Yesterday was Locals Day at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, but today had its own headliners with local ties - Wilco featured former New Orleans resident John Stirratt, and Jeff Tweedy who introduced himself as a neighbor from upriver (St. Louis, to be exact.) They kicked off with Ashes American Flags from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and ended with Outta Mind (Outta Sight) with almost two dozen songs in-between.
Across the Fest, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds brought out surprise guest Jimmy Buffet (barefoot for casual Friday) who sat in on A Pirate Looks at Forty. Buffet noted, "Allen Toussaint brought this weather today" after a rocky first weather weekend. Matthews enthused: "There is no place as unique and creative and amazing and resilient as New Orleans. This is a treasure." The regard is mutual, at Matthews' 2001 set the Fest experienced its largest-ever attendance of 160,000. It's possible tomorrow that record will be broken with Stevie Wonder on a sunny Saturday after his set was rained out last year.
Over at Congo Square, Earth Wind & Fire kept a packed crowd dancing with hit after hit. When they played Sing a Song, the audience did just that in easily the biggest crowd Congo Square has seen at Jazz Fest this year. Force of nature Verdine White and the band haven't lost a beat.
In homegrown talent heard along the track, New Orleans rockers The Revivalists” wound up their Still Feeling Good From Yesterday tour at the Acura Stage. And NOLA trumpeter Terence Blanchard Featuring the E-Collective played a set so funky the heavy weather was indoors.
Local vocal royalty Germaine Bazzle sang standards about the smitten and smittees, punctuated by her inimitable air trombone. Todd Duke on guitar and Roderick Paulin on soprano sax added to the warm tones.
Big Chief Little Charles (Taylor) and the White Cloud Hunters played the Jazz & Heritage Stage with classics including Indian Red. Big Chief is looking healthy thanks to Dr. John helping raise funds to pay for a perscription that kept him alive until his liver transplant. Giving praise over in the Gospel Tent, The Zulu Ensemble sang “Yes We Can,” sporting black and gold.
Louisiana guitar legend Sonny Landreth wailed like the Devil was after his soul, more impressive after finding out he was out late performing as most local musicians have been doing this week. The day was punctuated by second lines, Cuban conga lines and in honor of Cinco De Mayo – Mariachis.
Next up, Stevie Wonder, Meghan Trainor, Snoop Dogg and Blues Traveler wind down the weekend and Jazz Fest 2017.