No Restin’ ’Cause We’re Festin’!

With Mardi Gras, Quarter Fest, and Easter parades over, the city was ready for the Jazz & Heritage Festival and so were we! Two full weekends of live bands from 11:15 am to 7:00 pm for eight days is an exhausting line-up and with high humidity and searing heat, it was indeed a challenge to my non-outdoor personality…but so worth it! Although rain was forecast for several days, it never materialized and the second weekend was beautiful and much less humid. The excitement of the crowd is contagious and even though everyone is headed for a different venue at the fairgrounds, the smiles and laughter resonates with all. There are 13 venues on site, some in large tents or at the grandstand and others on outdoor stages with the audience in the open fields.

The out-of-town big-name headliners are usually set up at the far ends of the oval racetrack and the two largest stages. Our traditional jazz tent (Economy Hall) is right across from the grandstand and the WWOZ hospitality tent where sets are broadcast daily and lots of fresh fruit, coffee and tea is available for the many radio station supporters and contributors. We stay in the Economy Hall tent all day to see and hear the local bands and be with the many friends made over the past 30+ years. It is a special reunion of local, national and worldwide enthusiasts sharing hugs and kisses. We also remember those who are no longer able to attend or who have passed during the year. We chatted with one friend from England on a video call during one of the sets while showing him the second line and receiving “hellos” from other attendees.

Day 1: Charlie Halloran (tb) had an opening set with Shaye Cohn (tp), Tyler Thomson (bs), Herman LeBeaux (dr), David Boeddinghaus (p) and John Rodli (gtr). Leroy Jones (tp) is always a favorite together with his wife Katya Toivola (tb) and Bruce Brackman (cl) completing the front line. They all get the audience in the mood.

The Pfister Sisters did a tribute to the Boswell Sisters, the original close harmony trio on the 100 year anniversary of their first performances. The New Orleans’ beloved Boswell Sisters—Martha, Connie & Vet—could create harmonic patterns naturally and even while “talking” with each other, their skills were emphasized.

That evening we went straight to Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub—our go-to place—and then attended the Midnight Preserves at Preservation Hall. This was a special fundraiser for the 8 days of Fest to preview the newly renovated courtyard and the adjacent building that has been leased for fifty years. The new addition will be for classes, performances, lectures and archive storage. The walls were covered with lots of vintage photos of the original musicians from its beginning in 1961.

Day 2: The female Shake ‘Em Up Jazz Band with Marla Dixon (tp), Julie Schexnayder (bs), Molly Reeves (gtr), Haruka Kikuchi (tb), Dizzy Incirlioglu (wash) and Chloe Feoranzo (cl) always gets the crowd going—Chloe now lives in California but returned as one of the founding members of this delightful band.

The Paulin Brothers Brass Band exemplifies the traditional brass bands. I remember when Doc Paulin led his many sons and relatives on stage, it was an awesome experience: crisp white shirts, black pants and black ties, no polka-dots!!

Detroit Brooks (bj/gtr) had a set with a tribute to Danny & Blue Lu Barker, the beloved banjoist that encouraged and promoted the brass band traditions through the Fairview Baptist Church upon his return from New York with the Cab Calloway Orchestra in 1965. His devotion to the traditional genre coached another generation; many who appear at Fest are products of his legacy. Detroit heads the Danny Barker Festival annually held in March. Well-known vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater also performed in this set.

Now nationally-known street performer, Doreen Ketchens, paid tribute to her recently deceased husband, Lawrence, who passed suddenly just a few months ago. We saw them both in late January so this set was very emotional for her and her band. Her daughter Dorian (dr) and Stephen Walker (tb) assisted her and the audience was remembering the enterprising couple who gave such dignity to their craft.

The Secret Six includes musicians we often hear at Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub—John Joyce (bs), James Evans (cl,sax,tb), Zach Lange (tp), Dizzy Incirlioglu (wash), Haruka Kikuchi (tb), Hunter Burgamy (bj) and Nathan Wolman (tp). It is always fun to watch these young and talented musicians!

That evening we headed to Fritzel’s again to see Kevin Ray Clark (tp), Jim Markway (bs), Ellis Sieberling (tb), Leslie Martin (p) and Clayton Hopkins (dr) after the set with Steve DeTroy (p).

