Concert
The Free! Wynton Marsalis Concert and Other Things was wonderful. Another one of those experiences I wish I could describe more clearly, because if I could, I'd be one helluva writer.
The CAOT was presented by Tulane University, and funded by the Aspen Institute. The purpose was to celebrate the renewal of higher education in New Orleans. Four of the universities in town re-open either this week or the next.
The governor was there, and spoke. She was OK; she shouldn't have talked so long. The Lt. Governor spoke next; he may be opposing her for governor in the next election. He didn't talk so long. Wynton Marsalis gave the keynote address, and it was startling. He was alternately positive, encouraging, scathing in his criticism of our me-focused culture and clear in his vision of the most important thing that needs to happen - we need to bring our displaced people home.
Then, of course, he played. Just five songs, but oh, were they transcendent. St. James Infirmary Blues, The Glory Road (?), Just a Closer Walk with Thee, and "a second line." He said the music would be in the tradition of a New Orleans jazz funeral, with the first song a slow number for taking the casket to the cemetary, and the second a joyful celebration of life. The "second line" are the folks that follow behind the band dancing and clapping - I think. It's sort of assumed that if you live here, you know what a second line is.
After a rousing ovation, with vocal calls for "One more!" (lead by yours truly, I humbly declare) the band came back out and he played Gershwin's "Embraceable You."
The music...ah the music. It washed across my face and soared to the rafters and then back down and around me. Bliss. Absolute bliss. The best thing that's happened to me in six months.
The CAOT was presented by Tulane University, and funded by the Aspen Institute. The purpose was to celebrate the renewal of higher education in New Orleans. Four of the universities in town re-open either this week or the next.
The governor was there, and spoke. She was OK; she shouldn't have talked so long. The Lt. Governor spoke next; he may be opposing her for governor in the next election. He didn't talk so long. Wynton Marsalis gave the keynote address, and it was startling. He was alternately positive, encouraging, scathing in his criticism of our me-focused culture and clear in his vision of the most important thing that needs to happen - we need to bring our displaced people home.
Then, of course, he played. Just five songs, but oh, were they transcendent. St. James Infirmary Blues, The Glory Road (?), Just a Closer Walk with Thee, and "a second line." He said the music would be in the tradition of a New Orleans jazz funeral, with the first song a slow number for taking the casket to the cemetary, and the second a joyful celebration of life. The "second line" are the folks that follow behind the band dancing and clapping - I think. It's sort of assumed that if you live here, you know what a second line is.
After a rousing ovation, with vocal calls for "One more!" (lead by yours truly, I humbly declare) the band came back out and he played Gershwin's "Embraceable You."
The music...ah the music. It washed across my face and soared to the rafters and then back down and around me. Bliss. Absolute bliss. The best thing that's happened to me in six months.
4 Comments:
Hi Dear:
You are so marvelously eloquent.
so glad you experienced something to soar your spirit. i could almost hear the music. i was marching in that second line!
sounds like a good mix of politics and culture. what, no mayor of the city ? i have a tar bucket with his name on it.
saw a tv news spot on the reopening of the universities. thought i might catch a glimpse of your dh but no, just some little ole nun.
carry on the celebration.
m1
Ann, I'm so glad you were able to go. Good to hear that your lives are slowly returning to the old normal.
I heard that was a good concert. Nice that you could be there.
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