Music fans around the world continue to come to terms with the growing list of canceled festivals and concert events for 2020 as countries remain in shutdown mode due to the ongoing global health crisis. One of the latest notable cancellations was that of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which was originally scheduled to return for its 51st annual edition on April 23rd-May 3rd with performances from The Who, Dead & Company, Stevie Nicks, Foo Fighters, Lizzo, Lionel Richie, and many more.
With no Jazz Fest set to take place this spring—and the initial plans to reschedule to the Fall now dead on arrival—beloved New Orleans radio station WWOZ is stepping up to give fans the chance to emotionally return to the Fairgrounds with a week-long “Jazz Festing In Place” series of broadcasts highlighting memorable sets from past editions of Jazz Fest.
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The curated series will air on the same weekend days during which New Orleans Jazz Fest was set to take place (April 23rd–26th and April 30th–May 3rd) beginning at 11 a.m. CST and continuing throughout the day until 7 p.m. Performances to be featured in the “Jazz Festing in Place” series include longtime New Orleans and Jazz Fest staples like Dr. John, Fats Domino, The Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas, The Meters, Allen Toussaint, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Mardi Gras Indians, Trombone Shorty, Kermit Ruffins, The Radiators, Big Freedia, Rebirth Brass Band, and many more. The radio station will also air the 1974 “Fire Benefit” performance which featured Professor Longhair, the Wild Magnolias, and Dr. John. Interviews and audio highlights will be included in the daily broadcasts.
Music fans who have rediscovered their love for cooking and baking while stuck at home over the past month will also be thrilled to learn the radio station will be sharing recipes for New Orleans culinary staples to its social media pages during the weeklong celebration. Dishes will include Cajun Jambalaya, Crawfish Monica, Miss Linda’s Yaka Mein, Fried Soft Shell Crab Poboy, and more.
“Pull out your festival shirts, hats, flags, chairs and get ready to celebrate the best of New Orleans music from your backyard, your front porch, or your air-conditioned living room,” WWOZ mentioned in their announcement. “We’re even creating our own special cubes highlighting the schedule which will include some of the best performances in the history of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.”
Scroll down to see the schedule of audio broadcasts for weekend one of “Jazz Festing In Place”, and head to WWOZ website for more info.
WWOZ “Jazz Festing In Place” Weekend One Schedule
