The 2010 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be special because I am moving down to the “Big Easy” in March, which eliminates one hassle of finding a cheap hotel room as in previous stays.

The highlights  are listed below and here are the complete lists (so far) for the 1st weekend and 2nd weekend.

• Pearl Jam
• Aretha Franklin
• Van Morrison
• Widespread Panic
• The Neville Brothers
• B.B. King
• Jeff Beck
• Irma Thomas
• Gipsy Kings
• The Dead Weather
• Elvis Costello & the Sugarcanes
• Teena Marie
• Allen Toussaint
• Gov’t Mule
• Average White Band
• Jose Feliciano
• Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers
• Maze feat. Frankie Beverly
• Kirk Franklin
• Wayne Shorter Quartet
• Gil Scott Heron
• Kenny Wayne Shepherd
• Clarence Carter
• Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band
• rest of the 2nd weekend

Tickets

Daily tickets are going fo $45 a day for either the 1st weekend or 2nd weekend.

Weekend passes are $120 for the 1st weekend and $160 for the 4 day 2nd weekend.

VIP Packages

The top VIP package called Big Chief Experience is $850 for the 1st weekend and $900 for the 2nd weekend. I did the Big Chief in 2005 and 2007 and my review of the 2007 version here.

My reviews for the 2nd weekend of 2007 –  Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3.

The Grand Marshall VIP Pass will give you a front row, standing room area that is barricaded off for the Acura Stage, Gentilly Stage and Congo Square Stage.  I did this in 2008 and made for some nice photo taking. The price is  $550 for the 1st weekend and $600 for the 2nd weekend.

My reviews for the 1st weekend of 2008 –  Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 and the 2nd weekend –  Day 1, Day 2 and Day 4.

Another VIP package that made its first appearance for 2009 is the Krewe of Jazz Fest and this gets you a covered area at the Acura Stage with dedicated restrooms and bar.  The 1st weekend is $350 and the 2nd weekend is $400.

There is a layaway option available for all the VIP packages, the basics are you pay 50% upfront and 100% of your fees and pay the remainder on March 1, 2010.  For more on this, go to the top right hand side of the Ticketmaster order page and click on the tab marked “Event Info”.

Other Ticket Options

The local public radio station, WWOZ, has the Brass Pass for $400 that is used to raise funds for their operations and I have used on occasion.  It is for both weekends, is transferable to another person and has a sweet hospitality tent where you can chill in between sets.  Great deal…

JazzFest at nite

If the day sessions are not enough for you, there are several venues around town at night to fill that need.  The best way to keep up with this is to head on over to JazzFestGrids.

Hotels

You can take a gander at the rates that the JazzFest folks have negotiated and if you are quick enough you might wind up with a decent deal.

If you use Hotwire or Priceline and wondering about the best deals and which hotels are covered, head on over to Swagland and he can give you the skinny on both.  It will save you tons of time and frustration.

Cuisine

The food at Fest is the best and I could give you recommendations, but they are too numerous to list.  I always do a run through and check out all the booths at the beginning of the weekend to scope out the new ones as well as my favorites.

Grabbing a reservation at night at some of the more popular restaurants can be a hassle as well as the place being crowded.  So beware…..

Any Other Questions

I have been going to JazzFest since the 80’s, so if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me.

My best advice from years of going to New Orleans:  It is a marathon, not a sprint. There are way too many things to do and never enough time.  Pace yourself accordingly….. it is all good..

The diverse initial lineup has several festival veterans that should bring the crowds, with more artists added at a later date.

July 23rd – Friday

• Bon Jovi
• Doobie Brothers
• Gladys Knight
• B-52s
• The O’Jays
• Colbie Caillat
• Richard Marx
• Gloriana
• Sam Bush
• Chrisette Michele

July 24th – Saturday

• Kenny Chesney
• Jason Aldean
• Al Green
• Michael McDonald
• John Kay & Steppenwolf
• Gov’t Mule
• Joan Osborne
• Musiq Soulchild
• War

July 25th – Sunday

• Dave Matthews Band
• Zac Brown Band
• Steve Miller Band
• Dwight Yoakam
• Loretta Lynn
• The Black Crowes
• Kansas
• 38 Special
• Taj Mahal

3 Day General Admission: Lawn seating for the Longfield Ave, 4th Street, Backstretch, and Paddock stages, reserved area to view the Main Stage, but specific seats will be available on a first come, first served basis.

• Advance Price (through March 9, 2010) $160
• Regular Price (Beginning March 10, 2010) $200

Single Day General Admission:

• Advance Price (through March 9, 2010) $60,  Day 1,  Day 2 or Day 3
• Regular Price (Beginning March 10, 2010) $75

Single Day Reserved Seats: Lawn seating for the Longfield Ave, 4th Street, Backstretch, and Paddock stages is available on a first come, first served basis.  Seats for the Main Stage will held based on the time of your order and the price of your ticket. Seats will be sold on a first come, first served basis with the seats nearest to the stage selling first.

