The Dukes of Dixieland, with their " gig when they don't have an out-of-town gig" on the Natchez since 1991, perform nightly on the steamboat. The Dukes personnel are: leader-drummer-vocalist Richard Taylor,trombonist Ben Smith, pianist Scott Obenschain, clarinetist Earl Bonie, bassist Everett Link and trumpeter Michael Fulton.

Cornetist Duke Heitger, in my view the handsomest white jazz guy currently performing, had as personnel for his Steamboat Stompers, clarinetist and soprano saxophonist Evan Christopher, pianist Steve Pistorius, bassist Kerry Lewis and guitarist John Parker. Cullum's drummer Mike Waskiewicz joined the Steamboat Stompers for the last set. The Steamboat Stompers perform regularly on the day cruises of the Natchez.

New Orleans bassist and radio personality Tom Saunders held forth in the Magnolia Suite with CD sales including some rare jazz recordings he had remastered. Tom is well known for his popular Traditional Jazz Radio show which aired on New Orleans Community Radio Station WWOZ for 13 years.

Overall, it was a wonderful evening of great music, reunion with friends, good food and an ideal setting. Think of it, twilight with the activity of the French Quarter on one side and the Mississippi river traffic and lights along the harbor on the other side. I think I'll skip Heaven, and just go to New Orleans!

In conversation with Heitger a couple of days after the event, he said that the decision for a repeat of this event would be made after conference with the steamboat company. From a personal point of view, I certainly hope there is a repeat.

For those of you who missed the event, the Steamboat Natchez cruises at 11:30 am and 2:30 p.m and the two-hour dinner/jazz cruise departs at 7:00 p.m. from the wharf at Jax Brewery in the French Quarter. Heitger's Steamboat Stompers perform for the day cruises and the Dukes of Dixieland for the dinner/jazz cruise. At least on any cruise, you get a Duke!

Contact : New Orleans Steamboat Company, #2 Canal St., Ste 2500, New Orleans, LA 70130-1587. Phones 504-586-8777 or 1-800-233-2628; www.NewOrleansSteamboat.com

Norman Vickers, Jazz Society of Pensacola, Inc.