My Last Day In New Orleans

Yes, Lance, as well as saxophonists, cellists, bassists and lots of vocalists.  

It was really just all about the music.  It was unbelievable how much great music was being played day and night for the last two weeks. I saw about a year's worth of shows in a blink of an eye.

I skipped Kimock, JRAD, and most of the Jamband appearances.  I did see some of WSP Jazzfest Set, but found it tedious.  Most of the  big stage acts at the fairgrounds were underwhelming, including Tom Petty and Stevie Wonder.  Some were inspired, though, including Nas with the Soul Rebels, Wilco and The Meters.

The Meters at the Orpheum, Corey Henry at Kermit Ruffin's place (the former Ernie K-Do's Mother-In-Law Lounge), The Dirty Dozen Brass Band at dba, The Iguanas at The Circle Bar. free sets from John Mooney, Eric Lindell and The Preservation Hall Jazzband at the Louisiana  Music Factory, a couple of David Doucet performances at The Columns and a great set of experimental free jazz at Allways were my favorite sets outside of the Fest.  I wish I'd seen Kamasi Washington this weekend, but it wasn't in the cards.

Time for one last dip in the pool at this amazing house I've been blessed to be a guest at, then I have to pack up and get ready to head to the airport.  I'll try to post some more photos later.

I did see Kermit at his place, but he'd already played.  His former bandmate Corey Henry's band were tearing it up though.  When I first walked in, the door lady said "twenty dollars", and when I rolled my eyes, she said, "you ain't got twenty, how about ten?"  I got an Abita Amber at the bar, and walked out back where the band was set up.  Taking a seat at a picnic table, I looked down and, lo and behold, there's a $10 bill on the ground.  Kermit got up and sang a couple of numbers with them, but didn't play any trumpet.   He was hanging out the whole show, though, greeting people, clowning around, and having a good time.  His former Rebirth Brass Band colleague James Andrews, who has his own band, the New Birth Brass Band, now, was there also, and joined the band for several numbers.  James' little brother, Trombone Shorty was also there, just hanging out and digging the scene, but not playing.  Between the music, the cool murals painted on the building, and the local characters passing through and trying out all sorts of hilarious dances, it was a quintessential night in New Orleans.  After getting the cover charge covered, I drank often and tipped well.

I did see Kermit play on the last day of Jazzfest though.  I ducked out of Buddy Guy's set about half way through to get some oysters and take a break from the intense sun and Buddy's intensely loud tone, and caught Kermit in a BBQ Swingers reunion of sorts, joined by Corey Henry on trombone, his old rhythm section, pianist David Torkanowsky and clarinetist Dr. Michael White in a Louis Armstrong tribute set in the People's Health Tent.  It was a beautifully played set, and it was cool to see Kermit and Corey without their hip-hop instincts showing, and just playing a blistering traditional New Orleans Jazz set.  Then I headed back to the Gentilly Stage to see my second Meters show in a week (!) as the curtain dropped on a wildly successful Jazzfest 2017.

Now I'm sitting in O'Hare, waiting for my connecting flight back home, and Jill, yeah, you right, I do know what it means to miss New Orleans.