New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (aka Jazz Fest) has finally returned after a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic. The two-weekend celebration of New Orleans music and culture kicked off on Friday with performances by Lionel Richie, Death Cab For Cutie, a tribute to James Brown featuring CeeLo Green, and many more.
With more than ten stages including a blues tent, a gospel tent, a jazz and heritage stage, and a full schedule of second line parades and Native American circle powwows, Jazz Fest 2022 offers festival goers an authentic taste of New Orleans culture supplemented by performances from some of music’s biggest names. The Who, Nelly, and Willie Nelson are among those slated to perform headlining sets, and it was recently announced that the Red Hot Chili Peppers will assume the Sunday time slot left vacant by Foo Fighters after the band canceled all tour dates in the wake of drummer Taylor Hawkins‘s untimely death.
The first day of Jazz Fest 2022 featured performances by more than 50 artists, including Nigerien guitarist Bombino, PJ Morton, and Big Chief Donal Harrison Jr. Another highlight of Day One was a jazz funeral procession commemorating the legacy George Wein, founder of Newport Jazz Festival and father of the modern music festival. The celebratory second line parade featured New Wave Brass Band with We Are One and Keep n it Real Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs.
Jazz Fest continues through Sunday with performances by Galactic, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Tank & The Bangas, The Soul Rebels, George Porter Jr. & The Runnin’ Pardners, Dumpstaphunk, and more. The festival will then recommence on Thursday, May 5th for the second weekend, which will feature sets from Billy Strings, Ziggy Marley, Antonio Sanchez & Bad Hombre, The Black Crowes, Stevie Nicks, Erykah Badu, Jimmy Buffett, and many more.
Check out photos from the first day of Jazz Fest 2022 courtesy of Ron Valle below.
Live For Live Music will host a series of can’t-miss performances in New Orleans during Jazz Fest, including the Daze Between Festival during the week between Jazz Fest weekends and several star-studded late-night shows. Check out the full Fest By Nite schedule below, and click here to purchase tickets.
