2010 New Orleans Jazz Fest lineup announced
By STACEY PLAISANCE (AP) – 6 hours ago
NEW ORLEANS — Van the Man and The Queen of Soul are headlining next year's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Joining Van Morrison and Aretha Franklin will be Pearl Jam, making its inaugural appearance at the fest, as well as Lionel Richie and actor Steve Martin, who plays banjo in his bluegrass outfit the Steep Canyon Rangers. Darius Rucker, former Hootie and the Blowfish front man-turned-country award-winning singer, is also slated to appear.
"It's just a way cool thing that Jazz Fest is so broad that it can embrace all these different things, all these different artists," the festival's producer, Quint Davis, said Monday.
Marking its 41st year, the festival is scheduled for the weekends of April 23-25 and April 29-May 2 and features hundreds of acts in genres ranging from pop, rock and gospel to R&B, jazz and zydeco.
Though dotted with major national acts, the festival is made up of more than 80 percent Louisiana artists such as The Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas, Pete Fountain, Dr. John, rapper Juvenile, Trombone Shorty and Buckwheat Zydeco.
Other first-time artists include My Morning Jacket, Anita Baker, Gipsy Kings, The Dead Weather, The Levon Helm Band, Drake and Johnny Lang.
Returning acts include the Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, The Black Crowes and B.B. King.
"We have jazz in the name, but it's not just jazz music," Davis said.
Next year's festival will include a tribute to one of the genre's founders, jazz singer, songwriter and trumpeter Louis Prima, who was born in 1910 and "brought jazz and New Orleans flavor to the world," Davis said.
Prima reigns along with Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino and Mahalia Jackson, Davis said.
"He's so New Orleans," Davis said. "He was one of the first major voices in getting jazz and New Orleans to be dominant world powers in music. We have some very special things in the works to honor him."
There will be tributes to Prima every day with jazz singers Keely Smith and Louis Prima Jr. performing in his honor.
Davis said the festival was grateful to land Franklin — who was supposed to perform last year but dropped out when asked to participate in an event for President Barack Obama.
Rucker this year became only the second black performer to win a major individual country music award — he was named best new artist for 2009 — joining Charley Pride, who took entertainer of the year in 1971 and male vocalist in 1971-72.
"If there's nothing here that you like, then you just don't like nothing," Davis said.
Tickets for the festival, which is held at the Fair Grounds Race Course, go on sale Tuesday.
Besides music, the festival offers a host of food and craft booths, some that include the history and making of New Orleans pottery, jewelry, clothes and Mardi Gras.
Shell Oil Co. is this year's presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include Acura, Miller Lite, Pepsi and Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.

[www.google.com]






NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
PRESENTED BY SHELL
APRIL 23 - 25 (1st WEEKEND)