• Regular Reserved Seat: $95 Day 1,  Day 2 or Day 3
• Preferred Reserved Seat: $160

VIP Tickets: exclusive access to hospitality areas adjacent to the Main, Longfield Ave and 4th Street stages, as well as access to a VIP lounge located in the infield. Discounted food and beverage offerings, upgraded restrooms, as well as a place to relax in the shade will be available to VIP guests in these locations. Include all amenities that come with the reserved seat ticket; however the reserved seat at the main stage will be located in the first 30 rows of the seating chart.

• 3 Day VIP ticket: $975
• Single day VIP ticket: $295 Day 1,  Day 2 or Day 3

No camping on site, so it is either opt for campgrounds nearby or hotels or you could be lucky enough to crash at some relatives house.

If you don’t have an iClips account, go here . What are you waiting for????

All times are Eastern and any updates to the schedule will be here.

Saturday, August 1

• 1:50 – Trail of Dead
• 3:05 – Electric Touch
• 3:55 – Heartless Bastards
• 4:40 – Seasick Steve
• 5:30 – Fleet Foxes
• 6:20 – The National
• 7:10 – Neko Case
• 8:00 – Black Gold

Sunday, August 2

• 1:10 – White Rabbits
• 1:50 – Cage the Elephant
• 2:40 – Cool Kids
• 3:30 – Postelles
• 4:10 – Chairlift
• 4:55 - Steel Train
• 5:45 – Tokyo Police Club
• 6:35 – TBA
• 7:25 – Gaslight Anthem
• 8:15 – Elbow
• 9:05 – Gogol Bordello
• 9:55 – TBA

If you don’t have an iClips account, go here and sign up and relax for the weekend.

All times are Eastern and any updates to the schedule will be here.

Friday, July 10

• 7:15pm – Todd Snyder
• 7:45pm – Les Claypool
• 9:15pm – TBA
• 10:00pm – Bob Weir & Ratdog
• 12:00am – Jackie Greene
• 12:45am – moe.

Saturday, July 11

• 6:30pm – Yonder Mountain String Band
• 8:00pm – Lake Trout
• 8:30pm – STS9
• 10:00pm – Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk
• 10:45pm – Ben Harper & RELENTLESS7
• 12:15am – TBA
• 1:00am – Umphrey’s McGee

Sunday, July 12

• 2:40pm – Tea Leaf Green
• 3:55pm – BK3 feat. Bill Kreutzmann
• 4:55pm – Dark Star Orchestra

The iClips folks will  start in Rothbury, MI this weekend with their FREE live Couch Tour of Music Festivals, which also includes Mile High in Denver in a couple of weeks,  All Points West at the end of the month, Lollapalooza the following weekend and ending at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on Oct 2nd – 4th.   Very Nice……

I plan on spending a bit of time on my rear end this long July 4th weekend, so this fits right in with my plan to watch a couple of Cubs games, eat well and drink a bit of Wild Turkey.  A couple of hours of SCI goes right along with that…. as well as Brett Dennen , Grace Potter, Toots and Umphrey’s McGee.  Hmmm,  might need more Wild Turkey.

So if you don’t have an iClips account, go here and sign up.  Doesn’t cost anything and you get to see great music for the rest of the summer and into the fall.

All times are Eastern , and of course are subject to change.  All updated info is here.

Friday, July 3

• 1:45pm · King Sunny Ade
• 2:45pm · Brett Dennen
• 3:30pm · G. Love and Special Sauce
• 4:15pm · Keller Williams
• 6:30pm · Damian Marley and NAS
• 8:00pm · Toubab Krewe
• 8:45pm · The String Cheese Incident
• 12:30am · The Disco Biscuits

Saturday, July 4

• 1:30pm · Ralph Stanley
• 2:15pm · Martin Sexton
• 3:30pm · Jackie Greene
• 4:45pm · Son Volt
• 5:30pm · The Black Crowes
• 7:00pm · Railroad Earth
• 8:30pm · John Butler
• 10:00pm · Lotus
• 11:30pm · STS9

Sunday, July 5

• 1:45pm · Toots and the Maytals
• 3:00pm · Four Finger Five
• 3:45pm · Yonder Mountain String Band
• 5:15pm · The Hard Lessons
• 6:00pm · Willie Nelson
• 7:30pm · Grace Potter
• 8:45pm · Flogging Molly
• 10:00pm · Ani DiFranco
• 11:45pm · Matisyahu
• 1:00am · Umphrey’s McGee

Had a great time back in 2007. Will I make a return trip this year?  Ton of music in City Park and people watching in the French Quarter on All Hallow’s Eve certainly has its allure.

