Who plays the blues at Jazz Fest? Everybody does. Despite the name, it’s not possible to attend the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival without hearing the blues—Piedmont, Chicago, Delta, Soul-Blues, you name it. Nearly every artist at the Fest is informed by the blues to at least some extent. However, let’s say you’re hardcore in your blues worship, but your feet already hurt, you’re covered in dust, and you’re suffering from the final stages of dehydration. And you just walked through the gate a few minutes ago. Where are all the pure blues artists at? That’s what I’m here for, man. Hence, a day-by-day guide to Jazz Fest Blues.
Friday, April 28
Oddly enough, the kickoff day for Jazz Fest 31 is a strong blues one, and they usually save the good rockin’ for Sundays, so it’s a bonus all around. In fact, this is THE day to catch the blues at the Fest, if you have to limit yourself to one, that is. Must-see: Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, who can swing the blues like no other cat around; be sure and be drunk enough to dance during his set, or at least get out of the way when his big band blues starts to boil. Veteran Jazz pianist Henry Butler is in a blues groove these days; lots of folks think he sounds like a crossroads cross between McCoy Tyner and Professor Longhair. In other words, boogie with brains. Country-blues enthusiasts will want to check out Washington, DC’s John Jackson, considered the finest of the Piedmont guitarists touring today. Like Texas shuffles AND jump blues? Dig Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets w/ Sam Myers, who represent each genre admirably (and who are both noted for blazing live sets). Musically closer to home, Coco Robicheaux & the Perspirators deliver straight-up electric Louisiana squank for the converted, as is the even grittier, almost underground blues of Guitar Slim, Jr. “Ironin’ Board Sam” Moore is a blues pianist who always pulls out something unique for the show: in ’79 he performed in a giant aquarium, so there’s no telling what he might do if he’s feeling frisky. And finally, you can top it all off with some blues-based rock in the form of the Bluebirds’ Texarkana stomp and the mountain jams of the legendary Allman Brothers Band.
Saturday, April 29
Allman Brothers drummer Butch Trucks brings something else to Jazz Fest: his nephew Derek, also an Allman vet, is one of the hottest young slide players today, and a good antidote to talented, yet bland, newcomers like Jonny Lang. The Derek Trucks Band plays the Fest today, as does Her Tallness, Marcia Ball, with a feast of Texas piano boogie unlike any other. Wardell Quezergue has worked with Marcia, and practically anyone else who’s ever set foot in Louisiana; his Orchestra plays a sort of modern electric jump-blues that’s a staple of the Fest. For a real soulful, blue-collar take on the form, check out Mem Shannon and the Membership and get ready to hear them testify in a real down home urban way that’ll strike a chord with all you city dwellers. Finally, there’s Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band, local Bourbon Street legends of a sort that aren’t concerned with anything but getting you into that drunken Saturday night vibe. Catch these guys just before you go hit the bars.
Sunday, April 30
Things start to slack off a bit at this point blueswise, although there are one or two can’t miss acts here, especially for you newcomers. Snooks Eaglin is a fixture in this town as solid and necessary as a wrought iron grill; he sings like Ray Charles and plays like, well, everybody. He’s a master of all forms of electric and acoustic blues, and for those of you who love the whole enchilada, you should chow down there first. The Baton Rouge blues scene is more than adequately represented by Neal family scion Kenny Neal and his smart swamp-blues. For the real ghetto, BBQ sauce blues, Little Freddie King is the authentic artifact, spinning tales of blood and booze and how the two interact. Rounding out the lineup on Sunday is Luther Kent background vocalist Barbara Shorts and her swampy sass of a set.
Thursday, May 4
Traditionally the most sparse day of the Fest for any musical genre (by necessity, really) but there are always a few ringers, and here they include the fantastic two-generation Piedmont blues of Cephas and Wiggins, as well as the neo Chicago blues-soul of the Kinsey Report. There’s also the jazz-blues stylings of Faubourg Marigny vets Royal Fingerbowl, Blues Incorporated vet/piano wizard John Parker, and Mem Shannon piano sideman Chuck Chaplin in a rare solo set.
Friday, May 5
Probably the second best day to get your blues healing. No one works a crowd like Earl King & the Butanes and his hits speak for themselves, from “Those Lonely, Lonely Nights” to “Trick Bag.” Earl is a must-see for you out-of-towners—a real living legend. The Grand Old Fathers of the Baton Rouge blues scene, Neal family head Raful Neal and mentor Tabby Thomas, are here in separate sets. Blues harmonica is rare at the Fest, especially this year, but we have Lazy Lester to make up for it, straight out of the swamps of history with his Jimmy Reed-meets-Little Walter harp wailing. Big Al Carson serves up a crowd-pleasing mix of blues standards, while Anders Osborne mixes the blues into his own soulful stew of roots rock. Then there’s Kipori “Babywolf” Woods, the junior Walter “Wolfman” Washington, sort of, but he’s more impressive than any title; he may well be the South’s premiere young swamp-blues artist. Catch this guy NOW. And while you’re at it, those of you with a thirst for the beat need to see to these blues drummers’ solo sets: Allan Toussaint sideman Russell Batiste and Professor Longhair alumnus Sheba Kimbrough.
Saturday, May 6
Not the best day of the Fest for blues aficionados, but some stunning headliners, namely Corey Harris, one of the brightest new stars on the blues circuit, equally adept at Piedmont and Delta slide styles, and expanding his repertoire almost daily. Baton Rouge legend gone national, Tab Benoit has the best mix of Cajun swampwater and blues grit around, and he’s been in rare form at the Fest, so look out. Texas tornado Joe Louis Walker & the Bosstalkers is also here to rip things up, as is expatriate Englishman (and former Wolfman pianist) Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen. Another famous piano sideman, Howlin’ Wolf;s own Henry Gray, returns with the Cats and Li’l Buck Sinegal.
Sunday, May 7
A respectable way to go out. For one thing, The Wolfman, Walter Washington, finally shows up with all his Roadmasters, and they’re another must-see, creating whole new spaces between blues, soul and jazz that you never thought existed. Bernard Allison, son of the legendary Luther, is starting to make quite a name for himself with his Chicago electric blues, but still hasn’t gotten the respect he deserves outside of Europe. Spencer Bohren, a folk-blues purist who learned at the feet of Rev. Gary Davis, adds a distinctive South Louisiana feel to the form, while the Delta variety is best represented on Sunday by John Mooney & Bluesiana, who infuse it with electricity of the literal and metaphorical kind. For your last dose of swamp-blues, see Walter Payton & the Snapbean Band, while Paula & the Pontiacs provide just that last bit of roadhouse slop (that’s a compliment) you need to keep you kicking when the lights at the Fair Ground go out and the REAL fun begins. That’s right—you have to have even more fun at night. City ordinances, you know.