Artist TBA, Lionel Richie, Allman Brothers Band, My Morning Jacket, Anita Baker, Dr. John, Darius Rucker, The Black Crowes, Steel Pulse, Johnny Lang, Band of Horses, The Levon Helm Band, Drake, Keely Smith, Baaba Maal, George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic, Imagination Movers, Ledisi, King Sunny Ade & His African Beats, Better Than Ezra, Blind Boys of Alabama, Elvin Bishop, funky Meters, Sax for Stax featuring Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, and Jeff Lorber, Marcia Ball, Shawn Colvin, Pastor Smokie Norful, Terence Blanchard, Cowboy Mouth, The Campbell Brothers, Chocolate Milk, Sam Bush, The Voice of the Wetlands Allstars, Joe Lovano Us Five, Donald Harrison, Lena Prima, Tab Benoit, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Bonerama, Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Deacon John, Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Roadmasters, Davell Crawford and One Foot in the Blues with special guests Dr. John and Jon Cleary, The Bounce Extravaganza feat. Big Freedia, Sissy Nobby, Katie Redd, Magnolia Shorty, and DJ Poppa, Bob French & the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band 100 Year Anniversary Celebration, Jon Cleary: Piano, Bass & Drums, Irma Thomas’ Tribute to Mahalia Jackson, The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong feat. Wycliffe Gordon, James Andrews, and Victor Goines, Papa Grows Funk, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Theresa Andersson, Jewel Brown with the Heritage Hall Jazz Band, Joe Krown Trio feat. Walter Washington & Russell Batiste, New Orleans Klezmer Allstars, The Radiators--Pre-War Blues, Wayne Toups & Zydecajun, Grayson Capps, Kenny Neal, Treme Brass Band, Dr. Michael White & the Original Liberty Jazz Band feat. Thais Clark, Jeremy Davenport, Maurice Brown Effect, James Andrews & the Crescent City Allstars, Storyville Stompers Brass Band, Glen David Andrews, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Roddie Romero & the Hub City Allstars, Honey Island Swamp Band, OTRA, Leah Chase, Bill Summers & Jazalsa, Savoy Center of Eunice Saturday Cajun Jam, Mia X, Cheeky Blakk, and Ms. Tee, Wayne Toups & Zydecajun, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, Rotary Downs, The New Orleans Bingo! Show, Little Freddie King Blues Band, Andrew Duhon & the Lonesome Crows, Rumba Buena, Spencer Bohren, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, Louisiana LeRoux with Tab Benoit, Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble, Red Stick Ramblers, Guitar Slim, Jr., Kipori Woods, Kim Carson Band, Ivoire Spectacle feat. Seguenon Kone, The Revealers, Shades of Praise, Lionel Ferbos & the Palm Court Jazz Band, Sammy Rimington, The Electrifying Crownseekers, Tribute to Juanita Brooks feat. Betty Shirley, Germaine Bazzle, and Leah Chase, The James Rivers Movement, Leo Jackson & the Melody Clouds, Susan Cowsill, David Egan, Panorama Jazz Band, George French & the Storyville Jazz Band, New Orleans Night Crawlers, Midnite Disturbers, Ninth Ward Navajo Mardi Gras Indians, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers’ Tribute to Rockin’ Dopsie, Sr., Frankie Ford, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Reggie Hall & the Twilighters, Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue, Mas Mamones, Lil’ Buck Sinegal Blues Band, Jesse McBride presents the Next Generation, Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Septet, Michael Ward, Bleu Orleans, Mahogany Brass Band, Untouchables, Furious Five, and Big Steppers Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Creole Wild West and Golden Star Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Mark Braud’s New Orleans Jazz Giants, Gospel Soul Children, Blessed, Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries, Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble, Clive Wilson’s New Orleans Serenaders feat. Butch Thompson, N.O.C.C.A. Jazz Ensemble, Judy Spellman, Leroy Jones, Olympia Aid, New Look, and The First Division Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Golden Comanche, Golden Blade, and Wild Mohicans Mardi Gras Indians, Free Agents Brass Band, The Wiseguys, Jambalaya Cajun Band, Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys, D.L. Menard & the Louisiana Aces, The Revivalists, Rockie Charles, Robert “1 String” Gibson, Beth Patterson, Patrice Fisher & the Honduran Connection, Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Tommy Sancton Quintet, UNO Jazz Allstars, Smitty Dee’s Brass Band, Comanche Hunters, Semolian Warriors, and Black Feathers Mardi Gras Indians, Willis Prudhomme & Zydeco Express, Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys, Marc Stone Band, Betsy McGovern & the Poor Clares, Alexis Marceaux, Julio y Cesar, Sonny Bourg & the Bayou Blues Band, Chris Clifton, Miss Sophie Lee, June Gardner, The Guitar Woodshed feat. Steve Masakowski, Todd Duke, and Jake Eckert, Mount Hermon BC Mass Choir, Tonia Scott & Anointed Voices, Resurrection Baptist Church Mass Choir of Schertz, TX, Brass Bass Ensemble, Jai Reed, Loyola University Jazz Ensemble, Real Untouchables Brass Band, Divine Ladies, Dumaine Gang, and Ladies of Unity Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Young Pinstripe Brass Band, Johnette Downing, Kat Walker Jazz Combo, Guardians of the Flame, Single Ladies, Keep N it Real, and Nine Times Men Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Voices of Distinction, Nineveh BC Mass Choir, Kevin Thompson & the Sensational Six, Red Hot Brass Band, Lindsay Mendez, God’s House Westbank Cathedral Choir, The Gospel Stars, Da Souljas Brass Band, Single Men, Family Ties, and Big Nine Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Delgado Community College Jazz Ensemble, Natasha Richard of Canada, Culu Children’s Traditional African Dance Ensemble, Jacquelyn Mayfield, Golden Voices Community Choir, John Lee & the Heralds of Christ, Greater Antioch Full Gospel Mass Choir, Black Mohawks, Seminoles, and Red, White & Blue Mardi Gras Indians, Archdiocese of New Orleans Mass Gospel Choir, The Bester Singers and the Dynamic Smooth Family Gospel Singers, New Orleans Young Traditional Brass Band with the Heel to Toe Steppers, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church Mass Choir, Carrollton Hunters Mardi Gras Indians…


