At one point the New Orleans Fairgrounds had been under five feet of water after hurricane Katrina. This year’s New Orleans Jazz Festival had been given its obituary by many. Gatemouth Brown died as a result of the storm. Others were so affected it precluded them playing. Most notable was the last minute cancellation of legendary singer Fats Domino who could only muster a brief appearance for a wave to the crowd and a few words. I thought about a fan I had stood in line with who had come all the way from Austria. His T-shirt read “the greatest Fats Domino Fan in the World.” There were other huge losses for the festival too. Big Chief Tooty Montana died a few months back and, in declining health, Michael P Smith missed his first Jazz Fest in 37 years. He had photographed every one until now and had published five books on it and other New Orleans subjects.
The festival has a way of introducing new talent. Most impressive was FeuFollet from Lafayette. Sporting two fiddles, the looks, and wide appeal, this young band could be the one who introduces cajun music to a much wider fan base. As country has become more like rock this group too performs like “rock stars.” Another cajun artist that could cross over to the young rock audience is Amanda Shaw. She is a darling fiddle player and singer who has movie star looks and charisma. With the all-ages scene exploding these two artists could appeal to the younger crowd starving for new talent. Their jazz fest performances were received very enthusiastically.
I was quite impressed with some of the older talent as well. Sam Moore, from the legendary duo Sam and Dave, was flawless. The Mardi Gras Indians, who were thought to be extinct, resurfaced as strong as ever. Monk Boudreux and the Golden Eagles featured the incorporation of blues and rock elements while including traditional costumes and chants. Big Chief Bo Dolis and the Wild Magnolia’s rocked the main stage. Ed Bradley of “60 Minutes” fame joined him to sing along and dance. He told the crowd how recently the chief had been in the hospital with his family called to his bedside for final fairwells. Yet, two weeks later he performed his entire set in 80 plus degree weather. Another ailing musician had two other gigs beside his jazz fest performance in one day. He had to be taken to the hospital. He then set out to do his other shows in a lot of pain and with his hospital wrist band still on.
There were some notable quotes throughout the weekend. While new country superstar Keith Urban was performing I overheard one audience member say, “All the men want to be him and all the girls want to do him.” Performer John Boutte told his fans to “shout like you at the convention center. Shout like you at the Superdome,” making reference to the stranded victims of hurricane Katrina. The festival this year appears to have been a huge success. Mike Dardar of the United Houma Nation indian tribe said they had sold more fry bread last weekend than any weekends past. The coveted Jazz Fest posters sold out the first weekend. Increased costs did not deter fans. Walk up tickets were $40 per day and parking was $35. The cheapest Hotel I found was $130. Aside from Fats’ cancellation, other disappointments were having to pay $25 for a CD at the Basin Street records tent and Paul Simon not allowing many photographers into the pit. Those photographers ended up being tagged “the Paul Simon refugees.” Some New Orleans artists who should have played the festival were ignored by fest organizers while other artists had more than one appearance over the weekend. Absent was Leslie Smith, who’s father had photographed the festival for 36 years. Smith had just completed a new CD of her material produced by Ivan Neville. She has no management or big PR firm in place and a fest appearance could have provided the big boost she deserves. When Alan Toussaint calls an artist “the future of Louisiana songwriting” the least the fest could have done is return a phone call. The Neville Brothers did not play for the first time in years. Cyril Neville recently said of New Orleans: “it has it down to a science of cuttin’ off its nose to spite its face.” Fortunately, I was able to catch Smith at the Neutral Ground Friday night and I felt as if I was transported back in time catching an unknown Carol King or Tori Amos. I am astounded by her talent and the fact that she is still “undiscovered.” She deserves a plug and her website is www.onlyleslie.com. Her new record is called “Feel Me.” It has a very funky groove reminescent of Chaka Khan and Al Green. A new organization to help such artists is in the works called Friends of Friends. More on that as it develops.
Putting together this years festival after Katrina was a gargantuine effort. Fest organizers are to be credited for that. Now that the Festival is back on track I hope they can now get down to dealing with the politics that have marred the festivals reputation over the years. None of the big rumored acts appeared. Rumors the organizers did not discourage. McCartney, U2 and the Stones among them. Springsteen did appear the previous weekend though. The fest did manage to remain true to its original intent. All things considered, I am still looking forward to next years addition. The food,the culture,the spirit and the music: there is no other festival like it.
