The Friday lineup at the Fest this year could easily have gone with the tagline “ take a hippie to Newport Jazz day.” I am fascinated by the lineups curated by Christian McBride, and there was plenty this year to satisfy this musical omnivore.
Angel Bat Dawid: Chicago based poet, clarinetist, educator. Was glad to start the day with a view of this free jazz, Afrocentric traveler. Please google image, at close to 300lb, Angel is an imposing stage presence. She growled and snorted rhymes about black families then launched into a clarinet tirade (air raid?). She moved to a hand held keyboard and whipped her band into a frenzy. The performance culminated with Angel writhing and convulsing on her back. Wasn’t sure whether to clap or call for a medic.
Butcher Brown: Funk, soul, hip hop, group that had some nice jazzy passages.
Big Freedia: once again, please google image. Gender bending nawlins originator of so-called “bounce” music. BF’s combination of rapping and gyrating was high energy. She/he/they, I’m pretty sure BF could occupy any available pronoun ( and a shit ton of adjectives), was flanked by two voluptuous dancers whose movements made my sunburn blush. The band was New Orleans funk that had a hard time keeping up with BF and the ladies. For the classic “Asses Everywhere”, BF pulled any available audience member (with an ass) on stage to strut their stuff. The refrain “I’m da queen dat gonna make ya bounce” was the ear worm of the day.
Soulive: Seminal jamband trio reunion. I’ve seen this group many times in the early aughts but they have not performed together in a while. Eric Krasno on smooth hollow body guitar with brothers Neal and Alan Evans on drums and organ. Wonderful versions of In Memory of Elizabeth Reed by the Allman Brothers and Heavy Weather by Weather Report. Both songs make frequent appearances on my turntable.
Durand Jones: Soul crooner channeled Lou Rawls with a pinstriped suit and white scarf.
Branford Marsalis: Sax playing brother of jazz royalty was a fill in for Kamasi Washington. While some fill ins are uneven (I’m sorely reminded of George Wein putting the Brecker Brothers as a fill in for Nina Simone back in the 90s….not even), this fill in fit the bill. Branford’s set with Joey Calderazzo, William Ledbetter and Jason Faulkner was tight.
Domi and JD Beck: Odd duo of piano prodigy Domi and drummer JD. The tunes were modern classical leaning with a good version of Wayne Shorter’s Endangered Species. Domi looked exactly like a Bratz doll.
Dave Holland: Pillar of jazz bass is credited on many classic recordings including the Miles Davis standout In A Silent Way. He was accompanied by the always enjoyable Kris Davis on piano with sax and drums.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead: That’s right, Grateful Dead tribute outfit JRAD headlined the Friday. Christian McBride knows the pull of JRAD and their ability to sell tickets. Garcia was a lover of all genres and the overlap of improv fits. While the Dead were known to occasionally tackle a jazz tune, this set was pure Jerry. King Solomon’s Marbles- the NyQuil-tinged Row Jimmy-Let It Grow-Estimated Prophet-Terrapin Station and closed with the classic Brokedown Palace.
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