Artists Subject to Change.
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
PRESENTED BY SHELL
APRIL 29 – May 2 (2nd WEEKEND)

Pearl Jam, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Widespread Panic, The Neville Brothers, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, Irma Thomas, Gipsy Kings, The Dead Weather, Elvis Costello & the Sugarcanes, Teena Marie, Allen Toussaint, Gov’t Mule, Average White Band, Jose Feliciano, Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers, Maze feat. Frankie Beverly, Kirk Franklin, Wayne Shorter Quartet, Gil Scott Heron, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Clarence Carter, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band, Tye Tribbett, Juvenile & DJ Mannie Fresh, Take Six, Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players, Galactic, Stanley Clarke Band feat. Hiromi, Old Crow Medicine Show, Richie Havens, Marcus Miller, Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars, Pete Fountain, The Radiators, Blues Traveler, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Anders Osborne, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Rebirth Brass Band, Sonny Landreth, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Martin Sexton, Bernard Allison, Ruthie Foster, Jimmy Johnson Band, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Cyril Neville & Tribe 13, Dee Dee Bridgewater – A Celebration of Lady Day, Ellis Marsalis, Buckwheat Zydeco, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Clarence “Frogman” Henry, Louis Prima, Jr., Henry Butler, The Roots of Music Marching Crusaders, Selvy Singers of Arkansas, Aaron Neville, Chris Thomas King, Dala, Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band, The Davell Crawford Singers, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Inspirational Souls of Chicago, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, John Mooney & Bluesiana, subdudes, Iguanas, DJ Captain Charles, The Dixie Cups, Sherman Washington & the Zion Harmonizers, The Jon Batiste Band, Nicholas Payton, The Four Freshman, Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys, Russell Batiste & Friends feat. Jason Neville, Pine Leaf Boys, Eric Lindell, C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Shamarr Allen & the Underdawgs, Banu Gibson with Swing Out & Tap!, Tribute to Juanita Brooks feat. Wanda Rouzan, Barbara Shorts, and Topsy Chapman, John Boutté, Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Luther Kent, Astral Project, Germaine Bazzle, Soul Rebels, New Birth Brass Band, Big Chief Bo Dollis & the Wild Magnolias, Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole, PJ Morton, New Orleans Spiritualettes, The Johnson Extension, Orange Kellin’s New Orleans Deluxe Orchestra, Bobby Lonero’s Tribute to Louis Prima, Don Vappie & the Creole Jazz Serenaders, The Allen Toussaint Jazzity Project, Charmaine Neville, MyNamesIsJohnMichael, Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove, Paul Sanchez & the Rolling Road Show, Bobby Lounge, Big Al Carson, Lynn Drury, Vivaz!, Nova NOLA feat. Sasha Masakowski, Topsy Chapman & Solid Harmony, Coco Robicheaux & the Swamp Monsters, Fredy Omar con su Banda, Loose Marbles, Heavenly Melodies, Betty Winn & One A-Chord, Kent Jordan, Shannon Powell’s Organ Combo feat. David Torkanowsky and Charlie Gabriel, Forgotten Souls, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, TBC Brass Band, Westbank Steppers, Valley of Silent Men, and Pigeon Town Steppers Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Apache Hunters, Wild Red Flame, and Mohawk Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Jockimo’s Groove feat. War Chief Juan and Billy Iuso, Elysian Fieldz, Feufollet, Creole Zydeco Farmers, The Hadley J. Castille Family & the Sharecroppers Band, GROUPA – Nordic Folk Fusion, Tin Men, R. Scully Rough 7, Creole String Beans, Ernie Vincent & the Top Notes, Margie Perez, Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone & the XL Band, Kristin Diable, Jimmy Robinson, Kenny Bill Stinson & the ARK-LA-Mystics, Mem Shannon & the Membership, Bamboula 2000, Kora Konnection