Fri 4/19 @ 5PM
For the next nine days, the sounds of jazz will be heard around town, as the 34th annual Tri-C JazzFest gets into the meat of its programming (it has events leaking out on both the front end and back end as well — an abundance of musical riches).
Its opening salvo, “We’re Gonna Have a Funky Good Time,” is a free party in the lobby of PlayhouseSquare’s State Theatre from 5-7 pm.
Detroit guitarist Nadir Omowale, who fuses rock, funk, soul, hip-hop and jazz into a blazing, infectious mixture, will provide the event’s music. The Detroit Metro Times called his 2012 release The Book of Jonah “a dirty, honest little funk ’n’ roll record recalling George Clinton, early Stevie Wonder and the MC5 in a big sonic soup.” If you can’t get “Theme From Shaft” out of your head, you’ll love Nadir.
Once that party winds down, another will be getting ready to kick up inside the State Theatre Auditorium. At 8 pm, two of the most New Orleans’ most eminent musicians — Aaron Neville and Dr. John — will remind people why that city is such a music mecca, with a distinctive blend of sounds redolent of its multicultural backdrop and party spirit.
Neville’s achingly soulful vocals have been a part of the popular culture consciousness since his hit “Tell It Like It Is” in 1967. Since then, he’s always seemed to be around in one form or another, whether it’s making hit duets with Linda Ronstadt or performing with his family ensemble, the Nevilles.
Pianist/songwriter Dr. John aka Mac Rebennack has made some interesting records in his lengthy career which began in the late ’50s, often slyly playing on Louisiana’s reputation as a voodoo hotbed (He once called himself Dr. John the Night Tripper, and his debut album, 1968’s Gris-Gris, is steeped in voodoo lore).
He’s had a mid-sized hit here and there, but he’s mostly known for adding some of that voodoo flavor to other artists’ sounds as a producer and sideman with a list of credits that goes on for days and includes people like the Rolling Stones and Ringo Starr. In the process, he’s won six Grammys and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.
Together Neville and Rebennack will give you a taste of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage festival, which starts in a couple of weeks — and you don’t even have to get on a plane. Tickets are $45-$65.
Get a full JazzFest schedule and ticket information here.
