Spring in New Orleans is the best time ever: lots of music, festivals, new beginnings.

If you’re a visitor, we welcome you; and if you’re a local, we remind you… that you are now in the world’s most musical city.

Jan Ramsey

If you’re visiting during Jazz Fest, well, you probably know this, or you wouldn’t be here! If you live here, remember that our local music and unique culture are precious assets that need preservation and nurturing so that our traditions can be passed on to future generations. We hope that you will be inspired to support local live music, music education, and the organizations that give so much to the world by their dedication to our culture, one of which is the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation.

The Foundation not only owns the festival, but the festival provides an ongoing means of support to the good work that the Foundation accomplishes in this community. It’s not just “Jazz Fest,” it’s ongoing support for musicians, artists, culture bearers, and the local community. If you are not familiar with the Foundation’s programs, stop by their tents located on the Fair Grounds, and get edjumicated (as Dr. John would say).

The proceeds that flow in from the ticket sales and sponsorship of the Jazz Fest pay for the festivals’ production and music (a very hefty sum), but they also support a music school, several free community festivals, grants to local artists and non-profit entities, an historical archive, research activities, music business education, concerts, community economic development, and WWOZ radio. Visit their tents during the Jazz Fest or go to jazzandheritage.org to get an idea of where the money you spend on Jazz Fest tickets actually ends up.

The Foundation not only puts on the Jazz Fest, a great entertainment event; it also uses the money it makes from the event to give back to the community from which the culture springs. It’s a sacred mission that cannot be taken lightly, and the Jazz Fest and the Foundation enjoy a synergistic relationship that’s important to New Orleans’ economic and cultural health and well-being.

So enjoy Jazz Fest, but realize that you’re helping this great city persevere; you’re assisting in our cultural well-being and improving the lives of our citizens.

It’s a great mission you’ve chosen to participate in by buying a Jazz Fest ticket. And you’ll have a great time doing it, too. It’s not too much work, is it?