The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, presented by Shell, is a vibrant celebration of music, culture, and heritage that takes place annually at the New Orleans Fair Grounds and Race Course. This iconic event, known as Jazz Fest, is a must-visit for music enthusiasts and those looking to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of New Orleans’ traditions.
History and Essence
Jazz Fest is not just a music festival; it’s a reflection of everything that defines New Orleans. From its inception, the festival has been a melting pot of jazz, blues, rock, gospel, soul, reggae, and more. It encapsulates the spirit of the city through its diverse musical lineup and showcases the essence of New Orleans’ heritage in a captivating way.
Schedule and Lineup
The festival spans over two weekends, generally at the end of April and beginning of May. Each day offers a plethora of musical acts across six massive stages and five enormous tents. From local favorites like Dr. John and Irma Thomas to legendary headliners such as Stevie Wonder and The Rolling Stones, Jazz Fest promises an unforgettable musical experience for all attendees.
Location and Atmosphere
Set against the backdrop of the historic Fair Grounds in New Orleans’ Gentilly neighborhood, Jazz Fest provides a unique setting for music lovers to enjoy performances under the Louisiana sun. The festival grounds feature multiple stages and tents that cater to various genres, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Pricing and Tickets
To attend this extraordinary event, tickets are required. The festival offers different ticket options to suit various preferences, from single-day passes to full weekend access. Pricing varies based on the type of ticket and any additional amenities included. It’s advisable to check the official website for detailed ticket information and purchase options.
What’s New in 2024
As we look forward to the upcoming 2024 edition of Jazz Fest, exciting changes are on the horizon. The festival is going cashless this year, streamlining transactions for attendees. Additionally, there are new surprises in store with updated food vendors and engaging activities that promise to enhance the overall festival experience.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2024 Daily Music Events:
- April 25, 2024: Widespread Panic, The Beach Boys, Stephen Marley, Cimafunk, Cha Wa, Mokoomba of Zimbabwe, The New Orleans Classic Recording Revue featuring The Dixie Cups, Wanda Rouzan, Clarence “Frogman” Henry, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, and a Tribute to Jean Knight, Kenny Barron Trio, John Boutté, Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr & The Zydeco Twisters, Ruthie Foster, Robert Finley, New Orleans Nightcrawlers, The Headhunters featuring Bill Summers, Donald Harrison Jr., and Mike Clark, Banu Gibson, Lakecia Benjamin, Papa Mali Trio, Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band, Omari Neville, The Iceman Special, Brass-A-Holics, Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots, Tin Men, Gregg Martinez & the Delta Kings with guests TK Hulin and Johnnie Allan, Corey Ledet & His Zydeco Band, Mem Shannon & the Membership, Pow Wows with Native Nations Intertribal, Alexey Marti, Players Ella & Louie Tribute Band featuring Kiki Chapman & Wendell Brunious, Michael Ward, Billy Iuso, Ronnie Lamarque, The Russell Welch Hot Quartet, Brother Tyrone & The Mindbenders, Celebration of Colombia: Rancho Aparte, Agrupación Changó, and Gregorio Uribe, New Orleans Suspects, The Caesar Brothers Funk Box, Javier Gutierrez and Vivaz!, Karma and the Killjoys, Horace Trahan & the Ossun Express, The Revelers, Isabel Davis, The Sarah Quintana Band, Keyla Richardson, Sons Of Jazz Brass Band, The John Mahoney Little Band featuring Meryl Zimmerman, Kid Simmons’ Local International Allstars, The Desert Nudes, Michael Skinkus and Moyuba, Debbie Davis, Shawan Rice, Betty Winn & One A-Chord, Louis Ford & his New Orleans Flairs, Big Chief Dow & the Timbuktu Warriors and Cheyenne Mardi Gras Indians, Forgotten Souls, Norbert Susemihl’s New Orleans Allstars, Pastor Tyrone Jefferson, St. Joseph the Worker Music Ministry, Gray Hawk presents Native American Lore, Loyola University Jazz Band featuring Bria Skonberg, Double Whiskey, The Crybabies, Kim Che’re, One Mind Brass Band, The Lady Pigeon Town Steppers and Zulu Go Getters Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SA&PC), The Bester Singers, The Dynamic Smooth Family of Slidell, Black Foot Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Tchefunky Playground, Melvin “Maestro” Winfield Jr. & The Glory Chorale Community Choir, Black Mohawk and Young Seminole Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, The New Groove Brass Band, Bad Boyz, Ice Divas, and The Steppers SA&PCs, Calliope Puppets, David & Roselyn with Arlee Leonard, ISL Circus Arts Kids
