It would be a great trip to travel by or near the Mississippi from the source to the Gulf of Mexico. We had to settle for flying over this wonderful river from Minnesota to New Orleans. Spirit landed us safely at the Louis Armstrong International Airport. The four hour journey was quickened by reading 'Windy Day at Kabekona' by Thomas R. Smith. I particularly enjoyed reading 'On the Road to New Orleans'. I reproduce this poem by Thomas with his permission.
We felt totally at home in New Orleans. The people are especially friendly and warm. We loved their way of talking - 'hey baby', 'c'mon'.
It is easy to get around New Orleans by walking, streetcar, bus, taxi/uber.
It is a great privilege to travel with a musician as we got to hear great music most nights:
At Snug Harbor on Tuesday we saw the Stanton Moore Trio - David Torkanowsky on piano and Peter Harris on double bass. They were joined, for a few numbers, by superb vocalist Ed Perkins. We returned to Snug Harbor the following night for the Uptown Jazz Orchestra. The food at Snug is also good. Thursday saw us travel uptown to the Maple Leaf Bar to hear Johnny Vidacovich, Joe Ashlar and Steve Masakowski. The Maple Leaf reminds us of the Crane Lane in Cork.
Another evening saw us take a street car, bus and a walk in a quiet street at night arriving to join a queue of about 20 others waiting to get into Bacchanal. We sat in the courtyard with our wine and shrimps listening to the Willie Green Jazz Band. John Philip was asked to play a number which happened to be the last tune of the evening. The musicians were open, warm and supportive.
My motto when travelling is to 'be there'. So we didn't get to see all the sights but did visit a number of places including the Voodoo Museum. We also took a trip on the steamboat Sanchez and took the ferry to Algiers - two worthwhile and enjoyable excursions.
New Orleans has an abundance of excellent restaurants. We loved the Ruby Slipper and De Zat.
I am not a follower of ball games but it is impossible to be in New Orleans and not become a Saints fan!
On our final night we were lucky to hear the incredible vocalist Germaine Bazzle and jazz trio at the Sonesta Hotel. The bass player, Peter Harris, who we met at Snug Harbor told us about this gig and I am so glad we got to it.
Germaine Bazzle singing at The Jazz Playhouse, Sonesta Hotel, New Orleans, 15th Sept 2019
New Orleans has a special place in our hearts and we hope to return.
'On the Road to New Orleans' by Thomas R. Smith from 'Windy Day at Kabekona' New & Selected Prose Poems published by White Wine Press, Buffalo, New York.
Second line parade - New Orleans wedding
It is easy to get around New Orleans by walking, streetcar, bus, taxi/uber.
At Snug Harbor on Tuesday we saw the Stanton Moore Trio - David Torkanowsky on piano and Peter Harris on double bass. They were joined, for a few numbers, by superb vocalist Ed Perkins. We returned to Snug Harbor the following night for the Uptown Jazz Orchestra. The food at Snug is also good. Thursday saw us travel uptown to the Maple Leaf Bar to hear Johnny Vidacovich, Joe Ashlar and Steve Masakowski. The Maple Leaf reminds us of the Crane Lane in Cork.
John Philip Murray with New Orleans drummer Willie Green
Johnny Vidacovich and his band at Maple Leaf
Another evening saw us take a street car, bus and a walk in a quiet street at night arriving to join a queue of about 20 others waiting to get into Bacchanal. We sat in the courtyard with our wine and shrimps listening to the Willie Green Jazz Band. John Philip was asked to play a number which happened to be the last tune of the evening. The musicians were open, warm and supportive.
My motto when travelling is to 'be there'. So we didn't get to see all the sights but did visit a number of places including the Voodoo Museum. We also took a trip on the steamboat Sanchez and took the ferry to Algiers - two worthwhile and enjoyable excursions.
From the Voodoo Museum
New Orleans has an abundance of excellent restaurants. We loved the Ruby Slipper and De Zat.
I am not a follower of ball games but it is impossible to be in New Orleans and not become a Saints fan!
On our final night we were lucky to hear the incredible vocalist Germaine Bazzle and jazz trio at the Sonesta Hotel. The bass player, Peter Harris, who we met at Snug Harbor told us about this gig and I am so glad we got to it.
New Orleans has a special place in our hearts and we hope to return.
