OffBeat's Guide to 2019 Jazz Fest

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets purchased at the gate will be $85. Regularly priced, single-day tickets to Jazz Fest are on sale by specific weekend, with each ticket valid for a single day’s attendance. (For May 2, different pricing applies.)

Jazz Fest Cubes

Fair Grounds Map

A to Z

DAY	Artist	Stage	Time
Sunday 4/28	‘Give the Drummer Some’ featuring Herlin Riley, Shannon Powell, Terence Higgins, and Johnny Vidacovich	WWOZ Jazz Tent	3:00 - 3:50	Astral Project drummer and legendary jam-band mentor Johhny Vidacovich gets some love back in an annual jam session that started as a benefit.
Thursday 4/25	101 Runners	Jazz & Heritage	12:15 - 1:00	carrying on the proud tradition of fusing Mardi Gras Indian chants with funk, this group includes Chris Jones with War Chief Juan Pardo of the Wild Comanches and a star cast of players.
Saturday 5/4	21st Century Brass Band	Parade	3:10 - 3:40	This young, Treme-based group finds room in its repertoire for New Orleans jazz standards as well as modern R&B hits.
Friday 5/3	3L Ifèdé of Benin	Gentilly	11:15 - 12:00	The 3L Ifèdé is a cultural association focused on spreading and preserving a wide variety of traditional dances from Benin.
Friday 5/3	3L Ifèdé of Benin	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:40 - 1:30	The 3L Ifèdé is a cultural association focused on spreading and preserving a wide variety of traditional dances from Benin.
Saturday 5/4	3L Ifèdé of Benin	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	3;20 - 4:10	The 3L Ifèdé is a cultural association focused on spreading and preserving a wide variety of traditional dances from Benin.
Thursday 5/2	3L Ifèdé of Benin	Congo Square	11:00 - 11:45	The 3L Ifèdé is a cultural association focused on spreading and preserving a wide variety of traditional dances from Benin.
Thursday 5/2	3L Ifèdé of Benin	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	3:00 - 3:45	The 3L Ifèdé is a cultural association focused on spreading and preserving a wide variety of traditional dances from Benin.
Sunday 5/5	50th Anniversary Celebration of Gospel Soul Children with special guests	Gospel Tent	12:00-12:45	Led by Craig Adams, this long-standing local gospel group delivers energetic and choreographed renditions of gospel standards.
Friday 4/26	79rs Gang Mardi Gras Indians	Jazz & Heritage	4:55 - 5:40	Big Chief Jermaine and Big Chief Romeo from the 7th and 9th Wards come together to form the 79rs Gang. Jermaine’s baritone voice combines with Romeo’s alto voice as they since about the Mardi Gras Indians’ unique culture. They released their first CD, Fire on the Bayou, in 2015.
Friday 5/3	7th Ward Creole Hunters and Golden Comanche Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	1:45 - 2:15	Big Chief Jermaine Bossier leads this 7th Ward-based Mardi Gras Indian gang.
Saturday 5/4	9th Ward Black Hatchet and Wild Squatoulas Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	1:00 - 1:30	Mardi Gras Indian parade led by Big Chief Alphonse “Dowee” Robair.
Sunday 5/5	9th Ward Hunters	Parade	2:20 - 2:50	Mardi Gras Indian parade led by Big Chief Alphonse “Dowee” Robair.
Sunday 4/28	A Tribe Called Red	Jazz & Heritage	4:20 - 5:20	Musically diverse band from Ontario who draw reggae and First Nation influences into an electronic dubstep setting. They have also been active in campaigning for the cultural rights of First Nation and Aboriginal citizens.
Sunday 4/28	A Tribe Called Red	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	1:45 - 2:45	Musically diverse band from Ontario who draw reggae and First Nation influences into an electronic dubstep setting. They have also been active in campaigning for the cultural rights of First Nation and Aboriginal citizens.
Sunday 5/5	A Tribute to Aldus Roger featuring Jimmy Breaux	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	11:15 - 12:05	Accordionist Jimmy Breaux and steel guitarist Johnny Sonnier and the New Lafayette Playboys salute the legendary Cajun accordionist/band leader Aldus Roger. See feature in this issue.
Saturday 5/4	Aaron Neville	Gentilly	4:00 - 5:05	The golden-voiced Neville brother, whose classic “Tell It Like It Is” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame collection for 2015, brings originals from his latest effort, Apache (Best R&B/Funk Album winner at the 2016 Best of the Beat Awards), mixed in with some hits from his prolific career.
Friday 4/26	Adella the Storyteller and Amber Zu the Conductor	Kids Tent	12:40 - 1:25	This kids’ performer aims to bring animals to life, make history real, turn ancestors into wise friends and open the imaginations and hearts of her listeners.
Sunday 4/28	Al Green	Congo Square	5:45 - 7:00	Used to be there were two Al Greens: the hitmaker you know from “Let’s Stay Together” and “Love and Happiness” and the gospel singer who won even more acclaim by turning his back on the industry and singing for the Lord. The good news is both Als sound exactly the same, and now he’s found the missing link between them both you can enjoy Sexy Al and Godly Al at the same time. Look for surprises in the form of gutbucket blues and the signature sound of Al personifying all kinds of love.
Thursday 4/25	Alanis Morissette	Gentilly	5:40 - 7:00	She took grrl power into the pop charts in the ’90s with the deathless kiss-off “You Oughta Know,” but she evolved to be more than just that woman who got everyone talking about the textbook definition of irony. Her core audience followed her as she grew up near the millennium, but whether she’s practicing folk-pop or pop-folk, her unique mezzo-soprano is something you have to experience live.
Thursday 5/2	Alex McMurray	AARP Rhythmpourium	3:30 - 4:15	This songwriter’s sharp eye, gravelly voice and wicked sense of humor have been well displayed in the Tin Men, Royal Fingerbowl and his current solo career. His song “You’ve Got to Be Crazy to Live In This Town” was a fitting choice to close the third season of HBO’s Treme. In March 2019 Alex McMurray suffered a fall skiing. Please welcome him back after a two month recovery.
Sunday 5/5	Alexey Marti & Urban Minds	WWOZ Jazz Tent	1:30 - 2:20	After relocating to New Orleans, Cuban-born conga player and percussionist Marti has become a key fixture on the local Latin scene, performing a mix of jazz, funk, salsa, son, rumba and more.
Friday 4/26	Alexis & the Samurai	AARP Rhythmpourium	3:15 - 4:00	Led by two of the brighter talents on the local rock scene, singer/songwriter Alexis Marceaux and multi-instrumentalist Sam Craft, this act’s Monday night shows developed an almost cult-like following in recent years.
Saturday 5/4	Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez	Wwoz Jazz Tent	4:20 - 5:10	Havana-born pianist Alfredo Rodriguez and percussionist Pedrito Martinez marks a visit by two of the most talented musicians in the world, in an unusual yet satisfying duo format, supporting a new record, Duologue, produced by Quincy Jones.
Sunday 5/5	Algiers Warriors Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	2:20- 2:50	Big Chief Alphonse ‘Dowee’ Robair leads this West Bank-based Mardi Gras Indian tribe.
Friday 4/26	Aloe Blacc	Congo Square	5:45 - 7:00	A modern hit-maker steeped in classic R&B, Aloe Blacc broke through in 2010 with “I’m the Man,” which lifted a bit of an Elton John chorus, and the Bill Withers-styled “I Need a Dollar.” 2013 brought his biggest international success, as the co-writer of Avicii’s “Wake Me Up.” Though he’s sure to not play it at Jazz Fest, last winter he gave the world the coolest holiday song in years, “Funky Ass Christmas.”
Friday 4/26	Alvin “Youngblood” Hart’s Muscle Theory	Lagniappe	4:20 - 5:20	This Grammy-winning singer, guitarist and mandolin player was inspired in his youth by the sound of Mississippi country blues, which he makes his own by adding elements of roots rock and a deep knowledge of folk and Americana.
Saturday 5/4	Amanda Shaw	Gentilly	1:20 - 2:15	This Cajun fiddle prodigy has been in the spotlight since age 10. Her sets can jump from teen-friendly pop to straight-up Cajun, with a classic rock cover or two thrown in.
Thursday 4/25	Amy Helm	Gentilly	1:25 - 2:25	Levon’s daughter has emerged as a powerful singer in her own right, still steeped in classic-rock traditions. Her latest This Too Shall Light, recorded with Joe Henry and her road band, is one of this year’s roots-rock gems.
Sunday 4/28	Anaïs St. John presents Lulu White Queen of Storyville	Lagniappe	11:30 - 12:15	St. John is an accomplished singer specializing in jazz, torch songs, and cabaret tunes. Her show “Lulu White: Queen of Storyville”, St. John uses songs to tell the story of a woman who sold sex.
Thursday 5/2	Anders Osborne	Acura	12:45 - 1:40	New Orleans’ Swedish-rooted guitar hero and songwriting titan recently followed up Freedom & Dreams, an exercise in folk-inspired, up-tempo Southern blues, with Spacedust and Ocean Views, a collection of introspective musings on places dear to his heart.
Saturday 5/4	Andrew Duhon	Lagniappe	4:15 - 5:15	With his achingly tender voice and penchant for lyrical depth, folk-pop singer songwriter Duhon taps into personal experience to tug at listeners’ heart strings while strumming his way through original music that echoes the blues.
Friday 5/3	Andrew Hall’s Society Brass Band	Economy Hall Tent	11:15 - 12:05	Hall is a skilled traditional jazz and rhythm and blues pianist who has performed with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Dr. John, and the Olympia Brass Band.
Friday 5/3	Ani DiFranco	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	4:15 - 5:40	Indie folk maverick writes prolifically and deals frankly with issues of politics, sexuality, and whatever else crosses her mind. Originally from upstate New York she’s been partly based in New Orleans for more than a decade, and has enriched her music by working with Terence Higgins and Ivan Neville. Her latest release is not an album but a book, her first memoir No Walls and the Recurring Dream.
Saturday 5/4	Archdiocese of New Orleans Gospel Choir	Gospel Tent	6:00 - 6:45	The Archdiocese represents the largest religious demographic in New Orleans. Its choir represents a tradition of Crescent City Catholicism dating back to 1793.
Thursday 4/25	Arrianne Keelen	Gospel Tent	12:05 - 12:50	Vocalist, songwriter and Hurricane Katrina survivor. Her song “I Still Love You” landed her a spot as an amateur night contestant on “It’s Showtime at the Apollo.” Keelen won the grand prize in the “Dream New Orleans Talent Search.”
Thursday 4/25	Arthur and Friends Community Choir	Gospel Tent	1:55 - 2:40	This New Roads, Louisiana-based gospel choir, founded by Arthur Gremillion, focuses on fostering a spirit of togetherness through music.
Friday 4/26	Arthur Clayton IV & Anointed For Purpose	Gospel Tent	5:05 - 5:50	Singer songwriter Arthur Clayton IV is from Marrero Louisiana. Along with his gospel group Anointed for Purpose they will undoubtedly perform his 2018 hit “He Never Fails.” It’s a song for Sunday morning church choirs to sing that encourages those dealing with life issues.
Sunday 4/28	Ashe Cultural Arts Center Kuumba Institute	Kids Tent	5:15 - 6:00	This Central City community group brings storytelling, poetry, music, dance, photography and visual art to schools and neighborhoods throughout New Orleans.
Friday 4/26	Astral Project	WWOZ Jazz Tent	2:50 - 3:50	The members of this modern jazz quartet—saxophonist Tony Dagradi, guitarist Steve Masakowski, bassist James Singleton and drummer Johnny Vidacovich—have active musical lives outside of the group, but as Astral Project they evince a rare chemistry that results from playing together for nearly four decades.
Sunday 5/5	Aucoin Family Cajun Band	KIds Tent	4:05 -4:50	Inspired by his grandfather, Cyprien Landreneau, the first Cajun musician to perform at the Newport Folk Festival, bassist Louie Aucoin founded the band T-Salé. His family band consists of his wife, Shannon on guitar, sons Ashton on the fiddle and Ivan on the drums. The family shares their love for Cajun music by playing a “front-porch” style of traditional Cajun tunes.
Thursday 5/2	Audrey Ferguson & The Voices of Distinction	Gospel Tent	11:10 - 11:55	The “traditional foot-stomping, hands-clapping gospel” of this Baton Rouge-based quartet has been a Jazz Fest regular since before the storm.
Saturday 4/27	Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses	Economy Hall Tent	5:45 - 6:45	Inspired by Sidney Bechet and Django Reinhardt, singer/saxophonist Nealand is a bright young player whose non-Roses work spans performance art-inspired improvisation and the rockabilly of Rory Danger and the Danger Dangers.
Friday 5/3	Baby Boyz Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	12:20 - 1:15	The next generation of players from the Treme neighborhood. Leader and trumpeter Glenn Hall, III is often joined by Glen David Andrews.
Thursday 4/25	Balfa Toujours	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	12:25 - 1:15	Daughters of the late Cajun fiddler Dewey Balfa, Nelda and Christine, perform traditional acoustic style Cajun music. Although Nelda Balfa left the group to focus on her career as a hairdresser she occasionally plays local gigs with the band.
Sunday 4/28	Bamboula 2000	Jazz & Heritage	11:20 - 12:10	“Bamboula” was originally a form of drum and dance ceremony held in Congo Square. Bamboula 2000 leader Luther Gray brings that spirit into the present with a troupe of players and dancers.
Thursday 5/2	Banu Gibson	Economy Hall Tent	2:45 - 3:45	Singer/dancer Gibson, a longtime staple of the New Orleans music scene, specializes in swing, hot jazz and the Great American Songbook.
Friday 5/3	Batiste Brothers	Congo Square	12:20 - 1:10	The Batistes of New Orleans have had music in their blood for many generations. The family band includes David on the keyboard, Jamal, Ryan and Russell on drums and percussion, with Damon on vocals.
Thursday 4/25	BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	4:15 - 5:20	Fiddler Doucet’s venerable Cajun band was the first of its genre to win a Grammy in 1998; their latest effort From Bamako to Carencro explores eclectic influences from West African music to James Brown and beyond.
Sunday 5/5	Ben E. Hunter	AARP Rhythmpourium	12:20 - 1:05	Reggae artist Ben E. Hunter grew up in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans. His music is a combination of reggae, Mardi Gras Indian chants and West African drum rhythms.
Saturday 4/27	Better Than Ezra	Acura	2:05 - 3:15	New Orleans’ long-lived alternative rockers hit in the ’90s with “Desperately Wanting” and remain a strong presence, whether doing philanthropic work in the Bethune Elementary School or celebrating Mardi Gras with their Krewe of Rockus.
Sunday 4/28	Betty Winn & One A-Chord	Gospel Tent	1;00 - 1:45	Formed in 1995 by Betty Winn and her husband Thomas, this sprawling choir traces the history of gospel from slave spirituals to new compositions. They perform with as many as 40 singers.
Sunday 4/28	Big 6 Brass Band	Parade	1:30 - 2:00	Big 6 Brass Band was formed in 2017 and has already become hugely popular in the city’s second line community. With a repertoire bridging traditional with hip-hop, R&B, gospel and more, the group will perform a set of New Orleans classics plus original material from their forthcoming album.
Friday 4/26	Big Chief Bird and the Young Hunters Mardi Gras Indians	Jazz & Heritage	11:20 - 12:00	Coming out of the Carrollton neighborhood each year since 1995, this tribe is led by Big Chief “Bird.”
Sunday 5/5	Big Chief Bo Dollis	Jazz & Heritage	4:50 -4:45	Big Chief Bo Dollis, Jr. carries on the legacy of his father, leading the Wild Magnolias’ impassioned, funk-inspired Mardi Gras Indian music.
Thursday 5/2	Big Chief Charles & the White Cloud Hunters	Jazz & Heritage	12:55 - 1:35	The White Cloud Hunters’ smooth-voiced Big Chief Little Charles Taylor counts his uncle, Thomas Sparks Sr., Big Chief of the Yellow Jacket Mardi Gras Indian gang, as a key mentor.
Friday 5/3	Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr.	Congo Square	1:30 - 2:30	Saxophonist Harrison is a New Orleans Renaissance man who has explored reggae, funk and Mardi Gras Indian music through the filter of jazz. His 2011 album This is Jazz featured Billy Cobham and Ron Carter.
