Three days left. How are your bunions? Got blisters? Callouses? Here are my picks. The full schedule is here.
I always recommend starting your day with some Mardi Gras Indians. The Red Hawk Hunters are one of the younger tribes on the street. Their suits are some of the most impressive in the Indian nation. Here’s a bit of trivia to impress your friends—they sew in the flat, uptown style despite the fact that they hail from CTC—“cross the canal” in the lower 9th ward. You can thank the late, great Big Chief Rudy Bigard of the Ninth Ward Hunters for the cultural cross-pollination.
Sometimes you just have to go check out an act at the Jazz Fest based on something as simple as their name. That’s exactly what I plan to do with Brushy One-String of Jamaica. He hits at 12:10 on the Jazz and Heritage stage.
As readers with long memories may recall from last week’s picks, I was recently in Bahia, Brazil. Though I didn’t get to see Malê Debalê perform down there, I highly recommend checking them out. Be at the Congo Square stage at 2:20 PM. Hopefully the crowd will be mellow as they wait for New Orleans funkateers Papa Grows Funk and reggae legend Jimmy Cliff. They also lead a parade at 4:35 PM.
Here’s what Sparrow Roberts, the Barry Smith—of the Louisiana Music Factory—of Salvador, Bahia, said about the group: “(pronounced mah LEY gee bah LEY) is a Carnival group from the seaside neighborhood of Itapoan. They are an “afro,” meaning that they march—during Carnival—in African-inspired vestments to a musical style called “samba-reggae.” The afro’s name was inspired by Salvador’s 1835 Malê Revolt, wherein enslaved Malês, brought from the Muslim north of what is today Nigeria, revolted in a losing battle for their freedom. The ‘de Balê’ of their name implies dance.”
Speaking of Papa Grows Funk, the wonderfully inventive homegrown ensemble has breathed new life into what can easily be described as a jaded genre. However, they are taking an indefinite hiatus after the fest. Catch ‘em while you can.
Over in the Jazz Tent, New Orleans born and bred trumpet phenom Nicholas Payton returns with his XXX band. This group, which is edgier and more R&B based than his quintet, features two well-known musicians who are also playing outside the normal boxes that critics put them in—bassist Vincente Archer and drummer Lenny White.
Murder the Stout closes the day in the Lagniappe Tent. I may go just because I love the name. But to hear what is described as “progressive Celtic” might be an interesting way to wind down the second Friday.
If they don’t move me, it’s over to the Jazz Tent for a serious all-star ensemble. The Cookers feature Eddie Henderson, Billy Harper, Craig Handy, David Weiss, George Cables, Cecil McBee, and Billy Hart. They may not all be household names at your house, but in the house of jazz they are stars. Of course, if sitting doesn’t suit you, head back to Congo Square for the real reggae deal, and skank with Jimmy Cliff.
Tomorrow, the weekend’s picks!
