I may be old (never, in my mind, anyway), and I may be jaded, but I still love the Jazz Fest. There are a few curmudgeonly types who don’t appreciate the Jazz Fest (who at this point will remain nameless, you know who you are), and I say to them: Life is just too damn short to be bitter. You gotta love it here (or leave?).

We’re out a bit early this month, so all you guys can get your fill of the musical orgy which is known as “Jazz Fest” that’s once again—happily—here at last.

I must tell you this has been an interesting year for OffBeat: for the firsttime in 19 years, we have been permitted to have a presence on the Fair Grounds. We have a booth that’s near the brand-new Jazz & Heritage Stage, so please come and see us. We’ll be showcasing our new web site, that we hope will take us (finally) into the 21st century, taking subscriptions to OffBeat, and signing people up as members for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.

If you subscribe for a couple of years, you’ll get a free poster that resembles our May “Jazz Fest Bible” cover, and commemorates the long-awaited Meters reunion at the Jazz Fest. And if you see me, ask me about putting the Meters on the cover. Now that was an experience!

If you live in New Orleans, this subscription bonus is OffBeat’s premium to you for supporting local music in the same manner that you buy WWOZ radio memberships. We’re both devoted to local music and culture, and we need your support. OffBeat supports local music 24-7, a fact that will be even more evident once our new website reaches its potential (we have big plans!). Along with the Louisiana Music Factory and WWOZ, we form the Louisiana Music Collective, promoting local music every single day, through Jazz Fests, the summer desert that is New Orleans, through hurricanes, heat and more…we’re still here.

It’s gratifying to see that most local media now have finally jumped on the bandwagon of covering local music and in some cases, even music business. OffBeat’s been doing that for almost 20 years now. But if you want depth of coverage, tune in to OffBeat, wherein we cover Louisiana music and the music of “New Orleans – The Music Capital of the World.” This phrase has been reserved by businessman Tucker Crawford as a service mark (and is being used here for the very first time). We’ve talked for a very long time about marketing New Orleans and the state using its music—it’s about time someone put his money where his mouth is. Here’s a promise: you’ll see OffBeat use this a lot more in the future. If you want a bumper sticker, T-shirts, etc., let me know…

Another man who everyone who loves local music will come to know really soon is Michael Murphy, whose film, Make It Funky, will be screened during this year’s Jazz Fest at NOCCA on April 27 and 28. Murphy will also screen clips of the film at the Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage on April 29 at the Fair Grounds.

I want to publicly thank Mr. Murphy for the hard work he’s put into getting this documentary film made. This movie literally brought tears to my eyes, and you’ll all be able to see it when it’s released theatrically in late September. Thanks, Michael, for getting it done! Another local filmmaker, Stevenson Palfi, will screen a clip from his documentary on Allen Toussaint, Songwriter, Unknown at the VIP party at WWOZ’s Piano Night on April 25 at Generations Hall. Get your tickets by calling (504) 889-6579.

A few months ago, an old friend, Kevin McCaffrey, told me he had started a publishing company and his first big project was going to be a history of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Amazingly, no one has ever produced a book like this before. McCaffrey’s company e/Prime Publications is debuting the book this year: The Incomplete, Year-By-Year, Selectively Quirky, Prime Facts Edition of the History of The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. At press time, I perused the book’s galleys, and I must tell you, if you love the Jazz Fest, this is the book for you. It’s packed with facts you never knew; pictures from all the great photographers; actual line-ups from each festival, great quotes, maps, you name it. I love the quote on the back jacket cover: “I told my wife to just lay me a trail of aspirin from the door to the bed when I got home.” That says it all. Get yourself a copy, fast!

Another little festival you should be aware of is the French Quarter Festival (just over at the time of this writing). The French Quarter Festival outdid itself this year with another record year, thanks to no rain, and the organization’s ability to keep the festival growing and moving, even without the benefit of a permanent Executive Director. Congratulations on a great festival, guys! Keep them coming.

Scott Aiges, who currently heads up the City of New Orleans Music Development Office, must be congratulated for continuing his hospitality suite in the Grandstand during Jazz Fest, and also for continuing the free Mo’ Fest on April 25 and 26 from 1 p.m. to 9.pm. each day at the Hibernia Pavilion at Woldenberg Park on the river front. Now in its third year, Mo’ Fest will feature local food and more than a dozen outstanding New Orleans musicians, most of them not appearing at the Jazz Fest. This year Mo’ Fest will present a special tribute to the classic sound of the Hammond B3 organ and its influence on New Orleans music over the years. The B3 summit will be led by Joe Krown of Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown’s band and will include such noted New Orleans keyboardists as: John Gros, Rich Vogel of Galactic, Willie Tee, David Torkanowsky and Robert Walter of 20th Congress and Greyboy Allstars fame. Special surprise guests are expected. Other highlights from this year’s MO Fest schedule include: Bonerama, a special trombone summit several notable New Orleans horn players, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, an underground hip-hop showcase featuring the artists of the New Orleans-based label Media Darling Records, singer-songwriter Shannon McNally, the Tin Men, Dr. A Go-Go, the Soul Rebels Brass Band, and Johnny Angel and The Swingin’ Demons and many, more. Go to realneworleansmusic.com for the up-to-date lineup.

Even the local universities gear up this season: in a joint effort between Loyola University and Jazz Studies program at NYU, The Jazz Master Class Series at Loyola will feature Roy Haynes April 25 and Benny Golson April 29. Both master classes are from 7 to 9 pm in Nunemaker Hall on Loyola’s campus and will be free of charge to the public. Nunemaker Hall is located on the third floor of Monroe Hall on the Loyola campus, on the corner of Calhoun Street and St. Charles Avenue.

The Jazz Master Class Series is the brainchild of John Snyder, Grammy-winning jazz producer and current head of the Music Industry Studies Program at Loyola New Orleans. Each master class will begin with a performance by the artist and his band. The artist will then be interviewed in an intimate setting, including a Q&A session with the audience. After the interview session, a student band will perform for the artist and will be critiqued. Finally, the artist and students will perform together to close the master class. Perfect during Jazz Fest! At this writing, the weather outside is beautiful, my staff is beat-up and tired from working 15-hour days including Saturdays and Sundays, but I can tell you one damn thing: we all can’t wait for Jazz Fest. Damn the curmudgeons! Hope to see you at the Fest!