Second Annual Fess Festival at Tipitina's New Orleans December 2011

I drove to New Orleans from seeing Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie at Whiskey Landing in Henderson and went directly to a festival of local musicians at Tipitina's. It was the second annual Fess Festival. With special guests Cosimo Effect, Tom McDermott, Joe Krown, Cha Wa Featuring Tom Worrell, Brother Tyrone & The Mind Benders, John Gros, Khris Royal, CR Gruver, Glen David Andrews, Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, David Torkanowsky, Alfred Uganda Roberts, Joshua Paxton, Jo "Cool" Davis, Rich Vogel, DJ Davis Rogan.

   
As the site said, “Pianist, composer, and singer, Professor Longhair, is one of the most important musical figures in New Orleans' rich musical legacy. Born Henry Roeland Byrd (also known as Fess) in Bogalusa, Louisiana. Ne became the embodiment of New Orleans rhythm and blues at his peak in the late '70s. Fess influenced countless musicians, such as Fats Domino, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Henry Butler, Huey "Piano" Smith, Marcia Ball, Champion Jack Dupree, Jon Cleary, the Meters, and the Neville Brothers.”

The first group was good. Then there was a buzz at the side door and people move closer to the stage. Dr. John made a surprise appearance and he brought a great band. They did a long high-energy set. I was standing 15 feet from him during this. The crowd was going wild. John Gros from Papa Grows Funk joined him for one number and John later played with some others.

 
Then Joe Krown played a solo. Dr. John was a tough act to follow as he noted. Just as the crowd had calmed down a bit after Dr. John, Allen Toussaint shows up as another surprise in a red coat and does a solo gig. He did some standards and then a few Christmas songs. He was very warm and spent a lot of time talking to people as he came and went. There was a lot of love in the room.

 

There were some other great acts including both old timers like Al Johnson (0n left below) and Jo "Cool" Davis (on right below) and new acts with younger players. 

 
Later Donald Harrison, the big chief who advises HBO Treme and who taught Clark Peters how to be a big chief, played piano with a band and did some Indian songs. Later he played sax and did jazz. 

   
Brother Tyrone & The Mind Benders did a few numbers, the Cosimo Effect played several times and John Gros came out with some good players.

   
Later Davis Rogan, who is the model for the Steve Zahn character in HBO Treme played, piano and sang. He was good. There were other bands and it was still going strong after midnight. 

   

 

Comments

[Paul A. Tamburello, Jr.]

Good Lord! You hit the jackpot with this visit to Tipitina's! Great background information on the performers. I can feel the "lot of love in the room" with all these musicians paying homage to Professor Longhair. You must have been in "Fess Heaven." Be sure to send this post to Herman Fuselier!

[bill Ives]

Thanks Paul. It was very exciting to have these surprise guests. A lot of energy was in the room.