April 2009 Issue 315 jazz &blues report now in our 35th year www.jazz-blues.com Dr. John Previews: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Ponderosa Stomp Editor & Founder Bill Wahl By Ron Weinstock Layout & Design Bill Wahl Operations Jim Martin primarily to cajun and zydeco music, Pilar Martin and a gospel tent as well. Contributors A short listing of some of the jazz Michael Braxton, Mark Cole, Kelly and blues and related idiom acts for Ferjutz, Nancy Ann Lee, Peanuts, each day follows. I have highlighted Matt Simpson, Wanda Simpson, some acts that have special merit, I Mark Smith, Dave Sunde, Duane will be there for the second weekend Verh, Emily Wahl and Ron so there are some shows I know I will Weinstock. miss. Friday April 24: Wynton Marsalis, Check out our constantly updated Henry Butler, Trombone Shorty & Or- website. Now you can search for CD leans Avenue, Roy Haynes Fountain Reviews by artists, titles, record of Youth Band, Roy Rogers & the labels, keyword or JBR Writers. 15 Delta Rhythm Kings, Yacub Addy & years of reviews are up and we’ll be going all the way back to 1974. Odadaa! of Ghana and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Donald Comments...billwahl@ jazz-blues.com Harrison, Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. & the Web .................. www.jazz-blues.com Zydeco Twisters, Tribute to Mahalia Copyright © 2009 Jazz & Blues Report Jackson feat. Irma Thomas, Mavis No portion of this publication may be Staples, and Pamela Landrum, Mem Shannon & the Membership, Rockin’ reproduced without written permission Ron Weinstock from the publisher. All rights Reserved. Tabby Thomas, Leroy Jones pre- Dr. John sents the Fairview Brass Band Re- Founded in Buffalo New York in March of The New Orleans Jazz & Heri- union Tribute to Danny Barker, June 1974; began in Cleveland edition in April of tage Festival brings in some heavy Gardner & the Fellas, Real Untouch- 1978. Now this global e-zine edition is talent to celebrate its 40th occur- ables Brass Band. posted online monthly rence April 24 through May 3. at www.jazz-blues.com Saturday, April 25: Irma Thomas, Started in Armstrong Park in 1970, Johnny Winter, Jazz at the Lincoln the Festival has grown into one of Center Orchestra with Wynton On The Cover the greatest annual musical events Marsalis, Pete Fountain, The Dixie Dr.John in performance at a past New in the World. The 2009 edition of Cups, Rebirth Brass Band w Kermit Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Read the Festival brings together a Ruffins, Dwayne Dopsie & the this year’s JazzFest preview to the right. lineup that includes such major Zydeco Hellraisers, Texas Johnny Dr. John photo by Ron Weinstock headliners as Wynton Marsalis, Brown, Young Tuxedo Brass Band, Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews Band, Crescent City Allstars feat. James CD & DVD Reviews Begin James Taylor, Sugarland, Joe Andrews, Joe Krown with Walter on Page 9 Cocker, Ben Harper & Relentless7, “Wolfman” Washington and Russell Tony Bennett, Earth, Wind & Fire, Batiste, Jr., Astral Project, Henry Kings of Leon, Neville Brothers, Gray & the Cats, Stephanie Jordan, "Buffalonious" Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Allen Sharde Thomas & the Rising Star Toussaint, The O’Jays, Erykah Fife & Drum Band, Leah Chase, Don Our original mascot Badu, Maze featuring Frankie Vappie & the Creole Jazz from the very early Beverly, Dr. John and Neil Young. Serenaders, Lil’ Buck Sinegal Blues Buffalo Jazz Report What makes JazzFest so exciting Band. days – mid '70s. is the mix of local talent that gets Sunday. April 26: Etta James & He is older now, to perform. And there is a blues the Roots Band, The Robert Cray but global & tent, two tents dedicated to jazz Band, Hugh Masekela, Mavis still very cool! (one traditional) a stage devoted Staples, Papa Grows Funk, Terence PAGE TWO April 2009 • Issue 315 Blanchard, Sonny Landreth, Dew Drop Inn Revisted Tyrone, Kenny Neal, Lionel Ferbos & the Palm Court hosted by Deacon John feat. Wanda Rouzan, Robert Jazz Band, Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians. Parker, Eddie Bo, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, and Allen Even abbreviating the list of performers, one can Toussaint, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden see quite a grouping of artists. Eagles, Harlem Blues and Jazz Band, Dr. Michael White The festival is preceded by a Gala Foundation & the Original Liberty Jazz Band feat. Thais Clark, Fundraiser on Thursday, April 23. The Fundraiser to Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Joe Hall & benefit the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the Cane Cutters, Rockie Charles & the Stax of Love, Foundation, Inc. will have the theme “The Dew Drop Germaine Bazzle, Herlin Riley Quintet, Louisiana Rep- Inn Revisited All-Stars” and will feature Allen Toussaint, ertory Jazz Ensemble, Guitar Slim, Jr., Roderick Paulin Eddie Bo, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, Robert Parker, & the Big Easy Groovers, Young Pinstripe Brass Band. and Wanda Rouzan, along with The N’Awlins All-Stars. Thursday April 30: Solomon Burke, Meter Men: Zig, Also performing will be Trombone Shorty & Orleans George, and