A lot of these bands I have never seen before but no Galactic or Bonerama???

• KISS
• Eminem
• Janes Addiction
• Widespread Panic
• The Flaming Lips
• Justice
• Gogol Bordello
• Wolfmother
• Street Sweeper Social Club
• Eagles of Death Metal
• The Black Keys
• The Pogues
• Ween
• Silversun Pickups
• Janelle Monae
• The Cool Kids
• Meat Puppets
• Mutemath
• Q-Tip
• Fischerspooner
• Brand New
• D12
• American Bang
• Generational
• Earl Greyhound
• Squirrel Nut Zippers
• Black Lips
• Down
• Mates of State
• All Time Low
• Robert Randolph & the Family Band
• The Knux
• George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
• JJ Grey & Mofro
• Alejandro Escovedo
• Shooter Jennings
• Sarah Quintana
• Drive-By Truckers
• Eric Church
• Ledisi
• Rebirth Brass Band
• New Orleans Bingo! Show
• Leroy Jones Group
• Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue All Stars
• Big Sam’s Funky Nation
• Benjy Davis Project
• Papa Grows Funk
• DJ Soul Sister
• Rotary Downs
• Andrew Duhon & The Lonesome Crows
• MarchFourth Marching Band
• Amanda Shaw
• Cyril Nevilles Blues Revue with Tab Benoit, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & Johnny Sansone
• Beausoleil
• Leo Jackson & The Melody Clouds
• John Mooney & Bluesiana
• Quintron & Miss Pussycat
• Fleur De Tease
• Suplecs
• Little Freddie King
• Preservation Hall Stars with Special Guests
• The Happy Talk Band
• Lil Brian and the Zydeco Travelers
• Why Are We Building Such A Big Ship?
• Ratty Scurvics
• Mynameisjohnmichael
• Loose Marbles
• Luke Winslow King
• Dan Dyer
• Walter “Wolfman” Washington & The Roadmasters with The Dirty Dozen Horns
• New Orleans Klezmer AllStars
• Glasgow
• Leroy Jones
• Mas Mamones
• Zydepunks
• White Bitch
• New Orleans Jazz Vipers
• The Vettes
• Lucys Walk
• Erick Baker
• TBC Brass Band
• MC Trachiotomy
• Bones
• From Legends to Nancy
• Brother Taisuke Mass Choir
• Katey Red & DJ Papa,  Big Freedia, Sissy Nobby
• Davis Rogan

3 day passes with no surcharges are going for $169 and the VIP passes will set you back $475 for extras such as lunch and dinner buffets, reserved parking, raised viewing areas and much more.

Outside of Telluride

Been off doing the working thing and not doing any updates since my last trip to Telluride, but here I am again for the Telluride Jazz Celebration.

Since I left the “Cubicle From Hell” at the end of 2008, my intention was to take a few months off, eat well, gain a few pounds and work a bit on this website and a few other ideas I have in my head. About a week went by and had a phone call from somebody I worked with a long time ago inquiring about my availability.  I was initially reluctant but said he was looking for people to work from home.

Long story short, I moved from the “CFH” to the “Man Cave” and it is a much happier place to be….  but my original intentions went totally down the toilet.  Well, I have gained a few pounds.

So I am back in the mountains for a little time away and here is what I have to offer as far as pics.  My camera abilities seemed to have went to hell on Friday watching On The One and Ozomatli so that is why no photos of them, my bad…

Eyvind Kang (viola), Rudy Royston (drums) and Bill Frisell

Kenny Walker (bass), Paul Romaine (drums)

Telluride Jazz Allstars

Marco Benevento

Marco Benevento and Joe Russo

I am a little partial to the bands from New Orleans ( ok, a lot partial) so that is why I have a few more shots of them vs. other bands.  I first saw Christian play with Donald Harrison several years ago and caught him with his own band at Voodoo Fest in 2007.  A huge talent and if he is ever near you, make sure to catch a performance.

Christian Scott Quintet

Christian Scott Quintet

Christian Scott Quintet

Whatever butts where not out of the seats for Christian’s set, Rebirth Brass Band unearthed the rest of them.  I can’t count how many times I have seen these guys over the years and even with a revolving crew of musicians they still are always a crowd favorite.

Rebirth Brass Band

Bill Frisell Trio

A great way to end Saturday with the funk of Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe.  Met him last year at JazzFest and was  not only nice but extremely funny.

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe

The Balloon Festival was also going on this weekend and Rebirth did a 2nd line down Main St after the fest with the Balloon Glow.  Wind was up a bit so the balloons were not out but they did have a few people letting off a little gas.

Rebirth Brass Band On Main St.

Rebirth Brass Band on Main St.

