While major festivals held the spotlight for the last several months, neighborhood activities pick up the slack in September.
The month kicks off with the much-anticipated Black Men of Labor second line parade on Sunday, September 5. Folks may have already noticed that Sweet Lorraine’s, the group’s St. Claude Avenue headquarters and the spot where the procession starts and ends, has already been getting a facelift. It will don the multi-colored African print material of the member’s outfits. With the heat still on, the Black Men of Labor wisely chose to take to the streets from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. when hopefully the sun will offer some mercy. An expanded 15-piece Tremé Brass Band—minus leader/snare drummer Benny Jones, who will march with the club—will jump in the classic style.
“Our goal is to keep the traditional musical alive on the street,” says Fred Johnson, who helped found the club 11 years ago.
The members of the Black Men of Labor are active throughout the year adding their great dignity and decorum to many jazz funerals and events that recognize musical and community leaders.
This year, the organization was responsible for presenting an extraordinary event to celebrate the
life and mourn the death of the legendary Ray Charles, who spent time in New Orleans early in his career. Johnson, who boasts a serious Ray Charles record collection, says some of the members were sitting around having their own repast of sorts when they decided that recognizing Charles’ passing was in order.
“We thought we certainly couldn’t let Ray be buried without New Orleans having something to say about it,” explains Johnson.
A musical tribute was held at St. Augustine Church that included many moving performances. Pianist Davell Crawford, whose grandfather James “Sugarboy” Crawford knew Charles well, warmed the packed church with his rendition of “Georgia.” Allen Toussaint was at the piano to back Juanita Brooks on a stunningly executed “America the Beautiful.”
The ensuing second line was no foolin’ around. It went all the way from the Tremé church up to the Dew Drop Inn on LaSalle Street just past Washington Avenue where Charles often hung. The Tremé Brass Band continued the tribute performing Charles’ hits like “I’ve Got a Woman,” during the long the procession that circled back to end downtown at Sweet Lorraine’s.
The Black Men of Labor will again honor Ray Charles by including his image on an Egyptian ankh in their September 5 anniversary parade.
CARIBBEAN, LATIN AND NEW ORLEANS
The two days of this year’s Inter-Fest, presented in Congo Square on September 11 and 12, have distinct flavors. Saturday sways toward the Caribbean and will include a workshop on playing steel pans orchestrated by Pan Vibrations. Coming in from Florida is the calypso/soca group Caribbean Vibes. Also on tap in the tropical mode is Rudy & the Caribbean Funk Band, led by festival director and vocalist Rudy Mills.
“Our goal is to have an event with participation from the many cultures that are a part of New Orleans,” says Mills of the festival that is now in its fourth year.
New Orleans artists from various musical styles are also in Saturday’s mix with performances by vocalists Josephine Mills, Sharon Martin and Betty Shirley plus the Thunder Blues Band. Sunday’s festivities are dubbed Fiesta Latina with any array of musicians from near and far. From San Antonio, Texas come the mariachi group Azteca and in from Miami, Florida are the modern Latin sounds of Loco Por Juanes. Creacion Garifuna, a young group from Honduras that put on a fun show of hot punta at this year’s International Arts Festival, returns to town. Also on Sunday’s bill is Alquimi, a salsa group from Columbia plus Alianza Flamenco.
Last year’s Inter-Fest was a musical success though attendance was lighter than it should have been considering its headliner, Antigua’s spirited King Swallow. Admission was and is a low $5 with children under 12 free. Some have suggested that Mills move the festival out of Armstrong Park to draw larger crowds. However, he’s holding fast to keep it in the historically and culturally rich Congo Square.
It’s a shame, but nonetheless true, that activities in the park often suffer from under-attendance. Giving Armstrong Park the attention it deserves as well as supporting the development of an entertainment district along North and South Rampart Streets could help turn things around. Inter-Fest 2004 is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
SWINGIN’ AND SMOKIN’
Nothing could be more natural than for Kermit Ruffins to host a festival with an accent on swingin’ jazz and smokin’ barbecue. Many nights he’s literally been at the helm of a hot band as well as a sausage-laden grill.
Ruffins will be the genial host of the first annual Tremé Barbecue Festival to be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 18 at the area next to St. Augustine Church. The trumpeter promises a laid-back family affair with many of his musical friends aboard including the Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Reginald Koeller, the Tremé Brass Band, Corey Henry & the Young Fellows, Shannon Powell, the ReBirth Brass Band, Bob French, Glen David Andrews and, of course, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers. Ruffins is covering the sausage detail and they’ll be food booths manned mostly by people from the neighborhood like folks from the Little People’s Place.
Until two years ago, two festivals—one presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the other supported by the city—were presented on this site. In their absence, the large, green lawn has just called out for someone to pick up the gauntlet and revive the music there. Ruffins and the non-profit Tremé Barbecue Festival, Inc. will carry on the tradition with the proceeds aimed at music education for local youth.
On the preceding Friday night, September 17, the organization will also present a concert at a new renovated venue, The Wisdom on St. Bernard Ave. Ruffins and his compadres trombonist/trumpeter Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and trumpeter Irvin Mayfield will be blowing from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.—because of rental agreements Ruffins says that means 6 p.m. sharp. You know these guys like to have some fun dueling it out. Ruffins describes The Wisdom as a great two-story facility with the show being presented upstairs. He promises a dance floor as well a table seating and is planning to cook a big roast beef that he’ll dish out for free.
AHMAD JAMAL ARRIVES AT THE CAC
Ahmad Jamal’s album, In Search of…Momentum, was simply one of last year’s finest releases. On September 11, the legendary pianist will bring to the Contemporary Arts Center’s bandstand the same musicians heard on this masterpiece, New Orleans-born drummer Idris Muhammad and bassist James Cammack.
At 74, Jamal remains the rhythmic dynamo for which he gained his huge reputation during his long career. It’s why he’s always opted for strong drummers and Muhammad certainly fills the bill. Longtime bassman Cammack is totally in sync with the pianist whether in a supporting role or taking on new directions.
Exuberance has always marked Jamal’s work. He takes tunes full-on, pursuing music with freshness, ingenuity and imagination. My motto: Don’t miss the masters. Showtimes 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
