In Review: Jazz Fest’s second weekend

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

During the second weekend of Jazz Fest (Thursday, May 3 through Sunday, May 6), people were still talking about the luck with the weather especially those who remember when a thunderstorm last year postponed the opening of the gates and the thus the cancellation of many performers. Saturday’s sprinkle of rain and cloudy skies just helped cool down the afternoon.

It was the perfect time to catch Jupiter & Okwess at the dance- and crowd- friendly Jazz & Heritage Stage. It was led by singer and drummer Jupiter Bokondji, who, let’s say has what could be described as some wonderfully compellingly loose moves and an attitude to match. The band, complete with electric guitars, bass and drums, brought a combination of traditional music from their homeland of the Democratic Republic of Congo and a modern, Afro-beat style. Like so many New Orleans musicians, these guys had fun with each other as well as with the audience and continued the hilarity and the great music when later in the day they performed in the Cultural Pavilion. Though the group, which does a lot of harmonizing and dancing, was a treat at Congo Square on Friday, these smaller, upfront and personal venues were really the place to be. Jupiter & Okwess clearly was in on the peace and love theme that prevailed throughout the Fair Grounds during the weekend particularly when it ended its set with the bandmembers singing acapella.

BARBARA LYNN

The Gospel Tent always has a positive vibe and Sunday’s opening act, Audrey Ferguson & the Voices of Distinction was no exception. Ferguson, who sang lead with three other veteran vocalists by her side, boasts an amazingly strong voice. That was impressive enough but then when this senior citizen sang the classic, “A Change Is Gonna Come,” and warbled a falsetto part, she really stunned the crowd.

Just across the way, Chief Howard Miller led what was billed as the Uptown Mardi Gras Indian Rhythm Section. That translated into members of other Indian gangs, several from Monk Boudreaux’s Golden Eagles who were masked, plus a full backup group playing various percussion instruments. Early in the set, Chief Howard, who is most commonly associated with the Creole Wild West, reverently remembered saxophonist Charles Neville, who passed on April 13, 2018 and performed with the Wild Tchoupitoulas when led by his Uncle Jolly. Later, Chief Howard, who, unlike some sterner Black Indians, sang with a hint of a smile on his face, “I am a warrior, I am a ruler.” When the group did the traditional “Ooh Na Nay,” the chief called out the names of Downtown gangs like the Flaming Arrows, Fi Yi Yi and the Yellow Pocahontas.

Drummer Joe Dyson, made his debut appearance as leader at Jazz Fest this year though, of course, he’s acted as a sideman there for many years most notably with saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr. The New Orleans native fronted a fully-loaded band with trumpeter Stephen Lanz, saxophonist Stephen Gladney, bassist Jasen Weaver and pianist Oscar Rossignoli doing a set of all original material penned by Dyson. Some of the tunes performed, like “Naysayers,” could be regarded as a sneak peek of an upcoming Dyson album. It opened with a sermon by Dyson’s father, Dr. Joseph C. Dyson Sr., with the drummer stepping in to add a rhythm to the spoken word. Rossignoli flavored the tune with a Latin tinge and as was usual with this piano/drum combo the music intensified. Solid set.

JOE DYSON

It seems as if Smokey Robinson never changes and in his case that’s a very good thing. Dressed comfortably for the heat of the Congo Square Stage, Robinson went straight to his hits like “Second That Emotion,” at one point singing it in a nose-to-nose duet with one of the female vocalists who stepped out from his back-up singers. Robinson, as well as the Motown label that he represented, was a true cross-over artist and that was reflected in the audience at the Fest – just everybody knew all the words to tunes like “You Really Got a Hold on Me.”

Pastor Tyrone Jefferson, dressed in all white with the word Higher sparking in gold on his T-shirt, remembered the late, great Edwin Hawkins who died in January of 2018 by leading his choir in a wonderful version of the legend’s signature song, “Oh Happy Day.” Stylistically diverse, Jefferson, who got some strong backing by his choir and the band—especially the energetic drummer—shares with Hawkins the ability to bring gospel and secular music together as one.

That Lil’ Buck Sinegal is such a soulful guitarist was a factor in making him the perfect match-up with his special guest, the rather spunky (left-handed) guitarist and vocalist Barbara Lynn. Lynn, who played lead guitar with Sinegal’s band in the Blues Tent, is of course best known for her hit, “You’ll Lose A Good Thing,” which got an rousing applause from the crowd. She and her highly decorated guitar sparkled.

Troy “Trombone Shorty” shared the glory of performing on the Acura Stage for the last show of the festival. In remembrance of Charles Neville and the many years he blew saxophone with the Neville Brothers on that very stage, Shorty brought up Charles’ brother, vocalist/percussionist Cyril Neville and nephews keyboardist/vocalist Ivan and guitarist Ian Neville to join him and his Orleans Avenue band. It was both a touching and fun moment as they all did favs like “No More Okey Doke” and “Fire on the Bayou.”

An image and a tribute that will long be remembered is Charles Neville’s saxophone on stage, right where the “horn man” would stand, during Aaron Neville’s set. Aaron also wore a tie-dyed T-shirt, a garment best associated with his brother. Though Charles was most recognized as a member of the Neville Brothers, or playing with Aaron’s quintet, he was also appreciated as a jazz musician. In recognition of this side of Charles’ musical pursuits, Aaron’s ensemble performed the jazz classic, “Caravan.” The loss of Charles was perhaps most felt during the set when Aaron emotionally sang “Bird on the Wire.” It was almost as if he was speaking about his brother when he sang the lyrics, “I tried my best to be free.”

This article originally published in the May 14, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.