feat. Morikeba Kouyate of Senegal and Thierno Dioubate of Guinea, Papa Blue Viking Jazz Band of Sweden, Onward Brass Band, Dukes of Dixieland, Tim Laughlin, Val & the Love Alive Fellowship Choir, Jo “Cool” Davis, Zulu Male Ensemble, Phillip Manuel, Roderick Paulin, SUBR Jazzy Jags, Pinstripe Brass Band, Original Prince of Wales and Original Lady Buckjumpers Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, New Orleans Indian Rhythm Section, Fi Yi Yi & the Mandingo Warriors, 101 Runners, Evan Christopher & Tom McDermott, New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, Pfister Sisters, Walter Payton with Snapbeans and Filé Gumbo, Brother Tyrone, Driskill Mountain Boys, Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots, Thomas “Big Hat” Fields, Mark Adam Miller, Benny Grunch & the Bunch, J. Monque’D Blues Band, Mia Borders, Lars Edegran & the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra, Classie Ballou & the Family Band, John Rankin, Jonny Frishberg & Bayou DeVille, DJ Soul Sister, Zion Trinity, AsheSon, Los Po-Boy-Citos, Kumbuka African Drum & Dance Collective, Donnie Bolden, Jr. & the Spirit of Elijah, Ebenezer Mass Choir, Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band, Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Voices of Peter Claver, Sean Johnson & the Wild Lotus Band, Mario Abney Quintet, Lady Rollers, Original C.T.C. Steppers, and Nine Times Ladies Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Baby Boyz Brass Band, Geronimo Hunters, 7th Ward Creole Hunters, and Young Magnolias Mardi Gras Indians, Lafayette Rhythm Devils, Joe Hall & the Cane Cutters, Eddie “ChopChops” Paris, Hot Club of New Orleans, Connie Jones & the Crescent City Jazz Band, Young Tuxedo Brass Band, Lady Jetsetters Social Aid & Pleasure Club, Ladies Sing the Blues feat. Gina Brown, Angela H. Bell, and Tereasa B., Julliard Jazz Ensemble, Craig Adams & Higher Dimensions of Praise, McDonogh #35 High School Gospel Choir, O. Perry Walker Charter High School Gospel Choir, Warren Storm, Willie Tee & Cypress, McMain High School Gospel Choir, Blodie’s Jazz Jam, Xavier University Jazz Band, Tulane University Jazz Ensemble, Pinettes Brass Band, Scene Boosters, Ole & Nu Style Fellas, and Secondline Jammers Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, New Wave Brass Band, Red Hawk, Black Seminoles, and Black Eagles Mardi Gras Indians, Dwight & Connie Fitch with the St. Raymond/St. Leo the Great Choir, N’Fungola Sibo West African Dance Company, Marisa y Mariachi Agave, Grupo Sensacion, Dee-1, Lucky 7, Franklin IV, Mardi Gras Indian Orchestra, Ray Abshire, Bonsoir, Catin, Dillard University Jazz Ensemble, Jamil Sharif & the Jazz Professors, Rocks of Harmony, Some Like it Hot, Kid Simmons’ Local International Allstars, The Wright Brothers, Tyronne Foster & the Arc Singers, St. Joseph the Worker Music Ministry, Heritage School of Music Band, New Generation, Undefeated Divas, and VIP Ladies Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Highsteppers Brass Band, Trouble Nation and Wild Apaches Mardi Gras Indians, David & Roselyn, Paulin Brothers Brass Band, Morning Star BC Mass Choir, Arthur Clayton & Purposely Anointed, Gloria Bell & the Revelation Gospel Singers, First Emmanuel Baptist Church Choir, White Cloud Hunters and Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians, Tornado Brass Band, Lyle Henderson & Emmanuel, Pastor Terry Gullage & the Greater Mount Calvary Voices of Redemption Choir, Gospel Inspirations of Boutte, Ayla Miller, Original Four, Original Big 7, and Bon Temps Roulez Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Golden Sioux and Cherokee Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Nashville Children’s Choir, Claudia Baumgartner, Saltimbanqui Puppet Theater of Mexico, Stephen Foster’s Foster Family Program, Hazel & the Delta Ramblers, N’Kafu African Dance presented by Young Audiences, O. Perry Walker Kuumba Players, Jazz Fest Residency Showcase feat. Seva Venet and KIDSmART…



Artists Subject to Change.

[www.nojazzfest.com]

See you at d.b.a. Edith for two glasses of Kwak. And whatever you're drinking.