Sunday 4/28	Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux	Parade	12:25 - 12:50	Parading Mardi Gras Indians.
Saturday 5/4	Big Chief Juan & Jockimo’s Groove	Jazz & Heritage	6:05 - 6:55	Skillful Golden Comanche Chief Juan Pardo, who grew up with the sounds of elder statesmen Indians like Monk Boudreaux and Bo Dollis, updates classic and original Mardi Gras Indian songs with a mix of funk and R&B.
Friday 5/3	Big Chief Keith Goodman & the Flaming Arrows Mardi Gras Indians	Jazz & Heritage	1:35 - 2:20	Singer and Big Chief Kevin Goodman, who’s called Austin home since evacuating during Hurricane Katrina, leads this tribe and stage band
Sunday 4/28	Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & The Golden Eagles	Jazz & Heritage	3:00 - 3:55	Boudreaux, who performed for many years alongside Big Chief Bo Dollis in the Wild Magnolias, is one of the most prominent Indian performers and a soulful vocalist. The Golden Eagles’ reggae-heavy performances often get into heady, near-psychedelic territory.
Thursday 4/25	Big Dog Brass Band	Parade	3:35 - 4:05	Parading brass band.
Saturday 5/4	Big Freedia	Congo Square	4:05 - 5:05	The self-professed Queen Diva put bounce music on the map nationally with her quick-fire rhymes, sweat-inducing rhythms and booty-shaking grooves.
Friday 4/26	Big Nine SA & PC	Parade	3:15 - 3:45	Listen for cries of “way downtown” on the parade from this social aid and pleasure club.
Thursday 5/2	Big Sam’s Funky Nation	Congo Square	1:20 - 2:10	The charisma of former Dirty Dozen trombonist Sam Williams makes him an able focal point for a musical party that blends brass, Meters-style funk, hip-hop and rock. Big Sam’s Funky Nation won OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Awards for Best Funk Band and Funk Album for Songs in the Key of Funk, Volume 1 in 2018.
Sunday 4/28	Big Steppers SA & PC	Parade	1:30 - 2:00	Steppers hold one of the season’s most popular Sunday parades.
Thursday 4/25	Bill Summers & Jazalsa	Congo Square	12:20 - 1:10	Known for his membership in Los Hombres Calientes and Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, legendary percussionist Summers explores Latin and world music with his Jazalsa band.
Thursday 5/2	Billy Iuso & Restless Natives	Lagniappe	1:35 - 2:25	Singer songwriter and guitarist Billy Iuso formed the funk jam band, Brides of Jesus, in the ’90s. Iuso began performing regularly with a variety of local players including Anders Osborne and The Wild Magnolias. He also worked as a tour and stage manager for The Neville Brothers, the Meters and George Porter’s Runnin’ Pardners. With the Restless natives, Iuso has release a number of CD that received critical acclaim including Naked which noted the guitarist’s departure from a jam-heavy approach to one in which he focused on song structure and development.
Saturday 4/27	Black Hawk Hunters Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	1:15 - 1:45	Mardi Gras Indian parade.
Thursday 5/2	Black Magic Drumline	Kids Tent	11:30 - 11:55	Black Magic Drumline is a New Orleans group that formed at Xavier College in 2007.
Thursday 5/2	black Magic Drumline	Kids Tent	1:25 - 1:50	Black Magic Drumline is a New Orleans group that formed at Xavier College in 2007.
Thursday 4/25	Black Mohawk Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	1:15 - 1:45	Big Chief Byron Thomas leads this Mardi Gras Indian parade.
Friday 4/26	Black Seminoles Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	2:20- 3:00	This popular tribe was led by Cyril “Big Chief Iron Horse” Green until his unexpected passing in 2013.
Sunday 4/28	Bleachers	Gentilly	4:05 - 5:15	Bleachers is an indie pop act from New York City. Jack Antonoff is basically the band, although when performing live he is accompanied by other members. Antonoff produced the soundtrack of 2018s Love, Simon writing five songs.
Saturday 4/27	Blodie’s Jazz Jam	WWOZ Jazz Tent	12:25 - 1:15	Blodie is better known as Dirty Dozen trumpeter Gregory Davis, whose jamming partners include other members of Dirty Dozen, Trombone Shorty’s Orleans Avenue and other horn men who will be on the Fair Grounds that day
Friday 5/3	Bobby Jones & The Nashville Super Choir	Gospel Tent	3:15 - 4:10	Gospel singer Bobby Jones was born in Tennessee. He is often referred to as the Ed Sullivan of gospel music. In 1984, he won a Grammy for the Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo Or Group with Barbara Mandrell.
Sunday 5/5	Bobby Lounge	Lagniappe	5:35 - 6:30	A one-of-a-kind mix of barrelhouse piano, Tom Waitsian poetics, Southern-gothic storytelling and just plain out-there-ness.
Friday 4/26	Bonerama	Gentilly	12:30 - 1:25	What began as a novelty—a multi-trombone band playing jazz, funk and classic rock—has turned into a local and national favorite. Their renditions of rock classics like Led Zeppelin’s “The Ocean” and the Grateful Dead-associated “Turn On Your Love Light” are full-tilt affairs. Their latest album Bonerama Play Zeppelin is a good bridge into New Orleans music for Zeppelin fans.
Sunday 4/28	Bonnie Raitt	Acura	3:35 - 4:50	Raitt’s evocative slide guitar playing, soulful, country-laced vocals and songwriting prowess continue to make her live shows as moving as they are fun, a fact to which her longtime pal and frequent collaborator Jon Cleary can attest.
Saturday 5/4	Boukman Eksperyans of Haiti	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:40- 1:40	From Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Grammy nominated for their debut album Vodou Adjae Boukman Eksperyans derives its name from Dutty Boukman, a vodou priest who led a religious ceremony that is considered the start of the Haitian Revolution. Founded in 1978 by Theodore Beaubrun and his sister Marjorie Beaubrun and others they launched the mizik rasin revolution in Haiti. They combine roots music with vodou religious musical traditions.
Sunday 5/5	Boukman Eksperyans of Haiti	Jazz & Heritage	2:25 - 3:20	From Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Grammy nominated for their debut album Vodou Adjae Boukman Eksperyans derives its name from Dutty Boukman, a vodou priest who led a religious ceremony that is considered the start of the Haitian Revolution. Founded in 1978 by Theodore Beaubrun and his sister Marjorie Beaubrun and others they launched the mizik rasin revolution in Haiti. They combine roots music with vodou religious musical traditions.
Sunday 4/28	Boukou Groove	Congo Square	11:15 - 12:00	A supergroup of sorts, made up of venerable blues, funk, and soul sidemen, Groove has garnered admiration and occasional sit-ins from Colonel Bruce Hampton, John Cleary, and members of the Wailers.
Thursday 4/25	Boyfriend	Gentilly Stage	4:05 - 5:05	Part rapper and part performance artist, Boyfriend’s “rap cabaret” shows are entertaining and intellectually-engaging experiences that make destroying gender norms fun for everyone.
Saturday 4/27	Boz Scaggs	Blues Tent	5:40 - 7:00	The blue-eyed soul man’s career goes back to his late-’60s tenure with the original Steve Miller Band; Scaggs’ 1969 solo debut included the FM radio staple “Loan Me a Dime” with Duane Allman on guitar. The late ’70s brought mainstream success with “Lido Shuffle” and “Lowdown.” When not pursuing silky blues and soul, he currently runs a Napa Valley winery.
Thursday 5/2	Brandon Moreau & Cajungrass	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	11:00 - 11:50	Combining Cajun and bluegrass with country and zydeco, Brandon Moreau and CajunGrass is a one of a kind band. They are frequent performs at the Tropical Isle on Bourbon Street and Maison on Frenchmen Street.
Friday 4/26	Brass-A-Holics	Congo Square	12:15 - 1:05	Formed by ex-Soul Rebels trombonist Winston Turner, this band created its own genre of “go-go brass funk,” combining New Orleans music elements with the strong grooves of Washington DC’s go-go scene.
Sunday 5/5	Brother Tyrone & the Mindbenders	Blues Tent	11:15 - 12:00	Tyrone Pollard, a.k.a. Brother Tyrone, is a deep-soul vocalist whose original songs could pass for long-lost vinyl tracks.
Thursday 5/2	Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	12:10 - 1:00	A New Orleans-reared Cajun, this self-taught accordion player and songwriter is back hosting his popular Fais Do Do dances at Tipitina’s.
Thursday 5/2	Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band	Kids Tent	2:15 - 3:00	A New Orleans-reared Cajun, this self-taught accordion player and songwriter is back hosting his popular Fais Do Do dances at Tipitina’s.
Thursday 5/2	Bryan Lee Six String Therapy	Blues Tent	11:00 - 11:45	The sightless “King of Bourbon Street Blues” was the house band for a decade and a half at the Old Absinthe House.
Sunday 5/5	Buddy Guy	blues Tent	5:45 - 7:00	Equal parts fire and soul fuel of this Louisiana-born guitar icon, whose sound influenced key generations of both rock and the blues. His latest album, the Chicago-meets Southern blues styled Born To Play Guitar added another Grammy to his extensive collection
Thursday 5/2	Buffalo Hunters and Cheyenne Mardi Gras Indians	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	2:35 - 2:50	The Buffalo Hunters tribe is led by Big Chief Spoon.
Sunday 5/5	C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band	blues Tent	4:15 - 5:15	Zydeco king Clifton Chenier’s son has long emerged as a bandleader in his own right. His 2011 album, Can’t Sit Down has a killer version of Tom Waits’ “Clap Hands.”
Saturday 4/27	Caesar Brothers FunkBox	Jazz & Heritage	4:10 - 5:15	Drummer Rickey and keyboardist Norman Caesar were born and raised in New Orleans’ uptown funk neighborhood. Related to the Nevilles by marriage—Cyril’s wife, Gaynielle Neville, is their aunt. Their musical roots—the funk and Mardi Gras Indian rhythms—run deep in their sound.
Sunday 5/5	Caroline Jones	Acura	11:10 - 11:45	Singer songwriter Caroline Jones is a country music artist. She has opened for the Zac Brown Band and for Jimmy Buffett. Buffett signed her to his Mailboat Records label and she also collaborated with Buffett on a song. Jones was listed as one of the 10 need-to-know new country artists by Rolling Stone Magazine in 2017. Her latest release Bare Feet was released in March 2019.
Sunday 5/5	Carsie Blanton	lagniappe	4:20 - 5:15	Though she sits squarely in the singer-songwriter mode—enough to make both Paul Simon and Loudon Wainwright approve—Carsie Blanton has, through half a dozen or so albums, evolved from just another jazz-folkie hotwiring Billie Holiday into a pure pop butterfly. Yet what really sets her apart is her sexual stance. She can’t help but be as free with her heart as she is with her sexuality, which is why the ballad “To Be Known” examines why people put not just their genitals but also their feelings out there for examination.
Friday 5/3	Cécile McLorin Salvant	WWOZ Jazz Tent	5:45 - 7:00	No less an authority than Wynton Marsalis has said of this 29-year-old jazz vocalist, “You get a singer like this once in a generation or two.” She’s won Grammies and made the charts while racking up critical acclaim; particularly notable is her wildly eclectic choices of material. Her new album The Window makes new magic out of Stevie Wonder’s “Visions” and the West Side Story chestnut “Somewhere.”
Sunday 4/28	Cedric Burnside	Blues Tent	11:15 - 12:05	Undeniably influenced by his grandfather R.L.’s sound, Burnside brings a powerful, fierce energy to the stage. Switching back and forth between acoustic guitar and drums, the project provides blues in its most essential form, as well as intense upbeat dance tunes.
Friday 5/3	Cedric Watson et Bijou Creole	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	1:30 - 2:25	A popular young fiddler, accordionist and singer, this four-time Grammy nominee boasts equal parts star power and skill; his influences range from Creole and Cajun to West African music and beyond.
Friday 5/3	Cha Wa	Jazz & Heritage	4:15 - 5:20	New Orleans brass band-meets-Mardi Gras Indian outfit Cha Wa radiates the energy of the city’s street culture. Their album Spyboy (a nod to frontman J’Wan Boudreaux’s role in the Golden Eagles) is a modern mix of fiery, toe-tapping sounds. Popmatters describes the band as “a grand gumbo of singing, intoxicating rhythms, and deep funk grooves that are impossible to resist.” They were nominated for a Grammy Award and appeared on OffBeat’s May 2018 cover.
Sunday 5/5	Chaka Khan	Congo Square	3:25 - 4:40	The funky diva has been way too quiet in the past decade, but she recently claimed that the death of her friend Prince prompted her to take stock of her life and get back to the studio. The material on the just-released Hello Happiness tends to overdo the production, but she still sings great—and since the album is only a half-hour long, that leaves plenty of time for “I Feel For You,” “Ain’t Nobody” and the other classics.
Sunday 4/28	Tribute to Jo "Cool" Davis with Cordell Chambliss & the Gospel All-Star Band featuring Barbara Shorts, Charles Moore and more	Gospel Tent	12:05- 12:50	Gospel singer, and Central City’s pride and joy, Jo “Cool” Davis passed away in August 2016. Davis programed and co-hosted the popular Gospel Brunch at House of Blues. He was a tireless advocate for New Orleans, its culture and gospel music. After years singing with the Gospel Soul Children, Shorts left to play Big Bertha Williams in “One Mo’ Time.” Shorts’ voice is powerful and deep and she often ends her shows with the spiritual “Down by the Riverside.” Guitarist Charles Moore is the brother of Deacon John Moore.
Thursday 4/25	Charlie Gabriel and Friends	Economy Hall Tent	12:20 - 1:15	Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s clarinetist and vocalist. The band includes Kyle Roussel on piano, Ben Jaffe on bass, Shannon Powell on drums, Kevin Lewis on trumpet and Craig Klein on trombone and others. Though the band will focus on traditional New Orleans music, Gabriel often credits the vitality of jazz with its unique ability to reflect the modern experiences of those who interpret it along with the history in which it’s rooted.
Friday 4/26	Charmaine Neville Band	Blues Tent	1:40 - 2:30	An exuberant jazz singer whose influences run the gamut of New Orleans music styles, Neville has long been a staple of the city’s scene, particularly at Snug Harbor.
Thursday 5/2	Cheyenne Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	2:05- 2:35	This Mardi Gras Indian tribe takes its name after one of the most famous tribes of the Great Plains.
Thursday 4/25	Chosen Vessels Dance Pac	Kids Tent	1:45 - 2:30	Kristy Lewis leads this local school and company specializing in theater arts and a mix of lyrical, modern, jazz, ballet and hip-hop dance styles.
Friday 4/26	Chouval Bwa Traditionnel of Martinique	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:00 -6:00	Chouval bwa is a kind of folk music originated on the slave plantations of Martinique. There are two versions, traditional and modern. At Jazz Fest the chouval bwa is a hand-pushed carousel with a live band playing in the middle of it.
Friday 5/3	Chouval Bwa Traditionnel of Martinique	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:00 -6:00	Chouval bwa is a kind of folk music originated on the slave plantations of Martinique. There are two versions, traditional and modern. At Jazz Fest the chouval bwa is a hand-pushed carousel with a live band playing in the middle of it.
Saturday 5/4	Chouval Bwa Traditionnel of Martinique	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:00 -6:00	Chouval bwa is a kind of folk music originated on the slave plantations of Martinique. There are two versions, traditional and modern. At Jazz Fest the chouval bwa is a hand-pushed carousel with a live band playing in the middle of it.
Sunday 4/28	Chouval Bwa Traditionnel of Martinique	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:00 -6:00	Chouval bwa is a kind of folk music originated on the slave plantations of Martinique. There are two versions, traditional and modern. At Jazz Fest the chouval bwa is a hand-pushed carousel with a live band playing in the middle of it.
Thursday 4/25	Chouval Bwa Traditionnel of Martinique	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:00 -6:00	Chouval bwa is a kind of folk music originated on the slave plantations of Martinique. There are two versions, traditional and modern. At Jazz Fest the chouval bwa is a hand-pushed carousel with a live band playing in the middle of it.
Thursday 5/2	Chouval Bwa Traditionnel of Martinique	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:00 -6:00	Chouval bwa is a kind of folk music originated on the slave plantations of Martinique. There are two versions, traditional and modern. At Jazz Fest the chouval bwa is a hand-pushed carousel with a live band playing in the middle of it.
