Kevin Vandever

On the last day of Jazz Appreciation month I thought I would introduce you to one of the men who started it all and whose influence is still among us almost forty years after his death and nearly ninety years since he started recording music.

Louis Armstrong Videos

The Louis Armstrong House Museum

A little history on Louis

written by Kevin Vandever \\ tags: Jazz, Jazz Appreciation Month, Trumpet

Remember the “Stray Cat Strut”? Well, check out another side of Brian Setzer

written by Kevin Vandever \\ tags: Big Band, Jazz

It is Jazz Fest time of year again and if you are fortunate enough to attend any of the 7 days (April 24, 25, 26, 30 and May 1, 2, and 3), I congratulate you. As preparation for my own trip to New Orleans for the second weekend of the festival, I am looking at each day’s lineup and beginning to map out my own musical adventure. This can be a daunting task whether you are a first time attendee or a seasoned pro because there is so much music; eleven stages to be exact, including the kid’s tent. Each stage/tent has its own general (not always true to form) music genre, carries its own sub-jazz fest culture and definitely has its own vibe. I used to study the lineup with the intensity I only wish I had in college, but soon came to find out that there aren’t really any bad choices, only plenty of great music, food, and fun.

With that, I’d like to share with you my 2009 Jazz Fest recommendations, but before I break down the criteria for my recommendations, I insist that you check out each stage at least once during the festival to understand one more example of how the word “Gumbo” fits so well with New Orleans.

So, a few things before I list my recommendation:

1. This festival is not just about jazz music, as the name might suggest. There is plenty of great jazz, but there is also rock, blues, gospel, zydeco, cajun, country, R&B, rap, and probably stuff I am forgetting and won’t recommend anyway.

2. For those of you who have read other entries on this blog or know me as @jazzlifejunkie on twitter, you might figure that I will be a little biased toward one type of music. You are correct. Many of my suggestions will be from the jazz world, but I will include other genres as well. I am an (almost) equal opportunity music lover.

3. I will primarily stick to New Orleans-based artists in my recommendations. There may be a few exceptions, but for the most part, I will steer you away from the large stages and national acts. That is not to say they aren’t worth checking out, but I won’t cover them here.

4. Visit the Gospel and Economy Hall tents any time on any day. You think Disneyland is the happiest place on earth? Ha. It has nothing on the Economy Hall tent where swing dancing and second line parades break out at least once during every band’s set. Bring your umbrellas. Anytime you need your spirit moved, visit the Gospel tent and be prepared to sing, dance, stomp your feet and, yes, even cry.

5. Lastly, there is so much music at this festival and I have so much to learn and so many bands yet to experience. Take these recommendations as what they are and that is based on my tastes in music and my experiences at the festival and in New Orleans in general.

Here are my suggestions. Some times overlap and I don’t suggest a band at every time slot (have to provide some challenges). I would love to hear your suggestions. Enjoy.

Friday, April 24
12:40 — WWOZ Jazz Test — Marlon Jordan Quartet (straight ahead jazz)
1:50 — Lagniappe Stage — Christian Serpus & Ghost Town (rock, fun band)
2:15 — Gentilly Stage — Amanda Shaw and The Cute Guys (Amanda is a tremendous fiddle player)
2:55 — Congo Square — Henry Bulter (Jazz, Blues, Funk piano player)
3:15 — Jazz and Heritage Stage – New Orleans Night Crawlers (New Orleans Brass Band)
3:45 — Gentilly Stage — Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue — (Funk, R&B, Rock, and some Jazz)
4:20 — Economy Hall — Leroy Jones and Fairview Baptist Church Brass Band — (Traditional Brass Band)
4:40 — Congo Square — The Jazz at Lincoln Square Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Yucub Addy and Odadaa (originally from New Orleans so he fits into my criteria)
5:45 — Blues Tent — Tab Benoit (Smokin’ guitar player)

Saturday, April 25
12:25 — Economy Hall — New Orleans Jazz Vipers (fun, traditional jazz)
12:35 — Gentilly Stage — Big Sam’s Funky Nation (Funk…and lots of it)
12:35 — Langiappe Stage — Paul Sanchez & the Rolling Road Show (rock, folk guitar player)
2:00 — Congo Square — Rebirth Brass Band with guest Kermit Ruffins (New Orleans Brass Band)
2:05 — Gentilly Stage — Ivan Neville & Dumpstafunk (Funk)
2:10 — Jazz Tent — Astral Project (Jazz)
4:20 — Jazz & Heritage Stage — Cresent City All Stars featuring James Andrews (Brass Band, Funk)
4:25 — Economy Hall — Pete Fountain (Traditional Jazz)
5:30 — Jazz Tent — The Jazz at Lincoln Square Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (probably a different show from Friday)

Sunday, April 26
12:40 — Jazz & Heritage Stage — Storyville Stompers (Brass Band)
12:45 — Gentilly Stage — Papa Grows Funk (Funk)
2:10 — Gentilly Stage — Sonny Landreth (Blues, Rock)
2:35 — Jazz Tent — Herlin Riley (Jazz)
3:50 — Jazz Tent — Terrance Blancard (Jazz)
4:15 — Economy Hall — Dr. Michael White and The Original Liberty Jazz Band (Traditional Jazz)