Day 3: The New Leviathan Oriental Fox-Trot Orchestra is always a hoot with their “blast from the past” ensemble and of course, Bobby on the theramin—think Star Trek or Midsomer Murders! Mark Braud (tp) was always a Sunday-night favorite at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe (now closed) and it was nostalgic to see him on a stage again with Meghan Swartz (p), Haruka Kikuchi (tb), Aron Lambert (dr), Kerry Lewis (bs) and Bruce Brackman (cl). Kevin Louis had the (Palm Court) Friday Night Band with Connor Stewart (cl), James Singleton (bs), Tom Fischer (sax), Craig Klein (tb), Mari Watanabe (p), Glen Finister Andrews & Shawn King (dr) with Yolanda Robinson (v).

Benny Jones is still beating that drum for the Treme Brass Band while the Uptown Swingers Social Aid & Pleasure Club formed the 2nd line and started the parade around the tent.

Tim Laughlin’s (cl) tribute to Pete Fountain had several of Pete’s original band members—Jimmy Weber (tp) and Mike Genevay (tb)—on stage with Tim recreating licks and riffs from Pete’s days with his own horn—old Betsy—that Pete gave to Tim years ago. I have been a Pete Fountain fan since the very early ’60s and his album, Pete’s Place, was played every Saturday morning while doing my household “chores”—his Fascination Medley is forever etched in my memory!

Gregg Stafford (tp) is one of the original “Barker Boys” and his devotion to the traditional scene is always apparent. With Joey Lastie (dr), Detroit Brooks (bj,gtr), Seva Venet (bj), Tyler Thomson (bs), Bruce Brackman (cl) and Mari Watanabe (p) The Jazz Hounds really deliver! The Cottonmouth Kings had Matt Rhody (vln) gather his band for some lesser known tunes.

That evening we dashed over to Fritzel’s to hear Jamil Sharif (tp), Steve DeTroy (p), Sam Lobely (bs) and Tanner Gus (dr). then the Maison Bourbon to see Jeff Kreis (tp) and Danny Rubio (p,tuba), Ryan Burrage (cl), Spencer Knapp (dr), Zach Wiggins (p) and others. Danny is the music director now at Maison Bourbon and they have had some larger bands lately and more in the early evenings.

Day 4: Lars Edegran (p) and his New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra brought us back to the early 1900s while Shaye Cohn’s Tuba Skinny did the same with a different bent.

One of the highlights included Dr. Michael White’s Centennial Tribute to Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five and Hot Seven featuring native New Orleanian trumpeter Nicholas Payton. It was a standing room only crowd and it could have lasted several more hours! Dr. White remarked on Armstrong’s unique individual improvised solos and how he popularized scatting. Freddie Lonzo (tb) did some superb scatting and brought down the house!! I have renamed him Mr. Scatman!

Preservation Hall’s Charlie Gabriel, who will be 92 in August, still blows a mean sax and his set reflected his many years as a jazz artist.

That evening we went to the Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta to see Richard Scott (p), Catie Rodgers (tp), Ted Long (bs) and Kyle Sharamitaro (dr). The Playhouse is a lovely setting and serves small bites, a welcome addition in the early evenings.

The next few non-Fest days were also filled with music as the Jazz Museum hosted several outdoor events. We saw Detroit Brooks (gtr,bj) with his band members Herman LeBeaux (dr), Clarence Johnson III (sax), Kyle Roussel (p) and Donald Ramsey (bs) for the Gallatin Street Fest. Gallatin was the former name of French Market Place from 1840 to 1890 and the site of the original Red Light District before Storyville was created.

Then a short walk to the Louisiana Music Factory where Donna Poniatowski Sims was autographing her recently released book on Donna’s Bar & Grill which closed in 2010. It was the Brass Band Headquarters and an iconic venue at the corner of St. Ann & Rampart, across from the arched entrance to Armstrong Park. Although daily, it was also an “after hours” place that attracted many musicians after their gigs. When her husband Charlie served his free red beans and rice at midnight, all the musicians lined up and enjoyed the hospitality. We were probably only there about 30 times or so in the 90’s until it closed, but there were many, many moments that hold fast in my memory…but that’s another story!

A nice evening at Fritzel’s had the Tin Men (Alex McMurray (gtr) Washboard Chaz and Matt Perrine (sousa) for an early set and then their Monday Night Magic with Richard Scott (p), Jamil Sharif (tp), Bryan Besse (dr) and Ben Fox (bs). Again stopping off later at the Maison Bourbon to see Danny Rubio (tuba), Leslie Martin (p), Ryan Burrage (cl), Jack Pritchett (tp) and Josh “Jams” Marotta (dr).

