April:
When I got home from three weeks of traveling for work, Ash and I packed our bags to go to Texas and New Orleans. While we were in Texas, we visited Ashley's parents and got a lucky surprise when his Grandmother was there!
Ashley's father is building their retirement home from scratch and all by hand. They just put in this new fireplace and mantle. People just don't put that kind of work into their homes anymore. We hope this place will be a lakeside retreat for generations to come!We had some friends getting married in New Orleans so after visiting in Texas, we drove the 5 hours to New Orleans. It was the first week of the Jazz Fest and it was truly amazing. I love blues and jazz and I was so excited to experience this city during the most popular week of their year.
We went to the festival grounds and saw all the things on my checklist! 1. a second-line band. 2. a jazz 'n blues legend. 3. the mardi-gras indians.
1. A second line band was originally for funeral purposes. The first line of people would come through the neighborhood and they were the friends and immediate family of the deceased. Then the second line would come through the neighborhood. These folks were the party. After the band passed you by, you would join up with them and continue through the neighborhood, dancing as part of the parade. The second-line band is just like a marching band except they are full of fun and funk!
2. Dr. John is a jazz and blues legend. He was good friends with one of my favorite legends, Professor Longhair, who wrote the song "tipitina." (If you want to see a great piano arrangement of this song, check out the movie "Make it Funky!" where Allen Toussaint makes this into a masterpiece!) And, I was lucky enough to hear Dr. John perform Tipitina live at the jazz fest! I thoroughly enjoyed this.
3. The Mardi Gras Indians came out of the civil rights era. This was a time when blacks received little respect and Native Americans received even less. So it became a tradition for different 'tribes' of people to come together, dressed in costume, and celebrate their culture. When you had the costume on, there was no color. Everyone was the same. There are still great contests for costume, dance, and music. 
4. The Roman Candy Wagon is the original food truck. For three generations this little buggy has been pulled around New Orleans selling pulled taffy. They used to also sell fresh fruit and would go through town singing, "I have watermelon, fresh apples too, baby!" When it isn't parked on the fairgrounds during the festival, this cart is still pulled around by a horse selling taffy to everyone in town. I took one bite of this stuff and pulled a temporary crown off my tooth. Unfortunately that was the end of the Roman Candy. Boo!
While in New Orleans, we also saw Trombone Shorty live at the New Orleans House of Blues. What an incredible show! While playing "On the Sunny Side of the Street," a blues classic, he proceeded to circular breathe a single note into his trumpet for over 6 minutes. If Ashley's phone still worked, I would post the movie to prove it to you. On top of that, he had some great guests and put on a super energetic show. I can't wait to see him again next month in SLC. We also went to Tipitina's a bar and music venue that was named Tipitina's in honor of Professor Longhair who frequented the place with concerts and shows.
Being in New Orleans for the Jazz Fest was like visiting Europe and going to Bach's childhood home. It was amazing to be in places that made musical history. I can't wait to go again!
