This was my first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival so I bought a WWOZ Brass Pass to attend every day. I was not disappointed as there were some amazing performances. What follows are my favorite performances. The common thread in these was high energy and an intense connection with the audience. I saw many other musicians that I really like but these Jazz Fest sessions moved me the most. I could not pick a best so the following are listed in alphabetical order.
The first six are in this post and the next six follow in two days.
James Andrews packed high energy with a group of strong New Orleans musicians.
Roy Ayers did his smooth
jazz magic and signed my CD at the end.
The Bolton Brothers were a strong Gospel group that got the audience engaged in their efforts.
The Campbell Brothers
provided Gospel themed blues and provided a lot of power in their message.
Jimmy Cliff generated a lot
of energy at the Congo Square stage in front of a muddy field.
George Duke and Stanley
Clarke played some wonderful jazz together. I was sad to learn that George
passed in August and feel fortunate to have seen him. He is the first seen in the picture on the top left. In the last picture on the bottom right he is waving good bye to the audience.
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