The next non-Fest day had us enjoy the brunch at the Court of Two Sisters with some friends to see Tim Laughlin (cl), Norbert Susemihl (tp) and Skip Phipps (gtr) for a lovely early afternoon. The evening took us back to Fritzel’s with Colin Myers (tb), Ellis Dyson (bj,gtr), Dizzy Incirlioglu (wash) and Zach Lange, this time on bass; then a stop at Maison Bourbon to see Jeff Kreis (tp) and his band.

The following day we had a wonderful lunch at Tableau with some friends from the Palm Court. It was so warm and delightful as we hadn’t seen them all together in several months. Later, back at Fritzel’s we saw Hunter Burgamy (bj) and Trombone Charlotte, visiting from Canada—she hopes to be moving to New Orleans by October! After that set, Zach Lange (tp) had his group followed by Kevin Ray Clark (tp,cnt) Chuck Brackman (bs), Jory Woodis (cl), Scott Kizer (p) and Bryan Besse (dr).

Day 5: Doyle Cooper (tp) grew up on the stage at Buffa’s and his mom, Leslie, sang a few tunes. Z2 (p) had his youngest son take a few sticks to the drums displaying his musical prowess. It must run in the family as mama Haruka Kikuchi (tb) stood by! Louis Ford (cl,sax) and his New Orleans Flairs had many old standards. Wendell Brunious (tp), music director at Preservation Hall, always has an outstanding band and with Freddie Lonzo (tb), Richard Moten (bs), Tom Hook (p), both Shannon Powell and Shawn King (dr) and Caroline Brunious (cl) playing while nephew Grand Marshall Andrew Le Duff got the 2nd line going.

Banu Gibson (v) featured guest Bria Skonberg (tp) now from New York. We first saw Bria in San Diego with the Mighty Aphrodite Jazz Band, an all female group about 20 years ago and enjoy seeing her in New Orleans now and then. Mark Brooks (bs) featured his son Marlon (dr) and Davell Crawford (p,v) in his set. The smiling glances between father and son were endearing.

Again, that evening took us to Fritzel’s with Kevin Ray Clark (tp,cnt), Ellis Sieberling (tb), Chris Sharkey (bs), Kris Tokarski (p) and Bryan Besse (dr).

Day 6: Dr. Ben Redwine is an accomplished clarinetist and we have attended several classes he “teaches” at the National Park Service lectures in the Quarter. He recreated Alphonse Picou’s High Society, Jimmie Noone’s Apex Blues and Barney Bigard’s Mood Indigo and gave a bit of history on the side.

Seva Venet (bj) and New Orleans Legends paid tribute to the many musicians that Seva has admired during his own musical quests. With Michael White (cl), Kerry Lewis (bs), Craig Klein (tb), Herman LeBeaux (dr), Roger Lewis (bari) Jamil Sharif (tp) and Larry Sieberth (p), the band was hot!

Don Vappie (bj,gtr) and the Creole Jazz Serenaders had Richard Moten (bs), Mark Braud (tp), Tom Fischer (cl,sax), Alonzo Bowens (cl,sax), Doug Belote (dr) and Mike Esnow (p).

Gerald French (dr) did a tribute to his dad, George, who passed away last year. The well-known guitarist was a dominant member of the French family of musicians. Gerald introduced vocalist Phillip Manuel that was his dad’s favorite. Gerald also had a set last week with the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band that he inherited from his uncle Bob French in 2013, Bob passed away shortly after handing over the reins to Gerald. I remember we were at the recording session of the first album he produced as leader of this band at the Jazz Playhouse.

Aurora Nealand (sopsax) always has a unique set with her not-as-common instrument and of course, manages to present some Sidney Bechet pieces in her performance.

Tim Laughlin (cl) did some old standards and some original compositions that are now 20 years old—hard to believe. His band with Hal Smith (dr), Ed Wise (bs), Duke Heitger (tp), David Boeddinghaus (p) and Charlie Halloran (tb) is always a “new” traditional set.

That evening again found us again at Fritzel’s with Sam Lobely (bs) and then a set with Kevin Ray Clark (tp,cnt), Walter Harris (dr), Ellis Sieberling (tb), Kris Tokarski and Jonathan Solomon (bs).

