A Night in New Orleans up North in New York
This year marks the tenth anniversary of my inaugural visit to New Orleans. After I graduated from Tulane, it took me a full five years to return to the scene of the dazzle, the glitter, the charm, the excitement of the Crescent City.
Whenever I miss New Orleans, I usually manage to find a musical surrogate to guide me through the longing. Fortunately in New York, the jazz scene is deep and varied to include some of the best New Orleans musicians who manage to appear here on any given weekend. I recently had what I consider to be one of my best concert experiences ever, right at the House of Swing, Jazz at Lincoln Center.
By all accounts, my jazz knowledge is strictly cursory, but if it makes my head nod, a smile cross my face, or if I occasionally recognize a favorite song, it's all good enough for me. I had a chance to attend a rare pre-performance lecture by some of the most respected jazz musicians, who were convened to discuss the history of New Orleans Jazz. Yes, a truly expansive topic for 60 minutes, but it was a great primer for the concert.
Victor Goines (clarinet and soprano saxophone), “Papa” Don Vappie (banjo and guitar), and Wycliffe Gordon (trombone), were panelists for the lecture moderated by Ken Druker, JALC’s education director. The musicians were participants in a special concert extolling the timeless musical genius of Louis Armstrong (trumpet), Jelly Roll Morton (piano), Joe King Oliver (trumpet), and Sidney Bechet (clarinet).
Druker opened up the evening’s conversation. “Yes, it’s a rare opportunity that we have tonight to have all of these fine musicians with us.” Suddenly, Druker sent out a call, “In New Orleans, we say it’s..?” To which the audience responded, “Lagniappe!” which is Creole for a little something extra.
Vappie, a New Orleans native, discussed how New Orleans had been a global center from the time of its founding, with origins in French, Spanish, Caribbean, Native American, and African cultural traditions. New Orleans was more of a European city with as many as three opera houses in the 1800s.
Wycliffe Gordon, who originally hailed from Georgia, told the audience how his love of jazz came from listening to early Louis Armstrong recordings as a teen. He found it exciting to play New Orleans jazz because of the degree of improvisation that had been afforded them in the special series. “I understand the role of the clarinet, the trumpet, the bass, and the drums. When we play, we are the composer. Everyone takes on a role in the participation. It’s a gumbo!”
Victor Goines, grew up in New Orleans, and is now the director of jazz studies and professor of music at Northwestern University. He previously was the artistic director of the jazz program at the Juilliard School for seven years. He also served as the concert’s music director.
Goines provided commentary about one of the evening’s subjects, trumpeter Joe King Oliver. “The term ‘king’ got passed around between trumpet players. King Oliver was a very powerful leader. He was one of the most popular soloists in jazz, and he toured with Louis Armstrong.”
Druker asked the panel, “Who invented jazz?” Vappie joked, “Jelly Roll Morton said that he did!”
Victor Goines was asked about the strong soloist who was credited for moving jazz forward, Sidney Bechet. “Bechet was an innovator. He came up in his music. He said it was his band and melody. He was an outstanding individual who had one competitor, Louis Armstrong.”
Wycliffe Gordon reiterated why he had such respect for Louis Armstrong. “I feel close to Armstrong spiritually. When you see the film footage when he visited Africa on the State Department tours, warring factions called truces just to watch Louis Armstrong play. He has a sound that is noticeable. He was very distinctive. He influenced American music in general, including singers and soloists.”
Victor Goines added about Armstrong, “Pops lived his music. We just study it now.”
Gordon nodded in agreement, “Yes, the way Pops played was just melodious.”
Vappie concluded, “Jazz is part of the culture of New Orleans, so it is a part of our life. It is social music.”
Later in the evening, the party continued, as other sons of the Crescent City joined in the celebration, including Troy “Trombone” Shorty (trombone, trumpet), Jonathan Batiste (piano), Reginald Veal (bassist), Herlin Riley (drums) and trumpeter Marcus Printup. It was a jazz extravaganza of epic proportions. New Orleans native, Wendell Pierce was the evening’s host and narrator.
Pierce, best known for his work on the HBO show, The Wire, weaved bawdy,humorous,and colorful stories about each of the jazz legends of the Crescent City throughout the concert. At the concert's close, the audience erupted in thunderous applause, and gave a rousing standing ovation. Amidst cheers, everyone danced as the ensemble returned to the stage, only to proceed moments later into the audience to form a raucous second-line.
As they say in New Orleans, Laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll)!
Manhattan in Arts/Culture, New Orleans, New York, Nonprofit