Thursday, April 30
I could spend the whole day in the Jazz Tent on this day, but I will stretch out a little and suggest some other great music.
1:35 — Jazz Tent — Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp Alumni Band (Jazz — Up and coming jazzers in the New Orleans area)
2:50 — Jazz Tent — Delfeayo Marsalis (Jazz)
2:55 — Fais Do-Do Stage — Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys (Cajun)
2:55 — Congo Square — New Birth Brass Band (Brass Band, R&B)
3:05 — Jazz & Heritage Stage — Michael Ward (Jazz Violinist)
3:25 — Gentilly Stage — The Subdudes (Rock)
4:10 — Jazz Tent — George Wein and the Newport All Stars (Jazz)
4:25 — Economy Hall — Mark Braud & the New Orleans Jazz Giants (Traditional Jazz)
5:55 — Jazz Tent — Nicholas Payton (Jazz)
6:00 — Fais Do-Do Stage — Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys (Zydeco)

Friday, May 1
11:10 — Blues Tent — Washboard Chaz (Blues)
11:15 — Fais Do-Do Stage — Jambalaya Cajun Band (Cajun)
12:30 — Acura Stage — BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet (Cajun)
12:55 — Gospel Tent — Glen David Andrews (Trombone/Vocal)
1:45 — Economy Tent — Walter Payton and Gumbo File (Traditional Jazz)
2:05 — Congo Square — Dirty Dozen Brass Band & the Glass House Reunion with Rebirth Brass Band (Brass Band, R&B)
2:25 — Gentilly Stage — Charmaine Neville and Friends (Jazz)
3:55 — Gentilly Stage — Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers (Jazz)
6:00 — Fais Do-Do Stage — The Iguanas (Rock, Folk)
5:55 — Gentilly Stage — Tony Bennett (I know, national act, but come on, it’s Tony Bennett)

Satuday, May 2
12:25 — Economy Hall — New Orleans – Helsinki Connection (Jazz)
1:40 — Gentilly Stage — Boneram (Rock, Funk)
2:55 — Economy Hall — Treme Brass Band (Brass Band, Traditional)
3:00 — Gentilly Stage — Cowboy Mouth (Rock)
3:10 — Acura Stage — Dr. John (Blues, Rock, Jazz, you name it)
4:00 — Jazz Tent — Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (Jazz)
4:25 — Economy Hall — Preservation Hall Jazz Band (Traditional Jazz)
5:55 — Fais Do-Do Stage — C. J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band (Zydeco)

Sunday, May 3
11:20 — Jazz Tent — Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Band (Jazz)
11:30 — Acura Stage — Jonathan Batiste (Jazz)
12:30 — Jazz Tent — Shamarr Allen (Jazz)
12:35 — Gentilly Stage — John Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen (Rock, Blues)
1:00 — Acura Stage — Allan Toussaint (R&B, Rock & Roll, Blues)
1:35 — Jazz & Heritage Stage — TBC Brass Band (Brass Band)
2:05 — Gentilly Stage — Voice of the Wetland All Stars (You name it)
2:50 — Blues Tent — Eric Lindell (Blues)
2:50 — Economy Hall — George French and the New Orleans Storyville Jazz Band (Traditional Jazz)
2:55 — Jazz Tent — Ellis Marsalis (Jazz)
4:35 — Langniappe Stage — Dash Rip Rock (Rock)
5:40 — Jazz and Heritage Stage — Soul Rebels (Brass Band)
5:40 — Gentilly Stage — The Radiators (Rock)

So, there you have it. My suggestions for jazz fest 2009. Of course, these are only suggestions based on my taste and experiences in New Orleans. There are plenty of huge, national bands to see as well as undiscovered local gems. So go create your own favorites list and if you think about it, check back with me to let me know your experiences.

written by Kevin Vandever \\ tags: Jazz Fest, Music

Charles Mingus was a very important figure in Jazz history. He played with many of the greats before doing his own thing in his own avant-garde way.

Mingus Videos

written by Kevin Vandever \\ tags: Bass, Jazz, Jazz Appreciation Month

Is Troy Andrews better on trombone or trumpet? Check him out and you decide. Whatever your decision, the truth is that he is a monster on both. Watch some of his videos.

Troy Andrews Videos

written by Kevin Vandever \\ tags: Jaz, Jazz, Trombone

New Orleans Brass Bands come in many shapes and sizes. From leading funeral processions to performing for packed houses at places like Blue Nile or The Maple Leaf, these bands are staples of the New Orleans music scene and overall culture. Below are a few links to get you started in your Brass Band journey.

History of the Second Line
Original Hurricane Brass Band
Storyville Stompers
New Orleans Night Crawlers
Soul Rebels
Hot 8

written by Kevin Vandever \\ tags: Brass Bands, Jazz, Jazz Appreciation

John Boutte exemplifies what it means to sing from the heart. When he performs, he leaves it all on stage and the audience is left transformed in one way or another. It is my pleasure to introduce John to you.

John’s Video Links

My friend Renee, @meditationgirl, provided some suggestions on lighting. Thank you, and although I did follow your advice, I think there is still room for increased lighting on my purty face.

Enjoy.

written by Kevin Vandever \\ tags: Jazz, Jazz Appreciation Month, Vocals

Trombone player who can play it all, rock, funk, blues, and jazz (I know there are other genres and he can play them, too), Craig Klein

Craig Klein on MySpace

It’s not jazz, but you have to check out this band

written by Kevin Vandever \\ tags: Jazz, Jazz Appreciation Month, Trombone

New Orleans is full of great jazz musicians and, especially, trumpet players, but one who stands out not only in New Orleans but worldwide is Leroy Jones. Enjoy.

written by Kevin Vandever \\ tags: Jazz, Jazz Appreciation, Trumpet

Here are some musicians that you may have heard of in the pop world, but also are fantastic jazz musicians. Check them out and let me know if you know of others.

Bruce Hornsby
Herbie Hancock
Bobby McFerrin
George Benson

written by Kevin Vandever \\ tags: Jazz, Jazz Appreciation Month