When we visited with Nina Buck, owner of the now-closed Palm Court, during our last trip in October, she mentioned that she wanted to have a special party before the end of the year. The beloved restaurant with its mahogany bar and walls lined with memorabilia was still intact. She and her much smaller staff were now involved in winding up the 35+ year old business and all of the consuming paperwork that the procedure entails.
I didn’t need a nanosecond to acknowledge that “I’ll be there” whenever it is, after missing the weekend of its closure on June 1st and 2nd because of airline mishaps. So when she confirmed that the party would be on December 10th, we promptly made plans to be there on the 7th, several days ahead of the event. As it turned out, the New Orleans Jazz Museum was holding its 7th Annual Improvisations Gala that evening, so it was a great start to a short six day visit.
The Herb Alpert Foundation is a long-time sponsor of the Museum and is a financial supporter of the current capital campaign to renovate the Performance Center and create the Education Center in the three story complex. Director Greg Lambousy has many irons in the proverbial fire and multiple projects seem to be his forte. He had a spotlight event at the Gala and found time to enjoy the fruits of his hard work.
The Gala was wonderful, with multiple floors of music between exhibits and several tents with bands on its landscaped grounds, the food almost took a backseat to the festivities. And the food was extremely delicious with generous portions and attentive staff from Messina’s Catering. The weather mostly cooperated and with several areas set up for libations, the mood was very festive. There were more than 15 groups of artists represented with brass bands, Mardi Gras Indians, several second-lines, and costumed guests strolling throughout the evening.
We saw Detroit Brooks (gtr) with his band highlighting Herman LeBeaux (dr), and then got a chance to see Wanda Rouzan (v) with her quartet, featuring Mark Brooks (bs), Roderick Paulin (sax), and Andrew Baham (tp). As one of the remaining original members of the One Mo’ Time cast, she is a treasure and delivers a delightful “dirty” blues or two.
The following day we visited the iconic Preservation Hall for a few sets with Joey Lastie (dr) and Gregg Stafford (tp) as leader with Rickie Monie (p), Mitchell Player (bs), Stephen Walker (tb), and Louis Ford (reeds). We were seated in the ones that were usually occupied by co-founder Sandra Jaffe, so I was very honored. The Hall is very precious to me and it is now open again after some courtyard remodeling during the summer. The renovations on the adjacent building, recently secured by a 50 year lease, that will be used for lectures, classes, etc. is definitely a work in progress. As with all “mature” buildings, there is always a surprise behind every wall and a “now, what?” emanating from the lips of various contractors involved in the project. But there is an expectation of the unexpected in this project that will be lovingly completed and I am looking forward to its grand opening in the near future.
The prior evening, we met Pamela Blackmon, the Programs Manager for the Preservation Hall Foundation. Their recent newsletter acknowledged this past year: 7,545 New Orleans students experienced free concerts and workshops, learning about their city’s music and history alongside Preservation Hall musicians. 219,129 total students were served through interactive workshops, cultural excursions, and school visits. In addition, hundreds of thousands of dollars were given in the community and in the Legacy Program while millions have been raised to support these programs. It will be exciting to have the Foundation offer these events in the new building when completed.
After Preservation Hall, we went to the Jazz Playhouse in the Royal Sonesta Hotel to see perennial favorite Richard Scott (p) and his Twisty River Band with Catie Rodgers (tp,flgl), Kyle Sharamitaro (dr), and Ted Long (bs). It had been a while since we visited that club which more often has a broader variety of entertainment, not the traditional New Orleans sound that is preferred. Richard was able to secure a Sunday night spot there and it was a delightful evening. After their set, a quick walk to Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub completed the night’s activities.
