It’s upon us again…it’s on everyone’s mind…Jazz Fest. Bigger and better than ever, as the schedule on page 21 will demonstrate. But that’s not all that’s going on during April. This, our festival issue, covers some of the better bets in New Orleans and Louisiana this month…but enough said. Look through our guide to festivals as well as our Insider’s Guide to Acadiana for the best fests.

Gallery I/O and Thomas Mann, a twelve-year veteran of the Jazz Fest’s craft booths, are mounting a major showing of Mann’s techno-romantic jewelry and works of sculpture and furniture. Joining Mann will be other local, regional and national artists whose works have been selected for their humor and mystery. If you love Thomas Mann’s jewelry, be sure and make this show, which begins April 25 and runs through May 30 because Mann will not have a booth at this year’s Jazz Fest.

And (once again), talking about Jazz Fest, Taylor Publishing has just released local photographer Michael P. Smith’s book, A Joyful Noise: A Celebration of New Orleans Music. The 224-page book covers the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival from its inception, with rare photos of performers throughout the years.

Local artists have been busier than ever lately, with the Neville Brothers working in Daniel Lanois’ recording workshop/studio cutting their follow-up album to Yellow Moon. Grammy Award-winner Aaron Neville is set to work on a new album with Linda Ronstadt producing. Terrance Simien’s long-awaited zydeco album will be out sometime in April on the Restless label. The Nevilles will also be heard soon doing the title song for the film Bird on a Wire. They worked with Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics on the tune for the movie, featuring Goldie Hawn.

New Orleans artists are reaching more folks via the local airwaves too. KNOK-FM (“The Breeze” at 102.9) recently signed on the air. According to “Tac” Carrere, one of the new station’s owners, local artists’ recordings along with interviews should start airing soon on Sundays from 6 to 9 p.m. Also, the station plans on airing live shows from local clubs on Sunday evenings from 9 to 10 p.m.

Almost everybody in New Orleans has music on their mind in April and May. And the business community’s no exception. The Delta Music Business Conference, brainchild of local broadcast journalist-turned-independent producer Marcia Kavanaugh and OffBeat publisher Jan Ramsey is set to roll April 26-27 at the Fairmont Hotel.

The conference is a series of eight in-depth workshops on the business of music, with topics to include investing in the music business; exploding the myths of recording; songs, catalogs and publishing; management; exporting Louisiana’s musical product; music business education; legal opportunities; and film and video opportunities. The conference is geared to attract business people and students who are interested in exploring the potential of the music and entertainment industries for investments or as a career.

Speakers will include everyone from Taylor Hackford, director of An Officer and a Gentleman and Everybody’s All American to John Shook, CBS/Columbia’s head of A&R (that’s artists and repertoire for you uninitiated—the talent scouts of the recording industry) to Jim Green of Tipitina’s club and booking agency. The conference will take place all day Thursday, April 26 and a half-day (before the opening of Jazz Fest) April 27, and the registration fee of $125 includes two breakfasts, lunch and admission to a cruise aboard the River Rose riverboat that will showcase the city’s emerging talent: Marva Wright, Tribe Nunzio and Rebirth Brass Band. $110 registration fee for the workshops with no showcase and $150 fee for registration after April 19. There’s also a $35 special student rate, too. Call (504) 527-6922 for more information.

Remember, look for our Jazz Fest issue April 26!