Was there between 2001 and 2005 every year. Great food and great mood :-).

By the way, Edith Grove, what happen to that wonderful shop 'Magic Bus' on Conti Str.?

PS. Saints are on fire this year, ain't they?

this is a great lineup .i would love to go back

Quote
Silver Dagger
See you at d.b.a. Edith for two glasses of Kwak. And whatever you're drinking.

Great! Send me an e-mail when the time gets close: edithgrove102@hotmail.com

Magic Bus shut down unfortunately.

Quote
ironbelly
By the way, Edith Grove, what happen to that wonderful shop 'Magic Bus' on Conti Str.?

I don't think they are there anymore. Probably too much competition from Louisiana Music Factory just around the corner. [www.louisianamusicfactory.com]

They shut down right after Katrina.

One of the main guys from Magic Bus - the one with glasses, not the English one - was working at Louisiana Music Factory in Dacatur last time I was in town a few years ago. He told me Magic Bus closed basically as a knock on effect from Katrina. Very sad as it was such a great shop.

I used to know those guys somewhat well (I bought my Voodoo box set boots there plus some other good boots before they got busted! All the while Uptown The Mushroom went untouched for third-rate bootlegs that cost easily twice as much as anything at the Bus).

That really pissed me off. Chris and Lippy were not happy about it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010-04-09 01:45 by skipstone.

Skip, ya'll got anything lined up during Jazz Fest ?

Well, no, not me. I'm done. I'm out. But if you look at the schedule when that comes out there will be someone playing there on the 25th at the Lagniappe Stage again.

New Orleans Jazz Fest to welcome Simon and Garfunkel
By Keith Spera, The Times-Picayune
January 12, 2010, 11:59PM

Simon & Garfunkel have been added to the New Orleans Jazz Fest roster for Saturday, April 24.
Baby boomers, rejoice: Simon & Garfunkel are coming to Jazz Fest in New Orleans.

The superstar 1960s folk duo will close out the Acura Stage on Saturday, April 24, the festival's first weekend. Paul Simon last performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival presented by Shell with his own band in 2006, but has never shared a stage at the Fair Grounds with Art Garfunkel.

"For Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel to agree to come together and create this historic concert for our festival is not only a great honor, but it will bring to all who attend the rarest opportunity to experience the magic of one of America's greatest musical institutions," said Quint Davis, Jazz Fest's producer/director.

Referring to two of Simon & Garfunkel's hits, Davis continued, "No American city can so relate to the need for a 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' and the power of being 'Homeward Bound.'"

Simon's professional affiliation and friendship with Davis dates to the early 1980s, when Simon first journeyed to Jazz Fest to see the Neville Brothers.
"Over the years I've always enjoyed performing at Jazz Fest," Simon said in a statement. "Everyone connected with the festival, and in particular Quint Davis, has created an atmosphere that is both musical and enjoyable. I am looking forward to the opportunity to perform with my old friend Art Garfunkel at this year's festival."
The Jazz Fest date is the duo's only announced American appearance for 2010.
Friends since a childhood spent together in Queens, New York, Simon and Garfunkel issued their first recording, "Hey, Schoolgirl," in 1955 under the pseudonym Tom & Jerry. They released their debut album as Simon & Garfunkel, "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.," in 1964.
Simon & Garfunkel's hits trafficked in seamless vocal harmonies, acoustic guitars and evocative lyrics that functioned as a balm during a tumultuous decade of cultural and political upheaval. They included "The Sounds of Silence," "Hazy Shade of Winter," "The Boxer," "Cecilia" and "Mrs. Robinson," the theme from the landmark film "The Graduate."
The massive popularity of 1970's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" was not enough to prevent personal and creative tensions from tearing the duo apart. Simon went on to a high-profile solo career as Garfunkel split his time between music and acting.
A decade of intermittent joint public appearances culminated in a 1981 reunion concert in New York's Central Park for a crowd of more than 500,000. More years of estrangement followed, interrupted by occasional performances.
They launched their first tour in more than 20 years, dubbed "Old Friends," in 2003. A live album followed in 2004, as well as a European tour that concluded at the Colosseum in Rome for a crowd estimated at 600,000.

