Doin' The Ponderosa Stomp

If you’re not familiar with names like James “Blood” Ulmer, DJ Fontana, or H-Bomb Ferguson, you’re not alone. If you’re hip to these guys, then you probably are already know about the Mystic Knights of The Mau Mau – a secret society in New Orleans that dedicates itself to the preservation of the overlooked pioneers of rock’n’roll, blues, R&B, rockabilly, and swamp-pop.

And if you happen to be at the New Orleans Jazz Festival, then you have the lucky oppurtunity of seeing the Knights’ annual festival, Ponderosa Stomp.

This festival is a celebration of the unsung progenitors of some of the most popular forms of American music.

The 4th annual Ponderosa Stomp is scheduled smack in the middle of the New Orleans Jazz Festival on April 26 – 27. It will take place at the Mid City Rock’n’Bowl, where bands play alongside 18 bowling lanes and a slew of dancing concert-goers.

The Stomp will feature and impressive line-up of songwriters and musicians from years past. Scheduled to appear are performers like Scotty Moore, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Nokie Edwards (of the Ventures), Archie Bell, Link Wray, Betty Harris, Lonnie Brooks as Guitar Jr., Nathaniel Mayer, Mando and The Chili Peppers, Johnny Farina (of Santo & Johnny), Blowfly, Eddie Bo, Arch Hall, Jr., Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, and many others.

Tickets sell for $35 per night through the festival’s web site, www.ponderosastomp.com.