“Jazzfest Week One”
My hand surgery was early on Monday morning. The anesthesiologist told me she would do a “nerve block” on my arm. I didn’t think too much about it. The surgery was all smooth, and then I tried to move my arm to put my shirt on – no response, it had a complete mind of its own, swinging around like a windmill. I found this very disconcerting, and it lasted until the next morning. Now I just have a big splint on my hand for over two weeks. Yes – I’m whining.
We picked up Kris and Cat on Wednesday evening and then enjoyed Diana’s yummy jambalaya.
Thursday dinner was at N7-always a wonderful experience. We braved it and sat in the garden – always a risk depending on the weather.
All the food was amazing – particularly the octopus and scallops:
After dinner we made a visit to Madame Vic’s – a nearby music club. It’s a bit of a drive, so we rarely make it there. An excellent Latin band was playing and musicians trickled in over the time we were there to sit in with the band – all great players. We had to drag Kristina out of there – early start tomorrow.
We were in line for Jazzfest early on Friday morning. Kristina was amazed at a conversation Diana was having with the lady next to her. After a few minutes they had arranged a potential house swap – Holly wanted a house in New Orleans for kids graduation in the Spring, and she lives very close to Campbell and Molly – that could work.
We set up camp at the Gentilly stage and the first band we saw was Los Cumbria Stars – a Colombian band. Each year a different country is showcased. They were very upbeat and talented:
Including an excellent clarinetist:
After that we saw the Zigaboo Modeliste band – original drummer for The Meters and still performing at a very high level, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Preservation Hall, and finally Jon Batiste. What a show Batiste gave. I suppose this is what it looks like when you absolutely love your job:
Here he is on the New Orleans classic “Big Chief:”
The entire Lusignan clan joined us for this excellent closing show:
Diana captured this video of Shamar Allan on the Congo Square stage:
Diana took Kris and Cat for a French Quarter Ramble on Friday, while I relaxed at home.
Saturday evening music was the Jon Cleary Funk Review at the Broadside, with guests John Boutte and James Rivers. Some of the best music I’ve seen since…oh yeah, Jon Batiste 24 hours earlier. Cleary’s extended band was excellent, as heard on “Walking to New Orleans”:
John Boutte had fun performing his theme song from the “Treme” TV show – the Broadside fittingly located in the Treme section of New Orleans.
And then came James Rivers – an absolute beast of a horn player at the age of 87. He played on a plethora of famous New Orleans songs released before I was born. Just amazing!
We drove over to City Park (larger than New York’s Central Park) on Sunday morning and walked to Café Degas for brunch – great as always. Diana pointed out Anders Osborne sitting on a bench – I said “Hello, Anders” just to make sure it was him. Confirmed. Kris and Cat enjoyed Cafe Du Monde beignets as desert. We passed by Liuzza’s on the walk back to the car:
Another week in the wonderful city of New Orleans!
We’re skipping the book and music sections again this week, and probably for one more week.
Coexist peacefully, with kindness and patience for all!