It may have rained on Saturday, canceling the first two tiers of artist performances, but it didn’t dampen the grounds – very sparse patches of mud – or the spirits of Festers 2019. In fact, they were out in droves – eating, dancing, buying merch and eating some more. The sun may have been beating down something awful but all stages were humming and the crowds came out en masse for John Fogerty, Jimmy Buffett, Buddy Guy, Maze, Chaka Khan and Trombone Shorty.
Unfortunately, like all good parties, it comes to an end and Jazz Fest 2019 ended with a celebratory bang at 7:00 with Trombone Shorty waving #50 goodbye. Both Jazz Fest weekends sizzled and popped with big name artists – Dave Matthews, Katy Perry, Buddy Guy – and premium local musicians – The Revivalists, Bonerama, The Radiators, Judith Owen – and although the Rolling Stones weren’t really needed after all to make this party memorable, some fans still had them in the backs of their minds, as noted by the many, many Stones t-shirts spotted, not just on Thursday but every day of Weekend 2.
Now that Jazz Fest #50 is in the books, a look back at Sunday only brings a big wide smile. Glide’s Artist Of The Day Yvette Landry did not disappoint as she dazzled on the Fais Do Do Stage, just as we knew she would, kicking up her heels, singing and playing a spirited acoustic guitar. Blues legend Little Freddie King, who will be 79 this year, played guitar like he was a youngster, while up and coming country singer Caroline Jones opened the main stage that morning with some Joni Mitchell and her new single, “Chasin’ Me.” A gentleman front and center told me she was going to be a star one day.
Glide’s Killer Set Of The Day belonged to John Fogerty, who brought his own big smile and some classic, still fantastic, songs to the Gentilly Stage. Celebrating his own #50, he had hippie girls blowing bubbles out into the crowd while songs like “Spirit In The Sky” played over the loudspeakers. Lots of Woodstock vibes floated from the stage invoking memories of CCR’s performance at that other big festival in 1969, with today’s band members dressed in peace & love outfits in front of a screen scrolling images of Fogerty’s past. Opening with “Born On The Bayou,” Fogerty focused on his Creedence hits before showcasing a few other sixties notables like “My Generation.” Drummer Kenny Aronoff’s drum solo was out of this world and Fogerty’s son Shane proved he is a guitar player to keep an eye on.
Another band with 50 years under their belt was Little Feat. Paul Barrere, Bill Payne, Sam Clayton, Kenny Gradney and Fred Tackett, all longtime members, showcased their hits “Dixie Chicken,” “Feets Don’t Fail Me Now” and “Skin It Back.” “We have played [Jazz Fest] many times; at least six that I can count,” Barrere told me in a recent interview about the festival. “It’s just classic, you know, something you can’t find anywhere else.”
Buddy Guy, who received his own Blues Trail Marker in his hometown of Lettsworth, Louisiana, back in December, at age 81 was simply electrifying in his Blues Tent closing set on Sunday. Dressed in his trademark polka dot shirt underneath overalls, the man told stories, got the crowd to singing with him so loud your ears rang, and hit those blues notes that sent chills down your spine. If you’ve never seen Guy perform live, you are missing out on the experience of a lifetime.
Other highlights included Chaka Khan getting funky in the blistering sun, Jimmy Buffett in a ref’s uniform (you know why if you’re a Saints fan), the Xavier University Jazz Ensemble proving music will be alive and well for many years to come, and a tribute to the late great Allen Toussaint that featured Aaron Neville, Buffett and Irma Thomas.
If you had to miss even one day of Jazz Fest #50, it was a loss on your part because every day was a celebration of great music. Let the countdown begin to Jazz Fest #51.
Live photographs by Leslie Michele Derrough
