Thoughts, observations, and opinions from the Fairgrounds about Jazz Fest 2015 from Web Editor Stephen Maloney.
On the final day of Jazz Fest 2015, Cyril Neville had to be the hardest working man at the Fairgrounds as the celebrations wound down for another year.
Neville joined the always electrifying Glen David Andrews on stage in the Blues Tent, and the dynamic duo got the crowd up and moving in an instant.
Photo by Stephen Maloney
Andrews was resplendent in a suit that was several shades of pink, from iridescent to a soft and muted hue.
Just after his appearance in the Blues Tent, Neville made his way over to the Acura Stage to enliven the Meters’ set.
Seeing the original Meters playing together is always a treat, and the addition of Neville’s soulful vocals added a dose of energy that really bumped things up to the next level.
The crowd responded accordingly.
It was something of a Neville family reunion during the Meters set, with Art Neville playing the organ, Ivan Neville playing the keyboards, and Cyril singing.
George Porter Jr. seemed to act as the pivot point for the entire project, working his way around from drums to organ to Leo Nocentelli’s side while the classic lineup steadily pumped out classic Meters grooves.
Over on the Gentilly Stage, the Radiators put on an amazing Radiators set. I think I’ve seen them more often since they broke up than I ever did while they were still together.
Steve Winwood, ever the under appreciated musical genius, put on an absolutely amazing show for anyone lucky enough to be in the vicinity of the Gentilly Stage.
Winwood played everything from tracks from John Barleycorn Must Die to “Gimmie Some Lovin’,” “Higher Love,” and “Changes” from Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsies days.
Photo by Stephen Maloney
You really couldn’t have asked for a better Classic Rock sampler.
Lenny Kravitz drew a huge crowd at the Acura Stage, although it wasn’t unbearably packed like it was last Saturday for Elton John.
Kravitz proved instantly that he still has it, quickly working the crowd into a 90s style love fest as everyone sang along to “Let Love Rule.”
Trombone Shorty knocked it out of the ballpark with his closing set, as he does every year.
That kid’s going to make something of himself one of these days.
Over on the Lagniappe Stage, just before Shorty’s set, the always fabulous Bobby Lounge was wheeled out in his trademark “iron lung” at the start of his reliably campy Southern Gothic piano set.
Lounge, also known as Dub Brock of McComb, Mississippi, rocked a bed sheet topped with his signature plumed shoulder piece.
Not a bad end to a long Festival Season in New Orleans.
What was your favorite Jazz Fest moment from 2015?