In September 2005, weeks after Hurricane Katrina, they participated in the From the Big Apple to the Big Easy benefit concert at New York's Madison Square Garden. Aaron Neville joined them for "Bridge Over Troubled Water." "As many times as I've sung this song," Garfunkel said, "I don't think it's ever meant as much as it does tonight."

During his set at the 2006 Jazz Fest, Simon spotlighted a trio of Louisiana special guests. Stanley "Buckwheat Zydeco" Dural played accordion on "That Was Your Mother." Allen Toussaint contributed piano to "Graceland." Irma Thomas sang lead on "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
Simon & Garfunkel toured Australia, New Zealand and Japan in 2009, and performed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 25th anniversary concert in New York in October.
Their addition fills the final headlining slot for the 41st Jazz Fest, which is April 23 to May 2. Other featured acts include Pearl Jam, Aretha Franklin, Lionel Richie, the Allman Brothers, Widespread Panic, Anita Baker, Van Morrison, Jeff Beck and My Morning Jacket, plus hundreds of indigenous Louisiana artists.
Jazz Fest's producers plan to release the day-by-day schedule on Jan. 27.
A limited number of discount Jazz Fest weekend ticket packages are available through Ticketmaster. A first-weekend package of three day-specific tickets is $120 plus service charges; a second-weekend package of four tickets is $160.
Advance single-day tickets, specific to each weekend, are $45 plus service charges; tickets at the gate are $60. Tickets for children age 2 to 10 are $5, available at the gate only.

[www.nola.com]

I think that this year's lineup is excellent. The second weekend looks appealing to me. Love the music and especially the food.

How is Fats doing lately?

Quote
The Sicilian
How is Fats doing lately?

Haven't heard much about him lately. I'm pretty sure he's over eighty now and really having problems getting around.

There was a tribute concert for him at the New Orleans Arena about a year ago.
He was there, but did not play.

BTW, I had to visit a laundromat in the French Quarter last weekend that is the former home of J & M Studios.
I did my laundry in the same room that Fats, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc. made their first recordings!

Hopefully you didn't find your thrill with a 13 year old cousin.

Day-by-day Jazz Fest schedule released: [www.neworleans.com]

Jazzed . . . and a little jittery . . . about New Orleans' Jazzfest


New Orleans' own Neville Brothers will be at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on May 2, the same day that B.B. King performs.

By Helen Anders
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Published: 12:18 p.m. Saturday, March 6, 2010

I'm planning to go to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival next month, and I say that with great anticipatory thrill. And dread.

At this moment, while we're girding our loins in Austin for this month's South by Southwest onslaught, how can we possibly contemplate plunging into yet another soup of maniacal music mobs and long food lines?

Ah, but it's Jazzfest — full name this year: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented by Shell, running the weekends of April 23-25 and April 29-May 2. The annual gathering of jazz and blues greats, with a sprinkling of other genres, convenes in a city that percolates music every day of its life. The setting is as much a lure as the music.

The lineup, as always, is formidable. Aretha Franklin and B.B. King will be holding forth amid rockers like Pearl Jam, My Morning Jacket and Widespread Panic. Add Anita Baker, Van Morrison, Lionel Richie, the Allman Brothers Band and the city's favorite sons, the Neville Brothers. Throw in Jeff Beck, Irma Thomas, the Gipsy Kings, the Black Crowes, Jonny Lang, Jose Feliciano, Band of Horses, Baaba Maal, Simon & Garfunkel, Levon Helm, Juan Luis Guerra and — what's this? — the Imagination Movers, the grinning, problem-solving band from the Disney Channel? Yup. Turns out the tot-rockers are from New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina destroyed three of their homes. This will be their first Jazzfest gig.

Tony Bennett won't be there to sing this year, by the way, but he'll be there as a poster artist. He painted the official Jazzfest poster, featuring his friend the late Louis Prima, a New Orleans native.

The lineup goes on and on and can be perused at www.nojazzfest.com. Let's talk a little about how to get the most out of Jazzfest without letting the event — which one of my friends refers to as "the full chaos" — beat you down. The key, all Jazzfest veterans say, is not to overdo.

In fact, the aforementioned friend attends just one day of Jazzfest a year, jetting into New Orleans on Sunday morning and back out Sunday evening. That way, he can give himself over to the event like there's no tomorrow, because there isn't.

