NOLA Jazz Festival Request for Wife and Son
My wife, son, and I are driving down from Indianapolis to the New Orleans Jazz Festival, primarily to see Pearl Jam, but also because my son loves jazz. So I figured I'd at least try a request for both of them. This is the second Pearl Jam concert they've been to (and close to 20th for me) - Maren's (my wife) show was Wrigley in 2013 and Liam's (son) was Indy/Deer Creek last summer, after the reschedule in 2023.
For Liam, it's pretty straightforward. "Brain of J" all the way. He has loved that song since he first heard it years ago when he was young and I was raising him right. And who can blame him. He's exceptionally musical and plays the bass, but has also played the violin, taught himself the guitar, drums, sax, and a little bit of everything. Bottom line, he knows good music, and knows PJ makes good music.
For Maren, I'd love to hear "Thin Air". Her birthday is Monday, May 5, so this is trip is to also celebrate her. July will mark our 23rd Wedding Anniversary. Marriage is never easy, but we've had a barrage of challenges and stresses recently, to no fault of our own. We've grown together as a couple, but we've also grown differently, but at the core of that is the mutual love and respect for who the person is, not who we want to them to be. It's complicated, to say the least. Despite all that, "Yes I know she's reached my heart in thin air."
Whether one, both or neither get played, we're going to have an amazing time as a family at the concert, and I can't wait. At Indy last summer, my son saw me losing my mind in joy in a way he hadn't before. I looked at him and said "This is my church, and I'm glad you're in it."
For Liam, it's pretty straightforward. "Brain of J" all the way. He has loved that song since he first heard it years ago when he was young and I was raising him right. And who can blame him. He's exceptionally musical and plays the bass, but has also played the violin, taught himself the guitar, drums, sax, and a little bit of everything. Bottom line, he knows good music, and knows PJ makes good music.
For Maren, I'd love to hear "Thin Air". Her birthday is Monday, May 5, so this is trip is to also celebrate her. July will mark our 23rd Wedding Anniversary. Marriage is never easy, but we've had a barrage of challenges and stresses recently, to no fault of our own. We've grown together as a couple, but we've also grown differently, but at the core of that is the mutual love and respect for who the person is, not who we want to them to be. It's complicated, to say the least. Despite all that, "Yes I know she's reached my heart in thin air."
Whether one, both or neither get played, we're going to have an amazing time as a family at the concert, and I can't wait. At Indy last summer, my son saw me losing my mind in joy in a way he hadn't before. I looked at him and said "This is my church, and I'm glad you're in it."
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Song Wishlist: Oceans, Brother, Alone, Let Me Sleep, full W.M.A., Hold On, Bugs/all of Vitalogy, Gremmie Out Of Control (BAM!), Mankind, Around The Bend (full band), Whale Song (DOUBLE BAM!), The Long Road, Don't Gimme No Lip, Pilate, Push Me Pull Me, All Those Yesterdays, Rival, Parting Ways, Ghost, Bu$hleaguer, WWS, Parachutes, Army Reserve, low octave Driftin', Strangest Tribe, Other Side, Undone, Fatal, Hitchhiker, Education, Black Red Yellow, Of the Earth, Love Reign O'er Me, Gonna See My Friend, Amongst the Waves, Santa Cruz, Infallible, Yellow Moon, Alright, Comes Then Goes, Got to Give, and the Mamasan Trilogy.
The best part of my request? They put it on the setlist and then scratched it!!!! Because i wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, I'm here to bump this one back up as we're about 2 and a half weeks out.
The toughest part about these songs as far as fitting in the setlist is they've both seem to become rarer songs in recent years. "Thin Air" has only been played in Seattle and Denver since 2018, and "Brain of J." just seems to pop up at any point randomly.
In my personal opinion, I think it's more likely you get "Brain Of J." than "Thin Air" due to the Lee Harvey Oswald being born in New Orleans connection. "Brain of J" has been performed in New Orleans before, with the last time being April 8th, 2003:
"Thin Air" has never been played in New Orleans, and has only been played 6 times since 2016! Make it happen PJ!
Also, here are some good recommendations for your son on the same day as PJ:
11:15am - River Eckert @ Blues Tent
I think your son will enjoy this: a 14 year old Piano PRODIGY who plays like Dr. John, Professor Longhair, and Harry Connick Jr. all at once WHILE singing. This is the NEXT generation of New Orleans piano talent, and I think you and Liam might be inspired. If you make it in the gates this early, you should for sure give it a shot to start the day.
12:25am - Cowboy Mouth @ Festival Stage
This group has been giving New Orleans an alternative rock edge for as long as Pearl Jam has been a band. Their biggest hit was 1996's alt rock radio earworm "Jenny Says". They always have an amazing time with the fans, so I think this one might draw your son in.
1:30-1:35pm - Joe Krown Trio + 1 @ Blues Tent OR Jason Marsalis @ WWOZ Jazz Tent
This ones a toss up from me. Joe Krown is an organ player from New York who moved to New Orleans to study the piano greats. His weapon of choice is the Hammond B3 Organ, and while known to preform in trios, on this day he brings his trio of bass player Cassandra Faulchnor (who used to be in Cowboy mouth funnily enough), drummer Eric Bolivar, and the + 1 of Papa Mali, who sometimes provides vocals to the mostly organ driven funk and jazz. You'll likely here some classic New Orleans piano rhythms at this one.
OR if your son wants STRICTLY jazz, you could check out the one and only Jason Marsalis of THAT famous Marsalis clan. His show no doubt will be strictly jazz music for the soul. He's a Jazz drummer, so if Liam is into that sort of thing i'd go deep into this one.
1:45pm - Samantha Fish @ Festival Stage
Samantha Fish is a badass guitar babe who can play the blues like no other woman currently can. Not only can she play the guitar like a goddess, but her vocals are uniquely her own as well. From Kansas City, shes spent a lot of time between New Orleans, Memphis, and Nashville learning the blues. She adds a tint of rock n' roll in an almost Joan Jett form, but the pin-up doll blues slap you in the face the most. I honestly think Mike McCreedy would love to see her, and i believe has even praised her before in interviews.
3:15pm - Dumpstaphunk @ Festival Stage
Probably the quintessential new-age New Orleans PHUNK band. Dumpstaphunk have been keeping the New Orleans funk rhythm alive for the last 22 years. Started by the one and only Ivan Neville of THAT famous Neville Brothers clan as his solo band, Dumpstaphunk has become it's own entity in the years since it started and continues to produce the funk that New Orleans is known for. Throw it in da dumpsta!
Here they are opening for the Rolling Stones in 2019: