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JULY 2006 |
BAYOU CELEBRATION & ALL THAT JAZZ Photos and Text: Ricky Richardson |
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A pleasant Bayou breeze greeted thousands of festival goers attending the 20th Annual Long Beach Bayou Festival, June 23rd thru 25th. The festival was held at the Queen Mary Events Park. This ultimate family friendly festival was originally founded by producer Franklin Zawacki, who also served as Master of Ceremony on the Cajun and Zydeco Stage. The Long Beach Bayou Festival is an annual fundraiser for Comprehensive Child Development Inc. (CCD), a non-profit organization. The festival featured everything people love about New Orleans and Louisiana-food, music and culture: Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Jazz music. Everyone in attendance had a great time while enjoying non-stop dancing, satisfying their taste buds eating Cajun and Creole cuisine (gumbo, crawfish etoufee, jambalaya). People were visually transported to New Orleans while strolling thru the recreated French Quarters, and were able to view and purchase souvenir cultural arts and crafts, participate in the Mardi Gras Parade. Festival goers learned about Louisiana culture at the various music and cultural workshops. The Kids Bayou Tent featured hands on, inter-active arts and crafts. Costumes, masks, hats and umbrellas were made by the children with the assistance of festival volunteers. The Mardi Gras Parade led by Critical Brass Band, Mardi Gras Indian Chief Alvin Harrison and The LALA Second line Dancers were held in memory of Murphy Matthews Jr., a native of Louisianan who was involved with the festival for 19 years. I was stationed at the Blues Stage for the Cultural, Music and Educational Workshops, with B.J. Deculus (Co-Coordinator) with Bobbee Zeno of KPFK 90.7 "Blues Power Show" serving as Master of Ceremonies.  Vocalist Lisa Deveaux was a wonderful gem of a discovery at the Bayou Festival. She captivated and charmed the audience with her sultry, sophisticated style of contemporary pop jazz. I was pleasantly delighted throughout her entire set; with her stage presence and dynamic jazz versatility. On this occasion, she was aided and abetted by the following stellar musicians: Joey Navarro- keyboards/Music Director, Keith Jones-bass, Brian Price- guitar, Eric Byus- drums with a trio of background singers- Brandi, Dennis and Bambi. Lisa Deveaux performed and sang superbly on the following tunes: "Want To Be Where You Are", "Let's Have It All", "Lazy Monday Afternoon", "Look of Love", "One Note Samba/Girl From Ipanema", "Shakin" That Jazz, and concluded her fine set with "Ooh Boy". Please visit (www.lisadeveaux.com) to purchase her debut CD- Shakin'. That Jazz and to find out when and where you can catch a live performance in the future. |
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 You can't loose with the blues as demonstrated by the marvelous bands performing throughout the weekend. Friday night featured Dennis Jones Band and Mama's Boys. Saturday night featured Luther Davis & The Blues Jam, Zac Harmon & The Mid South Blues Band, and The Blues Power All-Stars-Marlo Henderson, Maxayn Lewis, Sherry Pruitt, Hense Powell, Ron Battle, James Gatson and Billy Osborn. The blues festivities continued on Sunday afternoon with The Neo Blues Workshop and Jam consisting of Zac Harmon, Munyungo Jackson, Jimmy Z and Gregg Wright, and an explosive set of blues performed by Gregg Wright Blues Band.  The majority of the audience came to the festival to dance. The dance floor was in constant use all weekend. Walter Mouton & The Scott Playboys, The San Diego Cajun Playboys, Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, Pine Leaf Boys, The Savoy Family Cajun Band, and Keith Frank & Soileau Zydeco Band thoroughly entertained the crowd.The 20th Anniversary Grand Finale-the Long Beach Bayou Festival ended on a rousing note with a historic set performed by the Louisiana "Hot Shots" in an all-star jam featuring Walter Mouton, Ann Savoy, Geno Delafose, Keith Frank, Cedric Watson and many more. |
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Proceeds from the Long Beach Bayou Festival benefited Comprehensive Child Development-a non-profit organization, now in its 21st year providing child care and education for children whose parents work or are in job training in the community. Additional non-profits groups- The LALA Organization, Re-Unite America, and others helping Hurricane Katrina survivals were at the festival encouraging support for the ongoing work of those affected by the catastrophe. "Re-Unite America was founded in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and was established to marshal resources needed to bring hope, comfort and stability to those adversely impacted by disasters." Uncle Darrow's Norwood J. Clark, Jr. is one of the founding members of Re-Unite America. Ricky Richardson |
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