On an unseasonably cool morning, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival’s producer/director Quint Davis led a cavalcade of officials in the paddock area of the New Orleans Fairgrounds in front of dozens of writers, reporters, and television cameras.
Prior to Davis’ introductions, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band played two songs as the assembled news media gently swayed to the music of the legendary band, and caught up with old colleagues and friends.
Following Davis’ remarks, members of the city council, the communication director of the presenting sponsor, Shell, and the president of the Jazz and Heritage Foundation (the non-profit that owns the festival and directs its revenues to events and beneficiaries across the city) all gave short speeches extolling the virtues of the festival.
The two official festival posters, depicting Aaron Neville and Buckwheat Zydeco, were on display. In an unscripted moment, Davis reappeared at the podium draped in the newly arrived fabric for the festival’s classic clothing line.
About three-quarters of the way through the press conference, the much-sought-after line-up and schedule cubes were distributed. Davis made some final comments and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band brought it all home with a version of their iconic song, “Feets Don’t Fail Me Now.”