Day 7: The Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble starts the day with music from the early 1900’s and its leader Fred Starr (cl) is an active 85 year old musician and scholar. Emphasizing virtuoso playing, the Ensemble recreates the aura of a bygone era and does it very well with a great front line featuring Freddie Lonzo (tb), Duke Heitger (tp) and Tom Fischer (cl)!

Jamil Sharif (tp) has his own set next with many of the “regulars” performing. Gregg Stafford’s (tp) Young Tuxedo Brass Band had a second line parade with the N’awlins D’awlins Baby Dolls strutting their stuff.

Lars Edegran brought a tribute to songstress Bessie Smith with Yolanda Robinson and Kiki Chapman providing a look into the past with songs made famous by the Empress of the Blues.

Tommy Sancton (cl) visiting from France, always has a heartwarming set and I miss seeing him at the Palm Court. With Clive Wilson (tp) the band is always top-notch.

That evening we went over to the Monteleone Hotel to see the first set with Joe Kennedy (p), Ted Long (bs) and Kyle Sharamitaro (dr). Then the later evening band is with Lena Prima and hubby Tim Fahey (bs) channeling her dad, Louis Prima, on a few wonderful tunes he made famous. A short walk over to the Mahogany Jazz Hall caught the late night set with Tom Fischer (cl) and his band featuring Joe Kennedy (p) again, Josh Gouzy (bs), Gerald French (dr) and Leon Brown (tp). Kate Wimmer—proprietor and all-around lovely lady—had a birthday in a few days and we wanted to wish her the best.

Day 8: Clive Wilson (tp) headed this set with his New Orleans Serenaders featuring Tommy Sancton (cl), Tom Saunders (bs), Charlie Halloran (tb), Kris Tokarski (p), Seva Venet (bj) and Hal Smith (dr). Clive was so happy to be on stage that he didn’t want to leave and managed to sing his theme song (If We Never Meet Again) a few minutes past the program time—but no one minded a bit!

Solid Harmony—Yolanda Robinson and Kiki Chapman paid tribute to their mom, Topsy Chapman, and Yolanda’s son Caleb Winfrey (tb) filled in the 3rd voice. Beautiful harmonies and beautiful people!

Preservation Hall Brass Band had a rousing set while the suited and dutifully costumed Good Fellas Social Aid & Pleasure Club grabbed audience members to parade with them all around the tent! Then Michael White’s Original Liberty Jazz Band took to the stage for more traditional numbers. With Gregg Stafford (tp), Detroit Brooks (bj), Seva Venet (bj), Kerry Lewis (bs), Steve Pistorius (p), Herman LeBeaux (dr) and Dwayne Paulin (tb).

The Hot Club of New Orleans featured Matt Rhody’s violin with Russell Welch (gtr), Nobu Ozaki (bs), Leo Ford (gtr) and Christopher Kohl (cl).

Kermit Ruffins’ Tribute to Louis Armstrong closed out the festival in Economy Hall and it was packed! Kermit is a very outgoing entertainer and often features other performers in the spotlight. His younger daughter sang a few tunes and then he introduced Nayo Jones, an exceptional vocalist. She has an incredible range and is locally well-known. Irvin Mayfield (bj) did the best version of the St. James Infirmary I have ever heard, the vocals were exceptional – fast and vigorous – and it showed off his many talents. We often don’t stay for the very last set, but I’m glad we did for this one—there were lots of hugs and goodbye kisses throughout the audience in attendance. Kermit invited everyone to his club, The Mother-In-Law Lounge for red beans and rice at 8:00 pm. I’m sure lots of fans attended the impromptu event!

That evening we went over to the Jazz Playhouse again to see Richard Scott (p), Jamil Sharif (tp), Cori Walters (dr) and Ted Long (bs) as a relaxing and fitting end to such a hectic few weeks.

The next and last day was at a leisurely pace with the evening at Fritzel’s for the Tin Men and later, Richard Scott’s Monday Night Magic, this time with Norbert Susemihl (tp) before his trip back to Germany.

Again, lots of hugs and goodbye kisses with the musicians, staff and other patrons, all glad to have been at Fest, and glad that it was over. So let’s all get ready for next year’s Jazz & Heritage Festival which will have the French Quarter Fest the weekend prior—that’s three weeks of Festin’—so start Restin’ now!!