- April 26, 2024:The Killers, Jon Batiste, The Revivalists, Kem, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Oumou Sangaré of Mali, Joe Louis Walker, Sweet Crude, Zigaboo Modeliste and the Funk Revue, Naturally 7, Astral Project, Shamarr Allen, Amy Helm, Leyla McCalla, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Savoy Family Cajun Band, Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra tributes Tina Turner, CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Celebration of Colombia: Los Cumbia Stars, Rancho Aparte, Agrupación Changó, and Joaquín Pérez y su Herencia Ancestral, The Walls Group, Balaklava Blues of Ukraine/Canada, HaSizzle “The King of Bounce”, Mr. Sipp, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Luther Kent & Trickbag, TBC Brass Band, Jeremy Davenport, Tuba Skinny, J & The Causeways, Young Pinstripe Brass Band, Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans, Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr. with a special appearance by The ICONS featuring Choppa, BlaqNmilD, and Tonya Boyd-Cannon, Tribute to Al Hirt featuring Wendell Brunious, Doyle Cooper, and Kevin Ray Clark, Comanche Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Sonny Gullage and the Blues Groovers, Esther Rose, Louis Michot, Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble, André Bohren + The Electric Yat Quartet, Andrina Turenne, Rich Collins, Panorama Jazz Band, Jenn Howard Band, Gov’t Majik, Baby Boyz Brass Band, Spyboy J & Thee Storm Mardi Gras Indians, D.K. Harrell, Chloé Marie, Shaggadelic & Raw Revolution, Stephen King, T’Monde, Clive Wilson’s New Orleans Serenaders, The Jones Sisters, Miss Martha & her Goodtime Gang, Rainy Eyes, River Eckert, Jason Danti and the Krewe de Bechet, Tulane BAM Ensemble, Voices of Femme Fatale, Pow Wows with Native Nations Intertribal, Jackson Square All Star Brass Band, Ole & Nu Style Fellas, Perfect Gentlemen, and Sisters of Change Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SA&PC), Marcella Ratcliff, Voices of Pride Edna Karr High School, Eleanor McMain G.A.W.I.S.M., Golden Comanche, 7th Ward Creole Hunters, and Black Flame Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, LB Landry Gospel Choir, Warren Easton Charter High School Gospel Choir, St. Mary’s Academy Gospel Choir, NOCOA Community Choir, Donald Lewis, Free Spirit Brass Band, Treme Sidewalk Steppers and Lady & Men Rollers SA&PCs, Golden Sioux, Wild Apaches, and Big Chief War & 7th Ward Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, New Wave Brass Band, Original Big 7, and Sisters of Unity SA&PCs, KID smART Showcase, Kehoe-France Middle School Jazz Ambassadors
- April 27, 2024: Chris Stapleton, Vampire Weekend, Fantasia, Big Freedia, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The Robert Cray Band, The Gospel Soul of Irma Thomas, The Batiste Brothers Tribute to Russell Batiste, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Charles Lloyd featuring Gerald Clayton, Larry Grenadier & Marcus Gilmore, Hot 8 Brass Band, Bomba Estéreo of Colombia, Nicholas Payton + Nth Power, Motel Radio, Deacon John, James Andrews & the Crescent City Allstars, Selwyn Birchwood, Boyfriend, John Hollier, Wayne Toups, People Museum, Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. and The Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, Creole String Beans, Pine Leaf Boys, Dr. Michael White’s Original Liberty Jazz Band with guest Thais Clark, Wycliffe Gordon, Celebration of Colombia: Jacobo Vélez y La Mambanegra, Kombilesa Mi, Los Cumbia Stars, Agrupación Changó, Joaquín Pérez y su Herencia Ancestral, and Gaita Loop, Sierra Green And The Giants, Treme Brass Band, Dylan LeBlanc, Don Vappie’s Creole Jazz Serenaders, Jason Marsalis, Midnite Disturbers, Victor Campbell, Lilli Lewis Project, Ghalia Volt, Jonathon “Boogie” Long, Lars Edegran & the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra, Victor Atkins Quintet, New Birth Brass Band, Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue, Alex McMurray Band, Storyville Stompers Brass Band, Hot Club of New Orleans, Robin Barnes and The FiyaBirds, Javier Olondo & AsheSon, The Johnson Extension, Clay Parker and Jodi James, Dave Jordan’s Almost Acoustic, Lynn Drury, Flagboy Giz, Michael “The Sheik” O’Hara, Connie and Dwight Fitch with St. Raymond & St. Leo The Great Choir, Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians, Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church Mass Choir, Jazz Funeral for Russell Batiste with Sporty’s Brass Band, Single Ladies, Single Men, and Nine Times Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SA&PC), Pow Wows with Native Nations Intertribal, Minos The Saint, Amis du Teche, Renée Gros & Tiago Guy, Jessica Harvey and The Difference, E’Dana, New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Rhythm Section, Rosalie “Lady Tambourine” Washington, The City of Love Music & Worship Arts Choir, Washitaw Nation and Young Cherokee Mardi Gras Indians, The Hoot-n-Holler Inn, Delgado Community College Jazz Band, Antioch Baptist Church Choir, The RRAAMS, Apache Hunters, Black Hawk Hunters, and Wild Red Flame Mardi Gras Indians, Brazos Huval’s Student Showcase, New Orleans Dance Collective, The Chosen Ones Brass Band, Uptown Swingers, Westbank Steppers, Big Nine, and Valley of Silent Men SA&PCs
- April 28, 2024: Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Heart, Juvenile with Mannie Fresh, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Allman Betts Band, Patrice Rushen, Béla Fleck – My Bluegrass Heart, Rebirth Brass Band, Eric Lindell, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Toronzo Cannon, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & The Golden Eagles, Louis Prima Jr. & The Witnesses, Tami Neilson, Jontavious Willis, Charmaine Neville Band, Seratones, The Iguanas, Amanda Shaw and The Cute Guys, Joy Clark, The Anointed Jackson Sisters, Gerald French & The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, Helen Gillet, Wendell Brunious & the New Orleans All Stars, Stooges Brass Band, Celebration of Colombia: Jacobo Vélez y La Mambanegra, Kombilesa Mi, Gaita Loop, and Joaquín Pérez y su Herencia Ancestral, Cheikh Ibra Fam of Senegal, Rumba Buena, Tonya Boyd-Cannon, Trumpet Mafia, Silver Synthetic, Northside Skull & Bone Gang, Bon Bon Vivant, Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band, The Louis Armstrong Camp 30th Anniversary Celebration featuring Donald Harrison Jr., Wycliffe Gordon, Calvin Johnson and other alumni, ÌFÉ with special guest GOYO of Colombia, Yusa Cuban Soul Band, Rosie Ledet, Tyron Benoit Band, Oscar Rossignoli, Gregg Stafford & His Young Tuxedo Brass Band, LVVRS, Jambalaya Cajun Band, Trout Fishing In America, Lawrence Sieberth’s Estrella Banda, Marc Stone, Shawn Williams, The N’awlins D’awlins Baby Dolls, Tommy Sancton’s New Orleans Legacy Band, Fi Yi Yi & the Mandingo Warriors, Herbert McCarver & The Pin Stripe Brass Band, Pow Wows with Native Nations Intertribal, Indys Blu, Bonsoir, Catin, Paula & the Pontiacs, Leo Jackson & The Melody Clouds, Big 6 Brass Band, Young Men Olympian Jr. Benevolent Association, Untouchables and First Division Rollers Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SA&PC), Trombone Shorty Academy, Pocket Aces Brass Band, Stephen Walker N’em Swinging in New Orleans, Kumbuka African Drum & Dance Collective, NOCCA Jazz Ensemble, Black Magic Drumline, Dusky Waters, Evangelist Jackie Tolbert, Mohawk Hunters and Shining Star Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, The Knockaz Brass Band, Furious Five, New Look, and Big Steppers SA&PCs, Bishop Joseph Carter & The Boyz, Craig Adams & Higher Dimensions of Praise, Tyronne Foster & The Arc Singers, Square Dance NOLA, Young Generation Warriors, 8th Ward Black Seminoles, and Uptown Warriors Mardi Gras Indians, Arthur and Friends Community Choir, Coolie Family Gospel Singers, Kai Knight’s Silhouette Dance Ensemble