Young Rascalzz Jazz Project

Kenny Walker Sextet

Kenny Walker Sextet

The Donald Harrison Quintet started off playing straight jazz but toward the end of the set had the peep’s on their feet with New Orleans standards such as  ”Iko Iko” and “Hey Pocky Way”.  Huge kudos to the piano player who came down with altitude sickness but never missed a beat inhaling oxygen from a bottle the whole set.  And for all the trivia buffs out there, I did not know that Christian is Donald’s nephew.

Donald Harrison Quintet

Donald Harrison Quintet

Donald Harrison Quintet

Donald Harrison Quintet

Donald Harrison Quintet

Hands down my favorite performance of the weekend was Lizz Wright.  Not sure why she has not crossed my radar before but will be on my list as a must see in the DFW area or elsewhere.  Not only great with her band but her voice certainly was fantastic a cappella.

Lizz Wright

Lizz Wright

The weekend ended with the Jimmy Herring Band with just straight up instrumental.  Super tight band but after a few songs with the wind picking up and the sun going down, it was back to the hotel.  Another great weekend in the Rocky Mountains….

Jimmy Herring Band

I have been on the sidelines in regards to this website since I got back from Telluride as I finished up my contracting job, otherwise known as the “Cubicle from Hell”.  My last day was Dec. 30th and now my plan for the next few months is to take some time off, do a bit of traveling and do some cosmetic work to this website as well as probably start a couple others.  More on that in the future….

Festival plans for 2009 to this point only include JazzFest back in New Orleans and probably back to Telluride for Blues and Brews Festival but Wakarusa moving to Mulberry Mountain in Arkansas sounds intriguing also.

Speaking of the “Big Easy”, if you are interested in the supporting the work of some fantastic musicians from New Orleans, head on over to Threadhead Records.   This non-profit organization was started by some great people that reside on the forum for the JazzFest website and so far have raised over $70,000 for helping artists with getting their CD’s recorded.  The goal is for the musicians to pay the organization back with a bit of a premium going to the New Orleans Musicians Clinic, another worthy endeavor.

Enjoy your New Year’s Day and  I will be back with a vengeance here in the next couple of weeks as I do my best to inform you of what is going on in the music festival world.

The Blind Boys Of Alabama

Jimmy Carter of The Blind Boys of Alabama

Next up was The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and I was not sure what to expect but the festival program said something like ” Robert Johnson on crack”.  After about 20 minutes, I was thinking a high octane version of George Clooney’s movie ” Where Art Thou”.  Highly entertaining.

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band

Two Louisiana bands again were sandwiched in the middle of the lineup, The Chris Thomas King Band and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, to bring a bit of life to the crowd.

The Chris Thomas King Band

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Roger Lewis of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

The Derek Trucks Band made their appearance as the sun was setting and the temperature dropping.  Susan Tedeschi came out toward the end to lend her own special sets of skills and to get the crowd warmed up for the closer of the festival.

The Derek Trucks Band

The Derek Trucks Band

The Derek Trucks Band

Etta James…. How could I come up with enough adjectives to describe the Queen of the Blues???  I haven’t seen her in a few years and was not sure what to expect since she has had medical problems recently.

Well. the Lady still has the spunk, sassiness and the voice of angels that I have come to know in the many times I have seen her.  For a little over one hour, she captivated the crowd with her usual antics with the band and singing old standards such as “You Can Leave Your Hat On” and “Sugar On the Floor”.

Does it get any better than Etta James singing “At Last” in the backdrop of beautiful mountains of Telluride???

Not in my mind….

Etta James

Etta James

Etta James

At the end of the show, she walks offstage and sits on her scooter and I thought was headed to the back of the stage.  Instead, she took a sharp right, cuts across the stage, almost takes out her two guitar players and then assumes the position below.  Classic….

Etta James

The day started out with Trampled Under Foot, a family band that won the International Blues Competition earlier this year.  Nick Schnebelen won the Albert King Award for most promising guitarist and sister Danielle has a commanding voice as well as skills on the bass.  I highly recommend if they come through your area.

Trampled Under Foot

Trampled Under Foot

Next up were two Louisiana acts that got the crowd on their feet or at least dancing in place as their were standing in line for beer.  I have seen Big Sam’s Funky Nation several times and they put on their usual high energy show. Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers continued with his own twist on zydeco that raised the electricity level even higher.

Big Sam's Funky Nation

Big Sam's Funky Nation

Big Sam's Funky Nation

Big Sam's Funky Nation

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers

Closing out the day were the John Butler Trio, G-Love and the Special Sauce and Gov’t Mule.  First time I have seen JBT live and the guys from Australia certainly know how to bring it to the stage.  G-Love continued with his hip hop blues and Mule was excellent as usual with Susan Tedeschi and Ron Holloway making appearances.

John Butler Trio

John Butler

G-Love

G-Love

G-Love with John Butler

G-Love with "Big Sam"

Gov't Mule