This was supposed to be Jazz Fest’s BIG day, the ultimate blowing out of 50 candles on a musical cake that started back in 1970 with lots of hopes, dreams and determination. When it was announced that the Rolling Stones were coming and a day would pretty much revolve around them – special set times, special prices – it was something a lot of longtime Festers grumbled about, cause Thursday was always their day, “Locals Thursday,” as it has been traditionally called. And what about the people who wanted to see Rita Coolidge or Tom Jones and had no interest in the world’s greatest rock & roll band? They still had to pay the price, if they could get a ticket at all.
But then a funny thing happened on the way to the party: Mick Jagger had to have surgery. The Stones canceled a tour, and their Jazz Fest appearance. Fleetwood Mac came on board only to pull out a few days later. Fest favorites Widespread Panic came in to fill the slot. And the fans came.
No Stones. No problem.
There were many sightings of the Stones on the grounds on the first day of the second weekend. The Stones lips logo was on t-shirts of fans young and old. And the first sounds I heard upon walking onto the grounds was Cowboy Mouth singing “Honky Tonk Women.” One woman from New York told me they planned to come for the Stones but when they pulled out, they came anyway and were front row for Tom Jones and loving it. Who needs Jagger when you’ve got another old-time sex symbol who still had the chops to woo a crowd as far back as the eye could see to close out the day at the Gentilly Stage. Jones is 78.
At 79, another legend took to the Blues Tent stage with so much va-voom and sass, it was like lightning had been let out of a tiny bottle. Mavis Staples, a Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer whose deep roots run to soul, R&B and gospel, was electrifying, her smile lighting up the room. Trombone Shorty joined her onstage and from what I heard, Ms Staples thinks she would make a darn good President.
Glide’s Artist Of The Day, singer-songwriters Clay Parker & Jodi James, performed a beautiful set on the Lagniappe Stage, opening up Jazz Fest with the sweet sounds of artists with things on their minds and the talent to back it up. Glide’s Killer Set Of The Day belonged to Samantha Fish, the young blues artist with a spitfire stage presence, who was on fire on the Acura Stage. In a dazzling suit, Monroe curls and a red diamond encircling an eye, Fish owned Jazz Fest on Thursday.
Other highlight-worthy artists included Rita Coolidge, still looking lovely in a white pantsuit and remarkably calm when having mic problems during her first song; Anders Osborne, with short hair and a trimmed beard where once he roamed the stage looking and playing like a wild man; Big Sam’s Funky Nation on Congo despite the beating down heat brought a hip-moving set to a big crowd; and Widespread Panic, who brought the elongated jams to the forefront.
Jazz Fest #50 has been memorable so far. Weekend Two has started off on one heck of a good foot.
On Friday’s agenda: Gary Clark Jr, Chris Stapleton, Ani DiFranco, North Mississippi Allstars, Leo Nocentelli, Kamasi Washington, Los Lobos and Glide’s Artist Of The Day – Hony Island Swamp Ba
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Samantha Fish blew my mind, a killer set indeed. Great pictures!