Jazz Fest 2018 – Second weekend picks
30th April 2018 · 0 Comments
By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer
Four days of non-stop music at Jazz Fest ain’t no joke. These “picks” are just, in New Orleans lingo, the tip of an icy sno-ball. In choosing these musical flavors, other equally delicious options have regrettably and inevitably been left out though certainly should be sampled at the Fair Grounds this weekend, Thursday, May 3 through Sunday, May 6, 2018.
For instance, the Jazz & Heritage Stage is such a comfortable and dance-friendly place to hang and catch the full effect of acts like the New Breed Brass Band. The Mardi Gras Indians also reign there including Big Chief Little Charles Taylor, one of the finest voices in the Indian Nation, leading his White Cloud Hunters. Then there’s Chief Victor Harris the Spirit of Fi Yi Yi, who just celebrated a record-breaking 53 years of masking Indian, heading his African-influenced Mandingo Warriors.
In celebration of New Orleans’ 300th anniversary, the Cultural Exchange Pavilion, which previously focused on one country, mixes things up with local musicians like trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, who will pay tribute to the great Louis Armstrong, scattered on the schedule with artists from here and afar.
So here are a very few highlights this weekend.
Thursday, May 3, 2018
National Fav: Lionel Richie, Acura Stage, 5:30 p.m. Vocalist and composer Lionel Richie first gained recognition with the Commodores taking over the lead spot on romantic ballads such as “Three Times a Lady.” After 14 years with the pop/soul/funk group, Richie found great success as a superstar, Grammy-winning balladeer with self-penned tunes like “Lady,” which was covered by several artists, and the more uptempo, “All Night Long,” which might express the length of time his Jazz Fest fans would like him to perform.
Local Fav: McDonogh 35 High School Gospel Choir, Gospel Tent, 2:50 p.m. Since 1991, Veronica Downs-Dorsey, a stalwart in the New Orleans gospel community, led this always-lively choir and made sure it was in good hands on her retirement. Though the membership of this large choir naturally changes with students coming and going, its program at Jazz Fest always remains both spirited and disciplined. Part of the energy in the tent comes from the audience that is always filled with fellow students and supporters – they know all the words.
Personal Fav: Toots & the Maytals, Congo Square Stage, 5:40 p.m. and the Archie Shepp Quartet featuring vocalist Marion Rampa, Jazz Tent 5:45 p.m. This is one of those mean conflicts between two very different, very important legends performing at the same time and across the infield from one another.
Archie Shepp, 80, who is renowned for his forwarding-thinking approach to jazz and his time spent with fellow saxophonist giant John Coltrane, takes a more soulful course — not to say he hasn’t always been soulful – when joined by vocalist Marion Rampa.
Outdoors at the Congo Square Stage, the incredible Frederick Nathanial “Toots” Hibbert was one of the first to introduce the word reggae on his 1968 tune, “Do the Reggay,” As a vocalist, guitarist, composer, Toots is tops with slammers like “Pressure Drop,” “Monkey Man,” “Sweet & Dandy” and so many more. There’s something special about hearing reggae at the Fest… reggae got soul.
Friday, May 4, 2018
National Fav: LL Cool J featuring DJ Z-Trip, Congo Square Stage, 5:45 p.m. LL Cool J, whose name is derived from the initials standing for Ladies Love Cool James, is an icon in the hip-hop world as a rapper, actor and entrepreneur. He gets and has earned big respect that was acknowledged by being the Kennedy Center’s first honoree from the rap world. Of late, the multi-award winning Cool J has been backed by the turntable work of DJ Z-Trip, a pairing that continues Cool J’s excellence in his field.
Local Fav: Aaron Neville, Gentilly Stage, 4:15 p.m. New Orleans was so spoiled back in the day when vocalist supreme Aaron Neville – as well as the Neville Brothers band — could be heard on a regular basis. Aaron now lives on acreage in Pawling, New York – “I sing to the birds and they sing back” – and though he travels and performs, he’s pretty much only in his hometown for the Fest. As heard on his latest album, 2016’s Apache, the man who recorded 1967’s now classic “Tell It Like It Is” remains vocally and physically vital.
