Don’t forget to Ponderosa Stomp

In late April in New Orleans, most eyes are on Jazz Fest, but over at the House of Blues on April 28 and 29 a different kind of religion will be practiced by the rapt faithful. The Ponderosa Stomp, a two-night revue of swamp blues, roots rock and feral wildness named for a song by Baton Rouge blues figure Lazy Lester, is in its eighth year. Some highlights include the James Blood Ulmer Trio, Wiley & The Checkmates and 2009 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Wanda Jackson, the undisputed queen of rockabilly. Early in her career, Jackson shared the bill with Elvis Presley, and like him, she found that spot where country and rock ’n’ roll intersect. And her persona is as wild as her fringe and high-heeled outfits, as exemplified by “My Big Iron Skillet”—in which she promises to “show you how a little woman quits a great big man.” ponderosastomp.com