Issue Articles
Fest Focus: Little Feat
When Little Feat’s founding member and songwriting visionary Lowell George died in 1979, the seemingly permanent end of the band prompted Bonnie Raitt to say, “I miss Little Feat like […]
B.B. King: It’s Good to Be King
The King Of The Blues needs no introduction. Like the voice of Billie Holiday or the saxophone of John Coltrane, B.B. King’s unmistakable guitar tone transcends age, race, gender and […]
Ray Charles
If fate has a bookie, the early line on Ray Charles’ chances for success would have attracted only the most desperate gamblers. After being born into extreme poverty in Albany, […]
Fest Focus: Celia Cruz
Salsa, like jazz, is a word that cannot be confined by one definition. It is a colorful music, fueled by history, intense with tradition. Salsa is made up of a […]
Fest Focus: Archie Shepp
When thinking of the great, innovative saxophone players that came up in the 1960s, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman come to mind. Unfortunately, Archie Shepp has almost been […]
Food Fest: An Informal Survey On What to Eat at the Fair Grounds
Maybe they should call it jazz, heritage and eats. It’s got a ring to it. But since they probably won’t here’s some culinary commentary geared to our annual celebration of […]
Fest Focus: Black Stalin
Jazz Fest got lucky this year. When it booked calypsonian Black Stalin to appear on the first Saturday, nobody knew that the pygmy-sized ball of fire was about to win […]
Mr. Harold Dejan: A Life in Music Examined
Harold “Duke” Dejan, the 86-year-old leader of Dejan’s Olympia Brass Band, had come to the backyard studio of producer/Olympia trumpet player Milton Batiste on this April morning to be interviewed. […]
Fest Focus: Ivan Neville
When a guy like Keith Richards says you’re partying too hard, it’s probably time to slow down. That, at least, is how Ivan Neville sees it. The 35-year-old son of […]
Alex Chilton Lets Them Scream
Alex Chilton is strolling through the women’s clothing section of the Woolworth’s at Rampart and Canal, discussing astrology and rain coats. Astrology had come up a few moments ago at […]
