Jazzfest Chronicles or the Jazzfesticles

Mon May 5, 03:41 PM by Mark Rechler

New Orleans is coming around I must say. After a 5 day jaunt down at the New Orleans Jazzfest it seems to me though the city still has a ways to go it is certainly moving in the right direction. New Restaurants like Cochon and Luke are popping up as well as the usual classic like Camelia Grill and Mothers which closed temporarily.

Jazzfest was a blast as usual if you have never been, I am not sure what you are waiting for. 10 Stages of amazing music going simultaneously, New Orleans Roots music galore Dixieland, Jazz, Gospel , Blues, Cajun, Brass Bands, Funk, Mardi Gras Indians, Zydeco and tons more, with 2 stages of International acts. But as good as the music is so is the food which has to be the best any festival has to offer. One delicious munch after another.

Night shows ablaze all around the city till the sun comes up. And if you travel in my circles then your destined to do all day and all night It is hard work but the payoff is always huge. Our last night for example consisted of Michael Franti and Spearhead at Tip n Tina’s followed by Cyril Neville, Anders Osbourne, and Rebirth Brass Band at the Rock N Bowl, which is perhaps one of the best venues in town in a bowling alley that probably has not changed a bit since 1971.

The most difficult part is making choices too much to see, hear and eat. These are the problems!!!! However You can truly approach the festival in a number of ways, some more mature folk might actually rest at some points. This year was particularly special for me as it was my 20th Jazzfest since 1985, all made sweeter by the size of the crew we went down with and the amount of friends we bumped into and partied with along the way. Not to mention the new friends we met as well. No Circus Mind this year but we will get back there eventually!! So look, come join the party next year and enjoy everything New Orleans has to offer.