08 May 2024

Bayou Rendezvous | The Howlin’ Wolf | New Orleans | 5.3.24

ARTICLE CONTRIBUTED BY GABRIEL DAVID BARKIN | PUBLISHED ON MAY 8, 2024

The 22nd annual Bayou Rendezvous at The Howlin’ Wolf nightclub in New Orleans on Friday, May 3* featured a number of acts on two stages. (* Most of the event was in the wee hours after midnight on Saturday.) Here are some photos from the main stage and also from the sweaty closet they call “The Den,” which is literally smaller than my living room.

First up, pics from The New Orleans All-Stars, with NOLA drum legends Johnny Vidacovich and Terence Higgins on drums, John “Papa” Gros on vocals and keys, guitarists Papa Mali, Eric McFadden, and June Yamagishi, and Kevin Scott on bass.

John Papa Gros and June Yamagishi

June Yamagishi and Papa Mali

Eric McFadden

Johnny Vidacovich and Terence Higgins

June Yamagishi and Eric McFadden

Papa Mali and Kevin Scott

Next, in The Den, Will Bernard (guitar), Reed Mathis (bass), Robert Walter (keys), and Simon Lott (drums) throwing down some wicked jazz.

Will Bernard and Robert Walter

Simon Lott

Reed Mathis

Robert Walter

Back on the main stage for a few songs by Cool Cool Cool

Cool Cool Cool

And finally (for me, but not for the Bayou Rendezvous!), back into The Den for Galactic’s Robert Mercurio (bass) and Jeff Raines (guitar), with Simon Lott still on the skins and Joe Ashlar on keys. A trumpeter joined them, someone please tell me who this guy is!