Miscellaneous

I?ve been seeing these Chaz Fest posters everywhere lately. So for today?s Jazz Fest starter, I had to see Washboard Chaz. He was excellent. His trio included an excellent old-school slide guitarist who played a couple of all-metal resonator guitars. His handle is St. Louis Slim. No idea what his real name is.

Next up was J. Monque ?D, a local guy, a serious student of the blues. He?s an okay singer. The great part about his performances is always the band, and J?s own knowledge and love of the blues.

After J. Monque ?D, I headed to the Gentilly Stage for Frankie Ford. People familiar with 1950s music will know Frankie from his greatest hit, ?Sea Cruise.? For younger audiences, I would compare him to Sebastian Bach: a singer known for high notes at high volume. Frankie was the Sebastian Bach of his day. Today he?s and old guy. But he knows he?s an old guy, so he makes a lot of jokes about his age during his sets. The important thing is he is one of us, and has been one of us for decades. So we love him.

After Frankie Ford, I trekked to the opposite side of the Fair Grounds to catch most of Marcia Ball?s set. For those unfamiliar with Marcia, she?s a Hot Tamale Babe, and one hell of a piano player and singer. She always gives a great show, and today she lived up to those high expectations.

After Marcia, there were some tough choices. Doc Watson was playing the Blues Tent, and I squeezed in to catch a few songs. I?m here to tell you that, at 90 years old, he?s going strong. He is one of the bridges between blues and bluegrass.

Eventually I had to make a hard choice between Doc Watson and Bonnie Raitt. I chose Bonnie. She played her tush off. For most of her 1 hr. 15 min. set, she had local keyboard guy Jon Cleary sitting in.

For today?s personal finale, I caught the end of Patty Griffin?s set at Fais-Do-Do. I seem to remember seeing her make an appearance during Emmylou Harris?s set yesterday. She has a lovely voice; I wish I?d seen her whole set.

To tell the truth, there wasn?t anyone playing between 6 p.m and 7 p.m. that I particularly wanted to see. So I decided to go home a little early today to rest up for tomorrow and Sunday. Tomorrow?s lineup is formidable and (again) presents some tough choices, including the following:

• Bonerama, 1:40?2:30, Gentilly
• Treme Brass Band, 2:55?4:00, Economy Hall
• Dr. John, 3:10?4:15, Acura
• Aaron Neville, 3:30?4:40, Gospel Tent
• Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, 4:00?5:10, Jazz Tent
• Chris Thomas King, 4:15?5:15, Blues Tent
• Bobby Lounge, 4:15?5:25, Lagniappe Stage
• Preservation Hall Jazz Band, 4:25?5:25, Economy Hall
• The O?Jays, 5:30?6:50, Congo Square
• John Mayall, 5:50?7:00, Blues Tent
• C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, 5:55?6:55, Fais Do-Do