Stevie Wonder made a surprise appearance at the House of Blues New Orleans earlier tonight as Jazz Fest 2016 came to a close across the city. The iconic performer took the stage with Irvin Mayfield, Trombone Shorty and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, just a he did at Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse on Saturday night after his set at the Fair Grounds was cancelled because of severe weather.
Wonder came out toward the end of the show and immediately launched into a harmonica jam that lasted for several minutes. He then led the crowd in a singalong of part of Prince’s “Kiss” before being led off the stage (Wonder did something similar at the Acura Stage on Saturday afternoon, when he led a small crowd through “Purple Rain” via a megaphone).
Plenty of attendees saw that as their cue to leave and made their way out the door while Mayfield went through his end-of-show band introductions. Yet those that opted for the early exit were mistaken, as Wonder returned to the stage once more a few minutes later.
The 22-time Grammy-winner used the moment for a speech, telling the crowd that the great artists—like Prince—that have died this year should be celebrated along with music in general. He then took a shot at Donald Trump, explaining that politicians that want to make this country great again need to be told that it has always been great. Wonder also said that men had had enough time running things and that the time had come to put a woman in charge.
After calling on everyone to help fix the world, Wonder quickly switched gears to one of his usual trades: singing. Backed by the NOJO, Wonder treated the crowd to much of his own “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (including a flubbed lyric that he self-deprecatingly pointed out) and part of Prince’s “Raspberry Beret” before leaving the stage for the night.