Yes – it has been nearly two months, but things have been busy busy. Besides, better late than never – so here goes.

Jazz Fest is a fantastic event that I look forward to every year – I typically begin to anticipate the next ‘Fest about a week after leaving New Orleans.

It’s not just the food. . .it’s not just the party. . .or the city and it’s history. It’s all those things – yes. . . .but what I get a huge kick out of is the fact that you can turn a corner while walking the city’s streets or strolling past a stage at the fairgrounds on the way to another destination and hear something that you’ve never heard before that will simply blow your mind. It’s those random, accidental moments of musical goodness that keep me coming back.

Yes – I heard many great national touring acts this year. . .acts that we all know and love. But – my hope is that by reading this and the subsequent posting from this year’s 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, you’ll discover something new to you – something that may hopefully blow your mind.

My 2010 ‘Fest kicked off on Wed night of the second weekend as I went looking for my buddy Doc (who had just arrived). I found him at Lafayette Square, where Irma Thomas was breaking it down for a free, early-evening, outdoor concert. Apparently, the city puts these free shows on every Wed evening (ah – gotta love New Orleans). Beyond that, though, the rest of the evening was fairly mellow. . . .oysters and a few drinks in the French Quarter and early to bed so as to get in a full first day at the fairgrounds (after all, the key to New Orleans – at least for me – is proper pacing).

Thursday the 29th kicked off at the Acura Stage with the R. Scully Rough 7. A self-described garage-gospel band, Ryan Scully and his Rough 7 delivered a delightful New Orleans sound – clearly grounded in the local tradition. However, their songs nudged the old school styles forward by adding sounds from 60′s/70′s rock, soul and R&B. They created a very cool altogether new and unique vibe. Friend them at Facebook.

(NOTE: Hey Ryan – please get some mp3’s posted somewhere – I’d love to direct people toward your music, but I can’t find any.)

After R. Scully, we rambled on over to the Blues Tent to get some Coco Robicheaux & The Swamp Monsters’ swampy blues. His smokin’ band delivered musical shades of Dr. John behind Coco’s gravelly vocals – which were often reminiscent of a love child born of Howlin’ Wolf and Tom Waits. It was quite a treat to experience this rootsy local legend.

Give a listen:

Hear more at Coco’s MySpace page.

Doc was anxious to hook-up with some friends over at the Gentilly Stage (folks he met at the 2009 JazzFest), so we headed out from under the Blues Tent and back into the sun. On our way, we passed by the Jazz & Heritage Stage and got drawn in by a down-right PARTY going on – hosted by Chief Iron Horse & The Black Seminoles Mardi Gras Indians. Good gravy – there must have been more people up on that stage than at a P-Funk show. . .drummin’, percussin’, groovin’, movin’, rappin’ and rhymin’. Cyril (center – red and yellow feathers) directed the madness from his “iron horse” (wheelchair) while his Black Seminoles whooped it up – second-line style. Everyone was having such a darn good time, the staff had quite a time clearing the band off to make room for the next act.

Photo credit: Glen Muñoz

After much cajoling, the Jazz Fest crew finally managed to clear the stage. . .so with a spring in our step and smiles of satisfaction on our faces, Doc and I made our way to Gentilly.

Whew – it was barely Noon on Day One and we had already taken in 3 excellent (and very different) acts.

Much more to come. . . .