Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Going to be a tough call...

Never too early to start planning for the music at Jazz Fest. Johnny Gumbo emails from the Great Northwest asking about Patty Griffin, who performs at Jazz Fest on Friday, May 1. Seems daughter Erin, who is a first-weekend Jazz Fester, is excited that Dad can see both Griffin and Sugarland. What the hell is Gumbo doing up this early, anyway? It's like a two-and-a-half hour time difference out in Spokane!

One thing is for sure, this cowboy is not going to see Sugarland (not that there's anything WRONG with that). Patty Griffin is another story. I have not seen her perform in concert, but have sampled her music numerous times and love it. She appears on the Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do Stage from 4:15-5:30, which conflicts somewhat with Bonnie Raitt, who plays at the Acura Stage from 3:30-4:45 (complete May 1 cubes). I've seen Bonnie in many and varied venues, the weirdest being the old Oakdale Theatre-in-the-Round in 1979 (with Steve the Bod), where Bonnie appeared with her famous dad, John Raitt. They both performed separate sets (Broadway, followed by blues), then finished up singing together.

So, guess I'll listen to Bonnie, then make my way over to catch the end of Patty, all the while trying to decide who to close the day with (the Pool Hall Studs, no doubt battered and bruised from the previous night at Ryan's, will have their own agenda):
  • Sugarland @ Acrura Stage (not happening)
  • Tony Bennett @ Gentilly Stage (gotta pass on Tony)
  • Musiq Soulchild @ Congo Square "My Louisiana" Stage (no clue)
  • Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band @ WWOZ Jazz Tent
  • John Scofield & the Piety Street Band @ Blues Tent (my early favorite)
  • Lars Edegran's New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra @ Peoples Health Economy Hall Tent
  • The Iguanas @ Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do Stage (have seen them several times at Cafe Nine in New Haven - great band!)
  • 101 Runners @ Jazz & Heritage Stage
  • God's House Westbank Cathedral Choir @ Gospel Tent (we'll get our gospel earlier in the day)
  • Driskill Mountain Boys @ Lagniappe Stage
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