There truly is nothing like Day One at Jazz Fest. Once one steps foot on the sacred Fairgrounds for the first time, all the forethought, plotting and planning that goes into crafting an idyllic and tailor-made Fest experience starts unfolding, evolving and happening. As is always the case, the magic starts almost instantly and this year’s first day was no different as Allen Toussaint joined Guitar Slim Jr. for the very first three songs to be played in the Blues Tent. Just the tip of the iceberg of what’s in store for fans at the Fairgrounds and around town over the next ten days.
We’ll be hosting a good bit of coverage from our team at the Fairgrounds and around town alongside @LMBNOLA so stay tuned for photos, recaps and more from the Granddaddy of American music festivals. Continue below for a few highlights and fan tweets from Day One in the Crescent City at Jazz Fest 2013. Finally, if you can’t make it to NOLA you can still stream the WWOZ Tent action live at WWOZ.org or watch some of the bigger acts on AXS TV.
Soul Rebels Brass Band | Photo by Billy Morgan
HIGHLIGHTS
– Luther Dickinson joined Anders Osborne for the majority of his set on the Gentilly Stage that included a cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Franklin’s Tower.” (See Nola.com’s review here)
“This New Orleans-based artist, who wields a slide guitar with the precision of a surgeon and the ardor of a lover gone over the precipice of commitment, played as solid an hour’s worth of material as any sane listener could desire.”
– Allen Toussaint sat in with Guitar Slim Jr. for the first three songs to be performed in the Blues Tent on opening day.
– Dr. John unveiled his new band including Trombonist Sarah Morrow to rave reviews.
Photo Credit: Dr. John Facebook Page
– Gary Clark Jr. “really doesn’t smile alot“…but he sure can play!
– Sonny Landreth’s set in the Blues Tent is an annual can’t miss and judging by the meandering sounds that were coming from the WWOZ stream, this year’s set was no different.
– Terrence Simien gave a “Boston Strong” shout out on the Fais Do Do Stage before going into “Zydeco Boogaloo > I Want You Back.”
– John Mayer covered Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home”.
– The popular Cochon de Lait reportedly sold out before the music ended. Hungry people up in arms.
TWEETS
Good Morning! Gates are open for the first day of Jazz Fest 2013. The sun is shinning. Listen Live on http://t.co/UMHMjpDrmA #jazzfest13
— New Orleans JazzFest (@jazzfest) April 26, 2013
I love the clarity that results when finally stepping onto the Fair Grounds at @jazzfest #jazzfest
— Keith Spera (@KeithSpera) April 26, 2013
Jazz Fest is in full swing today! Still seeing people walk in to the fest pic.twitter.com/CvIJvQZMAn
— Monica Hernandez (@MonicaTVNews) April 26, 2013
Soul Rebels Brass Band of #NOLA kicking off the festivities jazzfest 2013 ¦ Photo by @Billym9 http://t.co/vRXUblReYc
— LIVE music blog (@livemusicblog) April 26, 2013
https://twitter.com/ChristineMiyagi/status/327858485704400897
#jazzfest2013 with #georgeporterjr Runnin' Pardners @khrisroyal sabiancymbals @vicfirth @ Jazz Fest… http://t.co/7GcpMpVYNd
— Terrence Houston (@Groove_Guardian) April 26, 2013
Anders and Luther doing Franklin's Tower at Gentilly #JerryLives @JazzFest 2013
— LMB NOLA (@lmbnola) April 26, 2013
Luther Dickinson of @nmallstars joining @Anders_Osborne onstage right now @Jazzfest 2013!
— LIVE music blog (@livemusicblog) April 26, 2013
Gary Clark Junior #jazzfest https://t.co/8LBhDET8h5
— 𝑠 𝑢 𝑠 𝑎 𝑛 𝑛 𝑎 (@susieeanna) April 26, 2013
Blues rocker @GaryClarkJr is commanding the #GentillyStage at #JazzFest! #NOLA pic.twitter.com/oPJenMB2L0
— GoNOLA (@GoNOLA504) April 26, 2013
#jazzfest watching Sonny Landreth and his unique style of finger-picking slide guitar!
— Vince McCambridge (@vinmcc) April 26, 2013
https://twitter.com/youngpapigrande/status/327897150002450432
Gary Clark jr #jazzfest New Orleans https://t.co/QQsuylL9lf
— Fender (@Fender) April 26, 2013
Sonny Landreth, live now on WWOZ, at the Blues Tent at Jazz Fest! Photo by Hunter King. #wwozjazzfest http://t.co/zkoUwCflfU
— WWOZ 90.7 FM (@wwoz_neworleans) April 26, 2013
https://twitter.com/mikemadden/status/327915571914100736
