Friday, April 24, 2009
Okay, so I’ve been knowing Marlon (who I first met with his brother, and my other great friend, Kent) since I worked my first N.O. Jazz Fest back in 1990. The Jordan Family (like so many musical families here in New Orleans) are talented beyond words. You just have to take my word for it . . . he was born performing his heart out and leaving it on the stage. You will see (and hear) other Jordan Family members playing throughout the Fest. A traditional that is truly a treat.
Marlon Jordan Quartet at WWOZ Jazz Tent from 12:40 – 1:40 pm.
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So Donald (Harrison) and I run into each other in the most amusing places in FabuNOLA: Early Voting during Presidential Election 2008, Grocery Stores & other errands, etc. (that’s just FabuNOLA for you). Then there are the obvious places we see each other . . . and of course, that’s when he’s performing.
Donald’s Jazz Music & Mardi Gras Indian Legacy is legendary. All the cameras are perched and ready to click away once the feathers are out. If you don’t know what I’m talking about . . . you’ve obviously not been to the Jazz Tent when Donald is playing. I know everything is a must in Jazz Fest World. And this show is no exception.
Donald Harrison & The Spirit of Congo Square with special guest Dr. Lonnie Smith at WWOZ Jazz Tent from 4 – 5:10 pm
Other great people I want to mention are:
Benjy Davis (hey my love) Project from 12:45 – 1:45 pm at Gentilly Stage
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Amanda Shaw (thanks for the great interview for N.O. Earth Day Fest) & The Cute Guys from 2:15 – 3:15 pm
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And I know he doesn’t get enough recognition (yeah right . . . he’s on the Congo Sq. Poster this year . . . congrats, Boo). Yes, it’s the one and only . . .
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave. from 3:45 – 4:50 pm at Gentilly
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I don’t personally know him (I think I might have met him briefly years ago), and yet, I have to mention him just the same, Joe Cocker . . . “I get by with a little help from my friends.”
Joe Cocker at Acura Stage from 5:30 – 7 pm.
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And then I have to end on another positive note . . . Wynton Marsalis. Finally back where he belongs, with his NOLA Family and at N.O. Jazz Fest. I also met Wynton (and most of the phenomenal Marsalis Family) the first year I worked Fest because he was playing that year too. What else is there to say really? He’s going to say it all he plays his horn.
Congo Square featuring The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis & Yacub Addy & Odadaa!! from 4:40 – 7 pm at CONGO SQUARE
(Yes, not over with us at the Jazz Tent! Hmph!! — Oh, and yet, tomorrow is another day. He will be playing again with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on Saturday, April 25 at Jazz Tent from 5:30 – 7 pm. Life is quite special indeed).
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