[Harp-L] Re: Little Walter tribute at Jazzfest

[larryboy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Scott Albert Johnson writes:

I am amazed no one else from Harp-L has posted about this (even more amazed if I
was the only one from Harp-L there), but at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage
Festival on Sunday, there was a "Tribute to Little Walter", hosted by "Jumpin'"
Johnny Sansone and featuring James Cotton, Charlie Musselwhite, Carey Bell and
Jerry Portnoy.

>>>>>>>>>>8<<<<<<<<<<

Scott.........I didnt get back until today.  You were not the only harp-l-er in
the audience.  That show was nothing short of historic. Jumpin Johnny Sansone
is definitely on the level of the more well known players.  He was so smooth as
the emcee, bringing out legend after legend.  I spoke with him at a gig on
Wednesday night (Liuzza's by the track).  He was ecstatic.  It was quite an
honor for him to be the "host band".  His band had to really rehearse to learn
all the material.  They had to coordinate what everybody wanted to do.  Jerry
Portnoy was a tone monster.  Note-for-note "Juke" (or should I say
tone-for-tone).  Carey, Charlie and Cotton followed in succession.  Just when
you thought you'd seen it all, Bam! someone else came out.  Even J Monque D
aquitted himself reasonable well, though clearly not in the class of these
legends.  I liked the way Cottn kept giving J Monque D his mic and harp.  Hmmm,
swap spit with James Cotton?  Well, it didnt do much for JMD's tone, but it was
an incredible gesture on the part of Cotton.

Its true that some of the performances at JazzFest were recorded and are
available at www.jazzfestlive.com unfortunately, the Tribute to Little Walter
was not included.

Scott....Did you go to the Harmonica Showcaw At McNulty's Bitter End on Friday
night?  that show headlines Jumpin Johnny and about 8 othr local harmonica
players.  JJS does this every year.  Unfortunately, I was down for the count by
then.






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