There’s a festival in town, two important benefits, and some searing gospel-inspired guitar playing. Here’s a look at what’s happening around town this last weekend in September.
The New Orleans Swing Dance Festival takes place all weekend in the French Market. This is a chance to see some really insane dancing by some of the best in the world. New Orleans trad jazz bands provide the soundtrack. The outfit I am most excited about plays on Friday afternoon. Aurora Nealand’s Royal Roses take an original approach to trad jazz. Their songs are not the same ones that a lot of the other bands in the genre play. The group takes its cue from Sidney Bechet.
Bechet is well respected as one of the founding fathers of jazz, but for some reason he gets short-shift in New Orleans despite being from here. Perhaps it’s because he decamped to France and spent much of his life there. The Royal Roses rectify the slight with great ensemble playing.
Love in the Garden is a benefit for the New Orleans Museum of Art. It takes place tonight in the sculpture garden outside the museum. It’s a stellar setting under the waxing full moon and the talent is stellar as well. Sasha Masakowski, John Boutte, and DJ Soul Sister provide the entertainment.
The Lee Boys play ecstatic music that is rooted in the gospel traditions of rural Florida. Dubbed, “sacred steel,” since they feature a steel guitar, they can seriously raise the roof on a joint and raise spirits as well. They play tonight at the Blue Nile.
Also Saturday, Tipitina’s hosts a benefit to raise funds to restore the great Professor Longhair’s home. “Fess” didn’t make much money over the course of his career and even stopped playing for a period. When he did hit it big towards the end of his life, he bought his first home. The place is in disrepair, but the organizers have big plans for a total renovation including a street level museum dedicated to the great pianist’s life.
George Porter, Jr. leads the Tip’s Allstars with lots of special guests including Dr. John (who put on a killer set at the Lafayette Square this past Wednesday evening) and Ed Volker. See you there!
