Frankie Ford

I'll admit I decided to go see Frankie Ford on Saturday afternoon at the Gentilly Stage mostly out of curiosity, but apparently he anticipated this. Twenty-seven years of Jazz Festivals, and way more since his 1959 R&B Top 20 hit "Sea Cruise", the "New Orleans Dynamo" deftly beat us to every joke about his age that we could have imagined, to the point where his drummer would supply rimshots right on cue.

In between comedy routines, Frankie was absolutely capable on the keys and on vocals, starting off with "Roberta". His support in the crowd was overwhelming, with fest-goers all trying to get his ear, reminding him "You're the KING, Frankie!"

 

Earlier in the day, Fredy Omar (pictured at right) con su Banda brought the baila right off the bat at the Gentilly Stage. And I really mean that; not only was the audience twirling each other around to his cool latin rhythms, but onstage there were a few couples showing off some dance moves that those in the crowd might not have dared.