Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra at Temple Theater...

 Last might we saw great music by Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra at Temple Theater as part of the Angelina Arts Alliance Series concerts.  It was a great show, the kind we need to have Lufkin to grow into a city where vibrant, varied and insightful music comes to us. 

We did not buy season tickets this year choosing to cherry pick the shows we liked best and for this last minute impulse we got the cheaper balcony seats. They were first row but when ushers noticed Cathy might not be seeing over the rail well they upgraded us to more expensive seats a row back. Also one of the Huntington High School band directors, an acquaintance who I have played together with in the civic band brought his kids and they sat as a group in the balcony. I like this because sometimes when I meet younger players they are playing really well but may not be exposed to different styles of music and are not well versed in what is actually possible on the instrument. It never fails that when I visit a place like New Orleans and see someone doing somethin with a horn that I've never seen before.       

The Jazz Orchestra's take on New Orleans music was a very big band style sound that gave Jelly Roll Morton and Louie Armstrong tunes and updated sound in addition to the many original compositions performed. Lots of good solos by each section with intricate trade offs between members of the sax, trombone and trumpet lineup. The trumpets were really screamers with all members hitting the high notes. 

Back in August we saw an abbreviated version of this group at Satchmo Summer fest that calls itself the NOJO 7.   

They ended the show in Fine New Orleans tradition with a second line parade through the audience.   

From the Jazz Orchestra web site:

NOJO stand in solidarity with those on the front lines fighting for justice and equality. The losses that black people have suffered and continue to suffer at the hands of those who pledge to protect and serve must stop. 

In the spirit of healing, NOJO Will continue to use alchemic power of music to create transformative experience is that inspire social change.

Also of note in town yesterday was The local brewery hosting The Rusty Axe Blues and Brews festival in downtown Cotton Square. We stopped by before the Jazz show for a great meal from Viet Fusion Food Truck (they ask how spicy and on a scale 7 to 10 was pretty good) and a set of blues standards by The Brickyard Blues Band. Playing later was The Mighty Orq who we saw in Houston opening for Fantastic Negrito. Orq puts on a good slide guitar show with lots of time altered effects which make him a man after my own heart. I how he was a hit for Lufkin. 

I guess when I had my last drink Lufkin was still a dry town (I think there is a history of temperance movements which rid the town of saloons) and you could not buy it in stores and breweries were unheard of. It still takes me a bit to get used to people walking down the street drinking it but like the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra playing here changing times brings new things.