Jazz Fest’s First Weekend in review

4th May 2015   ·   0 Comments

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

Okay, yes it rained. More accurately it stormed with some voracity on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Oh, if the torrential downpour could have held off just another hour or so, the crowd gathered at Jazz Fest’s Congo Square Stage for reggae master Jimmy Cliff’s closing set on Friday would have enjoyed a full program rather than just four songs. “Sitting Here in Limbo,” which turned out to be his final number, seemed to describe the overall sentiment of the audience as they walked towards the Fair Grounds’ gates in the deluge.

On the other hand, those who attended the festival on the first day could take solace in the fact that while the weather was threatening the entire day, rain only effected the closing acts. Until then, folks relished the coolness thanks to cloudy skies.

The Gospel Tent is always a good place to celebrate another year of the Jazz & Heritage Festival. The Gospel Inspirations, hailing from the town of Boutte, Louisiana, kicked it off right. It’s a small though strong group – a lead singer and three backups – that brings in its own band. That element kept things tight as heard on its inspired execution of “I’m Leaving.”

Every year at Jazz Fest there seems to be one or two musicians who keep popping up. Notably, on a single day, the late trumpeter Clyde Kerr Jr. once moved from playing traditional jazz at the Economy Hall Tent to performing creative music with saxophonist Kidd Jordan at the Jazz Tent and was spotted in horn sections backing rhythm and blues artists. Wherever you went, there was Clyde.

This weekend, the young, talented trumpeter, recent NOCCA graduate John Michael Bradford filled that role, first up making his debut at the fest leading his own band. Usually rather conservative in his attire, for this occasion he dressed to impress wearing a fedora, a red jacket with a polka dot handkerchief tucked into the pocket, and shades. His blowing was equally impressive and was well teamed with saxophonist Derick Douget. Hey, and who knew Bradford could sing?

The next morning, Bradford joined Donald Harrison Jr. when the noted saxophonist/educator led the Tipitina’s Interns. Later in the afternoon Bradford fronted his own group at the NOCCA tent that was specially erected to celebrate the school’s 40th anniversary. The trumpeter then turned up at the small tent to sit in with Harrison’s band that included organist and very special guest, the amazing Dr. Lonnie Smith – a great set in this unusually intimate setting.

Whenever Kidd Jordan performs it’s a music celebration. This Jazz Fest appearance was no different except that he and the audience were also celebrating the saxophonist and educator’s 80th birthday. Jordan, who showed incredible strength and stamina passionately blowing for almost the entire 90-minute set, had the big guns with him in the Improvisational Arts Quintet. Longtime member, drummer Alvin Fielder added further tones and rhythms by shaking and hitting his cymbals with assorted percussion instruments. New York’s renowned William Parker’s bass with it red head, blonde neck, black body with red decorations was as visually exciting as his playing of the instrument. “This guy’s intense,” said a man remarking on the quintet’s pianist Joel Futterman as he watched the virtuoso land on the piano keys with not only his fingers but his arms. What a group!

A refreshing, rhythmic sound emanated from the Jazz & Heritage Stage on Saturday morning that drew one in with its beauty. The duo of guitarists and vocalists Julio & Cesar, which for this show were backed by a full band, warmly offered a program that mixed Latin beats, classical music and some full-on punta.

Folks grooving to bassist/guitarist/vocalist Tony Hall’s tribute to James Brown didn’t mind the rain but when the wind picked up and it was blowing sideways, in unison people said whoa… and took shelter. After a halt to the music, the sky brightened for Ivan Neville & Dumpsta-phunk’s ultimately harmonic grooves. This band, with guest organist Art “Papa Funk” Neville stands as the definition of the continuum.

As expected, saxophonist Kenny Garrett was a highlight of the weekend hitting hard on some solid jazz and engaging the crowd with his joyful presence.

James Andrews kept New Orleans rhythm and blues classics vital in his trumpet playing, vocals and good humored stage presence – he danced, he laughed, he carried on. Andrews put a great band together for this show with a trombone-heavy horn section plus bari master Roger Lewis blowin’ those essential lines. The group also included the talents of guitarist June Yamagishi and pianist Thaddeus Richard diggin’ in on tunes like “Tipitina” and “New Love Thing.” This set was real deal New Orleans.

In the Gospel Tent, Jo “Cool” Davis also went to the musical aces in assembling his large band. Vocally, Davis was sounding very strong during a set that displayed his love of gospel music and the influences of artists like Sam Cooke and Bobby “Blue” Bland.

Talk about good bands, trumpeter/vocalist Wendell Brunious had a hot one with the “front line” including the incredible trombonist Freddie Lonzo and clarinetist Tommy Sancton with Gerald French layin’ down the rhythms on drums. Pianist David Torkanowsky showed up on several gigs playing traditional jazz in the Economy Hall Tent. Tork, of course, can play anything and is appreciated in this setting. However, modern jazz fans wouldn’t mind at all if they could hear him more often in the Jazz Tent.

Two powerful, effervescent women took over the Fest on Sunday afternoon. Though Benin, Africa’s Angelique Kidjo and gospel star Shirley Caesar may have come up worlds apart and in different cultures, both spoke of life experiences – its trials and tribulations – in their songs. The two also express themselves through dance with the colorfully attired Kidjo swirling on the Congo Square Stage and Caesar coming down to the floor in the Gospel Tent to jump and shout among her adoring fans.

This article originally published in the May 4, 2015 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.