Jazz Fest 50 Daily Lineup Announcement Goes Gloriously Heavy on New Orleans Heritage Artists
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary and rich musical history with a daily lineup that is busting at the seams with the very thing that makes this event one the best of its kind in the world – The Crescent City’s culture and the artists that give it life. Yeah, yeah. The supposedly big news is that The Rolling Stones, among other stars, are there to help ring in Jazz Fest 50, but the astounding list of local artists are the ones who will make this birthday bash one for the history books.
Set to take place over two long weekends April 25-April 28 and May 2-May 5 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in the Gentilly neighborhood of the city, the festival will include Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with The Nevilles, Irma Thomas, The Ellis Marsalis Family Tribute, The Radiators, Terence Blanchard, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Charmaine Neville Band, Hot 8 Brass Band, and many, many more.
The Stones, who are celebrating a golden anniversary of their own, will make a tour stop on Thursday, May 2, for a sold-out day of music with a vast undercard providing the warmup. Other big names taking top billing during the eight-day celebration are The Dave Matthews Band, Santana, Katy Perry, Earth Wind & Fire, Alanis Morisette, Jimmy Buffet & The Coral Reefer Band, Diana Ross, Van Morrison, Herbie Hancock, Ciara, and Pitbull.
With the city’s music at its heart, Jazz Fest will feature a mind-boggling assortment of collaborations showcasing some of New Orleans’ most beloved artists. I mean, The Ellis Marsalis Family Tribute featuring Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason with Ellis Marsalis is worth the price of admission alone. More must-see ensembles include The New Orleans Female Hip Hop Experience featuring Mia X, Ghetto Twins, 3D Natee, Keedy Black, Briki Fa President, DJ Westbank Red, and Downtown Leslie Brown; and The Kings of Zydeco: A Tribute to Clifton Chenier and Buckwheat Zydeco featuring C.J. Chenier, Nathan Williams and lls Sont Partis Band with too many others to list here.
And what would Jazz Fest be without Mardi Gras Indians, who add color and spice to the festival? Big Chief Bird and The Young Hunters Mardi Gras Indians and Big Chief Bo Dollis, Jr., & The Wild Magnolias will be among those kicking it out on stage and parading through the fair grounds
Tickets are going fast, and VIP packages for the second weekend are already sold out, but there is still time to secure passes to what will be a historic event no matter which days you choose. For the full daily lineup and more information on how to purchase tickets, click on the links below.