For the second time, in two years, my wife and I visited New Orleans in October. We had not planned to go this year, at least originally we had not, but then some friends asked us to meet them there. It was a good plan, except due to medical issues they were unable to make it. But we had a great time anyway.
Having gone last year, I had a better idea of how the city works and where to find the entertainment. The most popular entertainer in the city these days, a staple on the seriesw "Treme" is Kermit Ruffins and his Barbecue Swingers. People rate whether or not they had a successful trip by whether or not they got to see Kermit Ruffins.
When I arrived in the city on the first weekend, he was out of town performing two sold out concerts in New York City. And, in checking the various entertainment guides, during the time we were visiting they had him performing four times at different venues. Then I saw that he had posted at facebook or twitter that he was not performing at his own bar, The Mother-In-Law Lounge, because there was a Saints game. He said to come on down and watch it.
So my wife and I take a taxi to the Mother-in-Law and, first thing I see, is Kermit's distinctive black truck parked outside. I had seen him driving it last year and the license plate is easy to remember.
So we sat down and, at the end of the bar, there was Kermit himself. He was intent on the Saints game but, during the breaks, he was very talkative. Before we left, my wife took a photo of the two of us.
Kermit is very friendly, he is easy to talk to and polite. He is all about his fans. I talked to him about, in the future, playing Jazz Alley in Seattle. New Orleans music is big in Seattle, he is popular right now vs. a legend, and I am sure he could sell out a couple shows. Heck, I could get lots of friends to attend on my own. He was interested in the idea, so hopefully it will work out. In the past, Jazz Alley has had other New Orleans acts -- Irma Thomas, Funky Meters, Dr. John.
The following Friday night, we saw Kermit perform at the Blue Nile, his most longstanding gig. Kermit is considered to be one of the greatest trumpet players in the world at this time. He was instrumental, years back, in forming the Rebirth Brass Band and, also, for revitalizing the "Second Line" tradition. He not only plays, he is a good blues-jazz singer as well. Check him out below.
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