This is my second New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and once again I will be at all days. Here are highlights from the first day, Friday, May 2. I plan to post my highlights for each day. Last year I did a number of paintings based on my Jazz Fest photos. I plan to do more this year.
We started the day with the Gospel Inspirations of Boutte.
Next we went to the blues tent for the Eden Brent band. She is great on piano and does country blues from Mississippi as you can see on the YouTube.
Then we moved to Economy Hall for some trad jazz with Topsy Chapman and Solid Harmony.
Stephanie Jordan brought her big band to the Jazz Tent for a powerful performance. Her brother Marlon came out at the end to provide some trumpet support.
Next we went back to the Gospel Tent to get good place for Irma Thomas and to first see Tracy Gullage Greater Mount Calvary Voices of Redemption.
Irma Thomas provided a powerful Gospel that went beyond her traditional tribute to Mahalia Jackson. The Soul Queen of New Orleans has done the "The Queen of Gospel" for several years. Mahalia also came from New Orleans. She grew up in the Black Pearl section of the Carrollton neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans, Louisiana. This is very near where I lived as a kid in the 50s and where I live now. My mother loved Mahalia and I grew up listening to her.
For a complete change of pace I went to Congo Square to see the disco queen, Chaka Khan, to do a set loaded with sex.
For a little extra I stopped by the Iguanas for a while. I have liked this New Orleans, who simgs often in Spanish, for years.