Yesterday saw the start of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. This huge festival, which celebrates the indigenous music and culture of New Orleans, occupies the entirety of the city’s historic Fair Grounds Race Course, which is only ten minutes from the French Quarter.
The ten-day event – running April 27 through May 6 – will see performances from hundreds of internationally renowned stars and celebrated Louisiana artists. In all, 12 stages will play host to jazz, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, blues, R&B, rock, funk, African, Latin, Caribbean, and folk.
Headliners include Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Foo Fighters, My Morning Jacket and Florence + The Machine.
Famous for its food and crafts as much as its music, the cultural feast is expected to draw 400,000 people. Whether you’re one of the lucky attending this year or not, you can still stir your soul with this New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival-inspired jazz playlist.
- Herbie Hancock – Cantaloupe Island
- Dave Koz – Start All Over Again
- Esperanza Spalding – Cinnamon Tree
- Regina Carter – Pavane
- Dianne Reeves – Afro Blue
- Pete Fountain – St. James Infirmary Blues
- Donald Harrison – Indian Red
- Kermit Ruffins – Good Morning New Orleans
- Irvin Mayfield – Mo’ Better Blues (with Ellis Marsalis)
- Rebirth Brass Band – I Feel Like Funkin’ It Up
- Hot 8 Brass Band – Sexual Healing
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Image: dsb nola)
