remarkable institution, first headed by pianist/educator Ellis Marsalis, is celebrating its 40th anniversary at the Fest with special programming at the Cultural Pavilion.

This article originally published in the April 20, 2015 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.