This morning, the paddock at the New Orleans Fairgrounds was abuzz. Dignitaries, including Mayor Mitch Morial, gathered around a podium while Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters struck up a high-energy R&B tune. It was the annual press party announcing the stage and time lineups at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
After some short speeches, this year’s posters were unveiled. The main poster celebrates the Marsalis family of musicians. The Congo Square poster honors the late great bluesman, B.B. King. Quint Davis, the producer/director of the fest, said about King, “He’s part of the DNA of our festival.” He also announced that the all five musical members of the Marsalis family—Ellis, Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo, and Jason—will be signing the poster’s most collectable version. “A first for the Marsalises and the fest,” he said.
A favorite pastime among festers is studying the cubes looking for interesting matchups and of course, the inevitable conflicts. I gave each day a quick peek before setting down to write.
The Gentilly stage on the first day, Friday, April 22, is a rock ‘n’ roll daydream. Grace Potter, Cowboy Mouth, and Flow Tribe precede the headliners. Gov’t Mule. Johnny Sketch and the Dirt Notes open the day.
On Sunday, April 24, the Red Hot Chili Peppers close out the Acura stage, while Nick Jonas ends the day at the other end of the infield. Talk about opposites attracting! J. Cole closes out the Congo Square stage.
Thursday used to be considered “Slacker’s Day,” the lineup this year makes it look like a weekend day. Snarky Puppy gets an encore closing out the Jazz Tent since they got cut short in the monster storm last year that shut down the fest early for the first time in decades.
Saturday, April 30 has a chance to set another record for crowds at the Jazz Fest. The closing acts alone are Stevie Wonder, Beck, Snoop Dogg, Arturo Sandoval, and Buddy Guy—and that’s just the big stages. Davis mentioned in his remarks that keeping the track on the perimeter of the infield clear, the “fast track” he called it, will be a priority after last year’s dangerous gridlock. Bleacher seating is being added on the track behind the Acura and Congo Square stages. This day will be a test of the continuing improving of the layout—a hallmark of the crack team putting on the fest.
There are many more secrets to be divined from the cubes. Get a close look by going here.
