A common stereotype of the New Orleans experience often involves descriptions of the smell of gumbo wafting through the air while hearing a distant brass band playing “No, It Ain’t My Fault” while walking through the historic Tremé neighborhood. Sometimes stereotypes are true. This weekend makes that experience a reality with the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival.
Produced and presented by The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the free festival serves as the premier brass band showcase at Louis Armstrong Park. This year the group is making a special effort to recognize the roots and legacy of the New Orleans brass band tradition by presenting several of the most popular contemporary groups, including the Rebirth, Hot 8, To Be Continued, Pinettes and Lagniappe brass bands. And they are also shining a spotlight on venerable groups important to the history of brass jazz music.
One such band is the Fairview Baptist Church Brass Band, founded by the late Danny Barker in 1970 and known to have reinvigorated the brass band tradition. The band is currently led by trombonist Lucien Barbarin, an alumnus of the original band and a tradition-bearer from a long line of New Orleans musicians.
Boundary-pushing acts are also planned. The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra’s brass band will play, as well as a new group, Magnetic Ear. Additionally, trumpeter Shamarr Allen will offer a special collaboration with DJ Chicken.
While you’re taking in all this sonic delight, you should also be ingesting one of the greatest dishes in existence – gumbo. The festival promises varieties of gumbo including chicken and sausage, filé, seafood, z’herbes and even vegan gumbo. Food vendors will also offer poor boys and shrimp and grits, among other selections.
With an arts market and children’s activities, this festival is definitely worth a visit. Whether you stop by for lunch or stay all day for both days, the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival is a quintessential New Orleans experience.
Saturday, Nov. 14
11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Lagniappe Brass Band
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Treme Brass Band
1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Original Pinettes Brass Band
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Onward Brass Band
4:15 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. To Be Continued Brass Band
5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Shamarr Allen & DJ Chicken
6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Hot 8 Brass Band
Sunday, Nov. 15
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Band
12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fairview Baptist Church Brass Band
1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Class Got Brass Winner
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Magnetic Ear
3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Class Got Brass winner
4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Leroy Jones' Original Hurricane Brass Band
5:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Class Got Brass Winner
5:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Second Line Jammers SAPC
5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eureka Brass Band
6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Rebirth Brass Band
