Maggie Koerner
Jazz Fest regular Maggie Koerner assembled four powerful vocalists—including herself—for a two-night performance of Siren Song at the Marigny Opera House with Maggie Koerner & Friends.
Koerner springboard the performances by cleverly scheduling the evening showcase at the close of each New Orleans Jazz &
Heritage Festival's Fridays in the serene quiet side of the Marigny. Fans filled the venerable Marigny Opera House.
The Friday, April 26 show featured Michelle Malentina, Carly Johnson, AJ Haynes, and Koerner.
The Sirens and Their Songs
Malentina opened the show with songs presented as a tad mischievous.
Puerto Rican native and LSU grad Malentina is based in Lafayette, LA and performed Spanish-language songs, which took nothing away from the emotive vocals some may not have understood. Her second time performing in New Orleans—the first at the Jazz Fest's Cultural showcase in 2023—and her first time at the opera house, she was clearly enjoying herself.
She explained her adopting "La Malentina" as her new stage persona because it's related connotation of "malicious" seemed to capture the spirit of her fiery Latina passion. By way of example, she burst into an Broadway-style rendition of Cabaret 's "Maybe This Time" in English.
From Louisville, KY, Johnson took the stage next with a tight team of musicians, including her brother on guitar. Thunder outside put a well-timed cadence on her espousing her excitement to be playing jazz in New Orleans.
Her original song, "I'm Stronger Than I'll Ever Be," had some audience members in tears as it shared her experience of a dear friend Marissa who bravely faced her fears of how to live through their battle with cancer. Another song that showcased her strong range while belting out "Hit the Ground Running." Johnson's soulful version of "A Lot to Lose" conveying parenthood's unconditional love left few dry eyes. She closed with the yet-unreleased "Eternally Hopeful"—a wonderful piece that needs to be released soon.
Fresh from a performance at the Fair Grounds' Festival Stage earlier with the Seratones, AJ Haynes' melodic voice was a more chill vibe than Johnson and prepared the room well for Maggie Koerner, who was up next. Haynes acoustic guitar playing paired perfectly with her soothing vocals, made even lovelier in the historical venue.
Maggie in the [Opera] House
Maggie ("Not Margaret…I'm named after my grandmother") Koerner's strong voice evoked power and control—unbreakable in its movement. She delighted with intonations that evoked a heartfelt longing infused with some Cajun tonality. The result were many new songs.
"I Love You, Part II" and her yet unrecorded "Hurricane" were new songs that landed well with her fans.
"The secret about tonight is all of [us performing] starred in [a] movie together," Koerner said closing out the show. Filmed largely in Louisville, the premier was recently in the Netherlands in honor of Dutch director Ate de Jong. "This dress [I'm wearing] is even from the movie."
"Heart Strings is coming out later this year," Koerner promised. She also closed the show with a song about her "least favorite boyfriend."
As for their respective sound? A patron in the audience summed it up succinctly by saying, "Malentina was a taste of liberation in a conservative Latin culture. Carly Johnson was like a wrecking ball ready to take down a high-tower building—in a good way. AJ floated like a Hibiscus flower on the ocean breeze that might blow onto a beach. Maggie was was a cattail reed from the swamplands blowing in a hurricane wind."
[Mic drop.]
Same Time, Same Place
Jazz Fest Afters continues on the second Friday, as well. The performances on May 3 will not, however be a repeat. The schedule changes with new vocalists Molly Taylor, Gina Leslie, Claire Givens, and Gabrielle Cavassa, so the April 26 audience will see something new and music lovers will have more to love.
Both nights will feature a sound bath by Whit Forrester, as well as feature live light painting and projection mapping by Monica Rose Kelly throughout the show. Decor by Voyage Living included plush pillows and blankets provided for VIP ground seating. Fans were encouraged to comfortably recline on the floor in front of the stage to fully enjoy Monica Rose Kelly's live art on the ceilings of this beautiful historic church, enhancing the music.
