It’s JazzFest time in New Orleans and if you’ve never been to the Fest, well, as my buddy Eric Barefield of the Looziana Bar (not to be confused with Liuzzas At The Track Bar right next to the fairgrounds where the Fest is held) says, “we’ll that’s just a shame.”
40 years of music, food and friendship. Everyone from Bonnie Raitt to the Drive By Truckers, the Neville Brothers to Tony Bennett. (Yes THAT Tony Bennett! ) James Taylor to Erykah Badu, personal favorite of my son Seamus. Zydeco and blues and gospel and jazz and well…you get the point.
My personal favorite on the first day? Slide guitar blues man extroadinairre Roy Rogers with his Delta Rhtym Kings joined by piano diva Marica Ball …. the crowd went crazy when they jammed on the Willie Dixon classic “I’m Built for Comfort and Not for Speed”.
After the fest our neighborhood turns into one big block party and that’s really what our city is all about. Neil down the block did his annual slow cook bbq over pecan wood. Allegheny Joe taking pics and the Hebrew Hammer passing out stogies .. thanks guys! Jambalaya, crawfish and Connie across the street belting out tunes on her stereo …and taking requests!
If you ever make just one trip to New Orleans in your life …and you really should … make it to the Fest
