The day I sang with a jazz band
I had always heard the rumor that the street performers in New Orleans had to audition and/or obtain a permit of some sort, but I recently learned it’s a little more lenient than that. I guess that’s why I was pulled out of the crowd to join a fabulous jazz band. No standards at all!
My husband and I had spent the spectacular January morning roaming, eating and shopping our way through the Quarter. It seems to me that the talent in the area gets better with each visit, and upon turning in front of St. Louis Cathedral, which is considered to be the very best spot, we heard an amazing band.
I told my husband, “These guys aren’t just thrown together. They’re professionals. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them aren’t with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra or instructors at local colleges.”
As they broke into (no kidding) When the Saints Go Marching In (which most N.O. bands hate to play because it’s so overdone and touristy) I got to sing harmony and this guy said, “You know your stuff!” That’s when I asked him, “Are any of you professional musicians?” He laughed and and said, “All of us, sister.”
I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them had the last name “Marsalis.” They were really that good. The trumpet player in the red shirt in the photo above was the leader, and he was by far the star of the show.
Here are more street performers a few blocks over. The board on the ground is so you can hear her tap shoes. Sometimes the little kids will put bottle caps on their sneakers to make tap shoes.
But on to the shopping . . . I had been looking for a good winter hat the night before . . .
and finally found this cute little red felt cloche in Meyer The Hatter, which my husband and I love. We’ve purchased several nice hats from them over the years, and love their family business which claims to be the South’s largest hat store.
We try to stay off Bourbon St., but we had to cross it to get back to our hotel that night. The crowd seemed tame, but it was early by New Orleans standards. Of course, Mardi Gras is now underway and you can go ahead and quadruple this crowd in both size and “happy” levels for the next few weeks.
No where else could you look at this building and say, “Oh, how charming!” If this were in Fairhope, people would be screaming about city ordinances, but in the French Quarter? Sigh . . . isn’t it dreamy?
In the doorway of Pat O’Brien’s was this nice gentleman. My husband took most of these photos, and while he was snapping away, I was wandering off finding . . .
the best gelato I’ve found in the United States at La Divina. After my last post on the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, several of you mentioned you are getting ready for a trip to The Big Easy. Just so you’ll know, La Davina is high on my list of recommendations.
One other place I’d recommend is The Bombay Club. Tucked away on Conti Street. Much quieter and more chic than most French Quarter establishments, it was a dressier crowd with an excellent jazz combo.
My friend Ron from Uptown Acorn lives in New Orleans and says The Bombay Club is one of his favorites as well. We ate Satsuma Creme’ Brulee’ for dessert. Wow.
The last thing I’ll show you is this stop sign post that looks like some type of ornamental iron – it’s really a cell phone tower. I put my hand on it and could feel it vibrating. “It gave me cancer.” I told my husband. “You think everything gives you cancer.” he said. To which I told him more gelato would counteract the radiation.
Gotta love NOLA! So much fun. Looks like you soaked up every ounce of F-U-N! Hope you bought that hat. It looked great on you. Enjoy your week.
You can’t go to New Orleans and not have fun! I’m so happy it’s only 2 and a half hours away!
The food photo amazing. I have never been to NOLA, but Hubster has been. He said it was was best dining experience ever. I love the hat you tried on, it reminded me of a hat Lady Mary would have worn on Downton Abbey.
Well, thank you for that observation, because I told my husband I felt very “Downton Abby-ish” and he thought I was crazy!
You must go to New Orleans when you get a chance. It’s the best (and a splash of the worst) all rolled into one!
What a wonderful fun band. I am sure they appreciated that you knew good music (musicians) when you heard it (them).
I’ve been around good musicians all my life. You know them when you hear them!
That just looks like you and hubby had an overall amazing time! Can’t wait to find out what all is happening in your world that I need to know about…..
Love the red hat, too!
Judypimperl@ downinthedeltavintageandantiques.blogspot.com
Yes, we had a wonderful time. You and I are overdo for a good visit! Hope you can make the next blogger’s meeting — wherever it is!
Your post makes me want to go, NOW Leslie Anne! Looks like you had great time and found a great hat to take home. Don’t you just love all the music, and the restaurants? Hubs has been after me to go, after Mardi Gras of course!
Love, love, love the pics………..
I’m with you . . . after Mardi Gras!
Thanks Emily.
It’s been many years since I visited New Orleans. You should have recorded your jazz appearance. 🙂
Yes, I was disappointed my paparazzi didn’t capture the entire event!
You’re a star! I love the perky red hat and am making a list of your NOLA haunts for my next trip there. Wonder if the Hatter custom makes them, as I always have a hard time finding a hat to fit. Have a great week!
I don’t think they custom make them, but they have such a large selection, they would surely have one to fit your dainty little noggin’. They only sold men’s hats up until about five years ago when the ladies began to ask. They don’t carry the frillier styles like you’d want for the Easter parade or the Derby, but the men’s styles will blow you away at all the selections!
I wish I was a hat person because that red hat is fabulous! Your photos make me want to schedule a trip to NO pronto 🙂
Hats are awesome. Especially when my hair frizzes!