Leo, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Marva Avenue and The TBC Brass Band. It takes place at the Wright & the BMWs, Nicholas Payton, Eddie Bo, Anders Sheraton New Orleans Hotel in its Grand Ballroom with Osborne, Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys, George proceeds benefiting the charitable and educational pur- Wein & the Newport Allstars feat. Howard Alden, Anat poses of the NOJHFF. For info on the Gala info and Cohen, Randy Brecker, Lew Tabakin, Jimmy Cobb, and tickets call 504-410-4148. JazzFest’s website is Esperanza Spalding, Delfeayo Marsalis presents www.nojazzfest.com. “Sweet Thunder”, Creole Zydeco Farmers, Sharon Martin, Little Freddie King, Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove, Michael Ward, Paulin 8th Ponderosa Stomp Returns Brothers Brass Band Between JazzFest Weekends Friday, May 1: Tony Bennett, Marcia Ball, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Esperanza Spalding, The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation is presenting the Dirty Dozen Brass Band & Glass House Reunion w/ 8th Annual Ponderosa Stomp (named after a Lazy Rebirth Brass Band, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Lester instrumental). The annual celebration of blues, Frankie Ford, Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the soul, rockabilly, swamp pop, garage rock and more Roadmasters, Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, John takes place Tuesday April 28 and Wednesday, April 29 Scofield & The Piety Street Band, John Boutté, Geno at the House of Blues in the French Quarter. The Stomp Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, George Wein, Celebrates the Unsung Heroes American Music on Howard Alden, and Anat Cohen, Charmaine Neville Three Stages for Two Big Nights. Band, Lars Edegran & the New Orleans Ragtime Or- Performers Tuesday night include Classie Ballou, chestra , James Rivers Movement, Pinettes Brass Carl Mann, Dale Hawkins and James Burton, James Band, Walter Payton & Filé Gumbo, Tim Laughlin, Blood Ulmer, The Hi Rhythm Section, Otis Clay, The Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans, Clarinet Woodshed fea- Remains, Howard Tate, Ray Sharpe, The Bo-Keys, Lil turing Evan Christopher, Gregory Agid, and Tim Greenwood, Deke Dickerson & the Eccofonics, Texas Laughlin, J. Monque’D Blues Band, Johnny Brown, Little Willie Littlefield, Little Joe Wash- Saturday May 2: Dr. John, John Mayall, Preserva- ington, Alton Lott, Jack Earls, Johnny Powers, and tion Hall Jazz Band, Aaron Neville Gospel, Irvin Mayfield Kenny and the Kasuals. & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Buckwheat Scheduled for April 29 are Jerry McCain; Lazy Zydeco’s 30th Anniversary feat. The Hitchhikers, Dea- Lester, James Burton, Wanda Jackson, Dan Penn and con John, Kind of Blue @ 50 featuring Jimmy Cobb, Bobby Emmons, Robert Parker, Lil Buck and The Top C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Chris Tho- Cats featuring Stanley Buckwheat Dural, The New Or- mas King, Bryan Lee & the Blues Power Band, Treme leans Revue (Eddie Bo, Jean Knight, Al “Carnival Time” Brass Band, Pinstripe Brass Band, Greg Stafford’s Jazz Johnson, Tony Owens, Rockie Charles, Little Freddie Hounds Tribute to Danny Barker feat. Juanita Brooks, King, Guitar Lightnin Lee, Skip Easterling, Earl Stanley, Dr. Michael White, and Jason Marsalis, Hot Club of New Joe Clay, Ernie Vincent, and Jay Chevalier), Roy Loney Orleans, Kidd Jordan-Al Fielder & the IAQ, Tony Green’s and Cyril Jordan of the Flamin Groovies backed by The Gypsy Jazz, Sherman Robertson, New Orleans Helsinki A-Bones, Deke Dickerson & the Eccofonics, Question Connection, Mark and The Mysterians, Jivin’ Gene, L.C. Ulmer, Little Sunday May 3: The Neville Brothers, Allen Willie Littlefield, Roddy Jackson, Long John Hunter, Toussaint, Buddy Guy, Kurt Elling, Chuck Brown, The Wiley and The Checkmates, and Bobby Patterson. Radiators, Voice of the Wetlands All Stars, Jon Cleary A few notes on some of Stomp performers. While & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Ellis Marsalis, Soul not well known today, Little Willie Littlefield’s jump blues Rebels Brass Band, Luther Kent tribute to Bobby Blue piano was rocking the charts six decades ago. His “K.C. Bland, Jonathan Batiste,, Jeremy Davenport, The Ge- Lovin’” was the original recording that was also a hit nius of Sidney Bechet: A Tribute feat. Bob Wilber, Dr. for Wilbert Harrison as “Kansas City.” He has been liv- Michael White, and Brian “Breeze” Cayolle, Big Chief ing in Europe for decades so this is a rare US appear- Bo Dollis & the Wild Magnolias, Bob French & the Origi- ance. nal Tuxedo Jazz Band feat. Teedy Boutté, George Little Joe Washington and Texas Johnny Brown will French & the New Orleans Storyville Jazz Band, Juke bring their very contrasting Houston guitar style to the Joint Duo: Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm, Brother stage on Tuesday night, while Long John Hunter will April 2009 • Issue 315 PAGE THREE do his best to shake the rafters on Wednesday. The New Orleans Revue on Wednesday will certainly be a The Biggest Straight-Ahead trip to see. And some of us were in high school when Jazz Cruise Just Got Better Question Mark and The Mysterians had their hit “96 Tears.” ST.