- May 2, 2024: The Rolling Stones, Dumpstaphunk, Samantha Fish, New Breed Brass Band with guest Trombone Shorty, Honey Island Swamp Band, John “Papa” Gros, Lacher Prise avec Michael Doucet, Tommy McLain & C.C. Adcock, Enkelé of Colombia, Los Güiros, Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys, Higher Heights Reggae, Batámbora of Colombia, Mark Braud, Prophetess Flora and The Angels of Light Gospel Singers, Darcy Malone & The Tangle, The Cole Williams Band, The Mid-City Aces, Eden Brent, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, The Electrifying Crown Seekers, The Betty Shirley Band, Paulette Wright, Andy J Forest & The Swampcrawlers, Trevarri, Joe Lastie’s New Orleans Sound, Semolian Warriors Mardi Gras Indians, Lyle Henderson & Emmanu-EL, Ricky Sebastian & Pat Casey present the music of Jaco Pastorius, Ariee & The AMG Band, One Shot Brass Band, Original Four and VIP Ladies Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, The Gospel Inspirations of Boutte, High Steppers Brass Band
- May 3, 2024: Foo Fighters, HOZIER, Steel Pulse, Allison Russell, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Terence Blanchard featuring The E-Collective & Turtle Island Quartet, The Soul Rebels, Galactic featuring Anjelika Jelly Joseph, Anders Osborne, The Uptown Ruler Cyril Neville, The Lee Boys, Stefon Harris & Blackout, Zachary Richard, Original Pinettes Brass Band, Bonerama, Davell Crawford, Marc Broussard, Naughty Professor, 79rs Gang Mardi Gras Indians, Jourdan Thibodeaux et les Rôdailleurs, Lil’ Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, The Rising Stars Fife & Drum Band, Lil Mike & Funny Bone, Celebration of Colombia: Bejuco, Enkelé, Creole Group, Matachinde, and Batámbora, Pow Wows with Nimkii & The Niniis, Ray Boudreaux, Andrew Duhon, Amina Figarova Sextet and the Matsiko World Orphan Choir, Duwayne Burnside, Charlie Gabriel and Friends, James Fortune, Tribute to Sweet Emma Barrett featuring Yolanda Robinson and Kiki Chapman with the Lars Edegran Band, New Orleans Guitar Masters: John Rankin, Jimmy Robinson, and Cranston Clements, Germaine Bazzle, Guitar Slim Jr., Lulu & the Broadsides, Anna Moss & The Nightshades, Peter Harris and Firm Roots ft. Herlin Riley, Dwight Fitch, Jr., Derek Douget and Ashlin Parker, Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition, Big Chief Kevin Goodman & the Flaming Arrows Mardi Gras Indians, The Legendary Rocks Of Harmony, Zulu Gospel Male Ensemble, Big Chief Juan & Jockimo’s Groove, Kim Carson & The Real Deal, Shades of Praise New Orleans Interracial Gospel Choir, Tonia Scott and the Anointed Voices, Jamil Sharif, Jourdan Thibodeaux, Cedric Watson, et Joel Savoy, New Leviathan Oriental Fox-Trot Orchestra, The Pfister Sisters, Da Truth Brass Band, Gregg Hill, Patrice Fisher & Arpa with guests from Martinique, France, and French Guyana, The RamBull Rompers, 21st Century Brass Band, Keep N It Real and We Are One Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SA&PC), Eight Dice Cloth, Wild Tchoupitoulas and Black Feathers Mardi Gras Indians, Arrianne Keelen, Arthur Clayton IV and Anointed For Purpose, Southern University Baton Rouge Jazz Ensemble, Mount Hermon Baptist Church Praise Delegation Choir, Wild Mohicans and Buffalo Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Tubad, Young Fellaz Brass Band, Devastation and Scene Boosters SA&PCs, Ladies of Unity, Joan Cadell & The Midnight Choir, The Shanks, Free Agents Brass Band, Reggie Houston’s World Of Rhythms: From Africa to Congo Square to The World, All for One Brass Band, Women of Class, Lady Prince of Wales, and Men of Class SA&PCs, Kat Walker Jazz Band – Scat with Ms. Kat, Girls Play Trumpets Too under the artistic direction of Troy Sawyer, Young Audiences Performing Arts Showcase
- May 4, 2024: Neil Young Crazy Horse, Greta Van Fleet, Queen Latifah, Rhiannon Giddens, PJ Morton, Nickel Creek, Samara Joy, Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers, Tab Benoit, Sonny Landreth, Cowboy Mouth, Legacy of Wayne Shorter with Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, and Special Guest Chris Potter, Leo Nocentelli, Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Celebration of Colombia: Bejuco, Cimarron, Lucio Feuillet, Creole Group, Matachinde, and Batámbora, The Rumble ft. Chief Joseph Boudreaux, Jr., Little Freddie King Blues Band, Joe Krown Trio +1 featuring Papa Mali, Maggie Koerner, Paul Sanchez and The Rolling Road Show, Kinfolk Brass Band, Glen David Andrews, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, James Rivers Movement, Brian Courtney Wilson, Feufollet, The Zion Harmonizers, Cedric Watson et Bijou Creole, Ann Savoy: Another