Second weekend highlights as Jazz Fest’s 50th Anniversary celebration wrapped up
13th May 2019 · 0 Comments
By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer
It was like that nonsensical phrase, déjà vu all over again, when storms and downpours delayed the opening of Jazz Fest on the second Saturday (May 4) just as they had on Thursday the week before. Then just an hour-and-a-half later, it was announced that the gates to the Fair Grounds were open. Miraculously, despite weather predictions, not another drop of rain fell the rest of the afternoon. Hallelujah!
Sure, the area around the Cultural Pavilion was pretty muddy, but the Crocodile Gumboot Dancers of South Africa were well equipped as was most of the crowd.
Donning their rubber boots, fest-goers looked almost as if they were dressed in honor of the lively group and many did join in the rhythmic stomping of feet that gives the ensemble its name.
That was particularly the case when its members came down from the stage and encouraged participation. This group, which included melodic instruments such as keyboards, a guitar and even a violin, was totally animated in their performance. They laid on the floor and then dramatically jumped up much to the surprise and delight of the audience. The lead singer of the Gumboot Dancers often used a whistle to direct the group, much as a captain on a New Orleans second line does.
Conveniently, it was a quick jump over to the lovely, hand-carved, man-powered carousel for another ride while the band from Martinique played traditional chouval bwa music in the middle of the “flying horses.” The faster the music, the faster the whirl.
The musical journey this day would take one from Africa and Martinique to Jamaica with, of course, stops in New Orleans and beyond. Ziggy Marley, the oldest son of Bob and Rita Marley, represented the reggae world and his island homeland of Jamaica. His warm spirit and smile was continually in evidence as he performed often socially conscious material from his 2018 release, Rebellion Rises. Wisely, he also offered the audience tunes with which they were familiar and could sing along with including “Coming In from the Cold.” “It’s you I’m talking to…”
Looking over the crowd on Thursday while Dumpstaphunk was doin’ its down in the dirty trash bin “thang,” it was hard to imagine what the Acura Stage area would have looked like if the next act had been the Rolling Stones, as originally scheduled. The Stones, of course, were forced to cancel due to Mick Jagger’s health. With all due respect and empathy for the Stones, their fans, Jazz Fest and Quint Davis, not having this locale be a “mob scene” with people jockeying for positions, could be considered a relief. For one, keyboardist Ivan Neville & Dumpstaphunk got and deserved the audience’s full attention with its great musicianship, vocal harmonies, added horns and its “bad” attitude with saxophonist Karl Denson adding an explosive kick.
The Comanche Hunters Mardi Gras Indian gang made an impressive showing with nine masked Black Indians, a full band, colorful and kind of edgy baby dolls and guest Big Chief Little Walter Cook of the Creole Wild West taking the stage. It was definitely showtime for this gang that has, in this configuration with keyboards, guitar, bass and a drum set, joined the number of Mardi Gras Indian stage bands.
In honor of Jazz Fest’s 50th anniversary, tributes to the great New Orleans musicians who have passed were held throughout the event. It was a poignant moment when Edith Batiste read her poetry during a remembrance of her husband, clarinetist and educator Alvin Batiste who died in 2007. Her readings added to the atmosphere that Alvin’s presence was in the Jazz Tent that day. Many of his former students and the many musicians who he influenced performed in the band that was led by Herman Jackson a long-time member of Batiste’s Jazztronauts.
With images of his father, Zydeco King accordionist/vocalist Clifton Chenier, and his uncle, rubboard master Cleveland Chenier, looming high above each side of the Fais Do-Do Stage, accordionist/vocalist C.J. Chenier performed a moving rendition of Clifton’s signature tune, “I’m Coming Home.” C.J. was onboard for a set that paid tribute to his dad and also the great Buckwheat Zydeco.
“It’s too hot for leather – don’t touch me,” the lively, legendary vocalist Chaka Khan warned with a laugh. Dressed in a stunning black outfit that glittered as the Sunday afternoon sun beat down, Khan, a musical trooper, shook off the heat and declared, “This is my life – let it shine!” Naturally, a scream from the audience rose at the first notes of one of her best known and best-loved numbers, “Tell Me Something Good.
The 50th anniversary of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival ended on the usual bittersweet note of realizing it was over yet still filled with joy from the many musical experiences. Pianist and composer Herbie Hancock showed his mastery in presenting jazz’s many possibilities that included innovations prompted by him throughout his long career. A standing ovation followed his perhaps, most widely recognized tune, “Cantaloupe Island.”
far away, trombonist/trumpeter/vocalist Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews celebrated the continuum that’s at the core of New Orleans music and the sense of family that exists in the community. Musically and physically, he embraced his special guests, members of the legendary Neville clan including Aaron, Cyril, Ivan and Ian. “One love…”
This article originally published in the May 13, 2019 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
