The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Kicks Off

By I Apr. 23, 2005

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival kicked off slowly yesterday under brilliant, sunny skies. With bands like Wilco, the Black Crows and Steve Winwood on the roster, pickings were on the slim side in the jazz and traditional tents. This year, programmers also decided not to feature music from one particular country, leaving the Congo Square stage a bit hit-or-miss as well. Still, C.C. Adcock, blues harmonica giant, Charlie Musselwhite and Henry Hippolyte’s performances made it a strong day for blues, which climaxed at Sonny Landreth’s slide guitar set at the Sprint stage.

Later at the Economy Hall tent, clarinetist, Tim Laughlin had second liners dancing in the aisles as he played tunes from his latest release, ‘The Isle of Orleans’ (Gentilly Records).

One of the most interesting developments at the Fairgrounds this year is the new Jazz and Heritage Stage, which drew a small but devoted crowd for the Stooges Music Group yesterday and is sure to heat up today with Donald Harrison’s New Sounds of Mardi Gras. Featuring brass bands like the Golden Star Hunters and the more traditional Olympia Brass Band, the new stage brought out a segment of the New Orleans music scene that doesn’t usually get much representation at the Fairgrounds.

After the official Fest ended yesterday, music continued around town with late-night lineups at spots like Tipitina’s, which rang in Jazz Fest Thursday night with a Galactic show. This year, Tip’s is getting some competition from a new series at Preservation Hall, perhaps the most noteworthy unofficial Jazz Fest development.

Last night, Stanton Moore hooked up with Robert Walter on organ, Skerik on alto sax and a series of room-stopping solos from Mark Mullins, one of the most virtuosic trombone players in town. The series continues through Sunday night with different guests.