Heart, Kristin Diable & The City, Hans Williams, Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes, Jesse McBride Big Band, Aurora Nealand’s Royal Roses, A Tribute to Johnny Dodds featuring Dr. Michael White, Washboard Chaz, and Jade Santrell, Blodie’s Jazz Jam, Pow Wows with Nimkii & The Niniis, Jazz Funeral for Jimmy Buffett with Smitty Dee’s Brass Band, Dumaine Gang, The Revolution, and Family Ties Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SA&PC), Preservation Brass, Palmetto Bug Stompers, Johnny Sansone Band, Smoking Time Jazz Club, Yvette Landry & the Jukes, Gregg Stafford’s Jazz Hounds, Hardhead Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Bamboula 2000, Black Magic Drumline, The RiverBenders, Xeno Moonflower, Kelly Love Jones, Pardon My French!, Big Chief Bird & The Young Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Alfred Banks, Hotboy Ronald, Jermaine Landrum & The Abundant Praise Revival Choir, Josh Kagler & Harmonistic Praise Crusade, 9th Ward Black Hatchet and Wild Squatoulas Mardi Gras Indians, Jazz St. Louis, Susanne Ortner’s Macumba, ANTWIGADEE!, Amy Bluemel, Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries Mass Choir, Voices of Peter Claver, Creole Osceola Black Masking Indians, Young Eagles and Young Magnolias Mardi Gras Indians, New Hope Baptist Church Mass Choir, Mestre Curtis Pierre “The Samba Man” and the Samba Kids, Stephen Foster’s Foster Family Music Program, Da’souljas Brass Band, Undefeated Divas and Gents, The Sudan, Original Men Pigeon Town Steppers, and New Generation SA&PCs, Archdiocese of New Orleans Gospel Choir, Young Guardians of the Flame and Congo Kids
- May 5, 2024: Celebrating Jimmy Buffett with the Coral Reefer Band, Earth, Wind & Fire, Bonnie Raitt, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Irma Thomas, Joe Bonamassa, The Wallflowers, Jeffrey Osborne, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Grupo Niche of Colombia, Tower of Power, The Radiators, Marcia Ball, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Dragon Smoke, Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, RAM of Haiti, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Kermit Ruffins’ Tribute to Louis Armstrong, Roddie Romero & the Hub City All-Stars, Celebration of Colombia: Cimarron, Lucio Feuillet, and Matachinde, The Roots of Music Marching Crusaders, Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr. & the Wild Magnolias, New Orleans Klezmer Allstars, John Mooney & Bluesiana, Lena Prima, Mariachi Jalisco, Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, Mia Borders, Kenny Neal, DJ Captain Charles, Erica Falls and Vintage Soul, Quiana Lynell, Funk Monkey featuring Arsene DeLay, Mahmoud Chouki, Dr. Brice Miller & Mahogany Brass Band, Water Seed, Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand, Muévelo, Soul Brass Band, Victor Goines, Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience ft. Marcella Simien, Amina Scott, La Tran-K Band, The Palm Court Jazz Band, Pow Wows with Nimkii & The Niniis, The Paulin Brothers Traditional Brass Band, Tim Laughlin, Leroy Jones & New Orleans’ Finest, New Orleans Gospel Soul Children, Conjunto Tierra Linda, Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music, UNO Jazz Studies Allstars, Julio y Cesar Band, Johnny J & The Hitmen, Big Chief Trouble & Trouble Nation, Monogram Hunters, and Algiers Warriors Mardi Gras Indians, Real Love, Burris, The Hot Plates, Nineveh Baptist Church Mass Choir with Dr. Hezekiah Brinson, Jonté Landrum, Val & Love Alive Mass Choir, Real Untouchable Brass Band, Divine Ladies, Men Buckjumpers, and Original CTC Steppers Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SA&PC), Johnette Downing & Scott Billington, OperaCréole, Rising Dragon Lion Dance Team, Ninth Ward Hunters, Seminoles, and Young Brave Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Pastor Jai Reed, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church Mass Choir, Rosalie “Lady Tambourine” Washington, New Generation Brass Band, Original NO Lady Buckjumpers, Prince of Wales, and Good Fellas SA&PCs, Wimberly Family Gospel Singers, Dancing Grounds Dance for Social Change Junior & Teen Company, Culu Children’s Traditional African Dance Company
This lineup showcases a diverse range of musical genres and promises an unforgettable experience for all attendees throughout the eight-day festival.