Jazz Fest Picks- Day Six
Friday, May 2
The Deslondes recently played at the Wednesdays at the Square series and I was truly impressed with how much the band has developed since the first time I saw them play. The pedal steel player was masterful with his control of his instrument and when he picked up the electric guitar, the Americana band really rocked. Their vocal harmonies are reminiscent of the Band. It’s good to see Sam Doores and company back at Jazz Fest after a year off and even better to see them graduate to the main stage. They play at 11:15 AM. Get there early—since the Festival stage headliner, Luke Combs, will draw a huge crowd.
In recent years, Canada has become home to more and more members of the Caribbean diaspora. Wesli is a Haitian who makes his home and his music in Montreal. His latest album crossed my desk recently and I discovered his band’s ability to reach back to the traditional percussion sounds of the island and mix them with his more modern approach to songwriting. He plays twice—at 12:30 PM on Congo Square and 3:10 PM in the Cultural Exchange Pavilion.
Son Rompe Pera (pictured above) created a sensation the first time they played at the Fairgrounds in 2022. The band features two tattooed punk rockers playing cumbia music on marimbas. If that sounds strange, it just might be, but they also make exhilarating music. This time around they are featuring as a special guest, the virtuoso Mexican guitarist Gil Gutierrez. They play in the intimate Cultural Exchange Pavilion at 1:40 PM and at 4:15 PM on the Jazz and Heritage stage.
Much has been made of the musical families of New Orleans, but for every Neville and Marsalis there are also lesser-known clans. The French family goes back to the beginnings of jazz with Albert “Papa” French and the Tuxedo Brass Band. We recently lost bass player and vocalist George French. His son, drummer Gerald French, will present a tribute to his father with the great vocalist Phillip Manuel.
Hurray For the Riff Raff is the musical vehicle for singer/songwriter and guitarist Alynda Segarra (pictured at top). She cut her teeth in New Orleans and is now based out of Chicago. Segarra recently opened on a tour for Bright Eyes and is slated to open for Ani DiFranco this fall. Hurray For the Riff Raff is an ever-evolving ensemble, so each year at Jazz Fest is a chance to hear how her music is developing. Incidentally, she recently started a Substack newsletter called “Resist Psychic Death.” Check it out.
Jazz Fest producer/director Quint Davis has long been an advocate for the music and culture of the African country of Benin. He consistently brings fascinating ensembles to New Orleans to perform at Jazz Fest. BIM "Benin International Musical" should be no exception and possibly a first for the festival since the band puts on a voodoo ceremony in the form of a musical production. Check out the above video for a taste.