NOJF - Are Three Drummers Too Many?

[gstark]

Not when they're doing a tribute to Max Roach, one of the greatest jazz drummers of our time.

We had Jason Marsalis, Herlin Riley, and Shannon Powell. Marsalis is the one in the suit; I'll let you know who is whom in due course. I've not heard of the other two until this afternoon, and I want to know more about them, and find some of their music.

But consider this ... As y'all know, music is supposed to be fun. If you're not enjoying yourself, then something is seriously wrong.




I'm not convinced that the horn players are having as much fun as the percussion section.




This is just plain showing off.




And this is the joy of music! (Jason is the head in the back!)




here'sthe gallery for this lot.

[beej]

Great shots Gary.

Shannon Powell is New Orleans drummer who played with Harry Connick's Big Band for many years. Really great character. You can see him on Harry's New York Concert DVD. Brilliant player.

[gstark]

Shannon Powell is New Orleans drummer who played with Harry Connick's Big Band for many years.

Both of them have played with Connick Jnr, it would seem

Actually, saying that somebody has played with someone else in this town isn't really saying all that much: everyone here has played with everyone else, when you get down to it.

My cab to the fairgrounds on Friday had a trio consisting of trumpet, singer (from Australia, living in Ireland) and a bassist; likewise, yesterday's cab to the fairgrounds had a trumpeter, keys, and bassist. In both cases, the trumpeter was the cabbie - different person each time, and I was the bassist. Yesterday's cabbie went to school with members of, and has played in, the Rebirth Brass Band. Another cabbie, coming back to my hotel from Cafe Du Monde, plays sax, and was playing in Jazzfest sometime over this weekend.

A passenger in the cab coming back from the fairgrounds yesterday was from Boston, but had just returned from three weeks in Melbourne at the Comedy festival there.

FTR, Herlin Riley is the one wearing the cream/orange, Shannon Powell is the one in the beret.

I'll probably be buying some local music this morning, and I think I'll probably bypass going to the fairgrounds today. I'm not sure that my legs can handle it.