A NOLA Night in NYC - August 23

This past weekend, Lincoln Center hosted an outdoor concert for the 25th Annual Roots of American Music Festival. Saturday's event was called "The Heart of New Orleans" and on the bill was some of New Orleans' greats ... Hot 8 Brass Band, Shamarr Allen, Marc Stone, Irma Thomas and our very dear friends, John Boutte, Leroy Jones, Todd Duke and Peter Harris!

It was a perfect night. Weather was beautiful, and the crowd was feeling the vibe. I got there about 6:30 and was met at the side of the stage by Lee. He gave me a wrist band so I could hang backstage with them and watch the show from there. When I saw John, he ran at me and just about jumped into my arms (quite the greeting, I must say!). Can't believe I haven't seen him since FQF!

John, Lee, Todd and Peter took the stage at 7pm. Lee was absolutely brilliant, Todd amazing and John, well, was sheer perfection. Even though he was a bit under the weather and felt like he was only at 70%, he really was at 200%. Incredible!! They opened with Louisiana 1927 (of course, I cried), and also did Good Neighbor, Sisters, Broke Down the Door/Treme Song, Door Poppin', Southern Man, Lipstick Traces, Skylark and then he did it ... American Tune, a cappella. Again, I cried like a baby. He had mentioned earlier that he didn't think he had the voice to do it, but he found it ... and the crowd went nuts! It was really an amazing sight to see 200+ people standing and staring in awe at the power of his voice. They closed with When The Saints Go Marching In.

I drove the boys back to their hotel after the show - everyone was exhausted ... Lee had played the Hall on Friday and was on about 3 hours sleep, Todd was spent and as I mentioned, John wasn't feeling well. But, I have to say that the car ride was one of the funniest moments I've ever spent with those guys. John was on fiyah!! Todd said he wished he had a tape recorder so he could capture all of the John-isms that were flying out of his mouth. We laughed so hard and so much in such a short period of time. It was just silly and great and I wished that moment could've gone on forever...

It was such a fun and wonderful night, and it made me realize even more how much I love NOLA, love my friends and how much I am missing them both.

A Side by Side Comparison: The Gelfond vs. The Broussard Uniclutch

This Just In: The Broussard Uniclutch Leapfrogs The Old-Fashioned Gelfond

Hot off the wires today.

SatchmoFest Part Deux

A few other memories -- Lee doing "The Signifying Monkey" at what's the name of that place again across from Mona Lisa whose name I always block out?; Carol fighting for our rights at Drgaon's Den; and hearing Ivan Neville, Ian Neville and George Porter at The Balcony Club.

So Sorry I Missed It!

Had a GREAT time in Sydney, but thought often of my friends attending Satchmo Fest.

The hotel I stayed in Sydney served tots every morning for breakfast and because of the time difference between Sydney and NOLA, it is possible that we were all eating tots at the same time.

First Dispatch from SatchmoSummerFest

First off, to our great SatchmoFest friends, Kevin, Ed, Maria, Noam and Elise -- you get a pass this year, but never again! You missed another amazing experience -- and the only thing that would have made it better would have been your presence!

So where to start? Great music, great food, great friends, great wine....I guess that about covers it! And a full krewe including Brent, Carol, Jon and Dorothy, Steve and Linda, Kim, Barri and Ellen, Bill, Pat, Lee and Katja.

Here's a fast rundown:

Friday -- a pre-release party for Bin 504 at 822, followed by the SatchmoStrut down Frenchmen Street and dinner at 13, a trip to Preservation Hall to see the great Leroy Jones and Katja Toivola at Preservation Hall, followed by a rejuvenated Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers at Blue Nile.

Saturday -- tattoos at Electric Ladyland, great music at SatchmoSummerFest, dinner for 14 at Marigny Brasserie, Soul Rebels at Blue Nile and a late, late, late night at 13 (featuring the world premiere of "King Tot".

Sunday -- more music at SatchmoFest (including a wonderful performance by the Helsinki Connection, dinner at Maximo's, and a late night tour of clubs including a live recording by Marlon Jordan, Glen David Andrews at DBA and a vocalist doing headstands at the Apple Barrel.

And Monday including bike riding in the Quarter, drinks at 13 and a wonderful evening at Kermit's place featuring George French and Germaine Bazzle.

So what have we left out? A thousand and one memories of friendship, laughter and general silliness including Gaby sitting in the front row during Lee and Katja's performance; the unveliling of King Tot and The Tot family; Bill and Pat's postcard; the hotel pool; the conspiracy theory at Marigny Brasserie; dancing at the Blue Nile; closing down 13 and playing In the Waiting Line 50 times; the signed Bonerama poster; Bin 504!; making wedding plans with Jon and Dorothy; Hogshead cheese; Treme, Shmarr Allen....

Hoping others can help fill in the blanks and contribute their pictures.

Thanks to everyone for another splendid, splendid time. Wish we could do it every weekend!