Brilliance and bountiful neighborhood fun

7th October 2019   ·   0 Comments

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

“It’s going to be an event,” declares internationally renowned pianist Joanne Brackeen of Saturday night’s celebration at Snug Harbor of the late great drummer Art Blakey’s 100th birthday. Brackeen, who in recent years has been recognized for her outstanding achievements by both the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award and BMI Jazz Legend Award, stands not only as a brilliantly innovative musician, composer and educator but also notably as the only woman who was a member of Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and who recorded with the master on his 1970 album Catalyst.

“He was a character who will live in everybody’s mind who ever met him,” declares Brackeen displaying great affection and admiration for Blakey. “We’re going to pay tribute to him the only way we can, with our spirits and our souls as if he were sitting in the audience.”

Contrary to many such tributes to the influential and much-loved drummer, Brackeen doesn’t intend to dig into Blakey’s repertoire at the show. Always deeply yet softly philosophical, Brackeen explains saying, “Art was a forward guy. He wouldn’t want that. That’s not what I knew of him or what he knew of me.”

Blakey, who passed on October 16, 1990, was a hard-bopper whose reputation went beyond his huge talents behind the drums. His Jazz Messengers became an incubator for young talent who would often go on to lead their own bands. Members included New Orleans own trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and saxophonist Branford Marsalis as well as trumpeter Terence Blanchard and saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr. Brackeen was in that number and soon stepped out on her own following her three-year tenure with Blakey and has recorded some 20 albums under her own name.

Though Brackeen has been coming down to perform in New Orleans since the 1980s, this occasion will be the first time she’s had the opportunity to play with drummer Herlin Riley. The quintet will include bassist Amina Scott, saxophonist Derek Douget and trumpeter Stephen Lands, all of whom call the Crescent City home.

“He’s got a great sound and spirit – that’s all I need,” says the uniquely daring pianist of Riley. “When I get to New Orleans, I feel like I’m home — like I’m walking into my house. People are people there, not robots and they feel like your brothers and your sisters. That’s what we’re all supposed to be.”

Brackeen generously shares a memory of Art Blakey that few people have heard and somehow displays a certain intriguing essence of the man and the musician.

“When we were on tour in Japan (in the early 1970s) a lot of the guys used to come by my room because I had a little record player and we were listening to this Miles Davis album from 1967. It had (drummer) Tony Williams on there and Tony was the new talk of the town and really played some amazing stuff. So one night Art was hanging out and nobody was around as they had all come to my room. So he finally came and he sat there and listened to Tony Williams for 20 minutes or something. And then he walked out and the next four nights that we played in Japan, we didn’t hear Art Blakey licks, we heard everything that Tony Williams played on that record.”

“Art Blakey is unforgettable and there are a lot of musicians who feel exactly the same way. He spread his word.”

Gentilly Fest – Neighborhood Friends and Fun

Each neighborhood festival in New Orleans boasts its own flavor, and the Gentilly Fest, which takes place at the Pontchartrain Park Playground from Friday, October 11 through Sunday, October 13, is no exception. Everyone seems to know each other there though nobody is a stranger as friendly greetings welcome all.

The music starts on Friday evening at 6 p.m. with Russell Batiste & Friends. The hugely talented drummer, whose cousin, pianist Jon Batiste, has been quoted crediting Russell as being a great influence on his musical outlook and direction, boasts a distinct style and talent for leadership. A member of the funky Meters, Batiste can lay it down especially when heading his like-minded “Friends.”

Some strong, funky grooves will remain in the Gentilly air with the next, heavy-hitters up to bat on Friday, vibraphonist and percussionist Matt Dillon & the NOLA Resistance.

Women take the spotlight on Saturday evening with some of this city’s finest female vocalists. The group with Sharon Martin, Naydja CoJoe and Rechell Cook, rightfully call themselves The Ladies of Soul. Each will bring their individual styles as they light up the stage at 5 p.m.

Gospel music is too rarely heard beyond churches, special celebratory occasions and at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The Gentilly Festival embraces one of New Orleans,’ the birthplace of the incredible Mahalia Jackson, greatest cultural and spiritual aspects by including a tent that features local gospel choirs all day Saturday and Sunday. The ensembles who will be appearing, such as the Watson Memorial Choir and the Greater St. Stephens Baptist Church Choir and more, are well-known in the Gentilly neighborhood and throughout the entire gospel community.

This article originally published in the October 7, 2019 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.