Algiers River Fest

 

Farewell to Patrick

Alas, the wind has changed directions and now the time has come for Patrick "Cutie Pants" Harrison, New Orleans accordionist (by way of Minneapolis) to return to the well mannered, safe, hurricane free, ice cube of a town that he came from.

As a Panorama groupie, I can say it has been a joy to have him in the band and in my town. I know the band will miss him terribly. He brought dignity, grace, charm and great hair to gypsy jazz accordion.

I think that he and New Orleans were fond of each other, so I am sure he will return. I hope we see him soon!

....and now, the leader of....

The Panorama Jazz Band!

Art

...That is all I can tell you. Oh, from Vera Cruz 

Jaja and the mariachi

 

Vera Cruz Mexico 2006

Clockwise from top left: Mark Rubin and the Child of one of the Mahogany Brass Band fellas, JaJa and Ben, Hotel View, and ummm a cool shot of a drum and some sneaks. 

New Orleans Jazz Festival 2006

Ohmigod! It was totally Rogan Schenk's first Jazz Fest ever. I think he had a really supergood time. I know we did. Panorama played the first set on the first day of Jazz Fest this year. The food was perfect, the music was amazing, and during every set, there was a tearjerking moment when we all were able to feel how good it is to be home. Fantastico.

 

Algiers River Fest

 

!Hace Color en el sol!

John Gross experiences another unforgettable moment with the "Sol" Models

 

"I am very famous in my barrio" ~ Sean L. Clark - Vera Cruz Jazz Festival 2006

Yep. He said it. He wasn't kidding either. The Panorama Jazz band just returned home from a very exciting trip to Vera Cruz Mexico, where they played at the Segundo Annual Vera Cruz Festival de jazz (which I assume is pronounced "yazz"... like "yackie")

I did not attend the Vera Cruz gig but everyone agrees that it was super awesome. The guys were asked for autographs, taught a clinic, hung out with the Mahogany Brass Band, bought guyaveras, ate well, slept little, and totally rocked the casa. Sean had a million cool stories from hanging with the mahogany guys.

My better half even scoped out the potential of building a life as American X-pats in Mexico. It is always good to have a back up plan. We’ve got some numbers now and feel ready for the next revolution or hurricane (which ever comes first). Can we bring our dogs to Mexico?

I hope that Ama, Rogan, and I are able to attend the next Vera Cruz festival with the band. Even better, maybe we can sneak into Cuba afterwards.

It has been a little while since I have posted anything so, I will continue to add a slew of pictures that include events like both N.O. and V.C. jazz fests and the Algiers River Fest. Enjoy.