The footprint of the French Quarter Festival expands to twenty-three—count them, twenty-three—stages for the final two days. There is more music happening in New Orleans this weekend than at virtually any other festival in the world. Here are our picks for each day. The full lineup is here.
Put on your dancing shoes early Saturday morning for Daria and the Hip Drops at 11 AM. The band, which is led by Daria Dzurik on steel pan and vocals, blends rocksteady, pop, and funk styles with electronic samples, funky bass lines, and Caribbean based-rhythms creating a unique, danceable concoction.
Funk Monkey is a band that mines soul jazz territory and groove music with a decidedly New Orleans feel and features trombonist Greg Hicks and guitarist Bert Cotton from Bonerama.
One band I never fail to check out at FQF is Magnetic Ear. Led by an “alien of extraordinary ability,” saxophonist Martin Krusche, the band is like a New Orleans brass band, but decidedly different. Krusche is from Germany, hence the aforementioned description, which is also the title of one of their albums.
The stages on Royal Street are intimate and give festers a chance to get away from the massive crowds congregating at the main stages. At 3:30 PM, two of my favorite local acts are playing—unfortunately at the same time. Mayumi Shara, a drummer originally from Japan, leads her traditional New Orleans band. Down the street, Brazilian guitarist, singer/songwriter and harmonica player Ricardo Crespo (pictured above) leads his ensemble Sol Brasil. Perhaps you can split the difference.
Tank and the Bangas (pictured above) have been setting the world on fire since their debut nearly five years ago. Their music includes elements of R&B, hip-hop, funk, spoken word, and jazz. Their zany theatrics and soul rousing music has earned them numerous accolades.
Sunday morning, get started at the same stage and same time as Saturday when Dave Jordan and the Neighborhood Improvement Association (pictured below: photo by Kate Gegenheimer) hits at 11 AM on the Esplanade Made in the Shade stage. Jordan is a fabulous singer/songwriter with a rockin’ roots band.
I am showing my partiality for Brazilian music, but you can’t go wrong with Chegadão for danceable grooves and scintillating guitar and percussion work. The band plays classics from Brazilian popular music with a decidedly New Orleans feel.
Some bands around town don’t play much due to the conflicting schedules of their in-demand members. Rory Danger and the Danger Dangers are packed with familiar faces from a variety of genres. When they come together a few times a year, expect to hear rockabilly rhythms with ace musicianship by a big band of killer players. They hit at 2:15 PM on the newish stage by Spanish Plaza.
I have not mentioned checking out the French Market Traditional Jazz stage yet. Suffice it to say that this is a spot to see some great swing dancing and even better musicianship. One of the best trad outfits plying their trade around town is Tuba Skinny. They hit at 4:15 PM.
The end of the day at the end of the French Quarter Fest is always a bittersweet time. Choices abound. Amazing drummer Shannon Powell leads his traditional jazz all-star band in Jackson Square. Vocalist extraordinaire Erica Falls (pictured at top), who has been touring with funk band Galactic, leads her own ensemble on the Riverfront Pavilion, and trombonist Corey Henry, also with Galactic, leads his Tremé Funktet on the Big River stage. But my money’s on Astral Project on the Esplanade in the Shade stage. There’s just something about hearing the premier modern jazz act in New Orleans outdoors.
