Diana Ross wears 9 outfits for a sparkling debut at the New Orleans Jazz Fest

Diana Ross joked that she was 47 years old, which would have been quite credible based on the way she looked at her nine sets, nine of her dazzling New York ensembles. Orleans Jazz Fest. What betrayed him was the crowd dancing and singing with each news of his many successes No. 1 dating back to 1964.

"So, if I'm 75, she corrects herself, so I want you to go there!"

She said this shortly after kissing her hand and placing it on her hip while performing "Upside Down" in a red glitter body-hugging dress at the shoulder.

This exchange was part of the brilliance of the Ross' Gentilly Stage performance on Saturday May 4th. She proved that playing at 75 just meant being an expert at keeping an engaged and entertained audience.

His band and his trio of choristers first dressed in black, staging the debut of Ross' Fair Grounds with shimmering sounds of drums and chimes. She started her 80-minute ensemble with "I'm Coming Out" in a dress with a gold sequined bodice and a voluminous gilt tulle skirt.

Every time Ross left the stage to change, she came back with a coat of feathers, fur or sequins that she had then put on to reveal another evening dress.

Before the first quick change, the crowd was singing about Supremes hits like "Baby Love," "Stop in Love's Name," "Come See Me About Me" – even though the sound did not come out. was not quite correct. Ross's microphone was too low, especially considering the band's volume, alternate singers and the crowd.

With his first quick change in the red sequined dress, however, the volume of the mic was much better than that of the sequel.

Ross slipped into a sparkling silver figure for "Why do fools fall in love," then, again, in a sparkling white dress. She arranged the penultimate song "Is not No Mountain High Enough", so she spoke most verses and gave everything for the chorus.

Finally, she plunged into "I Will Survive", giving each band member and alternate singer solo turns.

When Ross left the stage, just before 7 pm when his set was to end, the crowd stayed.

"Diiii-ana!" Shouted a man after sitting in his folding seat.

She came back in a black jumpsuit with touches of bright green.

Ross introduced the young singers and musicians who shared the stage with her and spent the rest of the song – a cover of "I Will Survive" – ​​with a phone in her hand, capturing moments of her life on stage and the enthusiastic crowd.

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Laura Testino writes entertainment, home and garden stories for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, where she is the reporter of life and culture. Contact her at 504.717.6584 or by email [email protected].