Miscellaneous

A couple of days ago, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival release what we call ?the cubes?: the day-by-day, stage-by-stage music schedule. This is a big day for hard-core Jazz Fest addicts (like yours truly); it?s the day we can start making serious plans about which acts to catch. Each day features roughly five to six acts each day on each of 12 stages. This means that, unless you?ve mastered bi-location, some hard choices must be made. And of course, one must allow room for serendipity. Anyway, here is my initial plan.

Friday, April 25. A lot of good stuff, but just one must-see: Dr. John and the Lower 911 (Gentilly Stage, 3:30). There?s a terrible conflict at 12:30: Frankie Ford on the Acura Stage, the Joe Krown Trio on the Gentilly Stage, and Little Freddie King in the Blues Tent. I?ll probably opt for Little Freddie King. For those into late 1970s to early 1980s pop, there?s Lionel Richie (Acura Stage, 5:30).

Saturday, April 24. I?ll join the 1.23 million or so in front of the Acura Stage at 5:15 for Simon & Garfunkel. Those who don?t like hordes may want to check out Tab Benoit (5:40, Blues Tent). My dilemma occurs around midday, when D.L. Menard & the Louisiana Aces (12:25, Fais Do-Do) conflict with Bonerama (12:40, Gentilly). Other acts circled in red on my schedule: Walter ?Wolfman? Washington (2:25 Congo Square), the funky Meters (3:30, Acura), and Dr. Michael White (4:30, Economy Hall).

Sunday April 25. So much to choose from! The Allman Brothers Band is doing a 2-hour set (Acura, 5:00). Besides that, I?ve got conflicting red circles all over my schedule. I?m intrigued by the name of Robert ?1-String? Gibson (12:15, Blues Tent). Other worthwhile acts include Jeremy Davenport (12:55, Jazz Tent), Guitar Slim Jr. (1:05, Blues Tent), the Voice of the Wetlands Allstars (1:40, Acura), Theresa Andersson (1:40, Fais Do-Do),the Levon Helm Band (3:10, Acura), Wayne Toups & Zydecajun (2:50, Gentilly), Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (3:55, Jazz Tent), Susan Cowsill (4:25, Lagniappe), the Blind Boys of Alabama (4:45, Gospel Tent), Marcia Ball (4:00, Gentilly), and Jonny Lang (5:40, Blues Tent).

Thursday, April 29. This is traditionally a low-key day?a good day to just wander around and see what strikes your fancy. Names you may recognize include Widespread Panic (4:30, Acura), Elvis Costello (5:30, Gentilly), and the Average White Band (5:25, Congo Square). Mid-afternoon will present some tough choices for me between Amanda Shaw (1:55, Gentilly), Sunpie Barnes & the Louisiana Sunspots (2:05, Congo Square), and C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band (2:45, Blues Tent).

Friday, April 30. If you like the blues, you?ll have a real dilemma at the end of the day. Aretha Franklin will be on the Acura Stage at 5:35, while Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi will be in the Blues Tent at 5:45. If you see either one, you?ll have to miss Louis Prima Jr. (5:55, Economy Hall). I?ll definitely start the day with the J. Monque?D Blues Band (11:20, Blues Tent). In mid-afternoon, Kermit Ruffins (2:35, Congo Square) competes with John Mooney (2:55, Blues Tent). I?ll probably opt for John Mooney. Also circled in red is Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Allen Toussaint (3:40, Acura).

Saturday, May 1. This is killing me. Will it be Jeff Beck (5:40, Gentilly) or Kenny Wayne Shepherd (5:45, Blues Tent)? Other acts playing at the same time: New Birth Brass Band (6:00, Jazz & Heritage), and Bobby Lounge (5:55, Lagniappe).There?s also Pearl Jam (5:00, Acura), Pete Fountain (4:30, Economy Hall), Sonny Landreth (4:00, Gentilly), Aaron Neville (3:50, Gospel Tent), Chris Thomas King (2:35, Blues Tent), Rebirth Brass Band (1:55, Congo Square), Anders Osborne (1:55, Acura), Henry Butler (12:55, Gentilly), and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band (12:30, Acura). Have I left anyone out? Yes, about 50 other acts.

Sunday, May 2. I?ll probably start the day at the Gospel Tent with the Zulu Male Ensemble (11:15). After that, who knows? Maybe Clarence ?Frogman? Henry (12:30, Acura). Maybe Irma Thomas (1:50 Acura). Maybe Trombone Shorty (2:00, Gentilly). Maybe Van Morrison (3:35, Acura). To close out the day, the choices include the Neville Brothers (5:40, Acura), the Radiators (5:40, Gentilly), Maze featuring Frankie Beverly (5:40, Congo Square), and B.B. King (Blues Tent, 6:00).

Sadly, one act won?t be there. Marva Wright passed away the other day. She did blues, gospel, and everything in between. She sang for princes, presidents, and regular people. I suppose she?ll be on the cover of the Jazz Fest Bible. Anyway, she should be.