REMEMBERING - New Jersey Jazz Society

JerseyReviewsJazzSatchmo Summerfest: N’OrleansSalutes its Favorite SonArmstrong’s music was everywhere — I heard“Sleepy Time Down South” and “It’s a Wonderful World”done every which way, and his fun-loving spirit was contagious.Sauntering down Frenchmen Street inNew Orleans late on the night of July 31,I thought: I am indisputably in the rightplace, right time, mingling with more happypeople per square foot than could be foundanywhere else in the world.The occasion was the annual SatchmoSummerfest Club Strut, one of the greatestparties in this great party town. If you thinkmidsummer in the Deep South isn’t yourcup of iced tea, the thousands reveling inthe music from several directions, the foodand drink and camaraderie, might changeyour mind.The ninth annual Louis ArmstrongCentennial birthday party — they started in2001, when on August 4 Louis would haveturned 100 — was a bit bigger and betterthan its predecessors.The Club Strut offered music in 19 differentvenues along raffish Frenchmen Street,which juts off from a corner of the FrenchQuarter. For the price of a wrist band ($25,or $75 for a VIP pass that includes free foodand drink) locals and tourists got royallyentertained from 6 PM until 2 AM or beyond.(I conked out at 1:30.) Thousands of othersjust celebrated in the street for free, serenadedby the marching Treme Brass Bandand by smaller groups playing on threebalconies overlooking the street.Some choice moments:■ Trumpeter-singer Shamarr Allen beltingout “Meet Me on Frenchmen Street,” ananthem to what has emerged as the musicalMecca in this city. It’s no Bourbon Street,and that’s a good thing. Allen’s amusingbanter with sidemen and audience isengaging, but it’s his musicianship — heaccompanied Willie Nelson on a recent tour— that marks him as a rising star.■ Bluesman Chris Thomas Kingrevisited his contributions to theOh Brother, Where Art Thousoundtrack.■ Drummer Herlin Riley crossedinto another zone on his“Caravan” solo while leading aquintet that featured Wessell“Warmdaddy” Anderson. Sittingin, Lucien Barbarin, sans histrombone, leaped into the vocalon “Lil Liza Jane” and veered into“Shake Your Money Maker,” withsome impromptu lyricinnovations.■ Tony Dagradi’s New OrleansSaxophone Quartet wove intricateharmonies on bop and jazzclassics, notably Ellington’s “In aSentimental Mood.”■ Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalisled the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, abig band good enough to bringbrother Branford back to hishometown to play tenor. The 15-piece band swung relentlessly onseveral numbers from the classicCount Basie-Neil Hefti “Atomic”album from the 1950s.■ Youngest brother JasonMarsalis closed out my night at the city’spremier jazz club, Snug Harbor, leading aquartet on some imaginative originals fromhis new Music Update CD. Marsalis, initiallya drummer, has developed into a superbvibraphonist. He welcomed saxmanAnderson to sit in on two standards andclosed with a straightahead blues, titledintriguingly, “Western Vacation Ranch.”The music continuedSaturday and Sunday atthe Satchmo Fest’soutdoor stages at theOld Mint Museum.Armstrong’s music waseverywhere — I heard“Sleepy Time DownSouth” and “It’s aWonderful World” doneevery which way, and hisfun-loving spirit was contagious.Lionel Ferbos performsat Satchmo Club Strut,New Orleans' oldestworking musician.Audience listens to seminarat Satchmo SummerFest.Chris Thomas King■ Seguenon Kone, on an extended visit tothe Crescent City from his Ivory Coasthomeland, has assembled an eight-pieceAfrican and New Orleanian band thatemphasizes the forceful rhythms drivingmusic from both places. He plays a gianttimbale-like contraption, fitted up withhanging gourds and other percussion aids,50_________________________________ October 2009