Sunday 5/5	Chouval Bwa Traditionnel of Martinique.	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:00 -6:00	Chouval bwa is a kind of folk music originated on the slave plantations of Martinique. There are two versions, traditional and modern. At Jazz Fest the chouval bwa is a hand-pushed carousel with a live band playing in the middle of it.
Saturday 5/4	Chris Owens	Economy Hall Tent	5:55 - 6:45	She’s been a fixture on Bourbon Street for decades with her big, showy, Vegas-style showcases. You never know what you might hear!
Friday 5/3	Chris Smither	Lagniappe	3:00 - 4:00	His folk-blues picking (think Mississippi John Hurt or Lightnin’ Hopkins) have made this singer-songwriter a bluesman who can count Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John and Loudon Wainwright III along his acolytes.
Friday 5/3	Chris Stapleton	Acura	5:20 - 7:00	This big bear of a Kentuckian is one of Country’s greatest keys to the future, a singer-songwriter who can hold court with everyone from Justin Timberlake to Sturgill Simpson. Indeed, it was his duet with Justin on the CMA’s that pushed him into the mainstream. But his solo stuff, buoyed by his surprisingly light and airy voice, is rooted squarely in (modern) country tradition on the hits “Traveller,” “Parachute,” and “Millionaire.”
Friday 4/26	Chris Thomas King	Blues Tent	2:50 - 5:30	Second-generation Baton Rouge bluesman made a game-changer album with 1995’s 21st Century Blues…From da Hood, a pioneering fusion of blues with rap and metal riffage. He’s appeared in numerous films including “O Brother Where Art Thou” and “Ray,” where he portrayed Lowell Fulson.
Saturday 5/4	Christian Unity Baptist Church Youth Development Choir	Kids Tent	12:40 - 1:25	Youth choir from Conti Street Christian Unity Baptist Church.
Saturday 5/4	Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	2:20 - 3:20	This third-generation bandleader won the last Best Zydeco or Cajun Album Grammy for Zydeco Junkie in 2010. He teamed up with Chris Ardoin for his latest album, Back To My Roots.
Thursday 4/25	Ciara	Congo Square	5:45 - 7:00	Part of a new generation of R&B superstars, Ciara made an immediate splash with her 2004 debut Goodies spawning four platinum singles. She later did co-billed tours with Jay-Z and Britney Spears, and launched a second career as a model. The recent hit single “Greatest Love” is the first teaser from her forthcoming album, the first in a new deal with Warner Brothers.
Thursday 5/2	Clay Parker and Jodi James	Lagniappe	11:15 - 12:05	Clay Parker and Jodi James are an acoustic duo from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The pair’s use of dense harmony-singing and subtle musical arrangements indelibly binds them to the tradition of singer-songwriters and positions them well in the folk roots and Americana strains of country music.
Thursday 5/2	Clive Wilson’s New Orleans Serenaders	Economy Hall Tent	12:10 - 1:00	Known for their lively interpretations of old New Orleans classics by Armstrong, Kid Ory, and others, the members of the Serenaders have played together in various musical contexts since the ’60s.
Saturday 5/4	Clovis Crawfish & the All-Star Bayou Band	Kids Tent	5:15 - 6:00	For many children in South Louisiana the Clovis Crawfish books contain stories of friendship and moral lessons in the Cajun French language. Songwriter Julie Fontenot Landry the daughter of the books author Mary Alice Fontenot creates songs inspired by the books.
Friday 5/3	Comanche Hunters Mardi Gras Indians	Jazz & Heritage	11:20 - 12:00	Big Chief Keith Keke Gibson leads this Ninth Ward gang, performing traditional songs like “Indian Red” and Monk Boudreaux’s “Lighting and Thunder.”
Saturday 4/27	Connie and Dwight Fitch with the St. Raymond & St. Leo the Great Choir	Gospel Tent	12:05 - 12:50	Seventh Ward couple, Connie and Dwight Fitch, have done romantic R&B as well as gospel; she has sung in the past with Ray Charles and Dr. John
Sunday 4/28	Corey Henry & Treme Funktet	Acura	11:15 - 11:55	Galactic trombonist Henry’s highly energetic funk band has quickly become one of the must-see groups around town in the last few years.
Friday 4/26	Corey Ledet & His Zydeco Band	Sheraton New Olreans Fais Do-Do	11:15 - 12:10	Ledet was already two years into his music career when he switched from drums to accordion at age 12.
Thursday 5/2	Cowboy Mouth	Acura	11:30 - 12:20	They’ve been on the road for 26 years and counting, and still tend to pull out the stops for Fest shows. Go ahead and knock them for working so hard to be inspiring: If Fred LeBlanc, John Thomas Griffith and the newer guys get it right, by the end of the set you’ll be jumping in the air waving your fists to “Jenny Says” along with everybody else. Are you with me?
Thursday 4/25	Craig Adams & Higher Dimensions of Praise	Gospel Tent	5:10 - 5:55	Hammond player and Houston/New Orleans native Adams leads this dynamic, 16-piece gospel group.
Thursday 5/2	Creole String Beans	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	1:25 - 2:25	Fronted by photographer Rick Olivier and featuring former Iguanas and Cowboy Mouth members, the Creole String Beans began as a “Y’at cover band” doing vintage local gems, and moved on to write similarly-styled originals.
Thursday 5/2	Crescent by Choice	WWOZ Jazz Tent	11:10 - 11:55	Saxophonist Ricardo Pascal and clarinetist Joe Goldberg’s Crescent By Choice started as an exodus of musicians from Florida to New Orleans. It includes anyone whose artistic path has led them to the Crescent City.
Friday 5/3	Crocodile Gumboot Dancers of South Africa	Blues Tent	1:30 - 2:15	From Durban, South Africa, the gumboot dance is performed by dancers wearing wellington boots known in South Africa as gumboots. The boots are embellished with bells, so that they ring as the dancers stamp on the ground.
Friday 5/3	Crocodile Gumboot Dancers of South Africa	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	4:50 - 5:45	From Durban, South Africa, the gumboot dance is performed by dancers wearing wellington boots known in South Africa as gumboots. The boots are embellished with bells, so that they ring as the dancers stamp on the ground.
Saturday 5/4	Crocodile Gumboot Dancers of South Africa	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	11:30 - 12:15	From Durban, South Africa, the gumboot dance is performed by dancers wearing wellington boots known in South Africa as gumboots. The boots are embellished with bells, so that they ring as the dancers stamp on the ground.
Sunday 5/5	Crocodile Gumboot Dancers of South Africa	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	11:30 - 12:15	From Durban, South Africa, the gumboot dance is performed by dancers wearing wellington boots known in South Africa as gumboots. The boots are embellished with bells, so that they ring as the dancers stamp on the ground.
Sunday 5/5	Culu Children’s Traditional African Dance Company with Stilt Walker	Kids Tent	5:15 - 6:00	Founded in 1988, this New Orleans-based company has toured the US and performed for Winnie Mandela.
Sunday 4/28	Curley Taylor	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	6:00 - 7:00	After getting his start as a drummer with Cajun country music stars like Steve Riley and CJ Chenier, Taylor switched to accordion and launched a successful career as a bandleader. His blues-infused sound is a staple on the Lafayette and Opelousas zydeco scenes.
Saturday 4/27	Curren$y with guest Nesby Phips	Congo Square	3:00 - 4:00	With decades of friendship behind them, Nesby Phips and Curren$y will showcase the hip-hop chemistry the two have fostered since attending Eleanor McMain Secondary School together. On the Congo Square Stage, they’ll preserve the rightful place of New Orleans rap culture.
Sunday 4/28	Curtis Pierre and the Samba Kids	Kids Tent	11:30 - 12:15	The self-professed “samba king of New Orleans” leads the Afro-Brazilian troupe he founded in 1987 on a series of parades and performances.
Thursday 4/25	Cynthia Girtley’s Tribute to Mahalia Jackson	Gospel Tent	1:00 - 1:45	This jazz-inspired singer/keyboardist is influenced by Mahalia Jackson, for whom she’s performed tributes.
Sunday 5/5	Cyril Neville’s Swamp Funk	Acura	12:05 - 1:05	In addition to stints playing with the Meters and the Neville Brothers, reggae-loving percussionist and singer Cyril has helmed funk outfit the Uptown Allstars and conducted a successful solo career.
Sunday 5/5	Da Knockaz Brass Band	Parade	1:00- 1:30	Formed in 2014, this eight-piece act plays contemporary brass band music, traditional New Orleans jazz and go-go funk.
Sunday 4/28	Da Souljas Brass Band	Parade	2:40- 4:10	This next-generation brass band plays in the hot, modern style that makes a second line roll.
Friday 4/26	Da Truth Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	6:00 - 6:55	Da Truth’s high-energy, tight renditions of New Orleans second line classics and originals have made them one of the best new brass bands in the streets on Sundays.
Friday 5/3	Dancing Grounds Elite Feet Dance Krewe & Youth Company	Kids Tent	5:15 - 6:00	The showcase will include a hip hop and modern dance performances. Dancing Grounds is a nonprofit community arts organization that provides dance education in New Orleans.
Thursday 4/25	Darcy Malone & the Tangle	Gentilly Stage	2:45 - 3:40	Led by the daughter of the Radiators’ Dave Malone, husband-and-wife team Darcy Malone and Christopher Boye blend their tastes for soul and indie rock. OffBeat writer, Rory Callais, is a member of the band.
Friday 4/26	Darlingside Tribute to Danny and Blue Lu Barker featuring Detroit Brooks and Jolynda “Kiki” Chapman	Sheraton New Olreans Fais Do-Do	4:40 - 5:40	Darlingside is a four-person indie folk band from Boston. Their style has been described as “exquisitely-arranged, literary-minded, baroque folk-pop.” Their latest CD, Extralife, was released by Thirty Tigers.
Sunday 4/28	Dave Jordan & the NIA	Lagniappe	12:35 - 1:30	Formerly of the funk band Juice, Dave Jordan earned his rep as a first-class roots/rock songwriter when Anders Osborne produced his solo debut and Art Neville recorded one of his songs. The NIA (Neighborhood Improvement Association) has been his vehicle for the past few years and are about to release a new CD, Burning Sage.
Saturday 5/4	Dave Matthews Band	Acura	5:00 -7:00	As one of the leaders in the vanguard of the jam-band revolution of the ’90s, the Dave Matthews band laid the groundwork for many of the younger bands you’ll see at the Fest: a relentlessly upbeat vibe, delicate interplay and always mutating arrangements, in this case those of hits like “What Would You Say,” “Crash Into Me,” and “Ants Marching.” Come for the red cup-style groove; stay to watch some of rock’s greatest living improvisers.
Sunday 4/28	Davell Crawford	Blues Tent	2:45 - 3:45	Grandson of the late New Orleans R&B great James “Sugarboy” Crawford, Davell is an energetic singer/keyboardist drawing from R&B, jazz and gospel.
Friday 4/26	David & Roselyn	Kids Tent	2:50 - 3:35	Local duo David Leonard and Roselyn Lionheart’s blues and jazz sounds have been a French Quarter staple for years. They’ve also performed on the Smithsonian Institute’s PBS “River of Song” documentary.
Thursday 4/25	David Doucet	AARP Rhythmpourium	1:45- 2:30	David Doucet: Playing alongside his brother Michael, David Doucet’s acoustic guitar has been a key element in BeauSoleil’s sound since their inception. His last solo album (1957: Solo Cajun Guitar) was released a decade ago and this will be a rare chance to hear him outside the group.
Sunday 4/28	David Gonzalez	Kids Tent	2:55 - 3:40	Storyteller, musician, poet, actor, and writer David Gonzalez, as created numerous productions that combine compelling drama, music, and multi-media.
Sunday 4/28	Deacon John	Blues Tent	4:10 - 5:10	The singer/guitarist’s long history in New Orleans music includes leading the band at debutante balls, performing at the Dew Drop Inn and playing on some of the city’s classic records like Aaron Neville’s “Tell It Like It Is” and Ernie K-Doe’s “Mother-In-Law.”
Friday 4/26	Deborah Hunt & Maskhunt Motions	Kids Tent	1:50 - 2:25	Deborah Hunt is a maskmaker, puppeteer and performance artist with 35 years of experience. Born in New Zealand and now residing in Puerto Rico, she is the founder and artistic director of Maskhunt, Inc. Dédé Saint-Prix saxophonist, flautist, percussionist, singer and composer brings his deep knowledge of the history of chouval bwa music into play when he performs. The New York Times has said he inspires the kind of “euphoria … only the best dance music [can invoke].”
Sunday 5/5	Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra	WWOZ Jazz Tent	2:45 - 3:45	The trombonist, composer and producer recently intrigued with his release Make America Great Again!, his energetic UJO sets balance humor and fun with tight ensemble interplay and memorable solos.
Saturday 4/27	Delgado Community College Jazz Band	Lagniappe	11:30 - 12:15	This modern jazz and big band-focused student ensemble hails from the emerging music program at the city’s largest community college.
Thursday 4/25	Devastation SA PC	Parade	3:35- 4:05	Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade.
Friday 4/26	Diassing Kunda of Senegal	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	11:30 - 12:20	The fantastic Miss Ross is one of the last living links to the original Motown sound, and the former Supreme leader stayed relevant for years afterward with solo hits like “Love Hangover” and “I’m Coming Out.” Listening to Diana is like hearing R&B itself grow up and consume popular culture, and while she may be soul’s very first diva, she’s also one of its hardiest survivors. At least we know she’ll still come out if it rains!
Saturday 4/27	Diassing Kunda of Senegal	Sheraton New Olreans Fais Do-Do	1:40 - 2:30	The fantastic Miss Ross is one of the last living links to the original Motown sound, and the former Supreme leader stayed relevant for years afterward with solo hits like “Love Hangover” and “I’m Coming Out.” Listening to Diana is like hearing R&B itself grow up and consume popular culture, and while she may be soul’s very first diva, she’s also one of its hardiest survivors. At least we know she’ll still come out if it rains!
Saturday 4/27	Diassing Kunda of Senegal	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	4:45 - 5:45	The fantastic Miss Ross is one of the last living links to the original Motown sound, and the former Supreme leader stayed relevant for years afterward with solo hits like “Love Hangover” and “I’m Coming Out.” Listening to Diana is like hearing R&B itself grow up and consume popular culture, and while she may be soul’s very first diva, she’s also one of its hardiest survivors. At least we know she’ll still come out if it rains!
Thursday 4/25	Diassing Kunda of Senegal	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:35- 1:25 PM	The fantastic Miss Ross is one of the last living links to the original Motown sound, and the former Supreme leader stayed relevant for years afterward with solo hits like “Love Hangover” and “I’m Coming Out.” Listening to Diana is like hearing R&B itself grow up and consume popular culture, and while she may be soul’s very first diva, she’s also one of its hardiest survivors. At least we know she’ll still come out if it rains!
Thursday 4/25	Diassing Kunda of Senegal	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	5:05- 5:45	The fantastic Miss Ross is one of the last living links to the original Motown sound, and the former Supreme leader stayed relevant for years afterward with solo hits like “Love Hangover” and “I’m Coming Out.” Listening to Diana is like hearing R&B itself grow up and consume popular culture, and while she may be soul’s very first diva, she’s also one of its hardiest survivors. At least we know she’ll still come out if it rains!
Saturday 4/27	Divine Ladies SA & PC	Parade	12:00- 12:30	This Uptown social aid and pleasure club’s annual parades generally kick off in serious style at St. Charles and Jackson Avenues.
Saturday 4/27	DJ Blaza	Congo Square	2:40 - 2:55	Popular New Orleans bounce DJ.
Sunday 5/5	DJ Captain Charles	Congo Square	3:00 -3:15 / 4:50 - 5:10	The self-proclaimed “most renowned DJ in New Orleans,” Captain Charles has been fortifying his music collection for more than 20 years.
Friday 4/26	Dja Rara	Jazz & Heritage	12:20 - 12:45	Originating in Haiti, Rara music is part-carnival, part-social protest, part-vodou ceremony. Brooklyn New York’s Dja Rara has performed on Wycleff Jean’s 1997 Carnival album.
