Enjoyable and Bitter-Sweet

The 39th Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival presented by Shell was both enjoyable and bitter-sweet depending on the day or week you attended and who you asked. This year’s line-up brings big names headliners however, the schedule was not as strong as it has been in the pass, but was quite satisfying to the soul. For the attendees who felt that the festival was great, maybe because it all came together for them with plenty of sunshine, good food and great music. However, for those who felt that the festival was bitter-sweet were unlucky enough to have attended on a rained filled day, which caused a few concession stands to close and shortened performances.

Rain fell all three days of the first week at the festival; Friday had very little rain compared to Saturday and Sunday rainstorms which had festival attendees drenching wet with puddles of water and mud ever where. Many festival goes fled the grounds while being pounded by heavy rain. Yet, most remained hoping the rain would cease, so that they may enjoy what was left of the festival. Despite the weather most performances did go on and the fans were both delighted and relieved to see their favorite artists perform.

Headliners Sheryl Crow, Billy Joel, and Tim McGraw gave the Acura Stage attendees a great show as did Burning Spear, Keyshia Cole, and Al Green on the Congo Square Stage. Also, the WWOZ Jazz Tent attendees were given outstanding performances by Lizz Wright, Count Basie Orchestra featuring Patti Austin and Cassandra Wilson.

After the grey filled skies and rainstorms that plagued the first week of the festival had moved on, the second week was a welcome relief from hostile rains and thunderstorms. This was the return for Jazzfest Thursday since 2005 it was also, the return for the Neville Brothers at the festival since Katrina hit New Orleans almost three years ago.

The second week got off to a great start with sunshine, food, drinks and plenty of foot stomping music of all genres, the crowds soared to record numbers for the last weekend of Jazzfest. Although there were many well known headliners Randy Newman, Stevie Wonder, Diana Krall, Santana, and the Neville Brothers performing on the outside stages. Yet, some of the most powerful and energetic performances were being well received from the tent stages.

AIG Gospel Tent played host to the talent of Aaron Neville, Charles Jackson and the Jackson Travelers. Also, Irma Thomas, Marva Wright & Raychell Richard paid tribute to the late great Mahalia Jackson as well. While the gospel tent was spilling over with festival goers the Southern Comfort Blues Tent was going full speed with much excitement of it own with R&B vocalist Bettye LaVette, vocalist / guitarist Ruthie Foster, and guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

One of the most favorable stages at Jazzfest belongs to the WWOZ Jazz Tent as vocalist Dianne Reeves, Bobby McFerrin & Chick Corea gave the over flowing crowds a little taste of jazz. Local jazz artists Donald Harrison, Terence Blanchard, Irvin Mayfield, Stephanie and Marlon Jordan never seem to disappoint as they too provided the fans with exciting performances. How appropriate it was to close out with a Jazz Jam as many artist join together on stage to close this years WWOZ Jazz Tent once again!