It's hard to tell who was more excited: the adoring Gospel Tent audience or Mavis Staples. But don't let that wide grin fool you — when she does a low-down number, shestill growls like a tiger. And as she demonstrated and told the audience, "I can still shake, baby!" Read more

There's been no shortage of Mardi Gras Indian performances, and judging by crowd appreciation, that's a welcome situation. Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and The Golden Eagles were squeezing out some obscenely funky tunes and, let me tell you, I had a field day snapping photos of th... Read more

Guitar Slim, Jr., was in street clothes the first time I saw him, just strolling on in to Jim Russel Records buy their last copy of his own album. Without recognizing him, you could tell by the way he dressed and the way he held himself that he was a performer. Sunday he was i... Read more

Rather than squeezing through crowds for a good view at the Acura Stage, I figured all of the smaller stages would be putting on their best acts last, so I had a feeling I really couldn't go wrong. I decided to go check out some bands I'd never heard of, going by a simple, gen... Read more

The Crescent City All-Stars may not be as much of a household name as the others, but they managed to ensnare lots of people traveling from show to show with their hard-driving sound. Trumpeter James Andrews had an amazing energy about him and kept spirits high and light, dedi... Read more

As the sun bears down on Festival- goers, many people start to look towards the misting tents and grandstands to cool off. The WWOZ Hospitality Tent has certainly never seen this much action while I've been here! Read more

The Dixie Cups may have been teenagers back when they made Iko Iko in 1965, but just like so many of this city's talents they proved that great showmanship doesn't age. With synchronized dance moves that certainly made their way into the crowd, rhythm and blues harmonies and g... Read more

Day Two of Jazz Fest kicked off (for me) at the Blues Tent, with Henry Gray and the Cats delivering some gorgeous, earthy blues. Believe it or not, it was rockin' enough to inspire a few to dance even at this first show of the day. Read more

After a long, hard day of fun, you have to make your decision on who will bring it on home for you. With so many huge acts to choose from (and such tired feet), sometimes the best thing is just to grab as much last-minute music as you can before collapsing in a heap... and get... Read more

Over at the Gospel Tent, an impenetrable wall of listeners tried to squeeze in to catch our good friend Irma Thomas along with the legendary Mavis Staples and Pamela Landrum to pay tribute to gospel great Mahalia Jackson. Irma had to be brought hankies between songs, but her v... Read more