Jazz Fest Picks- Day Two

Friday, April 25

Get your day started with a set by David Bandrowski & the Rhumba Defense or if you missed the traditional mariachi band Son del Coamil yesterday, they will be opening up the day in the Cultural Exchange Pavilion.

Bandrowski is a banjo player known throughout the world for his deep knowledge of the instrument. He doesn’t just play bluegrass or country, but reaches into other genres. The musicians on his latest record, French Onion Superman, includes some serious local talent—Tom Fisher on clarinet, Charlie Halloran on trombone, Mark Braud on trumpet, Nobu Ozaki on bass and Doug Belote on drums.

For something completely different, Marimba Nandayapa showcases the traditional marimba music of the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. They play on the intimate pavilion stage early in the day and are the penultimate act on the Jazz and Heritage stage later in the afternoon.

Mixanteña de Santa Cecilia draws from the rich musical traditions of the Mexican state of Guerrero and the Afro-Mexican rhythms of Mexico’s Pacific coast. This is a chance to see music from a part of Mexico that isn’t usually recognized for the descendants of African slaves who live there. With trombones, drums and tubas, the group’s instrumentation resembles the brass bands of New Orleans.

Youssou N’Dour (pictured above) is one of the biggest artists to ever emerge from Senegal. It’s been decades since he last played at the Jazz Fest when he appeared in 1989 at a night show on a bill with Robert Cray and two days later on the Fairgrounds. Expect to hear amazing vocals and a regal vibe befitting an artist who has collaborated with the likes of Peter Gabriel, Sting, Wyclef Jean and Paul Simon.

Lila Downs (pictured at top) is one of the best-selling Mexican artists of all time. She incorporates many indigenous influences into her sound and has sold millions of records around the world. She is also a social activist, based out of Oaxaca, Mexico, where she highlights and celebrates her heritage as the daughter of an indigenous Mixtec mother. She plays twice today including in the intimate Cultural Exchange Pavilion at 2:20 PM and on the Fais Do Do stage at 4:20 PM.

For the last time slot, you could go with Stanley Clarke, arguably one of the greatest jazz bassists of all time. Fun fact—he was a member of the New Barbarians with Ron Wood and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones along with New Orleans’ own Zigaboo Modeliste. Or you could fight the crowds at another of the other main stage headliners; but my bet to hang with the locals is with All That.

This group, led by pianist and vocalist Davis Rogan and anchored by Dirty Dozen sousaphonist Kirk Joseph, was ground-breaking back in the day for being one of the first bands to incorporate hip hop, brass, jazz and funk. With Alex McMurray shredding on electric guitar, they are sure to get the crowd rocking.