Friday 4/26	Dja Rara	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	4:25 - 4:45	Originating in Haiti, Rara music is part-carnival, part-social protest, part-vodou ceremony. Brooklyn New York’s Dja Rara has performed on Wycleff Jean’s 1997 Carnival album.
Sunday 4/28	Dja Rara	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:40 - 1:20	Originating in Haiti, Rara music is part-carnival, part-social protest, part-vodou ceremony. Brooklyn New York’s Dja Rara has performed on Wycleff Jean’s 1997 Carnival album.
Thursday 4/25	Django Festival Allstars of France	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	1:45 - 2:45	Bringing the music of the legendary gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt into the 21st century the Django Festival Allstars continue to honor the traditions of “hot jazz.” The band features guitarist, violinist Dorado Schmitt and his two sons Samson and Amati. Addition members include violinist Pierre Blanchard, accordionist Ludovic Beier and guitarists DouDou Cuillerier, Francko Mehrstein, Antonio Licusati and Gino Roman.
Thursday 4/25	DjaRARA	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	4:30 - 4:50	Originating in Haiti, Rara music is part-carnival, part-social protest, part-vodou ceremony. Brooklyn New York’s Dja Rara has performed on Wycleff Jean’s 1997 Carnival album.
Saturday 4/27	Dobet Gnahore of Ivory Coast	Congo Square	1:35 - 2:35	Raised both in France and West Africa, this singer/dancer/drummer probably best known for “Pearls,” her duet with India.Arie that won a Grammy in 2010. She’s known as both a skilled percussionist and a theatrical performer whose show includes numerous choreographed pieces.
Sunday 4/28	Dobet Gnahoré of Ivory Coast	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	4:45 - 5:45	Raised both in France and West Africa, this singer/dancer/drummer probably best known for “Pearls,” her duet with India.Arie that won a Grammy in 2010. She’s known as both a skilled percussionist and a theatrical performer whose show includes numerous choreographed pieces.
Sunday 5/5	Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans	economy hall tent	5:50 - 6:45	Clarinetist Doreen Ketchens and her band perform traditional New Orleans jazz all over the world, and have played for Presidents Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr. and Clinton.
Sunday 4/28	Dr. Brice Miller & Mahogany Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	1:35 - 2:35	Trumpeter and ethnomusicologist Miller leads this long-running traditional New Orleans jazz ensemble, his go-to band when he’s not delving into other pursuits like avant-garde jazz and electronic music.
Sunday 5/5	Dr. Michael White & the Original Liberty Jazz Band with guest Thais Clark	economy hall tent	3:05 - 4:10	Clarinetist and jazz scholar White frequently fuses traditional and modern styles in his Liberty Jazz Band. He recently produced an album’s worth of new recordings tracing the history of modern New Orleans brass band music for Smithsonian Folkways. Clark, his regular Jazz Fest guest, adds a vocal component to the set.
Thursday 4/25	Dr. Nativo of Guatemala	Jazz & Heritage	6:05 - 6:55	A hip-hop group from Guatemala.
Thursday 4/25	Dr. Nativo of Guatemala	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	3:20 - 4:20	A hip-hop group from Guatemala.
Sunday 4/28	Driskill Mountain Boys	Lagniappe	1:50 - 2:40	The highest point Louisiana isn’t much of a mountain, but the Boys can pick Bluegrass as well as anyone in Appalachia: classics, originals and real country humor to boot.
Saturday 4/27	Dumaine St. Gang SA & PC	Parade	12:00- 12:30	The Treme-based Dumaine Street Gang Social Aid and Pleasure Club hits the Sixth Ward’s hottest spots during its annual parade.
Friday 4/26	Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers	Sheraton New Olreans Fais Do-Do	1:50 - 2:45	OffBeat’s French Quarter Festival cover subject is a second-generation accordion slinger who carries on the blues-infused style of his dad Dopsie Sr., often with a whole lot of added speed and volume. His latest CD Top of the Mountain was nominated for a Grammy and won for Best Zydeco CD at the Best of the Beat Awards.
Thursday 5/2	Dwight James & The Royals	Congo Square	12:05 - 12:50	From Lafayette this soul band is led by guitarist and vocalist Dwight J. Roy. The band is noted for its bluesy swagger and delicate croons.
Saturday 4/27	E’dana & Divinely Destin	Gospel Tent	1:00 - 1:45	Gospel singer and stage actress E’Dana has been touring and recording since she was 15. She hits the Fairgrounds with her Louisiana-based group, Divinely Destin.
Thursday 4/25	Earth, Wind & Fire	Acura	5:25 - 6:55	The feel good juggernaut of ’70s jazz-soul is back for another run at the fest, complete with their signature horn section and so many hits you’ll never remember them all until you hear ’em in one place—not just “Let’s Groove” and “Shining Star” but the mystical positivity of “Fantasy” and the pure funk of “Serpentine Fire.” Fire indeed!
Sunday 4/28	Ellis Marsalis Family Tribute featuring Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo, and Jason with Ellis Marsalis	WWOZ Jazz Tent	5:40 - 6:55	Wynton Marsalis will be blowing jazz music from the modern era when he and his musical brothers, saxophonist Branford, trombonist Delfeayo and drummer/vibraphonist Jason Marsalis pay tribute to their father, pianist, composer and educator Ellis Marsalis. “It’s good,” says Wynton on getting together with his kin in what could be considered the Marsalis Family Band.
Thursday 5/2	Eric Lindell	Blues Tent	1:35 - 2:25	Once a California skate-punk, Lindell had more success as a blue-eyed soul and bluesman after moving to New Orleans. His tight backing band explores the slightly country-influenced edges of Louisiana roots rock.
Saturday 4/27	Erica Falls	Gentilly	1:35 - 2:25	This soulful R&B vocalist has sung with Allen Toussaint and Irma Thomas but her chops and songwriting skills demand attention on their own merit. She is often featured with Galactic and gave an electrifying performance singing with Walter “Wolfman” Washington at OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Award this last January.
Friday 5/3	Erik McAllister	Kids Tent	3:00 - 3:45	The only mime to be playing the Fest this year. McAllister is an NOCCA graduate who co-hosted the kids’ TV show “Let’s…”, and has appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe Theater Festival and at Bonnaroo.
Friday 5/3	Ernie Vincent & the Top Notes	Blues Tent	11:15 - 12:00	Ernie Vincent and his band the Top Notes are best known for the 1972 funk anthem “Dap Walk.”
Friday 5/3	Evangelist Jackie Tolbert & The Gospel Ensemble	Gospel Tent	1:20 - 2:10	Preaching through song and witness, Baton Rouge-born Jackie brings it a little jazzier than most of her contemporaries, yet there’s no denying the power of her faith (and voice).
Sunday 5/5	Fairview Brass Band Reunion	economy hall tent	1:50 - 2:45	In 1970 Danny Barker’s group Fairview Baptist Church Christian Band recruited New Orleans teenagers and convinced young people that brass band music was both cool and worth preserving. The Fairview Brass Band launched the careers of many musicians including Leroy Jones (who will lead this reunion), Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Kirk Joseph and Nicholas Payton.
Saturday 4/27	Family Ties SA & PC	Parade	12:00- 12:30	This popular Social Aid and Pleasure Club is based downtown, generally strutting down Basin Street on its annual Sunday parade.
Thursday 4/25	Fi Yi Yi & the Mandingo Warriors	Jazz & Heritage	11:15 - 11:55	The Fi Yi Yi tribe of Mardi Gras Indians uses African instead of the traditional American Indian themes. Big Chief Victor Harris marched for 25 years with legendary Indian Tootie Montana.
Sunday 4/28	First Division SA & PC	Parade	2:40- 4:10	An esteemed branch of the historic Young Men Olympian, Jr. Benevolent Association.
Sunday 4/28	Flow Tribe	Gentilly	12:20 - 1:10	“Backbone cracking music” is the chosen genre of this party-friendly funk/rock band, which adds Red Hot Chili Peppers and hip-hop to the Meters on its list of funk influences.
Thursday 4/25	Forest Huval Band	Lagniappe	1:55 - 2:45	A native of Cecilia, Louisiana, Forest was influenced by legendary Cajun musicians. He plays both accordion and fiddle and continues to hone his melodic craft with a reverence for master works.
Thursday 4/25	Forgotten Souls Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	3:45 - 4:35	From New Orleans the Forgotten Souls Brass Band was the winner of the 2000 Best of the Beat Award for Best Emerging Artist. The Forgotten Souls pay their respects to the unique musical traditions of New Orleans with a special blend of second line, traditional jazz, modern jazz, funk and hip hop.
Friday 4/26	Foundation of Funk featuring Zigaboo Modeliste and George Porter Jr. with special guests Cyril Neville, Ivan Neville, Tony Hall and Ian Neville	Acura	3:00 - 4:15	Foundations of Funk with Ivan Neville, Tony Hall and Ian Neville: The closest thing to a full-fledged Meters set at JazzFest this year, this one brings together the mighty, founding rhythm section of George Porter Jr. and Zigaboo Modeliste with three-fifths of Dumpstaphunk.
Thursday 4/25	Franklin Avenue Music Ministry	Gospel Tent	6:05 - 6:50	One of New Orleans’ largest and most powerful church choirs, and a former winner for Best Gospel Group at OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Awards.
Friday 4/26	Free Agents Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	2:20 - 3:15	Bass drummer Ellis Joseph formed this band in September 2005 with other musicians who’d returned to New Orleans after Katrina before their regular bands did; don’t miss their moving hit, “Made It Through the Water,” a modern riff on the spiritual “Wade In the Water.”
Friday 4/26	Free Spirit Brass Band	Parade	3:15- 3:45	A local festival favorite, the young and heavy-hitting Free Spirits are known for a bringing a rock edge to the typical brass-band sound that proves a dance-friendly fan favorite.
Saturday 4/27	Frishberg Family Band	AARP Rhythmpourium	12:20- 1:05	Cajun fiddler, violinist and accordion player Jonno Frishberg, was a member of the Cajun rock band Mamou. Frishberg also recorded with Richard Thomason, Sonny Landreth, Michael Doucet and others. As a New Orleans resident he would often perform at Mulate’s. He now resides in Breaux Bridge, and his family band consists of Colin Frishberg, Eva Frishberg, Susan Leger and of course Jonno Frishberg.
Sunday 4/28	Frog and Henry	Economy Hall Tent	11:15 - 12:05	Formed in New Orleans as a collective of several street performing groups, Frog and Henry perform old dance and jazz music from the early 1900’s on brass and string instruments. Every instrumentalist contributes to vocals.
Thursday 4/25	Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue	Gentilly	12:20- 1:05	Big-voiced Maryland native Vanessa Niemann fronts one of the city’s leading Western swing bands, which plays originals, honky-tonk favorites, and less obvious choices like Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright.” They were big winners at the 2018 OffBeat Best of the Beat Awards, taking home two awards for the best country artist and best country album for Lost and Found.
Saturday 5/4	Galactic	ACura	4:10 - 4:15	Approaching their music with open ears, Ben Ellman, Robert Mercurio, Stanton Moore, Jeff Raines and Rich Vogel draw inspiration from quintessential New Orleans musicians such as the Meters and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band as well as from each other. Brass-band elements, old-school soul and hard rock figure as prominently as the funk. These jamband scene stalwarts are known for their high-energy sets that often feature guests including vocalist Erica Falls. Galactic’s first new studio album in more than three years, Already Ready Already, features guest vocalists including Miss Mojo, Princess Shaw, The Revivalists vocalist Dave Shaw, Boyfriend and of course Erica Falls.
Friday 5/3	Gary Clark Jr.	Gentilly	5:45 - 7:00	Is he gonna perform “This Land”? That’s the question surrounding this Bonnaroo mainstay, slinging guitar in Austin clubs at 12 before developing a decidedly Hendrixian tone and attempting to resolve not just America’s back and white halves but the history of modern black music in general, from blues clear up to hip-hop. “This Land,” which makes Childish Gambino’s “This is America” seem timid, will tell you all you need to know about his stance. If he lets you hear it, that is.
Thursday 5/2	Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	2:50 - 4:00	Originally the drummer in his late father John Delafose’s band, Geno took to accordion and became a popular bandleader specializing in country-styled zydeco, when not raising horses and cattle at his Double D Ranch outside Eunice, Louisiana.
Saturday 5/4	George French & the New Orleans Storyville Jazz Band	Economy Hall Tent	1:40 - 2:35	As a bassist, French played on some landmark ’60s sessions with Earl King, Red Tyler and Robert Parker. As a vocalist, he brings a silky touch to jazz and blues standards.
Sunday 5/5	George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners	Gentilly	11:20 - 12:10	As a founding Meter and a jamming partner to just about everybody, bassist Porter is one of the cornerstones of New Orleans funk. The band’s latest disc, Can’t Beat the Funk, applies fresh spins to lesser-known nuggets from the Meters catalogue. Porter has been nominated for and won numerous Best of the Beat Awards.
Thursday 4/25	Gerald French & the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band	Economy Hall Tent	2:55 - 4:00	The late drummer and colorful WWOZ personality Bob French led this band for 34 years, schooling young talents like Shamarr Allen and Kid Chocolate. When he retired from the band French passed the torch to his nephew Gerald, also a drummer.
Saturday 4/27	Germaine Bazzle	WWOZ Jazz Tent	1:35 - 2:25	This locally prized jazz singer can caress a ballad or scat-sing an up-tempo number with the best. Her history includes a stint playing bass on Bourbon Street with Alvin “Red” Tyler; both OffBeat and the Jazz Journalism Association honored her 50-plus-years of work in music education with awards.
Sunday 4/28	Givers	Gentilly	1:30 - 2:20	This Lafayette-based indie-pop five-piece creates shimmering melodies that have a way of splintering off into unusual rhythms.
Friday 5/3	Gladys Knight	Congo Square	5:45 - 7:00	It took a long time for Gladys Knight to be recognized on the same level as Aretha Franklin or Tina Turner, but her still stunning voice proves that out no one can make love hurt like she does on The Pips’ hits “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “If I Were Your Woman.” If you like your soul with a lot of drama, this is where you should be.
Thursday 5/2	Glen David Andrews	Blues Tent	12:25 - 1:15	This singer/trombonist, cousin of Troy and James Andrews, is a brass traditionalist and a testifying R&B vocalist who honed his entertaining chops in Jackson Square. His album Redemption was named the number one album of 2014 by OffBeat Magazine.
Sunday 4/28	Glenn Hartman and the Earthtones	Kids Tent	1:50 - 2:35	Accordionist Glenn Harman, a native of California, moved to New Orleans at 18 years of age. He has played with the New Orleans Klezmer Allstars and currently performs frequently with Alex McMurray.
Friday 4/26	Go Getters SA & PC	Parade	3:15- 3:45	A downtown-based Social Aid & Pleasure Club.
Friday 4/26	Golden Sioux Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	2:20- 3:00	Mardi Gras Indian parade.
Thursday 4/25	Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	11:15 - 12:05	This accordion and fiddle-centric band, formed in 1946, plays a form of music called Creole La La, an early American roots style that became one of the components of zydeco.
Sunday 5/5	Good Fellas Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs	Parade	11:20 AM - 11:50	Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade.
Thursday 4/25	Grayhawk presents Native America Lore & Tales	Kids Tent	12:35 - 1:20	This Houma, Louisiana resident shares stories from his Choctaw heritage.
Thursday 4/25	Grayson Brockamp and the New Orleans Wildlife Band	WWOZ Jazz Tent	12:20 - 1:10	Recently a fixture on Frenchmen Street, this band was formed in 2016 by upright bassist Brockamp and signed by Nicolas Payton’s label. They do updated versions of “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “What a Wonderful World” and other classics.
Saturday 5/4	Gregg Stafford & his Young Tuxedo Jazz Band	Economy Hall Tent	2:55 - 3:50	Trumpeter Stafford made his Bourbon Street performing debut in 1970; he has led the Young Tuxedo Brass Band for over three decades.
Friday 5/3	Gregg Stafford’s Jazz Hounds	Economy Hall Tent	2:55 - 3:55	Stafford’s other traditional New Orleans jazz ensemble, the Jazz Hounds, have been under his direction since the death of Danny Barker in 1984.
Saturday 4/27	Gregory Porter	WWOZ Jazz Tent	5:30 - 7:00	His Grammy-winning, gospel trained, blue-note-labeled baritone, rich and booming, has already made him a rising star in the U.K. and set to duplicate that feat in U.S. jazz circles.