I'm doing just one day of Jazzfest, too, but it's because of money. I don't mind the $53-per-day cost of the fest (that's the rate ordered off the Web site, including the booking fee), but because I wasn't among the smart folks who booked a year ago, I couldn't find a hotel room for less than $200 on either Jazzfest weekend that was anywhere near the bus pickup stop on Canal Street in front of the Sheraton. (Jazzfest is at Fair Grounds Race Course in a residential part of the city; there's really nowhere to park. Gray Line Tours' $16 round-trip shuttle is the way to go.)

So, my husband and I decided we could pony up $189 (tax and parking will take it to about $235) for one Friday night, April 23, at the Ramada Plaza Inn on Bourbon Street (541 Bourbon St.), arriving a couple of nights earlier, when it's cheaper ($139), to hang out in the French Quarter before the madness begins.

We'll be ready to get up and out early for the first day of Jazzfest, armed with the allowed one bottle of water apiece to get a jump-start on hydration. We'll also be ready to hit the food lines long before the midday crunch.

Jazzfest food isn't your typical festival food. You won't find any pizza or gloppy nachos. What you will find is real Louisiana food: jambalaya, gumbo, seafood, red beans and rice, cafe au lait and beignets. Eating your way through Jazzfest is an art in itself, and those who are dedicated to this art start early — no later than 11. After that, the lines can get horrifically long. Try a muffuletta from Di Martino's or the pheasant-quail-andouille gumbo from Prejean's.

Make your plans now if you plan to go to Jazzfest (because you're already late), and remember: Eat early, stay hydrated, wear comfy clothes and get ready to roll with the crowd. I'll be in that mob, somewhere, crawdad in hand. As my Louisiana-born cousin Steve likes to say, we gon' have us a time.

handers@statesman.com; 912-2590

[www.statesman.com]

I saw $60 at the gate listed last month somewhere. And Shell is a huge sponsor (the motherfuckingcocksuckers). So why is it getting more costly than ever again?

Quote
skipstone
So why is it getting more costly than ever again?

Yeah, I know. Price increases on anything really piss me off.

But even if you wait to pay full price at the gate, which I always do, you are still getting a great value for a full day of entertainment.
I've paid more than that to see a two-hour show from a band that was having an "off" night.
At least with Jazz Fest, you have a very diverse selection of music to hear, not to mention all the other activities at the Fest.

Holy Sh*t, how many stages are there going to be at this thing?

Quote
ryanpow
Holy Sh*t, how many stages are there going to be at this thing?

This is the 2009 map, but it stays virtually the same every year:

Quote
Edith Grove

Quote
skipstone
So why is it getting more costly than ever again?

Yeah, I know. Price increases on anything really piss me off.

But even if you wait to pay full price at the gate, which I always do, you are still getting a great value for a full day of entertainment.
I've paid more than that to see a two-hour show from a band that was having an "off" night.
At least with Jazz Fest, you have a very diverse selection of music to hear, not to mention all the other activities at the Fest.

I know it's still a great deal no matter what - and the best festival in North America period music wise and price wise. It's a great deal. But see, with Shell promoting it with their big bad selves, the price has still gone up. Not a whole lot has changed over the years. What has Shell done to help? Nothing that I can tell. It's bizarre that the prices keep going way way up. The one thing I do to save money while there? Don't drink beer. It's just piss beer anyway. Of all things, Miller Lite is the official beer? Why not Abita? Doesn't that seem strange? It's just odd overall. So much for the 'heritage' part in the overall big picture.

>>The one thing I do to save money while there? Don't drink beer.<<

I save money by eating at a restaurant on the way there.

If I tried sampling everything they had to eat, I couldn't afford the ticket!

Oh yeah. The food at JF is outstanding. Even that is getting to the point of too expensive. It certainly is a best of the city in one place.

Can you say

Interesting video on Louis Armstrong:

[videos.nola.com]

Complete Jazz Fest schedule available now:

[2010.nojazzfest.com]

sounds like a blast. i love the summer fests - thinking of hitting at least 3 this summer (santa cruz, portland, and my local russian river fest). nothing beats my local one, but it's inexcusable that they've reduced it from two weekends to just one...but where else can you:

float on a river in the redwoods - see the stage and hear the music perfectly - with a whisky you brought in legally yourself, a stogie in one hand and a joint in the other - while enjoying some of the best blooze and jazz on the planet?

thats a great picture you're painting there, T&A...

Widespread Panic on April 29

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