Hi Jessica: I just got the Jazzfest lineup, and I'm not stoked at all. Cranky old boomer here! Top line artists: Ed Sheeran, Mumford & Sons, Lizzo, Dead & Co., the Lumineers...yeesh, at least not for Jazzfest. You've gotta go to the small print to find the regional acts that belong at Jazzfest, where it's OK to spend the entire weekend in the Gospel Tent. It was mo' fun chasing around Eddie Bo and Ernie K. Doe while the tourists gathered at Santana (here again 2023).
Hi Wayne! David Sokol here. I read this and wanted to quote my longtime friend Brett Milano, who used to write for me decades ago when he was still in college. When the JazzFest lineup came out, he posted: "Jazzfest lineup in a nutshell: Tom Jones and a bunch of other people." Cracked me up!
Hi David! Great to hear from you. Thanks for the note. All of these festivals have to draw from such a “mainstream” audience. But Jazzfest used to not even need superstars, people would just go. Corporate music business strikes again. Ed Sheeran is a nice man, I’m sure, but in N’awlins? No. My rule: if Nola’s WWOZ doesn’t play it, it shouldn’t be at the Fest.
I agree, but WWOZ has been hosting Festing in Place for JazzFest the last few years, and it's been as awesome as it could be hearing it from our little neck of the woods in Western MA!
Thanks for the signal boost! I really appreciate it! :)
Years ago, I was a crew chief at my airline. One of my jobs was assigning relief coverage when people were absent. It got to the point where I would just ask the guys what night they were planning to go to Bluesfest (and the BrewFest, when there was still just the one), so I could cover the next morning ahead of time.
You are so welcome. :) I loved/hated BrewFest! Btw, my husband was a flight attendant (for 15 years!) and retired during the pandemic. He was based in PDX for some of that time! Were you a pilot?
No, I was (and still am) on the ground. I gave a LOT of thought to hitting the exit during the pandemic, but decided to ride it out for a while longer. These days, I spend most of my time working in Operations. If I can ask, what airline did he work for?
The stage-workers saw your beautiful blue eyes and couldn’t refuse your set list request! You are the master at acquiring set lists ❤️🎸💯
100 percent 😉
Hi Jessica: I just got the Jazzfest lineup, and I'm not stoked at all. Cranky old boomer here! Top line artists: Ed Sheeran, Mumford & Sons, Lizzo, Dead & Co., the Lumineers...yeesh, at least not for Jazzfest. You've gotta go to the small print to find the regional acts that belong at Jazzfest, where it's OK to spend the entire weekend in the Gospel Tent. It was mo' fun chasing around Eddie Bo and Ernie K. Doe while the tourists gathered at Santana (here again 2023).
Ha! I know, but you would find me (if I was going) at The Fais Do-Do, always.
Hi Wayne! David Sokol here. I read this and wanted to quote my longtime friend Brett Milano, who used to write for me decades ago when he was still in college. When the JazzFest lineup came out, he posted: "Jazzfest lineup in a nutshell: Tom Jones and a bunch of other people." Cracked me up!
Ha! Cracks me up, too!
Hi David! Great to hear from you. Thanks for the note. All of these festivals have to draw from such a “mainstream” audience. But Jazzfest used to not even need superstars, people would just go. Corporate music business strikes again. Ed Sheeran is a nice man, I’m sure, but in N’awlins? No. My rule: if Nola’s WWOZ doesn’t play it, it shouldn’t be at the Fest.
I agree, but WWOZ has been hosting Festing in Place for JazzFest the last few years, and it's been as awesome as it could be hearing it from our little neck of the woods in Western MA!
Yeah, but would they play the ugh, Lumineers🤣
I want to say fuck no, but??? 😉
I love this remarkable, and I think historic, setlist. Such a treasure, and you annotate and honor it beautifully.
Why thank you! I must find my photos from that year at Blues Fest!
Thanks for the signal boost! I really appreciate it! :)
Years ago, I was a crew chief at my airline. One of my jobs was assigning relief coverage when people were absent. It got to the point where I would just ask the guys what night they were planning to go to Bluesfest (and the BrewFest, when there was still just the one), so I could cover the next morning ahead of time.
You are so welcome. :) I loved/hated BrewFest! Btw, my husband was a flight attendant (for 15 years!) and retired during the pandemic. He was based in PDX for some of that time! Were you a pilot?
No, I was (and still am) on the ground. I gave a LOT of thought to hitting the exit during the pandemic, but decided to ride it out for a while longer. These days, I spend most of my time working in Operations. If I can ask, what airline did he work for?
He worked for SkyWest (American, Alaska, Delta, and United).
Nice! I was at Northwest while in PDX (and now Delta via the merger).
I’m gonna visit you with my Delta SkyMiles, Kevin!
Right on!
What a fantastic set list. And, the story behind the scenes. 😍. Cheers to AT, one of the best. 🎶 🎹💕
Thank you, and absolutely!