Saturday 4/27	Grey Seal Puppets.	Kids Tent	1:05 - 1:50	Puppeteers.
Friday 5/3	Grupo Sensacion NOLA	Congo Square	11:15 - 12:00	Jaime Perez and Yenima Rojas founded this energetic, pan-Latin ensemble in 2006 after working together in Ritmo Caribeno; both their members and their influences span a variety of Latin American countries
Sunday 5/5	Hardhead Hunters Mardi Gras Indians	Jazz & Heritage	1:15 - 2:05	Big Chief Otto “Fiyo” DeJean leads the parade of Mardi Gras Indians.
Sunday 4/28	Helen Gillet	Lagniappe	3:00 - 3:55	This Belgium-born cellist and singer performs avant-garde jazz and French chansons with gusto. She’s become a cornerstone of the city’s music scene in recent years, lending her skills to multiple improvisational projects.
Friday 5/3	Herbert McCarver & The Pin Stripe Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	2:45 - 3:50	One of the best young bands playing traditional brass band music in town, the YPS represents a new generation of the Original Pin Stripes, founded by McCarver’s father.
Sunday 5/5	Herbie Hancock	WWOZ Jazz Tent	5:30 - 7:00	A contender for the most popular jazz artist now living, not least due to his ability to play anything from straight-ahead acoustic jazz to pop and hip-hop crossovers. Hancock is currently working on an album that will include Wayne Shorter, Kendrick Lamar, and Snoop Dogg. Here’s hoping his set takes in some of his visionary Afrocentric fusion from the late ’60s.
Saturday 4/27	High Steppers Brass Band	Parade	12:00- 12:30	This young local brass band mixes traditional New Orleans brass sounds with plenty of hip-hop influences.
Saturday 5/4	Higher Heights Reggae	Jazz & Heritage	11:15 - 12:00	Performing an array of Studio One classics and other hits, this New Orleans-based reggae act is a staple of Frenchmen Street’s small but growing reggae scene.
Friday 5/3	Honey Island Swamp Band	Acura	12:40 - 1:40	Formed in San Francisco by Katrina exiles who’ve since returned to town, the HISB is a hard-driving rock band with roots in R&B, country and funk.
Saturday 5/4	Hot 8 Brass Band	Congo Square	1:25 - 2:15	The storied Hot 8 is a study in survival, having lost three members in shooting deaths. But the band has endured, and they carry on traditional brass-band sounds and add elements of hip-hop and jazz, touring worldwide. Their latest album, Take Cover, interprets classic tracks from Joy Division, Michael Jackson and George Benson.
Friday 5/3	Hot Club of New Orleans	Economy Hall Tent	5:45 - 6:45	These guys almost singlehandedly spearheaded the great Crescent City gypsy jazz revival by perfecting a more modern, less studious, more swinging style.
Saturday 4/27	Hurray for the Riff Raff	Acura	3:45 - 4:55	During her time in New Orleans, leader Alynda Segarra developed a highly personalized, often stark and haunting take on Americana. Now based in Nashville, she’s expanded Hurray for the Riff Raff into a full electric band for last year’s expansive and semi-autobiographical concept album The Navigator.
Sunday 4/28	Indigo Girls	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	4:20 - 5:40	Musical partners Amy Ray and Emily Saliers were briefly the toast of the indie-rock world with their self-titled 1989 album and its single “Closer to Fine.” They’re still beloved by a cult audience and still doing good-hearted acoustic rock with the occasional twist: Their latest album was done live with orchestra, and they can rock surprisingly hard onstage.
Sunday 4/28	Irma Thomas	Acura	1:55 - 3:00	With a career that spans more than 50 years, Thomas earned her royal nickname through innumerable contributions to the development of soul and R&B. While she still plays early hits like “It’s Raining” and “Time is on My Side,” she continues to introduce new material.
Thursday 5/2	Isabel Davis	Gospel Tent	1:55 - 2:40	Gospel singer Isabel Davis was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She is currently the Worship Pastor at the City of Love in New Orleans. Her most recent album The Call reached number eleven on the Billboard gospel chart.
Thursday 4/25	ISL Circus Arts Kids	Kids Tent	5:15- 6:00	Students from the International School of Louisiana in New Orleans make up this young group of acrobats, stilt walkers and clowns.
Thursday 5/2	Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk	Acura	3:30 - 4:30	The well-travelled keyboardist makes some of the deepest funk of his career with this band, which features double bass guitars, giving it one of the fattest bottoms in town. Too bad the Rolling Stones cancelled as Keith Richards was sure to join in.
Sunday 4/28	J Balvin	Gentilly	5:55 - 6:55	The new king of Reggaeton rides his riddims completely in Spanish. A Colombian superstar who pulls in music from all dance genres to embroider his style, he may be the future of worldpop incarnate, thanks to the success of sultry hipshakers like “Ginza,” “Mi Gente,” and “Ay Vamos.” If nothing else, his presence signals that Jazz Fest doesn’t think roots futurism ends at the Equator.
Thursday 4/25	J. Monque’D Blues Revue	Blues Tent	12:25 - 1:15	“Monk” is a true example of the classic “Yat” native of the 20th century, and his gritty, dirty blues has made him one of the city’s most beloved sidemen.
Friday 5/3	Jackson Square Allstar Brass Band	Parade	12:45- 1:15	New Orleans pianist Henry Butler passed away from cancer in July 2018 at the age of 69. The Jackson Square All-Star Band is a rotating group of New Orleans musicians usually found entertaining the crowds at Jackson Square.
Sunday 4/28	Jambalaya Cajun Band with special guest Johnnie Allan	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	12:25 - 1:15	This group was founded in 1977 by fiddler Terry Huval. They’re joined by singer Johnnie Allan.
Friday 4/26	James Andrews & the Crescent City All-Stars	Blues Tent	4:10 - 5:10	Nicknamed “Satchmo of the Ghetto,” trumpeter Andrews (the grandson of Jessie Hill and brother of Trombone Shorty) has gone in a funky, expansive direction with his Allstars, although Louis Armstrong remains a key influence.
Thursday 4/25	James Carter Organ Trio	WWOZ Jazz Tent	5:55 - 6:55	Saxophonist and leader James Carter is the cousin of jazz violinist Regina Carter who is also playing the festival. The trio includes drummer Leonard King and organist Gerard Gibbs. Carter has won Down Beat magazine’s critics and readers’ choice award for baritone saxophone several years in a row.
Friday 5/3	James Rivers Movement	WWOZ Jazz Tent	1:30 - 2:30	Perhaps the city’s only jazz/funk saxophonist who doubles as a bagpipe player, Rivers was also known for a longtime (now discontinued) Sunday brunch at the Hilton, and for scoring Clint Eastwood’s The Bridges of Madison County.
Friday 5/3	Jamil Sharif	Economy Hall Tent	1:40 - 2:35	This local trumpeter studied with Ellis Marsalis at NOCCA and went on to do a number of soundtracks, including the Ray Charles biopic Ray, for which he was music coordinator.
Friday 5/3	Jarekus Singleton	Blues Tent	2:40 - 3:40	Rising star Mississippi blues guitarist Singleton combines elements of modern and traditional blues with hip-hop influenced vocals.
Thursday 4/25	Jason Marsalis	WWOZ Jazz Tent	1:30 - 2:30	Marsalis began as a vibraphonist but spends more time behind the drums; in both situations, he expertly matches agile displays of technique with a deep sense of groove. His latest album Melody Reimagined book 1 was nominated for OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Album of the Year. Jason Marsalis took home the Best of the Beat Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Artist in 2018.
Friday 4/26	Javier Gutierrez & Vivaz!	Jazz & Heritage	3:40 - 4:35	This energetic and dance inspiring Caribbean/Latin jazz fusion band led by the Bolivian-born guitarist Javier Gutierrez highlights the Cuban tres (a double three-stringed Cuban guitar).
Saturday 4/27	Javier Olondo and AsheSon	Jazz & Heritage	2:50 - 3:50	Local guitarist Javier Olondo leads this ensemble primarily through the songs of his native Cuba while drawing on the traditions of other Latin American countries, including Guatemala and Puerto Rico.
Saturday 4/27	Javier Olondo and AsheSon	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	11:30 - 12:20	Local guitarist Javier Olondo leads this ensemble primarily through the songs of his native Cuba while drawing on the traditions of other Latin American countries, including Guatemala and Puerto Rico.
Thursday 4/25	Jazzy Ladies SA PC	Parade	2:30- 3:00	Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade.
Thursday 4/25	Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	2:50 - 3:50	Once a member of the funky Zydeco Force, singer/accordionist Broussard turns to old-school Creole and zydeco with this group.
Thursday 4/25	Jeghetto’s Workshop	Kids Tent	2:55 - 3:40	Puppeteer Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkins uses marionettes to tell a story about a robot that longs to be a real boy. Jeghetto’s talent earned him a Jim Henson Foundation grant.
Thursday 4/25	Jekalyn Carr	Gospel Tent	3:00 - 4:00	Young Memphis gospel sensation made a national impression with her first album Greater is Coming, at age 16. The empowering song “You Will Win” has since become her anthem, and was also the title of a self-help book that the singer (now 21) released last year.
Saturday 5/4	Jeremy Davenport	WWoz Jazz Tent	12:25 - 1:20	Schooled as the featured trumpeter in Harry Connick, Jr.’s band, the St. Louis native has carved out a solo career with a tender tone to both his playing and singing on romantic standards and originals.
Friday 5/3	Jermaine Hawkins and The Harvey Spirituals	Gospel Tent	12:30 - 1:10	Founded in 2003, the musical quartet is the creation of Jermaine Hawkins.
Saturday 5/4	Jermaine Landrum & the Abundant Praise Revival Choir	Gospel Tent	5:05 - 5:50	The popular Rev. Jermaine Landrum leads the choir affiliated with Holy Ghost Headquarters Ebenezer Baptist Church in New Orleans.
Saturday 5/4	Jesse McBride Big Band	WWoz Jazz Tent	3:00 - 4:00	Pianist Jesse McBride has led The Next Generation for more than ten years, taking over for his mentor Harold Battiste who passed away in 2015. McBride’s Big Band remains focused on contemporary jazz performing compositions by Harold Battiste, James Black, Clyde Kerr Jr., Ellis Marsalis, Alvin “Red” Tyler and others.
Friday 4/26	Jessica Harvey and The Difference	Gospel Tent	12:05 - 12:50	The Difference are led by choir director Jessica Harvey who also fronts her own gospel group The Singing Leopards.
Thursday 4/25	Jim McCormick	AARP Rhythmpourium	3:15- 4:00	New Orleans born singer songwriter has been performing with various bands in New Orleans for years—most recently with the Write Brothers featuring Paul Sanchez, Alex McMurray and Spencer Bohren. As a Nashville staff songwriter he has written two number one songs. “Take a Little Ride” for Jason Aldean and “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” for Brantley Gilbert. His songs have been covered by Louisiana artists Harry Connick, Jr. and Amanda Shaw. Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, Randy Travis, Ronnie Milsap and many others have covered McCormick compositions.
Sunday 5/5	Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band	Acura	3:05 - 5:05	Buffett’s shows invariably draw a well-oiled crowd wearing garish tropical gear and clutching their parrot totems; fortunately the Jazz Fest crowd always looks like that anyway. As his fans well know, thoughtful troubadour songs like “A Pirate Looks at 40” are as much of the picture as the party tunes.
Saturday 5/4	Joe Krown Trio featuring Walter Wolfman Washington	Blues Tent	12:20 - 1:10	Three instrumental powerhouses join forces in this organ/guitar/drums trio that has become a full-time band, cutting three CDs, and writing some fine originals including their anthem “You Can Stay But That Noise Gotta Go.”
Friday 5/3	Joel Jones & 3MC	Gospel Tent	11:40 - 12:20	Louisiana native Joel Jones began playing music at age five. Joel is the Minister of Music at Greater Mt. Calvary Church in New Orleans.
Thursday 4/25	Joey Stylez	Jazz & Heritage	2:30 - 3:25	Saskatchewan rapper whose music is steeped in First Nation and Aboriginal culture and spirituality. He has also found success as a visual artist and fashion designer and lives as a nomad, not having stayed anywhere for more than a month.
Saturday 5/4	John “Papa” Gros	Acura	11:15 - 12:05	New Orleans funk scene stalwart “Papa Gros” took his music in a new direction after disbanding Papa Grows Funk in 2013. The powerhouse keyboardist, singer and French horn player recently released Live at Tipitina’s New Orleans with his Japanese touring band Funk on Da Table.
Sunday 5/5	John Boutté	WWOZ Jazz Tent	4:05 - 5:05	A local favorite with a high and haunting voice, Boutte is an inspired, passionate interpreter of songs. His acclaim spread widely after his tune “Treme Song” became the theme of the hit HBO series, “Treme.”
Sunday 5/5	John Fogerty	Gentilly	5:40 - 7:00	With Creedence Clearwater Revival he wrote two of the essential Louisiana songs, “Proud Mary” and “Born on the Bayou,” before he’d ever been to New Orleans. He’s made up for lost time since then, and his Jazz Fest sets are always more than solid. Expect every Creedence hit you can name and a few you’ve forgotten as well.
Sunday 5/5	John Hammond	Blues Tent	1:30 - 2:30	Acoustic blues giant has played with any number of big names during his 60-year career, making the landmark Triumvirate album with Dr. John and Mike Bloomfield in 1974. Now 76 he’s playing with as much fire as ever, his latest album “Timeless” includes one of the feistiest “Junco Partners” you’ll ever hear.
Friday 4/26	John Lawrence & Ven Pa’ Ca Flamenco Ensemble	Lagniappe	12:35 - 1:30	This long-running flamenco ensemble led by guitarist Lawrence usually features saxophonist Rob Wagner with Dave Sobel on percussion, along with dancers.
Friday 5/3	John Mahoney Big Band	WWOZ Jazz Tent	12:20 - 1:10	Trombonist, pianist and Loyola music professor Mahoney leads this large modern jazz ensemble, featuring a slew of the city’s top horn players.
Friday 5/3	John Mooney & Bluesiana	Blues Tent	12:20 - 1:10	Real enough to record for Ruf and Blind Pig and to sit in with Snooks Eaglin and Fess himself, Mooney more or less invented welding Delta blues to New Orleans funk.
Sunday 5/4	John Prine	Blues Tent	5:45 - 7:00	You already know if you’re a fan of this iconic yet perennial outsider singer-songwriter; he’s almost single-handedly been holding down the weird end of country music for four decades. If not, “Grandpa Was a Carpenter,” “Illegal Smile,” and “Jesus: The Missing Years” will inculcate you into his cult, and Jazz Fest is a great place to find out... just make sure you can hear the lyrics.
Saturday 4/27	Johnette Downing and Scott Billington	Kids Tent	2:50 - 3:40	This local duo, comprised of children’s author and guitarist Downing and Grammy-winning producer Billington, present a medley of Louisiana roots music dubbed “Swamp Romp.” See feature in this issue.
Sunday 4/28	Johnny Rivers	Blues Tent	5:45 - 7:00	A last-minute sub for fellow Louisiana native Jerry Lee Lewis, Rivers has more than enough hits to fill a set, including the timeless “Secret Agent Man” and the only Huey Smith cover to hit the charts in the ’70s, “Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu.” His last Jazz Fest appearance ten years ago was a pleasant surprise; he still rocked the house like it was the Whisky a Go Go in 1965.
Saturday 4/27	Johnny Sansone	Blues Tent	11:10 - 12:00	A multi-instrumentalist who draws from swamp-rock, blues and zydeco, Sansone has two aces in the hole: his songwriting and his gut-shaking harmonica solos.
Thursday 5/2	Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes	Gentilly	0.53125	Fronted by a cellist turned guitarist, they’re a funky rock band. The band’s philosophy can best be summed up by the sentiments of the single and video, “Dance Dance Dance Dance Dance.”
Thursday 4/25	Jolynda “Kiki” Chapman	WWOZ Jazz Tent	2:50 - 3:50	Right now she’s mainly known for a torchy revamp of Art Neville’s “All These Things,” done with David Torkanowsky, but her churchy approach to both jazz and R&B marks her as one of NOLA’s future soul queens.