Personal Fav: Jupiter & Okwess, Congo Square Stage, 2:55 p.m. and at the Cultural Exchange Pavilion, 4:55 p.m. Energetic singer/drummer Jupiter Bokondji leads his band Okwess that combines and expands on the traditional music of his homeland of the Democratic Republic of Congo and modern styles and instrumentation – electric guitars, bass, trap set. Often his lyrics offer socially conscious messages set to an Afro-beat that’s meant for dancing.
Saturday, May 5, 2018
National Fav: Anita Baker, Congo Square Stage, 5:30 p.m. Jazz Fest welcomes to the Fair Grounds eight-time Grammy winner vocalist Anita Baker as part of her farewell tour. Known for her romanticism in the jazz, contemporary R&B and soul genres, Baker, who released her first album, The Songstress, in 1980, has also been recognized by being honored with numerous Soul Train awards among many others.
Local Fav: Dumpstaphunk, Acura Stage, 2:25 p.m. Led by organist/keyboardist Ivan Neville, Dumpstaphunk is the real deal even down to its gritty name. The band has two, excellent bassists – Tony Hall and Nick Daniels – that give the funky music that bottom it requires. What one doesn’t often find in funk bands is superb vocal harmonies supplied by the above and of course Neville as well.
Alford Ford Jr. keeps it in the groove with Ivan’s cousin, Art Neville’s son, Ian Neville bringing on some tasty guitar. As their compelling song says, “Meanwhile, might as well have a good time…”
Personal Fav: The Lee Boys, Fais Do-Do Stage, 5:45 p.m. This family group of musicians – Alvin Lee, guitar, Derrick and Keith Lee on vocals with nephews on pedal steel guitar, bass and drums – play a style of music that’s know as sacred steel. They do incorporate spiritual tunes in their repertoire though they also include secular music. First and foremost, however, is that the Lee Boys are funky. Checking out less familiar music at the Fest is often ear-opening.
Sunday, May 6, 2018
National Fav: Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Congo Square, 5:25 p.m. Okay, if you’ve ever seen Maze close out the Jazz Fest or Essence Festival, you know what goes down. It’s frontman and vocalist Beverly dressed in white laying on some old-school rhythm and blues and finally the whole crowd – not a scattered few – doing the electric slide to “Joy and Pain.” Beverly once compared the oneness of audience during this song and dance to experiencing an inspirational service in a Baptist church. New Orleans has loved Maze ever since its 1977 debut release, Happy Feelings and that happy attitude never stopped growing with others at the Fest just jumping onboard.
Local Fav: Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Acura Stage, 5:45 p.m. and/or Buddy Guy, Blues Tent, 5:40 p.m. Man, it’s always difficult to decide how to end the Fest. In the case of Shorty versus Buddy Guy, it might come down to logistics. Is the crowd at the Acura Stage unmanageable? It might be as the trombonist, trumpeter, vocalist and songwriter leading his go-get-‘em band, Orleans Avenue, is hugely popular to people of all ages. It’s not just his fellow New Orleanians that dig his special mix of funk, jazz, soul and rock.
While the Lettsworth, Louisiana born bluesman Buddy Guy, 81, moved from his home state to head to Chicago when he was 21, he never forgot his downhome roots even as his guitar style became increasingly electrified. Louisiana can still be heard in his playing and particularly in his showmanship. The guitarist, singer and composer influenced an entire next generation of guitarists particularly those from “across the pond.” Don’t miss the legends.
Personal Fav: Smokey Robinson, Congo Square Stage, 3:30 p.m. It’s almost impossible to say the name Smokey Robinson without a song like “Shop Around” or “Tracks of My Tears” immediately running through your head. Don’t miss the legends.
This article originally published in the April 30, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
