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Posted May 4, 11:12 PM
Erika Goldring Photo
Diana Ross performs at the Saenger Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013, in New Orleans. On Saturday, May 4, 2019, she performed at the New Orleans Jazz Fest for the first time. (Erika Goldring Photo)
Diana Ross made a joke that she was 47-years-old, which would have been completely believable based on the way she looked in all nine, count’ em nine, of her dazzling New Orleans Jazz Fest ensembles. What gave her away was the crowd dancing and singing along to every word of her slew of No. 1 hits that date back to 1964.
“So if I’m 75,” she corrected herself, “then I wanna see you move out there!”
She said this shortly after kissing her hand and placing it on her hip while performing “Upside Down” in a form-fitting, off-the-shoulder sequined red dress.
Photo by Laura Testino, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
Diana Ross, 75, performs on the Gentilly Stage during her New Orleans Jazz Fest debut. This red gown was the fourth of nine ensembles she wore during her 80-minute set. Photo by Laura Testino, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
This exchange was part of the brilliance of Ross’ Gentilly Stage performance on Saturday (May 4). She proved that performing at 75 just means she’s an expert at keeping an audience engaged and entertained.
Her band and trio of backup singers first took the stage dressed all in black, setting up Ross’ Fair Grounds debut with shimmering sounds from drums and chimes. She began her 80-minute set with “I’m Coming Out” in a gown with a form-fitting bodice of gold sequins and a voluminous skirt of golden tulle.
Each time Ross left the stage to change, she would return with a feathery, fur or sequined coat that she’d later shed to reveal yet another evening gown.
Before the first quick-change, the crowd been bouncing around and singing along to Supremes hits like “Baby Love,” “Stop in the Name of Love,” “Come See About Me” -- even though the sound wasn’t quite right. Ross’ mic was too low, especially considering the volume of the band, the backup singers and the crowd.
With her first quick-change into the red sequin gown, however, came much better mic volume that lasted the rest of the show.
Ross slipped into a sparkling silver number for “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” and then, yes, again into a sparkling white gown. She arranged “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” the second-to-last song, so that she spoke most of the verses and then gave it her all for the chorus.
Finally, she dove into “I Will Survive,” giving each band member and back-up singer solo turns.
When Ross left the stage, just before 7 p.m. when her set was supposed to end, the crowd stayed.
“Diiii-ana!” one man screamed from standing in the seat of his folding chair.
She returned in an all black jumpsuit with bright green accents.
Ross introduced the younger singers and musicians who shared the stage with her and spent the rest of the song — a reprise of “I Will Survive” — with a phone in hand, capturing moments of herself on stage and of the enthused crowd.
Photo by Laura Testino, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
Ross, 75, concludes her Jazz Fest performance by dancing with the crowd. Photo by Laura Testino, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
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