Did I take my camera everywhere I went this year at Jazzfest? No. I set out to enjoy my vacation free of the lens a bit more than last year. However, when I did take it, I nailed a few gems. Here’s a small sampling of The Radiators w/Little Feat’s Paul Barrere (the grease was laid down thick at SNAFU), Michael Franti & Spearhead at HOB (epic), Stephen Marley at the Fairgrounds (He opened with “Sun is Shining”!!! Bob Marley was summoned and channeled thru his son), and Snooks w/George Porter.

Jazzfest 2007 Photos

Highlights I WISHED I caught on camera:

The Meters w/Derek Trucks – I’ve seen the Meters dozens of times, but never have I heard anything so fluid and soul-driven funk like I heard on Saturday night at the House of Blues. This show was the dark horse of the weekend and blew everyone away.

John Mayer – a personal highlight for me getting Jonah ONstage and watching John Mayer play from right next to Mayer’s keyboard player. (Thank you Doug!)

Joss Stone – phew, can you say pipes??? Slinky dress and all – she played an incredible set and Jonah and Eden and the Sanders kids, Casey and Dylan were escorted to the front of the stage in the media riser to watch her. I know Jonah was psyched. She threw long stemmed lilies to the kids after her encore.

Dumpstaphunk – 110 degree inside Tipitina’s did NOT stop the funk – it only FUELED IT. There is no stopping Dumpstaphunk, they continue to rein supreme as the funkiest band on the planet.

It was a super quality friends and family Jazzfest. Joy can’t even begin to describe the weekend that we had together. The one and only problem with Jazzfest…is the end of it. The re-entry back into reality is the toughest thing to do when experiencing such joyous heights.

For your movie viewing enjoyment, check out this little snippet that Jill Vandercar took of one MJ introducing the Rads for the 2nd set of GREASE SNAFU (thank you Kingsley!)

 

Enjoy All!

 

-MJ