Monday, May 14, 2007
THE POD PEOPLE DELIVERED MY BABY
had my POD sent down from up north. found an apartment that didnt flood at all during katrina. and incredibly, the lady who owns the house just built a brand new shop in the back (she's worked doing carpentry/set design for 25 years) but had essentially no tools - only a little portable table saw. So when I offered to share my tools for the space she was more than amenable. Saved me having to sell the tools for cheap or pay 400/mo. rental. 
But more importantly, I've regained a sense, in the apartment, of my self, by having the different aspects of my personality surround me again. Plus I'm 2 blocks from 10 jazz and blues clubs with some of the best New Orleans has to offer. (In the pics, the owner paid for the crown and I installed the ceiling, window, and mirror/key holder treatments)
Went to jazz fest last Sunday and the featured artist, Alvin Batiste, a clarinet player who was the fore-runner of the modern jazz movement in NOLA around the time of Charlie Parker/Miles Davis, was unable to play because he'd passed away that morning. Well the best musicians in New Orleans were already on tap to pay tribute to the generous spirit (he'd taught all of the marsalis family, harry connick, nicolas payton, etc etc) of Mr. Batiste, and instead of cancelling it, they decided to do a New Orleans style send off.
The best were there and they played with inspiration. My God, what passion, emotion, joy, sadness, and exhiliration was shared with an audience deeply moved and appreciating. An incredible event to witness which gave proper perspective and depth to the superficial depictions of funerals and rites of passage which are so connected with NOLA.
The Allman Brothers were there and the best I'd ever seen them - Susan Tedeschi is married to Derek Trucks, the guitar player, and she came up and wowed the crowd. Bonnie Raitt and her band kicked the doors down too - sang her coolest stuff including the emotionally provocative "But I Will" - whew! believe me, it was pretty intense. Her piano player is a nawlins native who plays here all the time so the hometown crowd was fired up.
The one colorful pic is of Paul Schaffer with Bo Dalis and the Mardi Gras Indians dressed in their extremely labor intensive outfits (they MUST be all hand sewn or you're dismissed). There is a great deal of culture and hierarchy associated with Mard Gras which people are completely ignorant of, and which is both much more fascinating and more historically connected than just tits in the French Quarter.
All in all, Jazz fest is another remarkable new orleans event. In fact larger than Mardi Gras - and the food is to DIE for.
Speaking of which. My buddy Mike from Long Valley had business in NOLA and took me out to Emeril's (God bless his charge account!). ANOTHER Nawlin's marvel. THe Best escargot ever. and on and on....
But more importantly, I've regained a sense, in the apartment, of my self, by having the different aspects of my personality surround me again. Plus I'm 2 blocks from 10 jazz and blues clubs with some of the best New Orleans has to offer. (In the pics, the owner paid for the crown and I installed the ceiling, window, and mirror/key holder treatments)
Went to jazz fest last Sunday and the featured artist, Alvin Batiste, a clarinet player who was the fore-runner of the modern jazz movement in NOLA around the time of Charlie Parker/Miles Davis, was unable to play because he'd passed away that morning. Well the best musicians in New Orleans were already on tap to pay tribute to the generous spirit (he'd taught all of the marsalis family, harry connick, nicolas payton, etc etc) of Mr. Batiste, and instead of cancelling it, they decided to do a New Orleans style send off.
The best were there and they played with inspiration. My God, what passion, emotion, joy, sadness, and exhiliration was shared with an audience deeply moved and appreciating. An incredible event to witness which gave proper perspective and depth to the superficial depictions of funerals and rites of passage which are so connected with NOLA.The Allman Brothers were there and the best I'd ever seen them - Susan Tedeschi is married to Derek Trucks, the guitar player, and she came up and wowed the crowd. Bonnie Raitt and her band kicked the doors down too - sang her coolest stuff including the emotionally provocative "But I Will" - whew! believe me, it was pretty intense. Her piano player is a nawlins native who plays here all the time so the hometown crowd was fired up.
The one colorful pic is of Paul Schaffer with Bo Dalis and the Mardi Gras Indians dressed in their extremely labor intensive outfits (they MUST be all hand sewn or you're dismissed). There is a great deal of culture and hierarchy associated with Mard Gras which people are completely ignorant of, and which is both much more fascinating and more historically connected than just tits in the French Quarter.
All in all, Jazz fest is another remarkable new orleans event. In fact larger than Mardi Gras - and the food is to DIE for.
Speaking of which. My buddy Mike from Long Valley had business in NOLA and took me out to Emeril's (God bless his charge account!). ANOTHER Nawlin's marvel. THe Best escargot ever. and on and on....
