Saturday morning Satchmo Summerfest kicks off the same way as it did on Friday with a performance on the neutral ground. This time it’s the Edna Karr Marching Cougars and the Satchmo Sound Off. Here are our thoughts for Saturday and Sunday. The full schedule is here.
Trumpeter Doyle Cooper makes his Satchmo Summerfest debut at 12:15 PM. Known in some circles as Trumpet Red, I have been listening to him play since he was a pre-teen. He’s now a leader with a crack band. Check out the future of New Orleans jazz.
When I first saw Japanese trumpeter Yoshio Toyama back in the early days of the Satchmo Summerfest, I thought his act was a bit of a novelty predicated on his ability to imitate the vocals stylings of Armstrong. But then I found out all the good work he’s done on behalf of the music students of New Orleans and I realized his homage was genuine. Now getting up in years, this could be his last year back in the city. Check him out while you can and see how far the influence of Armstrong has traveled.
Dr. Brice Miller, now an important member of Mayor Cantrell’s administration in charge of the cultural economy, has led the Mahogany Brass Band for years. They will definitely put on a spirited set.
Drummer Joe Lastie has been a part of the trad scene in New Orleans since he was teenager. His family’s roots go way back as well. He recently stepped out as a leader after years with various Preservation Hall bands. Check out his act, which is stacked with some of the best instrumentalists in town.
Trombonist Corey Henry’s Tremé Funktet will certainly blow down the fences surrounding the old Mint on one side of the building while the TBC Brass Band will do the same on the other. Either of the closing acts will put a fitting finale on the day.
Sunday’s Satchmo Summerfest events actually start in Tremé at St. Augustine Church for the annual jazz mass. The service is followed by a second line parade to the festival site at the foot of Esplanade Ave. Here are our picks for the day. The full schedule is here.
Like Joe Lastie, trumpeter Mark Braud (pictured at top) is also a musician who spent years with Preservation Hall. Now he works with Harry Connick, Jr. and returns to New Orleans to lead his own band. I expect him to really step out in his hometown. He also has a great new album out. For a full interview with Braud go here.
Wendell Brunious is another trumpeter with deep roots in the city. His father and uncle were mainstays at the Hall. He recently had some health issues so it will be great to see him back on stage—where he truly thrives.
Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans, makes her Satchmo Summerfest debut bringing her inimitable style to the proceedings. I’m not sure if she will be tailoring her set to the Armstrong theme, but no matter. She always closes her show with a second line, which will fit right in.
It was a stroke of programming genius to place Ashlin Parker’s Trumpet Mafia, a who’s who of local trumpeters numbering nineteen at this past year’s Jazz Fest, right before the traditional trumpet finale. Over the year, the trumpet finale has featured numerous trumpeters often led by the likes of Kermit Ruffins or James Andrews (who are conspicuously absent from this year’s schedule). But it has often suffered from too many amateurs and students on stage.
This year, the Trumpet Mafia will already be on stage. I expect it be the “blowing-est thing since Gabriel” to quote Jelly Roll Morton when he was talking about the sound of Buddy Bolden—one of the trumpeters who influenced the young Satchmo.
