Our Review of the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Fest 2010 | by Marv D.

Our Review of the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Fest 2010 |
by Marv D.

Good Day T.UM.S readers.... this is Marv D..... on the road to the New Orleans Jazz 
Heritage fest. Well I was suppose to leave. At 5:30 in the morning, yeah right 2 
hours later, luckily my stuff was already packed. The jazzfest is a six day 
event:  23,24,25,29 of April and 1,2 of May and it featured major and local 
groups ranging in all types of music, food, arts and crafts, a little something 
for the kids - all for a good time.

Once I found out where I'm supposed to be, I got checked in and sent on my way. I was 
stationed by the gospel and blues tent and behind me was the jazz tent, where at 
5:35 The Sax pack was to perform. If I'm not mistaken I think Gerald Albright is 
performing tomorrow.

The musical line up for the jazzfest is extensive and I must give kudos to the 
people who organized the event. Just the thought of all the musicians, security, 
and just getting to and from the event. All the volunteers that helped out 
too. I have to admit the festival started at 11:00am and by the time I got there, 
everybody was having a good time - even though it rained earlier. Here are some of 
the artists that appeared on the weekend of April 24th: Lionel Richie, George 
Clinton and the P--Funk All-stars, Drake, Ledisi, Terrence Blanchard, Smokie 
Norful, and Anita Baker. 

It's the second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Fest and it is just as 
good & great as the first weekend, or possibly even better than the first weekend. 
The people of New Orleans had been wonderful and I wished them the best in the future, 
especially since the Essence musicfest is coming up 4th of July weekend. Mostly everybody 
was waiting for Aretha Franklin to close out Friday night at Congo square but 
found out the she had canceled, stating that the smell of the oil would affect 
her voice (that's what everybody was saying). So from what I heard, from sources 
around the fairgrounds, that someone made a phone call and in place of Aretha came 
the mighty Earth Wind and Fire Band! They closed out the night.

Saturday, my volunteer work started early and so did my attitude. The guy that 
parked cars where i was to catch the shuttle to the fairgrounds wanted me to 
park waaaay back in the back. It was pitch black and was not parking back there. 
Anyway, doing what I was suppose to do, I got a taste of the crew doing sound 
check just to make sure everything went off without a hitch. I got off work and 
got me something to eat! Had some Cajun flavored pork skins - off the hook! Them 
things were so good. Right after the crawfish monica. Oh... your wondering what 
crawfish monica is? OK. Crawfish, pasta & vegetables. It's like a soup! Gooooood!! 
Anyways, the artists that were scheduled to play were Galactic, Sugarfoot's Ohio Player,  
Marcus Miller, Germaine Bazzle and last but not least my girl Teena Marie turned it out! 
Then I had to hit the highway.

Sunday, I wished i could of stayed because the line up of artists would surpass 
any concert. With local acts throughout the day, major acts balanced out the rest 
of the day.  Juvenile and Manny Fresh started everything off with Ellis Marsalis, 
Clarence Carter, and ending out the evening and jazzfest on a grand scale was 
The Neville Brothers, Wayne shorter, B.B. King, Richie Havens,  Defeayo Marsalis  
and not it but not least Frankie Beverly and Maze. 

I had so much fun even though in was volunteering and I have to admit that 
anyone reading this must go to this jazzfest or for that matter any jazzfest and 
embrace the culture. I hope everybody enjoyed reading this review.

Marv D
The Urban Music Scene