Virtual Jazz Fest!

These are my picks based on the schedule. Mind you, I never follow what I put on paper--I tend to let my intuition take me from place to place. Some years, that works out fine (like the first time I saw Delfeayo Marsalis at the Jazz Tent), and some years I wonder what the hell I was thinking (like when I went to the Cyberfest thing in the grandstand last year). I don't like micro-managing the 'Fest--I'll leave micro-management to hizzoner da Mayor. Still, this is the plan as of now.

Weekend One

Start in the Gospel Tent at 11:15, because it's not that warm yet. The Gospel Tent generates heat in more ways than one, so I'll get my Joyful Noise early today with The Banks Family. From there, the Original Camellia Jazz Band at Economy Hall (12:20 - 1:15) sounds interesting. Time for some serious food investigation at that point, then maybe C.J. Chenier at 1:50 at the WWL Stage. Maybe I'll catch some of Bruce Daigrepont at the Fais Do-Do Stage (2:50 - 3:45), perhaps then back to the WWL Stage for some of James Taylor's set (3:35 - 5:00). I'll finish with either Doc Cheatham at Economy Hall or Woodenhead at the Lagniappe Tent.

Saturday

This is a big day for me -- lots of neat acts today. Start and end in Economy Hall today, beginning at 11:15 with the Rampart and Perdido Jazz Band. Then maybe some early food and exploration, moving over to Fox8 for Leo Nocentelli and Zigaboo Modeliste at 1:35. That's Meters roots there, so it should be interesting. Over to the HoB Stage for Keb' Mo' at 2:55, mainly because I have no idea who the hell they (he? she?) are. As usual, the idiots who schedule this thing have placed two of my all-time favorites up against each other for the second-to-last set of the day. Ellis Marsalis is at the Jazz Tent at 4:15 and Pete Fountain is at Economy Hall at 4:25. Terrible scheduling--these are two of New Orleans' greats, and should have been set up so folks could see both. My gut says I'll go see Pete. It's easier to catch Ellis Marsalis at Snug Harbor than it is to go up to the Hilton to see Pete. Back to WWL Stage for Santana afterwards, or maybe over to Fox8 for Cowboy Mouth. Depends on the crowds.

Sunday

Start at the Jazz Tent with the Jeremy Davenport Quartet. Don't know them, but am willing to listen. On to Congo Square at 12:20 for the Wild Magnolias. Why Not? Quick bite of food and then over to the Jazz Tent for Astral Project at 1:40. Food and walk over to the WWL Stage for the funky Meters at 3:20 This is an absolute must-see for me. Stick around for Earth, Wind & Fire for at least a little bit. I may leave early if they disappoint me.

Weekend Two

This day has come to be known as "Local's Day." The idea is to start the Fest a day earlier on the second weekend to let locals have the Fair Grounds more to themselves before the visitors arrive Thursday evening for the weekend. It works well, and locals tend to run into people they haven't seen in a long time on Thursday, kinda the way you do during Carnival. I'll probably start in the Gospel Tent, if I make it for 11:00. The second set is a tough choice I haven't made yet -- BeauSoleil or Dash Rip Rock or Steve Masakowski. Time for a break after that, and then another choice -- Anders Osborne or Galactic, but Anders Osborne is looking like my pick (I'm figuring the crowd will migrate over to Mary Chapin Carpenter, so the other two will be less of a zoo.) Delfeayo Marsalis is also scheduled for the second-to-last set, which is yet another example of the foolish way this even is set up. Blues Traveler will be the crowd choice to finish the day off, but I like Luther Kent and Banu Gibson. The Poor Clares are an Irish style group who also could be interesting.

Friday

More clear-cut choices here. Start with Jason Marsalis--he's the younger of the Marsalis brothers. Move to the WWL stage after that for Marcia Ball, then over to Fox8 for Ernie K-Doe with Milton Batiste's Magnificent 7ths & Big Al Carson. Worth it for "Mother-in-Law" alone. I'll pass on the Iguanas and go for a little of the Pfister Sisters and some food. Then Doc Paulin's Dixieland Jazz Band in Economy Hall. I'll stick right there for Jumbo to round the day out.

Saturday

Hmmm...start with Los Sagitarios at the Fais Do-Do stage, then on to the Dirty Dozen at WWL. Walk around and catch some of Charles Neville in the Jazz Tent. Then some James Rivers Movement at Congo Square. Funkify Your Life at 4:15 at Fox 8, then back to the Jazz Tent for Herbie Hancock.

Sunday

Start with Alvin "Red" Tyler Quartet at the Jazz Tent, then Duke Dejean's Olympia Brass Band at Economy Hall. Then maybe a little Charmaine Neville at Fox 8, or perhaps ReBirth at WWL. Back to Fox 8 for Snooks Eaglin, then explore Economy Hall and the Lagniappe Tent until time for the Rads.

Questions? Comments? E-mail me at edward@seashell.com

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