Jazz Fest Picks- Day Three

Saturday, April 26

Saturdays at the Fairgrounds are always the most crowded days, so plan ahead and definitely get there as early as possible to avoid the ever-present lines that begin forming after lunch time. In keeping with my philosophy of “go where they’re not,” I offer up some alternative options to the big stages.

Starting your day with some Mardi Gras Indian music is good for the soul. The Creole Wild West (Jazz and Heritage stage-11:20 AM) are the oldest of the Black-masking Indian tribes and are now led by Big Chief Howard Miller (pictured at top). The Indians are a family affair to say the least and the CWW are one of the biggest tribes. Expect to see plenty of young children on stage in their handmade suits.

Wander around and check out the Mexican displays at the Cultural Exchange Pavilion before it gets too crowded and then head right back to the Jazz and Heritage stage for Los Güiros (pictured above) at 12:35 PM. This group of New Orleans musicians play “psychedelic cumbia” and are a perfect fit for the Latin vibe at the Jazz Fest this year. Look for Shaye Cohen, the cornet-playing leader of Tuba Skinny, on keyboards.

San Antonio-based Los Texmaniacs play conjunto music. They will be in the Cultural Exchange Pavilion at 2:20 PM and again on the Fais Do Do stage at 4:20 PM. “Conjunto” literally means “group” or “ensemble.” In the Latin music tradition, it refers to a small group of musicians as opposed to a bigger band. Los Texmaniacs feature the leader Max Baca on bajo sexto (a guitar-like instrument) and musicians on accordion, bass and drums.

Son de Madera, a Mexican band from Veracruz that plays son jarocho music appears twice—in the Cultural Exchange Pavilion at 12:50 PM and on the Jazz and Heritage stage at 4:10 PM. Their music features the jarana, a small, eight-string guitar.

I usually don’t recommend the interviews on the Allison Minor Music Heritage stage even though I was once interviewed there about my book Up Front and Center: New Orleans Music at the End of the 20th Century. But I strongly suggest getting there at 4:30 PM for 2 Generations of Funk. Jonathan McHugh, a friend from my college days and now a professor at Loyola University, will interview the legendary Cyril Neville and his son Omari. Omari leads his own band, the Fuel. They play at 1:20 PM on the Congo Square stage.

Zar Electrik: Music of the Maghreb may very well be the find of the fest. They play twice, at 3 PM on the Lagniappe stage and at 5 PM in the Cultural Exchange Pavilion. The group formed in France and play music from Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa. The trio features traditional stringed instruments like the kora and oud combined with more modern electronics. The video below is the band’s U.S. debut.

Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band is the last act on the Fais Do Do stage (5:45 PM) and it will be packed due to the guitarist and singer’s long history and fame. At 82, he is a true legend with feet in nearly every genre of music over his long career. Mahal has performed at the Jazz Fest dozens of times over the years going back to 1973. Don’t miss the legends.