Fritzel’s is a mainstay of entertainment offering live music from about 12:30 pm to midnight each day of the week. With three or four bands during those hours, there is a great representation of traditional jazz in all its forms. Mike Fulton (tp), Chuck Brackman (gtr), Bryan Besse (dr), Connor Stewart (reeds) and Norbert Farkas (bs) headlined the Sunday night slot. Hearing Connor sing “Whiskey Drinking Woman” is always a highlight.
The next day was definitely a “Fritzel’s” day, with Music Director Kevin Ray Clark (tp) and his Monday Matinee All Stars with Chuck Brackman (gtr), Jim Markway (bs), and Cody Coulon (dr) in the afternoon followed by James Evans (reeds), Matt Perrine (sousa), and Kris Tokarski (p). A quick dinner and we were back again to catch Richard Scott (p) and his Monday Night Magic quartet with Catie Rodgers (tp), Bryan Besse (dr), and Ben Fox (bs).
On the way back to the hotel, we dropped in at Maison Bourbon to hear one last song with Jack Pritchett (tp), Ryan Burrage (cl), Josh “Jams” Marotta (dr), and Zach Wiggins (p).
The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park has lectures and performances at the Visitor Center on Decatur five days each week. The next day’s performance at 2:00 pm had Park Rangers Kerry Lewis (bs), Hunter Miles Davis (dr) and Jade Perdue (v) with Saskia Walker (v), Max Bronstein (gtr) and special guest Victoria Douton on flute from Montevideo, Uruguay. Victoria is an exceptional musician and it was fascinating to watch her play and enjoy her expertise with an uncommon instrument.
That evening was the special party at Palm Court and it was spectacular! Kevin Louis (tp) and his “Friday Night Palm Court Band” provided the entertainment with Mari Watanabe (p), Connor Stewart (reeds), Craig Klein (tb), Mitchell Player (bs), Shawn King (dr), and Yolanda Robinson (v). Chef Bobby served a wonderful buffet with Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice, Baked Ham and lots of trimmings to the crowd consisting of many musicians and former/current staff with several tables of “regulars”—Nina Buck had injured her foot but showed up to relish the evening’s festivities with hosted libations. There were many hugs, kisses and shared sentiments, a truly memorable event.
Dozens of musicians enjoyed the chance to mingle with their friends and peers. Freddie & Nanci Lonzo, David Boeddinghaus, Barnaby Gold, Charlie Halloran, Lars & Kathy Edegran, Mark Braud, Meghan Swartz, Duke Heitger, Louis Ford, Joey Lastie, Seva and Wendy Venet, Clive Wilson, Kiki Chapman, Robert Harris, Wendell & Caroline Brunious and Ernie Elly. I know I will see some of these wonderful people at other locations in the city, but overall there will not be another gathering place like the Palm Court. I am extremely glad that this venue was a part of my life for over thirty years and it will forever have a very special place in my heart.
The following day was slow and casual and the iconic St. Louis Cathedral had an early evening Holiday performance with BeauSoleil’s Christmas Bayou avec Michael Doucet, with Don Vappie (bj) and several other members of this Grammy-winning Cajun Band. With fiddles, banjos, guitars and a concertina, the band brought the rural Louisiana flavor to the heart of the French Quarter. These free presentations are one of the many offerings sponsored by the various philanthropic entities in the city during the Holidays and other times of the year.
The last stop at Fritzel’s for the evening had Mark Welliky (gtr), Doyle Cooper (tp), Mike Robbins (bs), and Nick Skolnik (dr) for a short set. Then Kevin Ray Clark (tp) and his quintet ended the evening. Jim Markway (bs), Jory Woodis (cl), John Royen (p), and Bryan Besse (dr) completed the group and brought our short visit to a very fun ending. It is always a pleasure!
After 48-1/2 years, Shelly Gallichio is a retired Real Estate Associate Broker in Tucson, Arizona and despite growing up in Chicago, fell in love with the clarinet and the New Orleans sound at the age of three—she intends to spend the next 48-1/2 years seeking that sound! Reach her at shellygallichio44@gmail.com
