After an excellent first day of Jazzfest, I headed to Tipitina’s around 9:30pm (April 24, 2009) to partake in the second night of Fess Jazztival. My initials plans were to catch bluesman Eric Lindell and the reunion of the Wild Magnolias Mardi Gras Indians featuring Big Chief Bo Dollis and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, but due to some scheduling confusion, by the time that had I arrived Eric Lindell had already played. Disappointed but not daunted, I used this opportunity to hang around and slip into Galactic’s [2:00am to] sunrise set.

After witnessing the reunion of Big Chief Bo Dollis and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux with the Wild Magnolias at Tipitina's on Saturday, my first stop at Jazzfest on Sunday, April 26th was at the Jazz & Heritage stage where Big Chief Monk and his tribe of Golden Eagles delivered an entrancing set of Indian Funk. Joined by such musicians as Jimmy Carpenter (sax), Billy Iuso (guitar), Margie Perez (vocals), Eric Heigle (drums) and many others, Monk, along with his fully feathered tribe, belted out an exciting boogaloo gumbo that put a hypnotic spell on everyone around.

Yes, I did miss out on SXSW this year. And, yes, I was pretty bummed about it. But every cloud has a silver lining (or something like that), right!? And it just so happened that my misfortune and the previous weekend’s poor weather caused Super Sunday to be rescheduled to March 22nd. For those who don’t know, Super Sunday marks one of the most authentic and exciting cultural events in the country. On the Sunday nearest to Saint Joseph’s Day (March 19th), the Mardi Gras Indian tribes of New Orleans parade the streets for their final procession of the season. This grand spectacle is one of the Crescent City’s richest traditions. I, in addition to many others, can attest that, year-in-and-year-out, Super Sunday is unquestionably the best day of the year. Below, you’ll find a super photoblog from Super Sunday along with a brief description of Mari Gras Indian culture.

It's that time again... time for the monthly photoblog.  February was a phenomenal month for music in New Orleans.  And it'll only get better as the festival season approaches.  Featured in this post are: the Derek Trucks Band, Erik Mongrain, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, James "12" Andrews, Revert "Peanut" Andrews, Glen Andrews, Glen David Andrews, Theresa Andersson, MyNameIsJohnMichael, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Billy Iuso, Rob Wagner, Simon Lott, Jesse Morrow, the Annuals, Jessica Lea Mayfield, What Laura Says, Susan Tedeschi, James Hunter, Derek Huston, Flow Tribe, The Revivalists, Hightide Blues, and Funk.Soul.Family.

Wednesday, February 18th 2009 was tragic day for the New Orleans Music Community.  This day, native New Orleanian and urban blues legend, Snooks Eaglin passed away.  Truly gifted and incomparably talented, the blind bluesman’s magnetic presence and endless repertoire made him one of the most beloved musicians in this city’s long, storied history.  His legacy is sure to live on in the city he loved so dearly.

Thus, it was in a rather somber mood that I approached the final week of the Mardi Gras season.  I sought solace in a sound that Snooks helped to create: Indian Funk – a sound rooted in tribal rhythms, call-and-response chants, and New Orleans funk.  Initially developed by The Wild Magnolias in the early 70s, today, the 101 Runners uphold and enrich this authentic and invigorating tradition.  This night joined by another seminal pioneer of the Mardi Gras Indian sound (former member of The Wild Magnolias and current member of the Golden Eagles) Big Chief Monk Boudreax (who also played a significant role in The Wild Magnolias’ recordings), the 101 Runners kicked off the biggest celebration in the United States at the Maple Leaf.