Sunday 5/5	Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen	Gentilly	12:30 - 1:30	Since moving over from the UK in the ’80s, Cleary’s earned a place in the frontline of New Orleans blues singers and keyboardists. He won a Grammy Award for his CD GoGo Juice. At the 2018 Best of the Beat awards, Jon Cleary was named Songwriter of the Year and Best Pianist.
Saturday 5/4	Jonathan Butler and Gerald Albright	WWoz Jazz Tent	5:45 - 7:00	Two big names in the smooth-jazz world join forces. Saxophonist Albright cut his teeth playing behind a variety of pop and R&B singers including Anita Baker and Phil Collins; his solo albums combine pop and R&B material. Guitarist Butler originally hails from Cape Town and played with George Duke and Teena Marie after moving to California; his latest album Close to You is all from the Bacharach/David songbook.
Thursday 4/25	Jonathon Long	Blues Tent	11:15 - 12:05	This soulful Baton Rouge-based blues guitar slinger has opened for B.B. King and performed with Dr. John, Kenny Neal and many others. His latest CD is produced by Samantha Fish.
Sunday 5/5	Jonté Landrum	Gospel	12:55 - 1:35	“I am the youngest child of four… we were a musical household. We sang commercials. Even made harmonies of the words my mom would use to scold us. I was part of the family group the Landrum Singers when I was three.” No stranger to Jazz Fest, Landrum sang with the Johnson Extension. A songwriter Landrum said “whatever I’m singing, you will see the Lord in me. I’m ministering, but my church is bigger. It’s the world.”
Friday 4/26	Jordan Family Tribute featuring Kidd	WWOZ Jazz Tent	1:30 - 2:30	“Kidd” Jordan is one of the music industry’s most in demand jazz sax men, but at the fest he utilizes his family on vocals, flute, violin, and trumpet—all of whom are already leading lights on the stage and in music academia.
Friday 4/26	Josh Kagler & Harmonistic Praise Crusade	Gospel Tent	2:45 - 3:30	The members of this New Orleans gospel group range from age 17-30 and claim they are “radical for Christ.”
Friday 4/26	Jourdan Thibodeaux et les Rôdailleurs	Lagniappe	1:50 - 2:45	Thibodeaux is a fiddle-playing farmer from Cypress Island, Louisiana. His Valcour Records CD debut Boue, Boucane, et Bouteilles (or “Mud, Smoke and Bottles”) contains 12 original songs with Thibodeaux’s downhome stories backed by a stellar band. Diagnosed with throat cancer at the age of 21, Thibodeaux said doctors planned to remove his larynx. Thibodeaux wanted his voice recorded before it totally disappeared. Now cancer-free with his voice intact, Thibodeaux cherishes his newfound celebrity. But his folksy personality and work ethic remain untouched. When he’s not playing music, Thibodeaux raises hogs and chickens on his 42-acre farm.
Sunday 4/28	Big Chief Joseph Jr. & the Young Eagles Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	12:25- 12:55	Parading Mardi Gras Indians.
Saturday 5/4	Judith Owen	Lagniappe	2:55 - 3:55	Singer songwriter and pianist Judith Owen is known for her musical variety, which she melds into a stylistic gumbo all her own. She says of her partner Harry Shearer, “I’m with somebody who makes me laugh.”
Sunday 5/5	Judy Stock	KIds Tent	1:15 - 2:00	Playing folk music on a variety of instruments, Stock, an early childhood specialist, works lessons about literacy into her performances.
Thursday 5/2	Julio y Cesar Band	Lagniappe	12:25 - 1:15	These local brothers do Latin-American music on twin classical guitars, and have lately expanded from duo to band.
Saturday 5/4	Jupiter & Okwess of the Democratic Republic of the Congo	Congo Square	2:40 - 3:40	Jupiter Bokondji from the Democratic Republic of Congo and his band Okwess perform traditional music from this country. His mission was to delve into traditional music and give it an international dimension. As Jupiter Bokondji says “I have to revolutionize Congolese music.”
Sunday 5/5	Jupiter & Okwess of the Democratic Republic of the Congo	Congo Square	12:30 - 1:30	Jupiter Bokondji from the Democratic Republic of Congo and his band Okwess perform traditional music from this country. His mission was to delve into traditional music and give it an international dimension. As Jupiter Bokondji says “I have to revolutionize Congolese music.”
Saturday 4/27	Justin Garner	Congo Square	12:20 - 1:10	Plaquemine Parish R&B singer songwriter also pulls from pop, rock, soul and country. He was opened for Trey Songz, Fantasia and many others.
Sunday 5/5	Kai Knight’s Silhouette Dance Ensemble	KIds Tent	2:55 - 3:40	New Orleans troupe that aims to teach young African-American woman about positive image and self-expression through dance.
Friday 5/3	Kamasi Washington	Gentilly	4:20 - 5:20	Kamasi is one of the most in-demand tenor sax men in the industry today, having been enlisted by everyone from Lauryn Hill to George Duke to Kendrick Lamar. His solo excursions, however, bring a Coltrane-like exuberance, as well as some Pan-African styling, to the most modern hip-hop and EDM beats.
Friday 4/26	Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe	Congo Square	2:40 - 3:40	After letting love rule with Lenny Kravitz’ original band, sax/flute player Denson showed the ability to jam with just about everybody, from local heroes (he’s played with Galactic a few times) to rock legends (he took the sax solos on the Stones’ 2015 revisit of Sticky Fingers). Tiny Universe makes a fitting outfit for any rock, funk, jazz or open-ended directions he cares to go in.
Thursday 4/25	Kat Walker Jazz Band: Scat with Ms. Kat	Kids Tent	4:05 - 4:50	Kids learn the art of scat singing with a live band, live-action jazz karaoke style.
Friday 4/26	Kathy Taylor and Favor	Gospel Tent	3:50 - 4:50	Taylor is a singer and choir leader from the Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston.
Saturday 4/27	Katy Perry	Acura	5:40 - 7:00	She’s probably not going to march a giant animatronic lion across the Jazz Fest stage, but America’s Princess of Pop will pump the place up with big radio hits such as “I Kissed a Girl,” “Teenage Dream,” and “Firework.” Does her career downgrade to a judge on the American Idol reboot indicate she’s lost the crown? Can she silence the haters with a flamboyant Fest set? We’ll be watching.
Friday 4/26	Keep-n-It Real SA & PC	Parade	12:20- 12:50	This young Bayou St. John-based parade club features solid dancers and parades with some of the best brass bands in town.
Friday 5/3	Kehoe France Choir	Kids Tent	11:30 - 12:15	This Metairie private school choir is open to students from grades three to seven. They have performed at French Quarter Festival, Celebration in the Oaks and lots of events.
Friday 5/3	Keith Burnstein’s Kettle Black	Lagniappe	11:30 - 12:20	The brainchild of Mumbles alum Keith Burnstein, along with members of Toubab Krewe and Antibalas, the band fans out the African and Cuban influences found in New Orleans music to create a new American songbook.
Friday 4/26	Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band	Sheraton New Olreans Fais Do-Do	6:05 - 7:00	Frank leads his hard-driving zydeco band, which formed in 1990.
Saturday 5/4	Kenny Neal with guest Henry Gray	Blues Tent	1:30 - 2:30	Neal may be the best living guitarist on the Baton Rouge swamp-blues scene; Henry is the creator of the Chicago piano blues sound. Now imagine them together.
Friday 5/3	Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers	Congo Square	2:50 - 3:50	One of New Orleans’ most beloved trumpeters and personalities, Ruffins digs swingin’, smokin’ and partyin’ traditional style.
Sunday 5/5	Kermit Ruffins’ Tribute to Louis Armstrong	Economy Hall	4:30 - 5:30	A Jazz Fest favorite, trumpeter Kermit Ruffins a contemporary reefer man revisits the work of the original reefer man.
Thursday 4/25	Kid Simmons’ Local International Allstars	Economy Hall Tent	11:15 - 12:05	An early devotee of George “Kid Sheik” Cola, trumpeter Simmons has been active in traditional jazz since his arrival in New Orleans in 1966 and cut his teeth in Harold Dejean’s Olympia Brass Band and the Young Tuxedo Brass Band.
Friday 4/26	KID smART Student Showcase	Kids Tent	11:30 - 12:15	This organization brings arts initiatives to a range of public schools in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, and its student groups have been a fixture at the kids’ tent.
Saturday 5/4	Kim Che’re	Gospel	12:55 - 1:40	Gospel singer Kim Che’re Hardy has wowed the Jazz Fest audience. According to Keith Spera; “She sounded a bit like a younger Patti LaBelle, with a slightly huskier voice, minus LaBelle’s over-the-top, upper-register histrionics. And she was every bit the show-woman that LaBelle is.
Thursday 4/25	Kinfolk Brass Band	Acura	12:40 - 1:30	Formed in 2006, the Kinfolk are true to the traditional brass-band sound, performing classics like “Bourbon Street Parade” and “I’ll Fly Away” along with their originals.
Saturday 4/27	Kristin Diable & The City	Lagniappe	4:20 - 5:20	This deep-voiced Baton Rouge native made a name for herself in New York City’s singer songwriter community before returning to New Orleans. NPR likened her singing on 2015’s Create Your Own Mythology to that of a lighter hearted Amy Winehouse.
Friday 4/26	Kumasi	Jazz & Heritage	1:05 - 2:00	New Orleans’ only Afrobeat orchestra brings high-energy dance music in the form of West African-inspired originals and Afro-funk, along with some Fela covers. Margie Perez is the vocalist.
Friday 4/26	Kumbuka African Drum & Dance Collective	Congo Square	11:15 - 11:55	Founded in 1983 and based in New Orleans, this troupe brings African music and dance to grade schools throughout Louisiana; members range from ages 10 to 55.
Thursday 5/2	Kyle Roussel History & Future of New Orleans Piano	WWOZ Jazz Tent	12:45 -1:50	Pianist Kyle Roussel has been playing the piano since age nine. He is a graduate of New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. He has performed with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Christian Scott, Donald Harrison, Jr. and many others. Roussel utilizes an array of keyboards—acoustic and electric pianos, organ, Fender Rhodes and a clavinet—giving each tune its own personality.
Saturday 4/27	La Tran-K Band	Lagniappe	5:40 - 6:30	Latin music band from New Orleans founded in 2011.
Friday 4/26	Ladies of Unity LLC	Parade	3:15- 3:45	Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade.
Friday 5/3	Lady’s & Men Rollers	Parade	4:10- 4:40	Uptown’s Lady Jetsetters Social Aid and Pleasure Club recently celebrated their 25th anniversary.
Friday 4/26	Landry Walker Charter High School Choir	Gospel Tent	1:55 - 2:35	A 40-plus member gospel choir from the West Bank school whose brass band recently won $10,000 in the Class Got Brass competition.
Saturday 5/4	Lane Mack & the Balladeers	Lagniappe	12:20 - 1:15	Lafayette singer songwriter and guitarist Lane Mack plays country or Americana music. He has performed with Marc Broussard, Eric Lindell and Sonny Landreth and many others.
Thursday 4/25	Lars Edegran Trio	AARP Rhythmpourium	12:20- 1:05	Multi-instrumentalist Lars Edegran is joined by colleagues in his ad hoc trio. Edegran performs regularly at the Palm Court Jazz Café.
Saturday 4/27	Lars Edegran‘s New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra	Economy Hall Tent	3:00 - 4:00	Formed in 1967 by Swedish-born pianist Lars Edegran, this band plays rags, cakewalks and other classic pieces from the original ragtime era.
Saturday 4/27	Lauren Daigle	Gentilly	2:50 - 3:50	This Louisiana native has been quietly destroying all previous records for contemporary Christian music... and the former LSU choir leader has only just broken into the mainstream.
Saturday 4/27	Lawrence Sieberth featuirng Fareed Haque	WWOZ Jazz Tent	2:45 - 3:35	New Orleans-based pianist and composer Sieberth has a knack for blending classical and world music with modern jazz. When he’s not leading his own projects, he performs regularly with Germaine Bazzle, Lena Prima and Gerald French. Sieberth is joined with jazz guitarist Fareed Haque.
Friday 4/26	Le Vent du Nord of Canada	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:45 - 1:45	Le Vent du Nord or The North Wind is a Canadian folk music group from Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu in Quebec. The band performs traditional Québécois music (which is heavily influenced by Celtic music from both Ireland and Brittany), as well as original numbers in this style, in French.
Friday 4/26	Le Vent du Nord of Canada	Sheraton New Olreans Fais Do-Do	3:10 - 4:10	Le Vent du Nord or The North Wind is a Canadian folk music group from Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu in Quebec. The band performs traditional Québécois music (which is heavily influenced by Celtic music from both Ireland and Brittany), as well as original numbers in this style, in French.
Saturday 5/4	Leah Chase	WWoz Jazz Tent	1:40 - 2:35	A classically trained opera singer who turned to jazz, Chase is also the daughter of two of New Orleans’ most famous restaurateurs.
Friday 4/26	Lean On Me: José James Celebrates Bill Withers	WWOZ Jazz Tent	5:45 - 7:00	One of the Blue Note labels latter-day stars, James takes a rap-informed approach to jazz singing; he recently built a full tribute album out of a Bill Withers medley he’d been doing onstage. Fans of the Who can take note that his bassist (in the studio and presumably onstage) is longtime associate Pino Palladino.
Saturday 4/27	Lemon Bucket Orkestra	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:45 - 1:45	The Lemon Bucket Orkestra is a Canadian self-described “Balkan-Klezmer-Gypsy-Party-Punk-Super Band” based in Toronto, Canada.
Thursday 5/2	Lena Prima	Economy Hall Tent	2:20 - 3:35	The youngest daughter of Louis Prima performs her dad’s classics along with her own jazz-pop material. Her recent Basin Street Records release Prima La Famiglia interprets her father’s repertoire. She was featured on the February 2019 OffBeat cover.
Sunday 4/28	Leo Jackson & the Melody Clouds	Gospel Tent	4:15 - 5:00	This family group was formed in 1965 and is now led by founder Leo Jackson’s son. It’s known for its rousing vocals and synchronized steps.
Friday 5/3	Leo Nocentelli	Gentilly	1:35 - 2:35	The man who put the guitar licks into the Meters and was the main songwriter in the original lineup, Nocentelli recently returned to New Orleans after a long stay on the West Coast. In his sets you can expect to hear “Cissy Strut” and “Fire on the Bayou” straight from the source.
Saturday 4/27	Leon Bridges	Gentilly	5:40 - 7:00	The Fest is naturally a haven for R&B music of all eras, but Bridges, who first introduced himself to the world with 2015’s Sam-Cooke-meets-swamp-pop single “Coming Home,” practices actual Soul with a capital S—Cooke and Otis are two names most often thrown around when describing his voice. These days he’s incorporated a little John Legend/Bruno Mars modernity into his sweet smooth soul, but at the Fest you can expect him to keep his roots close at hand.
Saturday 4/27	Leroy Jones & New Orleans’ Finest	Economy Hall Tent	1:40 - 2:40	Trumpeter Jones is a protégé of the legendary Danny Barker and at 13 was leading the Fairview Baptist Church Marching Band. In 1991 Jones joined Harry Connick, Jr.’s band; he’s also appeared with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Dr. John.
Friday 5/3	Leyla McCalla	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	12:20 - 1:10	A first-gen Haitian-American who made her name mixing her ancestral Creole folk with Cajun fiddle and Dixieland banjo (among other things,) right on the streets of the Quarter.
Friday 5/3	Leyla McCalla	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	3:20 - 4:15	A first-gen Haitian-American who made her name mixing her ancestral Creole folk with Cajun fiddle and Dixieland banjo (among other things,) right on the streets of the Quarter.
Sunday 5/5	Lil’ Buck Sinegal Blues Band with special guest Ironing Board Sam	Blues Tent	2:50 - 3:50	75 year old Sinegal once led an R&B band that included a young Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural on organ. The blues guitarist seems to slip effortlessly into soulful grooves. Keyboardist Samuel Moore better known as Ironing Board Sam now 79 years old joins the band.
Saturday 4/27	Lil’ Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	2:55 - 3:50	This young accordion player from Lafayette scored a regional hit with “That L’Argent,” a hip-hop flavored zydeco tune about the power of money. His dad is Nathan Williams of the Zydeco Cha Chas.
