Celebrating 50 years of Jazz Fest and songs of the Movement
22nd January 2019 · 0 Comments
By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival announced the line-up of its 2019 event on Tuesday, January 15 that included the anticipated news of the Rolling Stones performing at the Fair Grounds on Thursday, May 2. Ticket sales for this premium priced ($185) date began last Thursday for locals and last Friday for the general public. It’s probably safe to assume that what’s been dubbed “Stones Day” was sold out by the time The Weekly hit the streets on Saturday. ‘Nuff said…
Of course there is a ton of great music during the remaining days with the first Thursday, April 25, known as “Locals Day,” offering discounted tickets at the gate – $50 per person – for Louisiana residents. Some strong acts on the schedule on opening day include Earth Wind & Fire, saxophonist monster James Carter performing with a trio, several African artists and the return to the fest of the popular Chouval Bwa from Martinique. Folks will remember them playing within a delightful handmade and hand-powered wooden carousel. (The rhythmically inspiring and melodically happy group will perform several more times throughout the fest.)
In celebration of Jazz Festivals’ 50th anniversary, performances will include many tributes to those who have passed by those who carry on their spirit. A few of the much-loved and important legends who will be honored include Fats Domino, zydeco royalty Clifton Chenier and Buckwheat Zydeco, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, gospel great Raymond Myles, traditional jazz’s notables, the Humphrey Brothers and more.
A few highlights of the fest include the always-dynamic Chaka Khan, the brilliant Al Green, an Ellis Marsalis Family Tribute with all of his musical sons, Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis onboard, reggae master Jimmy Cliff, New Orleans favs Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and, again, so many more.
The “regular” day ticket price for those bought before February 1 is $70 (pay cash at the Smoothie King box office to avoid some fees) and $75 after that date. They are $85 at the gate.
Go to www.jazzfest.com for more information and the complete schedule.
Lift Every Voice and Sing – A Celebration of the Songs of the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King Jr.
Music maintains a powerful hold on memories of good times and bad, of struggle and hope. Ashe Cultural Arts Center’s annual “Lift Every Voice and Sing” that takes place on Jan. 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Ashe Power House (1731 Baronne St.) will again acknowledge the strength of the songs that invigorated the civil rights era of the 1950s and 1960s. Anthems like “We Shall Overcome” brought people together then, helping them push on in the quest for equality, and continues to uplift folks today as they carry on the work to, as the Blind Boys of Alabama and Dr. John sang, “make a better world to live.”
The title of the event references the song of the same name that is proudly known as “The Black National Anthem.” It was initially written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson in 1900 and set to music by his brother John in 1905. The tune’s lyrics remain as relevant today as they did when they were first put to paper to commemorate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.
Many of the songs that became the soundtrack of the era, like “This Little Light of Mine,” began as spirituals and were reintroduced on the streets and at rallies and demonstrations. The great Mahalia Jackson’s performance of gospel legend Clara Ward’s composition, “How I Got Over” following Rev. Martin Luther King’s remarkable “I Have a Dream” speech at the 1963 March on Washington remains indelible. Folk singer and guitarist Joan Baez opened the event with a rendition of “We Shall Overcome.” In 1968, the year of King’s death, Baez’s associate on the folk scene, Bob Dylan, memorably asked the world pertinent questions about freedom in his song “Blowin’ in the Wind.”
Gospel artists have long been central to the movement including the Staple Singers who gave the world “Freedom Highway” plus Mavis Staple’s classic, “We Shall Not Be Moved.” It’s been written that another inspirational tune of the era, “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” was adapted from a labor protest song.
Soul, rhythm and blues and even funk artists also raised their voices in protest and to offer encouragement in forwarding the cause of justice and freedom with tunes like Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready,” that was a hit for his group the Impressions, Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” James Brown’s “I’m Black and I’m Proud” and vocalist Nina Simone’s audience-stunning “Mississippi Goddamn.” The legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane expressed his great sadness wordlessly on his composition “Alabama” that he wrote following the 1963 bombing of Birmingham, Alabama’s 16th St. Baptist Church that killed four young girls.
Performing at Sunday’s event at the Ashe Power House are vocalists Wendi O’Neal and Caren Green & Sons plus special guest guitarist and vocalist Deacon John. Speakers include Rev. Dwight Webster and Alfredo Cruz. Audience members are encouraged to lift their voices for a community sing.
This article originally published in the January 21, 2019 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
