Friday, April 25, 2008

Don't hate me because I live in New Orleans

I spent the day at Jazz Fest with the Big Guy. This is his first time ever, I've gone by myself the last 3 years (ever since we moved here). He loved it. The past 2 years I've gone on a Saturday, and going on a Friday was much nicer, crowds wise. Not as big names, perhaps, but I'm all about catching the local stuff and finding new things to listen to, so it's perfect.

We both agreed that our favorite act was Tab Benoit. We had great seats in the Blues Tent for his whole set, which was awesome. He very briefly asked everyone to go home and write their elected officials and ask them to dedicate time and resources to rebuilding New Orleans, to make sure Jazz Fest continues (also check out Tab in the great IMAX film, Hurricane on the Bayou). We bought his CD, and had him sign it. Hello! Do we look happily tired after a full day of fabulous music or what?

And can I just say that I think I have a crush on trombone players?


Oh, and the food. Yum. I had alligator pie, boudin, and a crab meat po' boy. Yum.



One of the great things about New Orleans music is that musicians play together, back each other up, hop around from band to band. So today, several hours after seeing Susan Cowsill open the festival, we saw her sing back up for Theresa Anderson. Craig Klein (trombonist extraordinaire) popped on stage for one of Susan's songs. John Gros played keyboard/organ for Anders Osborne. It's a community. You can feel it in their support of each other, in their joy on stage, and in the audiences who come to love them.

Wish you were here.

25 comments:

thailandchani said...

Aha! So I finally see you! :) Very nice... nice pictures. I'll bet the music was great. :)

imbeingheldhostage said...

I wish I were there too! Thanks for the great pictures, I feel like I went to New Orleans before I even had my breakfast :-)

flutter said...

I so miss it!!

Family Adventure said...

Ooooh...it looks amazing. I would love to be there...

And hey, is that a Norwegian flag to the left in the last picture? If that isn't a sign, I don't know what is!

Happy weekend,

Heidi

thirtysomething said...

Oooooh! I wish I were there too! I am looking so forward to our street festival this summer (Bele Chere) for the music, food and fun.

On another note....alligator pie?

Pendullum said...

Looks like a fantastic slice of heaven...
Thanks for sharing it with me...

Chantal said...

I have always wanted to go to New Orleans, maybe we will have to plan it around the Blues Fest. It is sad that New Orleans is not the same one I dreamed about visiting, but maybe now it is more important than ever that we get there and visit and try to understand what happened. I felt so far removed from New Orleans, never having been there and only seeing images on TV. You give me a window into what it is like to live there. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I don't hate you, but I am GREEN with envy. It looks so fabulous. And so do you and your sweetie!

Woman in a Window said...

It looks like such a rich and friendly gathering. Funny, so many strangers together and it still looks friendly.

Aunt Becky said...

I don't hate you, I'm just jealous.

Jen said...

I was reading about Jazz Fest and wishing I was there. Glad you had such a blast!

S said...

ooh, that looks like SO much fun!

Amy Y said...

Ok, I don't hate you but if you keep up the pictures and tales of tantalizing sounding food, I might hop on a plane, show up at your door and beg for a spot on your couch at night! ;)

And my goodness MQ looks like her daddy!! I haven't seen a photo of him ~ you guys are a gorgeous couple!

Candygirlflies said...

Alligator pie, alligator pie,
If I don't get some, I think I'm going to die.
Give away the green grass, give away the sky,
But don't give away my alligator pie!

-- Dennis Lee (The Magnificent)

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Wish I were there, too.

xoxo CGF

Kyla said...

Sounds great!

Chrissy said...

Crab meat po-boys...I wish I was there, too.

Kate said...

Jazz is an amazing form of music, it is really very complicated to study but most jazz muzos have never studied it in their lives they just feel it! You are right it really is a community and I think this goes for all musicians as mostly you are all mates so if you have a gig you ring all your mates up to play with you... you have to ... to earn enough of a living!!!! I'm so envious of you I love Jazz festivals they have a good one here in holland, we are very lucky

Julie Pippert said...

Love it---thanks for sharing. And no hate from here b/c you know what happens in NOLA is probably going on here too---and the live music this weekend has been fab!

Alex Elliot said...

That sound fantastic

Luisa Perkins said...

Tab Benoit AND a crab po'boy? I am seriously envying you right now!

Beck said...

GEEZ. And meanwhile, it is now snowing here AND I have no awesome music and no crab po'boys. Poop.

Sarcasta-Mom said...

Um, sorry, I have to hate you just a little bit. lol.

Victoria said...

ARGH! Soooo jealous here. I'm such a band geek and totally love music fests.

Awesome pics!

Unknown said...

How fun!

Someday we'll be there for it!

Christine said...

i wish i was there, too.