Sunday 5/5	Lilli Lewis	AARP Rhythmpourium	3:15- 4:00	Singer songwriter Lilli Lewis describes her music as follows: “If Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Odetta had had a baby, and that baby had had a baby, and that baby had had another baby….well that baby would probably be me.”
Saturday 4/27	Lisa Amos	Congo Square	11:15 - 12:00	Vocalist Lisa Amos was born and raised in New Orleans. She has appeared with hip hop artist Choppa but her vocal style is more R&B.
Sunday 5/5	Little Feat	Gentilly	2:00 - 3:10	Formed by the late Lowell George just after Frank Zappa sacked him for drug use, Little Feat had some of the most fluid jams and quirkiest songwriting to emerge in the ’70s. All four living members of the classic lineup are still aboard (they’ve lost George and drummer Richie Hayward), having shed a couple latter-day singers they’re largely back to the vintage sound and material.
Sunday 5/5	Little Freddie King Blues Band	Blues Tent	12:20 - 1:10	The Mississippi Delta-born King plays raw juke-joint blues with style, and he’s one of the best dressers you’ll see on any stage. His latest album, Absolutely the Best, compiles some of his very best songs including “Chicken Dance” and “Walking with Freddie.”
Saturday 4/27	Logic	Congo Square	5:50 - 7:00	Hip hop’s great Half White Hope can’t avoid unfortunate comparisons to Eminem based on his race, but in reality he’s more like a Wu-Tang brother from another mother: mentored by the group and sharing their love for twisted jazzy backdrops and relentless lyrical assault. Like Em, however, his sheer energy takes the genre to new heights on his hits “Everybody Dies” and “44 More.” Let’s hope he can do for Jazz Fest what he did for Rick and Morty’s party.
Friday 5/3	Los Lobos	Blues Tent	5:30 - 7:00	They’re best known for two ’80s Ritchie Valens covers in “La Bamba” and “Come On, Let’s Go,” but this five-piece has been holding down the tradition of Mexican-American music since they changed all the rules of Latin rock with “Will the Wolf Survive?” Too ahead of their time, they stuck around through sheer tenacity (like the wolf) and now serve as gatekeepers of border music from the Pacific to Port Arthur.
Friday 5/3	Lost Bayou Ramblers	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	2:50 - 3:50	This band typically plays traditional Cajun music but incorporates Western swing, rockabilly, and punk rock aesthetics. Leader Louis Michot has revived forgotten classics and sings almost entirely in Cajun French. They have collaborated with many artists including Spider Stacey of the Pogues. Their 2017 CD Kalenda received a Grammy for the Best Regional Roots Music Album.
Saturday 4/27	Louis Cottrell and Onward Brass Band Remembered featuring Dr. Michael White	Economy Hall Tent	4:25 - 5:25	Louis Cottrell was a clarinetist and tenor saxophonist who passed away in 1978. Cottrell worked with Kid Rena, Sidney Desvigne, A.J. Piron and many others but formed an enduring relationship with drummer. Paul Barbarin. In 1960 Barbarin and Cottrell revived the Onward Brass Band. An example of Cottell’s clarinet playing can be heard on Paul Barbarin’s Onward Brass Band—in Concert playing his favorite hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Clarinetist Dr. Michael White remembers this outstanding clarinetist.
Friday 4/26	Louis Ford & his New Orleans Flairs	Economy Hall Tent	11:20 - 12:05	Clarinetist and saxophonist Ford’s father was Clarence Ford, who played with Fats Domino. He leads his old-time New Orleans jazz band through a set of traditional music.
Friday 4/26	Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble	Economy Hall Tent	12:30 - 1:25	Fred Starr leads this local traditional jazz septet with a focus on tight arrangements of tunes by Sam Morgan and other music from the turn of the century.
Thursday 4/25	Loyola University Jazz Band	WWOZ Jazz Tent	11:15 - 12:00	Students from Loyola’s jazz program—the oldest in the city—make up this group.
Friday 4/26	Luke Winslow King	Lagniappe	3:05 - 4:00	A Michigan native who studied music at UNO, Winslow-King is both a performer and musicologist, combining the sound of early 20th century New Orleans with the street smarts of a modern songwriter.
Thursday 4/25	Lulu & the Broadsides featuring Dayna Kurtz	Lagniappe	3:05 - 4:00	New Jersey born vocalist and songwriter Dayna Kurtz is joined by drummer Carlo Nuccio (Royal Fingerbowl), pianist Casey McAllister (Hurray for the Riff Raff / King James & the Special Men) and guitarist Robert Mache.
Sunday 4/28	Luther Kent & Trickbag	Blues Tent	1:35 - 2:25	This Southern-fried soul man, who fronted Blood, Sweat & Tears for a short stint in the ’70s, is best known for leading the funky Trickbag.
Thursday 5/2	Lyle Henderson & Emmanu-EL	Gospel Tent	2:55 - 3:45	A former radio DJ at R&B station FM98 and gospel station WYLD, Lyle Henderson also coordinates the gospel brunches at the House of Blues.
Saturday 4/27	Maggie Koerner	Acura	11:20 - 12:20	Koerner earned plenty of new fans when she held down the vocal role during a series of Galactic tours a few years back, but her powerful voice and intense stage presence make her solo shows equally exciting.
Thursday 4/25	Mainline	Lagniappe	5:35 - 6:30	Having dropped the “brass band” moniker in recent years, this eight-piece credits Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s Kirk Joseph with inspiring the funk, rock and jam band-style approach they layer onto their brass band horns instrumentation. See Fest Focus in this issue.
Thursday 4/25	Makueto Groove & Friends	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	11:30 - 12:15	Marcio Peeter, a percussionist from Ilê Aiyê, the group known worldwide as the creator of the unique rhythmic style Samba Afro is Makueto Groove. Originally from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil and now residing in Santa Cruz, California, Marcio Peeter has played professionally since he was 14.
Thursday 5/2	Marc Broussard	Gentilly	12:15 - 1:00	The Lafayette singer/guitarist grew up around vintage swamp-pop, but has since found his niche with a mix of soulful roots music and adult-contemporary pop. He’s opened tours for both the Dave Matthews Band and Maroon 5.
Saturday 5/4	Marcia Ball	Blues Tent	2:50 - 3:50	A Jazz Fest perennial, the singer/pianist from Texas was recently nominated for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year award at the 2014 Blues Music Awards.
Saturday 4/27	Mardi Gras Indian Rhythm Section & Washitaw Nation	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	4:15 - 4:30	This Indian tribe takes its name from a group of multi-cultural, yet traditionally black, Americans who claim Native American sovereignty over their nation.
Saturday 4/27	Maria Muldaur’s Tribute to Blu Lu Barker	Blues Tent	4:05 - 5:05	Maria Muldaur was hip to Blue Lu Barker back in 1973 when she put “Don’t You Feel My Leg” on her first solo album; it became her follow-up hit to “Midnight At the Oasis.” Recently she used the song again as the title track to an album devoted to the “naughty bawdy” blues from Barker’s repertoire, including the legendary track “Loan Me Your Husband.” Cover the kiddies’ ears for this one.
Sunday 5/5	Mariachi Jalisco	Jazz & Heritage	3:40 - 4:30	Baton Rouge-based alumni of Cuba’s Mariachi Real Jalisco reunite to perform music from their hometown of Havana.
Thursday 5/2	Mark Braud’s New Orleans Jazz Giants	Economy Hall Tent	1:20 - 2:20	The musical director of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, this trumpeter and vocalist leads a different cast of traditional jazz players for a change of pace.
Saturday 4/27	Marshland	Lagniappe	12:35 - 1:30	Formerly called Nola County, Marshland performs self-described “Louisiana Americana,” blending American roots music with Louisiana culture and New Orleans improvisation.
Friday 5/3	Matthew Whitaker Trio	WWOZ Jazz Tent	4:15 - 5:15	New Jersey born multi-instrumentalist (piano, organ, drums) began playing the Hammond B3 at age nine. Four years later he became the youngest artist to be endorsed by Hammond. His influences include Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jimmy Smith, Stevie Wonder, Jon Batiste and many others. In 2019 he was the winner of the Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award for his original song “Emotions!”
Sunday 4/28	Maurice “Mobetta” Brown	WWOZ Jazz Tent	1:35 - 2:35	Illinois born jazz trumpeter Maurice “Mobetta” Brown was first recognized by Ramsey Lewis who hired him for his band. He studied at Southern University in Baton Rouge under jazz clarinetist Alvin Batiste. As a member of Tedeschi Trucks Band, he shared the 2011 Grammy for Best Blues Album Revelator. Brown has worked with Ellis Marsalis, Clark Terry, Stefon Harris and many others.
Thursday 5/2	Mavis Staples	Blues Tent	2:50 - 4:00	She’ll take you there. The Grand Dame of Gospel’s first family, who stoked her street cred when the family funked in the ’70s on hits like “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There,” is getting even more respect today with her solo career; no one else at the Fest except Al Green combines the sexy throaty passion of R&B with the sweet release of gospel. Her recent albums with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, all of which transcend genre, may be her best ever. See interview in this issue
Sunday 5/5	Maze featuring Frankie Beverly	Congo Square	5:25 - 7:00	Maze is back as the regular last-set headliner at Congo Square, this classic Philadelphia soul group’s connection with New Orleans goes back to at least 1981, when their live album was made at the Saenger Theater.
Friday 4/26	McDonogh 35 High School Gospel Choir	Gospel Tent	1:00 - 1:45	Jazz Fest traditionally feature high-school choirs in the Gospel Tent, and this Treme school has been a regular. Directed by Veronica Downs-Dorsey, the choir has been the recipient of numerous OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Award for Best Gospel Group.
Friday 5/3	McMain Talented in Theatre Troupe	Kids Tent	12:40 - 1:25	The Eleanor McMain Secondary School student actors will present highlights of their theatre troupe’s productions. Among their outstanding productions is Miracle on 34th Street under the direction of Diana Boylston in 2015.
Friday 4/26	McMain’s International Singing Mustangs Choir	Gospel Tent	11:15 - 11:55	The McMain Secondary School Gospel Choir, a.k.a. the McMain Singing Mustangs, return for their seventh Jazz Fest performance under the guidance of Clyde Lawrence.
Sunday 4/28	Mdou Moctar of Niger	Blues Tent	12:25 - 1:15	Dubbed “the Hendrix of the Sahara” by the UK’s Guardian newspaper, this Tuareg musician was forbidden to buy a guitar by his religious parents, so he built his own. He is among the first to play traditional Tuareg music in a rock-guitar format, and has starred in a film loosely based on Prince’s Purple Rain.
Sunday 4/28	Mdou Moctar of Niger	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	3:10 - 4:15	Dubbed “the Hendrix of the Sahara” by the UK’s Guardian newspaper, this Tuareg musician was forbidden to buy a guitar by his religious parents, so he built his own. He is among the first to play traditional Tuareg music in a rock-guitar format, and has starred in a film loosely based on Prince’s Purple Rain.
Saturday 4/27	Mem Shannon & The Membership	Blues Tent	12:20 - 1:10	Inspired to play the blues by B.B. King, this local guitarist and singer made a splash when he incorporated recorded conversations from his previous cabbie gig into his first major album.
Thursday 5/2	Men Buckjumpers and Revolution Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs	Parade	3:00- 3:30	The Original New Orleans Lady Buckjumpers and Men Buckjumpers have been rolling for more than 30 years.
Friday 5/3	Men of Class and Original Big 7 Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs	Parade	12:45- 1:15	This Uptown-based social aid and pleasure club has been parading for 14 years and counting.
Thursday 4/25	Meschiya Lake and The Little Big Horns	Blues Tent	2:40 - 3:40	Once a Royal Street performer, she made herself a marquee name in the local traditional jazz scene before moving to Ireland. Lake and friends are getting more attention worldwide thanks to her vintage sass and great storytelling.
Sunday 4/28	Mesner Puppet Theater	Kids Tent	4:05 - 4:50	Puppeteers.
Saturday 4/27	Messy Cookers Jazz Band	Economy Hall Tent	11:15 - 12:05	Alex Owen, bandleader and trumpet player of The Messy Cookers Jazz Band, first came to music at a very young age in New York City. Starting out on piano at age seven, then moving to trumpet at age nine, he has played music now for over twenty years. See Fest Focus in this issue.
Thursday 4/25	Mia Borders	Gentilly	11:15 AM - 12:00	A singer, songwriter, and guitarist from New Orleans, her release, Quarter-Life Crisis, was produced by Anders Osborne and described by OffBeat Magazine as “a record of great music and great intensity.”
Thursday 4/25	Michael Skinkus & Moyuba	Lagniappe	11:30 - 12:20	Percussionist Michael Skinkus explains that “Moyuba means to give thanks or praise.” The band will play music inspired by the Santeria ceremonies of Cuba. They are joined by trumpeter Michael Ray who is a member of the Sun Ra Arkestra.
Friday 5/3	Michot’s Melody Makers	AARP Rhythmpourium	12:00- 12:45	Louis Michot is a dynamic Cajun fiddler best known as the frontman of the Lost Bayou Ramblers. He performs with a slew of popular musicians from the Lafayette scene.
Saturday 5/4	Mid-City Aces	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	11:20 - 12:20	The Mid-City Aces are accordionist Cameron Dupuy, his father, guitarist Michael Dupuy and fiddler Gina Forsyth.
Saturday 4/27	Midnite Disturbers	Jazz & Heritage	1:35 - 2:25	This all-star brass band only comes together at Fest when the schedules allow and the planets align. Drummer Stanton Moore and Kevin O’Day co-founded the band; among those who’ve been part of the lineup are Mark Mullins (Bonerama), Ben Elman (Galactic), Matt Perrine (Tin Men), Big Sam (Funky Nation) and many other notables.
Saturday 5/4	Miss Pussycat	Kids Tent	3:00 - 3:45	Puppeteer Miss Pussycat operates the Spellcaster Lodge on St. Claude Avenue in New Orleans with her husband Quintron. Her puppets include Chief Pushmataha.
Saturday 5/4	Mo’ Fess	Lagniappe	1:35 - 2:35	The band’s love for Henry Roeland Byrd a.k.a. Professor Longhair (Fess) and the unique ability of Tom Worrell to emulate Fess’s piano style of music was the inspiration to create a band that utilizes Fess’s sound.
Friday 4/26	Moonlight Benjamin of Haiti	Blues Tent	12:30 - 1:20	Born in Haiti and living in France, Moonlight Benjamin describes her music as a blend of voodoo, heavy blues and rock ’n’ roll. She has been called: “The new priest of voodoo rock.”
Friday 4/26	Moonlight Benjamin of Haiti	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	3:15 - 4:15	Born in Haiti and living in France, Moonlight Benjamin describes her music as a blend of voodoo, heavy blues and rock ’n’ roll. She has been called: “The new priest of voodoo rock.”
Friday 4/26	Motel Radio	Gentilly	11:20 - 12:10	This young local quintet performs Americana with an indie rock streak.
Friday 5/3	Mount Hermon Baptist Church Praise Delegation Choir	Gospel Tent	4:25 - 5:05	Singers from this North Broad Street-based congregation have become Jazz Fest regulars in recent years.
Saturday 4/27	Mr. Sipp ”The Mississippi Blues Child"	Blues Tent	2:55 - 3:45	Singer songwriter and guitarist Castro Coleman, a.k.a. Mr. Sipp, is from McComb, Mississsippi. He started playing the guitar at age six. He has won several awards for his Malaco recordings and was featured in the James Brown movie Get On Up.
Friday 5/3	Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	6:00 - 7:00	Nathan Williams sprung from his brother’s club, El Sid O’s in Lafayette, to become one of zydeco’s biggest names—and to write its two greatest hog songs, “Zydeco Hog” and “Everything on the Hog is Good.”
Friday 4/26	Native Nations Intertribal	Folklife Stage	Daily exhibition of pow-wow performances including traditional, fancy shawl, straight dance, grass dance, jingle, hoop, southern cloth and stomp dance. The groups include Grammy winners Northern Cree of Canada and Native Nations Intertribal.
Sunday 4/28	Native Nations Intertribal	Folklife Stage	Daily exhibition of pow-wow performances including traditional, fancy shawl, straight dance, grass dance, jingle, hoop, southern cloth and stomp dance. The groups include Grammy winners Northern Cree of Canada and Native Nations Intertribal.
