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Monday, 24 August 2009
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Pauls take on New Orleans Jazzfest
Paul Gurney
· Lead vocalist and guitarist with The DeSotos
· 30 years performing in the music industry
· Former advertising industry agency head
· Four time attendee of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – ‘04/’05/’07/’09
Ok, so first things first. Jazz Fest, as it is universally referred to, is not just a jazz music festival. The word heritage in its name seems to cover just about every music form other than jazz; blues, country, bluegrass, jam band, funk, rock, zydeco…you get the idea.
If you are a jazz lover there is plenty of choice, with tents catering for all forms of contemporary and traditional jazz. But it is the sheer diversity of music that attracts so many people. The one consistent theme is the overall quality of both the acts and the sound mixes.
The USA invented the outdoor rock concert, and nobody stages an event as well as they can.
The festival is held over the last weekend of April and first weekend in May, and there are three days off between weekends where you can indulge in local tours of everything from a swamp to the local graveyard! Or go further north to cities such as Memphis or Nashville if that’s your thing.
I personally like to stay local as there is so much activity in New Orleans during this time it’s hard to leave.
Jazz Fest is held at the local racecourse, converted each year into a series of outdoor and tented sound stages – some 11 in all. And the mood is more WOMAD than BDO, with an array of food stalls delivering all manner of fabulous Creole and Cajun food, and many craft stalls selling the best of the local artisans’ work.
And then of course there is the French Quarter itself, home to some of the best architecture, night clubs and restaurants in the world.
This tour offers you the chance to share the Jazz Fest experience with a small group of like-minded music lovers and get the best tips on music, clubs and restaurants, while still being independent on the ground.
If you are up for the heat, the crowds, occasional thunderstorms, and the walking, then you’ll be rewarded with seven days of music heaven.
http://www.thedesotos.com/ www.myspace.com/thedesotos
· Lead vocalist and guitarist with The DeSotos
· 30 years performing in the music industry
· Former advertising industry agency head
· Four time attendee of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – ‘04/’05/’07/’09
Ok, so first things first. Jazz Fest, as it is universally referred to, is not just a jazz music festival. The word heritage in its name seems to cover just about every music form other than jazz; blues, country, bluegrass, jam band, funk, rock, zydeco…you get the idea.
If you are a jazz lover there is plenty of choice, with tents catering for all forms of contemporary and traditional jazz. But it is the sheer diversity of music that attracts so many people. The one consistent theme is the overall quality of both the acts and the sound mixes.
The USA invented the outdoor rock concert, and nobody stages an event as well as they can.
The festival is held over the last weekend of April and first weekend in May, and there are three days off between weekends where you can indulge in local tours of everything from a swamp to the local graveyard! Or go further north to cities such as Memphis or Nashville if that’s your thing.
I personally like to stay local as there is so much activity in New Orleans during this time it’s hard to leave.
Jazz Fest is held at the local racecourse, converted each year into a series of outdoor and tented sound stages – some 11 in all. And the mood is more WOMAD than BDO, with an array of food stalls delivering all manner of fabulous Creole and Cajun food, and many craft stalls selling the best of the local artisans’ work.
And then of course there is the French Quarter itself, home to some of the best architecture, night clubs and restaurants in the world.
This tour offers you the chance to share the Jazz Fest experience with a small group of like-minded music lovers and get the best tips on music, clubs and restaurants, while still being independent on the ground.
If you are up for the heat, the crowds, occasional thunderstorms, and the walking, then you’ll be rewarded with seven days of music heaven.
http://www.thedesotos.com/ www.myspace.com/thedesotos
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