Early April is a difficult time to look back at previous musical happenings—as is the nature of this column—when the anticipation of upcoming festivities hangs gloriously in the air. The first step onto the Fair Grounds’ grassy infield on the opening day of Jazz Fest is always one of my favorite moments for this very reason—the expectancy of all the music to come.

We’re lucky in New Orleans because great music is a year-round occurrence. Unlike some places (with the exception of cities like New York, Chicago et al.), where once the instrument cases close and the microphones stands come down, that’s pretty much it for another year, music remains an integral part of life here.

So checking back on some recent hot shows is also previewing music yet to come as this city’s musicians continue to do their thing albeit to often larger and international Jazz Fest audiences.

THE BATTLE RAGES

Easter Sunday evening trumpeters Kermit Ruffins and Irvin Mayfield meet on the busy sidewalk outside of Joe’s Cozy Corner in the Tremé neighborhood. The contenders for the night’s trumpet battle are lookin’ sharp and amusingly are color coordinated, both wearing light blue and off-white. (Was this planned?) Their friendly rivalry carries into the streets as they laugh and crack jokes about the event to come. “Whoever sells the most CDs wins,” quips Ruffins.

In both of their corners is a band that’s equipped to pack a punch with heavy-hitter Henry Butler on piano, the powerful Shannon Powell on drums and the solid Kevin Morris on bass. Early on, the group plays a string of traditional jazz numbers—“Paul Barbarin’s Second Line,” “Bourbon Street Parade” and “Rosetta.” The choices reflect Ruffins’ and Mayfield’s beginnings in jazz music both having blown in brass bands with the ReBirth and Algiers, respectively. Since then, their paths have separated to a degree with Ruffins staying closer to the classic style of jazz with his Barbecue Swingers and Irvin blowing modern leading his own quintet and playing hot Latin jazz as co-leader of Los Hombres Calientes. While they come together in the tradition, their individual approach to the music becomes increasingly apparent as the battle heats up. Ruffins gets a rise from the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd with his funky slurs, a challenge that is taken up by Irvin who returns with a lesson in the art of circular breathing. Meanwhile, Butler and Powell have their own little party goin’ on as they play off each other as well as providing support and working their own solos.

There was much too much fun in the room for other musicians in the house to cool their heels. Trumpeter Marlon Jordan was the first to jump in to what was becoming less of a battle and simply a joyous jam. Powell offered his drum seat to master Herlin Riley and took over the tambourine from Jerry Anderson as Steve Walker slid in on trombone.

Later that night, much of this action moved just a few blocks to Donna’s where Shannon Powell holds court every Sunday with pianist Davell Crawford, trumpeter Wendell Brunious, saxophonist Eric Traub, bassist Mark Brooks and vocalist Topsy Chapman. While the musical vibe was the same as at Joe’s—good timin’ New Orleans—the sets at Donna’s boasted rhythm and blues as well as jazz roots. Alongside traditional numbers like “Hey What’s the Matter Now?,” and Ruffins’ stepping in for “World on a String,” Crawford added “Rockin’ Pneumonia” with guest James Andrews supplying “You Talk Too Much.” The audience here was also treated to the double threat of both Powell and Riley at the drum set.

THE RE-MATCH

Ruffins and Mayfield go at it again at The Parish on Thursday, May 2. This time they’ll bring their respective bands to the face-off. This is the sixth battle between Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers—bassist Morris, drummer Anderson, pianist Emile Vinette and trombonist Corey Henry—and the Irvin Mayfield Quintet—pianist Ronald Markham, saxophonist Aaron Fletcher, drummer Jaz Sawyer, and bassist Edwin Livingston—in a tradition that (hilariously) began at Café Brasil. (The leaders arrived at the Frenchmen Street club via limousine.) Ruffins got the idea of staging his own battle after witnessing the one held annually on Bourbon Street during the French Quarter Festival. Ruffins says of choosing Mayfield as his opponent, “Well, I figured Irvin would be a good sport,” and then adds menacingly, “He better be ready.”

Immediately following this 9 p.m. showdown, Ruffins heads down to the Bywater to his notorious Thursday night gig at Vaughan’s. Just for Jazz Fest, Ruffins will also play the casual neighborhood joint on Monday, April 29 and Tuesday, April 30 at the early starting time of 10 p.m. He’ll, of course, be back at Joe’s on Sunday nights at 6 p.m. as well as holding forth at his other long-standing gigs. He and the Swingers as well as fellow Basin Street recording artists Los Hombres Calienties and Henry Butler team up for several shows—April 25 at the Howlin’ Wolf for a “Party for Patty” and at the new venue on Tchoupitoulas Street, Twi-Ro-Pa on May 3. Mayfield leads his quintet at the Funky Butt on May 5.

CONTRASTS

Ed Petersen hit the stage on fire for a very special night featuring he and fellow saxophonist and University of New Orleans jazz studies professor Harold Battiste. It was joked that it’s just too bad that it takes Petersen so long to warm up as he launched into a tenor tirade from note one. The styles of the two saxophonists, who were backed by bassist Chris Severin, pianist Darrell Lavigne and drummer Herman LeBeaux, couldn’t be of greater contrast, yet they make fine musical companions. Battiste, the guru-like elder, offered what proved to be an unnecessary disclaimer on his abilities before his entrancing take on the standard “Love for Sale.” His deep understanding, wonderful timing and sheer musicality enriched his gentle blowing as well as his rare vocal performance. Vocalist Tami Lynn, an old friend of Battiste’s who was heard on his A.F.O. label of the 1960s, joined the group giving an edge to another classic “Lover Come Back.”

It was no exaggeration when a show featuring pianist Henry Butler and saxophonist Ed Petersen was introduced as “Godzilla meets King Kong.” These two guys are simply powerhouses. They share a certain determination, a passion of inventiveness and a drive to create that makes the music soar. On May 2 at Snug Harbor, Butler heads a strong ensemble featuring Petersen, who should make an exciting match with fellow saxist Aaron Fletcher, plus bassist Ed Wise and drummer Herman Jackson. Butler has been delving into blues, R&B and funk more often these days, so this is also a fine opportunity to hear him in a jazz setting.