Thursday is historically "Locals' Day" at Jazz Fest which
even several musicians and attendees referred to. However, the secret of Locals'
Day seems to be long gone. I feel that this day was more packed than the
previous weekend. Regardless, everyone was in great spirits as they used this
day to welcome in the final half of Jazz Fest.
I started my day off with a little Cowboy Mouth. The hometown
band did not miss a beat, literally. There wasn't a moment between songs that
drummer/frontman Fred LeBlanc didn't fill with a beat or with his own hype
words. He always great with the crowd work and getting people involved with the
show. In fact, Fred related that he wanted people to act like they were having
the best coitus in their life at this moment, but he phrased it in a way that I
can't write here. After thrilling the crowd with his hit "Everybody Loves Jill,"
Fred sang the Louisiana state song for a bit which was perfect for such a sunny
day.
After leaving that stage, I walked toward the grandstand, but
I somehow got caught up in a jazz funeral for fallen loved ones that wound
through the Congo Square crowd area and up towards one of the entrances.
Once I was able to get to the Lagniappe Stage, Shantytown Underground
was already rocking a packed audience with reggae tunes that were a tropical
treat. This really felt more like a spring break party on the beach which this
basically is just without the water.
What I love about Jazz Fest is the ability to find things
that most people won't experience either because they prefer baking on their
blankets or they're waiting to order food or drink. I always make a point to stop
by the Food Demonstration stage. At the time when I stopped by, Chef Michael Gulotta
of Mopho and Maypop was getting ready to teach us how to make Grillades and Grits.
This was such a fun time. Chef Michael expertly showed us not only how to make
the dish, but he educated us about chopping vegetables with ease, how caramelization
happens, and how to cut against the grain for tenderness. His grillades are
made more flavorful with the addition of ginger and jalapeño. The grits are
made creamy with a hefty dose of mascarpone cheese. The best part of this stage
is the complimentary sample of the food which I don't even have to explain was
delicious.
After getting my grillades, I headed straight for the Blues
Tent where I knew my favorite local blues musician was already performing. Johnny
Sansone's show was so full that nary a seat was open. With a bright tropical
shirt, black sunglasses, and harmonica in hand, Johnny ran quickly through
several rollicking electric blues numbers with his powerful, soulful voice
guiding the band. There were some sweet, lovable songs that prompted some
couples to dance in the aisle, especially when that saxophone played like you
don't hear anymore. But then he would bring it right back to the blues with
songs like his hit "The Lord is Waiting and the Devil is Too."
Diving back into the sun-drenched day, I planned to see Bonerama
at The Gentilly Stage, but I was drawn to the Louisiana Native Nation area
where there was a wonderful local tribe dancing demonstration already in
progress which I sat and watched for a while. It was here that I got a piping
hot bowl of Sausage Macque Choux and Fry Bread (one side honey, one side hot sauce)
which is absolutely some of the best food at the fest.
To properly enjoy this meal, I sat in the grass at the always
entertaining Fais Do Do Stage as another band was preparing to play. 6 Hearts
was formed by members of Vishten and The East Pointers of Price Edward Island,
and they do in fact hail from Price Edward Island in Canada. They performed an
awesome folk music that I described as Cajun meets Appalachian before I knew
they came all the way from Canada. With several fiddles, a recorder, and many
instances of the whimsical mouth harp, 6 Hearts really blew everyone away. Their
music was fun, light, and warm. It needed no pretense nor exaggerated hyping
up.
Finally it was time for Santana to close out the Festival
Stage as the big band filled the stage as the sun was just beginning to set.
There was a lot of organ and New Orleans brass flavor infused with the Latin
rock making it a totally Jazz Fest sound. Those drummers need a raise! They're
blazing fast hands did not stop playing that driving, pumping beat for even a
moment. Even from way in the back just watching through the screens, I could
see the sweat rolling off of their faces. Through the rainfall of drum beats,
bellowing bass, singing organ, and hot brass, Carlos Santana's Les Paul wail
just sliced effortlessly through. Early on in the set, the band launched into
"Evil Ways," followed by "Black Magic Woman," followed by "Oye
Como Va." This triple threat made everyone, I mean everyone, get out of
their chairs and cheer them on. Carlos addressed the attentive crowd, saying, "I'd
rather be here than the Vatican. God is here. We really are one. " And
that perfectly summed up Santana at Jazz Fest 2023.