Thursday 4/25	Native Nations Intertribal	Folklife Stage	Daily exhibition of pow-wow performances including traditional, fancy shawl, straight dance, grass dance, jingle, hoop, southern cloth and stomp dance. The groups include Grammy winners Northern Cree of Canada and Native Nations Intertribal.
Saturday 4/27	Naturally 7	WWOZ Jazz Tent	4:00 - 5:00	A cappella group with a style they call “vocal play.” Group leader Roger Thomas says it’s “the art of becoming an instrument using the human voice to create sound.” The group was formed in 1999 in New York City.
Sunday 4/28	Naughty Professor	Gentilly	11:15 - 12:00	New Orleans-based jazz-funk sextet. There 2017 album Identity represents all the good things that have been happening to New Orleans music in the past decade.
Saturday 5/4	New Birth Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	2:10 - 3:05	Featuring trumpeter Will Smith and other former students of the famed Olympia Brass Band, this long-running ensemble boasts Glen David Andrews and Trombone Shorty among its alumni.
Sunday 4/28	New Breed Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	5:45 - 6:45	These high school marching band alums fold hip-hop, funk, and soul into the brass tradition in clubs and second lines around the city.
Friday 5/3	New Generation Brass Band	Parade	4:10- 4:40	New Generation Brass Band will be parading with Lady & Men Rollers and Scene Boosters Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs
Saturday 4/27	New Generation SA & PC	Parade	12:25- 12:55	The New Generation Social Aid and Pleasure Club’s annual Sunday parades roll through Uptown.
Saturday 4/27	New Hope Baptist Church Mass Choir	Gospel Tent	5:10 - 5:55	This 100 plus choir is from Birmingham, Alabama. Gospel greats Mrs. Ruby Boyd and Dr. John David Brown previously led the choir. Currently, the choir led by Reverend Prince E. Yelder.
Sunday 5/5	New Leviathan Oriental Fox-Trot Orchestra	Economy Hall	12:40 - 1:30	A multi-generational, always-entertaining large ensemble that plays only ’90s music—as in the 1890s, when the shipboard dance music and early jazz they favor was first created.
Sunday 4/28	New Look SA & PC	Parade	2:40- 4:10	Kids aged 3-16 make up this branch of the Young Men Olympian, Jr. Benevolent Association.
Thursday 4/25	New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings	Economy Hall Tent	5:45 - 6:45	Led by Eddie Baynard, this septet performs the music of influential ‘20s-era New Orleans bands like the New Orleans Rhythm Kings and the Original Dixieland Jazz Band.
Friday 5/3	New Orleans Council on Aging Community Choir	Gospel Tent	11:10 - 11:30	For years the Council on Aging arranged transportation for seniors to experience gospel music. The seniors asked to become part of the entertainment by forming their own gospel choir. According to the Council on Aging executive director, Howard L. Rodgers III: “We have a new group of seniors who want to participate more—they aren’t satisfied with just sitting and listening.
Sunday 5/5	New Orleans Dance Collective	KIDS Tent	11:30 AM - 12:15	The New Orleans Dance Collective (NODC) is a non-profit organization using dance as intervention for inner-city at-risk youth. NODC teaches tap, hip-hop, jazz and ballet.
Saturday 4/27	New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Rhythm Section	Parade	3:55- 4:25	Join the parade with a cross section of various Mardi Gras Indians tribes.
Saturday 5/4	New Orleans Spiritualettes	Gospel	12:00 - 12:45	Founded a half-century ago by still-current leader Ruby Ray, the Spiritualettes are the longest-active female gospel group in New Orleans.
Friday 4/26	New Orleans Suspects	Acura	12:20 - 1:10	The New Orleans Suspects were formed in 2009 for a jam session. Comprised of some of the most seasoned players, the group called themselves The Unusual Suspects. They have established themselves as one of New Orleans’ best supergroups. The band consists of Neville Brothers drummer “Mean” Willie Green, Dirty Dozen guitarist Jake Eckert, James Brown’s bandleader saxophonist Jeff Watkins, keyboardist CR Gruver and bassist Eric Vogel.
Thursday 4/25	New Orleans Swamp Donkeys Traditional Jazz Band	Economy Hall Tent	1:35 - 2:35	The Swamp Donkeys’ creative mix of traditional jazz, blues, vaudeville and modern jazz styles gained a worldwide legion of fans when a video of their rendition of the Game of Thrones theme went viral online.
Friday 4/26	New Wave Brass Band	Gospel Tent	6:00 - 6:45	Snare drummer Oscar Washington is at the helm of this updated traditional New Orleans brass band
Thursday 5/2	Nicholas Payton and The Light Beings	WWOZ Jazz Tent	1:25 - 2:20	In recent years, the #BAM proponent has shifted from trumpet to the keyboard chair, from which he often plays both instruments together. A savvy producer, he’s been delving into electronic music with an R&B sensitivity lately.
Thursday 4/25	Nigel Hall	Congo Square	11:15 - 12:00	Well-travelled funkateer Hall has played previous Jazz Fests with Jon Cleary’s band and with the Nth Power (with ex-Dumpstaphunk drummer Nikki Glaspie), he’s also a regular member of Lettuce and a sometimes member of the Warren Haynes Band. He’s currently touring behind his solo album Ladies & Gentlemen…Nigel Hall.
Saturday 4/27	Nine Times SA & PC	Parade	2:20- 2:50	Formed in the 1980s, this downtown-based parade club is comprised of the 9 Times Men, 9 Times Ladies and Original 9 Times Ladies divisions.
Sunday 4/28	NOCCA Jazz Ensemble	WWOZ Jazz Tent	11:20 - 12:05	Student group from the secondary school whose graduates include Harry Connick, Jr., Nicholas Payton, Trombone Shorty and the Marsalis brothers.
Friday 5/3	North Mississippi Allstars	Gentilly	3:00 - 4:00	Southern rock and blues band from Mississippi. Brothers, guitarist and drummer, Luther and Cody Dickinson, started the band.
Friday 5/3	Northern Cree of Canada	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:10 - 12:30	The group originates from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation but is made up of members from the Treaty 6 area. Northern Cree have recorded 37 albums of which Temptations has been nominated for a Grammy Award.
Saturday 5/4	Northern Cree of Canada	Gentilly	11:20 - 11:50	The group originates from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation but is made up of members from the Treaty 6 area. Northern Cree have recorded 37 albums of which Temptations has been nominated for a Grammy Award.
Sunday 5/5	Northern Cree of Canada	Jazz & Heritage	11:15 - 11:45	The group originates from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation but is made up of members from the Treaty 6 area. Northern Cree have recorded 37 albums of which Temptations has been nominated for a Grammy Award.
Thursday 5/2	Northern Cree of Canada	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:45 - 1:30	The group originates from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation but is made up of members from the Treaty 6 area. Northern Cree have recorded 37 albums of which Temptations has been nominated for a Grammy Award.
Saturday 5/4	Northside Skull & Bone Gang	Parade	2:00- 2:30	On the morning of Mardi Gras dozens of skeletons flood the streets of the 6th Ward neighborhood of Tremé in New Orleans. Northside Skull and Bone Gang is comprised of descendants of Native Americans and slaves.
Sunday 5/5	Ole & Nu Style Fellas and Original C.T.C. Steppers	Parade	1:00- 1:30	Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade.
Saturday 5/4	On the Levee Jazz Band	Economy hall	11:20 - 12:05	On the Levee Jazz Band plays many of the songs associated with New Orleans’ own Kid Ory and his Creole Jazz Band with an intimate knowledge of Ory’s attention to dynamics, danceable tempos and swinging rhythm. Hal Smith’s On the Levee Jazz Band features trombonist Clint Baker.
Thursday 4/25	One Mind Brass Band	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	2:55 - 3:10	This ten member group is influenced by the Rebirth Brass Band, New Birth Brass Band, Soul Rebels, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and Stooges Brass Band. Their sound is a unique mix of traditional jazz, R&B, blues, soul and rap.
Saturday 5/4	OperaCréole	Kids Tent	1:50 - 2:35	This vocal ensemble focuses on lost or rarely performed operatic and classical music, often spotlighting the contributions of African-American and Creole artists throughout New Orleans’ history.
Saturday 5/4	Orange Kellin’s New Orleans DeLuxe Orchestra	Economy hall	12:25 - 1:20	Clarinetist Kellin has been helping to keep the traditional New Orleans jazz scene alive in the Crescent City since he moved here from Sweden in 1966. A longtime associate of pianist Lars Edegran, Kellin’s also known for his central involvement in the musical One Mo’ Time.
Sunday 5/5	Original New Orleans Lady Buckjumpers	Parade	3:45- 4:15	The Original New Orleans Lady Buckjumpers and Men Buckjumpers have been rolling for more than 30 years.
Saturday 5/4	Original Nine Times Ladies	Parade	3:10- 3:40	The women’s section of the Upper Ninth Ward parade club, the Nine Times.
Saturday 5/4	Original Pigeon Town Steppers	Parade	12:00- 12:30	Based way (way) Uptown in the Leonidas neighborhood, this club’s annual Sunday parade follows a unique route.
Saturday 4/27	Original Pinettes Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	5:40 - 6:45	Billed as “The World’s Only All Female Brass Band,” the Pinettes were formed by a group of students at St. Mary’s Academy in 1991. They won the Red Bull Street Kings brass competition in 2013 and appeared on OffBeat’s cover.
Saturday 4/27	Original Pinettes Brass Band	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	2:05 - 2:55	Billed as “The World’s Only All Female Brass Band,” the Pinettes were formed by a group of students at St. Mary’s Academy in 1991. They won the Red Bull Street Kings brass competition in 2013 and appeared on OffBeat’s cover.
Sunday 5/5	Panorama Jazz Band	Lagniappe	3:05- 4:00	Influenced by styles from around the globe, this hip band comprised of top local instrumentalists blends New Orleans jazz traditions with klezmer, Latin and Balkan sounds.
Friday 5/3	Papa Mali & Friends	Jazz & Heritage	5:45 - 6:45	Best known as frontman for 7 Walkers (a band that includes Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann and the Meters’ founding bassist, George Porter Jr.), Papa Mali is an accomplished singer-songwriter and guitarist who picked up two Best of the Beat Awards in 2015.
Thursday 4/25	Papo y Son Mandao	Jazz & Heritage	4:55 - 5:45	Cuban guitarist Alexis “Papo” Guevara and his band Son Mandao includes Israel Romo on percussion, Julian Alpizar on bass, Omar Ramirez on trumpet.
Thursday 5/2	Pastor Jai Reed	Gospel Tent	1:00 - 1:45	This New Orleans Baptist minister is a soulful singer in the Stevie Wonder tradition, doing gospel with a contemporary R&B influence.
Sunday 4/28	Pastor Mitchell J. Stevens	Gospel Tent	5:10 - 5:55	Vocalist Stevens was born in Westlake, Louisiana. At five years old he sang his first solo and by the age of ten years old he was playing the piano without any formal musical training. Reverend Stevens recorded his very first live gospel recording entitled, Experience Praise Live.
Sunday 4/28	Pastor Terry Gullage and Kingdom Sound	Gospel Tent	6:05 - 6:50	From a young age, Elder Terry Gullage knew he had a gift for music. He leads the choir from this church in Marrero.
Friday 4/26	Pastor Tyrone Jefferson	Gospel Tent	6:00 -6:45	This New Orleans native is the Senior Pastor of the Abundant Life Tabernacle Full Gospel Baptist Church and the CEO of Abundant Life Ministries. His extensive work serving the community has included efforts to improve voting rates, feed the hungry and get more young people enrolled in college.
Friday 5/3	Patrice Fisher & Arpa with special guests from Brazil	Lagniappe	12:40 - 1:30	This Latin jazz ensemble is led by versatile professional harpist Fisher, who has been performing and recording her original compositions since the early ’80s.
Saturday 4/27	Paul Sanchez & the Rolling Road Show	Gentilly	12:25 - 1:15	Cowboy Mouth alum Sanchez has since been a friendly godfather to the local songwriter scene, and the co-writer of the post-Katrina musical Nine Lives. Paul Sanchez transforms audiences with a unique blend of music and storytelling. At the 2018 Best of the Beat Awards Paul Sanchez was awarded Best Roots Rock Artist and Album. The song co-written with John Rankin “One More Trip Around the Sun” was awarded Song of the Year.
Friday 4/26	Paula & The Pontiacs	Blues Tent	11:20 - 12:05	New Orleans blues band Paula and the Pontiacs are fronted by saxophonist, harmonica player and vocalist Paula Rangell. Since 1978 Paula and the Pontiacs have released numerous albums including 30 by 90. Paula lost her home in New Orleans due to the Federal Flood and now resides in Folsom, Louisiana.
Sunday 5/5	Paulin Brothers Brass Band	Economy Hall	11:20 - 12:15	Ernest “Doc” Paulin founded this band in the 1920s; his sons now perform strictly traditional brass-band music, complete with the longstanding black-and-white uniforms and spiffy white caps.
Friday 4/26	Perfect Gentlemen SA PC	Parade	12:20- 12:50	This Uptown social aid and pleasure club celebrated its 25th year in 2016.
Saturday 4/27	Pine Leaf Boys	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	4:15 - 5:10	This young band has spearheaded the latest revival of Cajun music, bridging new and traditional music and snagging four Grammy nominations. Leader Wilson Savoy is the son of Cajun music’s first couple, Marc and Ann Savoy.
Saturday 5/4	Pitbull	Congo Square	5:40 - 7:00	Mr. Worldwide is probably only one of the biggest celebrities on the planet at this point, so expect to see a lot of new faces in the crowd grooving to instant Latin-infused dance parties like “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” or “Hey Baby (Drop It To The Floor)” or “Timber.” It’s like a slice of Miami right here in the middle of South Louisiana. You don’t get that often!
Friday 4/26	PJ Morton	Congo Square	1:25 - 2:15	The locally rooted singer/keyboardist came to fame with Maroon 5, where he’s been a full member since 2012. His Motown solo debut New Orleans got a Grammy nomination for the single “Only One” which featured Stevie Wonder; he got two more nominations last year for the follow-up album Gumbo.
Thursday 5/2	Pocket Aces Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	2:00 - 3:00	This Bridge City brass-hop band began as a few friends who got together for an annual Mardi Gras jam before expanding to a full-time touring outfit.
Thursday 5/2	pocket Aces Brass Band	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	11:30 - 12:20	This Bridge City brass-hop band began as a few friends who got together for an annual Mardi Gras jam before expanding to a full-time touring outfit.
Saturday 4/27	Preservation Brass	Economy Hall Tent	12:25 - 1:20	Featuring bass drummer Tanio Hingle, snare drummer Kerry “Fat Man” Hunter and trumpeter Will Smith, plus a rotating roster of players, Pres Hall Brass aims to serve as the Hall collective’s go-to brass band arm, like the Olympia Brass Band once did.
Saturday 4/27	Preservation Hall Jazz Band	Gentilly	4:10 - 5:10	With its 50th anniversary in the rearview mirror, this New Orleans music institution’s profile is higher than ever thanks to heavy touring, and their last release, So It Is. Their guest-heavy Jazz Fest sets are always festival highlights.
Friday 4/26	Pride of Zulu of South Africa	Acura	11:20 - 12:00	Zulu’s are the largest ethnic group of South Africa. Expect lots of drummers, high-kicking dancers in a rainbow of robes and patterned textiles.
Friday 4/26	Pride of Zulu of South Africa	Kids Tent	5:10 - 6:00	Zulu’s are the largest ethnic group of South Africa. Expect lots of drummers, high-kicking dancers in a rainbow of robes and patterned textiles.
Friday 4/26	Pride of Zulu of South Africa	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	2:05 - 2:50	Zulu’s are the largest ethnic group of South Africa. Expect lots of drummers, high-kicking dancers in a rainbow of robes and patterned textiles.
Saturday 4/27	Pride of Zulu of South Africa	Jazz & Heritage	12:20 - 1:10	Zulu’s are the largest ethnic group of South Africa. Expect lots of drummers, high-kicking dancers in a rainbow of robes and patterned textiles.
Saturday 4/27	pride of Zulu of South Africa	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	3:15 - 4:05	Zulu’s are the largest ethnic group of South Africa. Expect lots of drummers, high-kicking dancers in a rainbow of robes and patterned textiles.
Sunday 4/28	Pride of Zulu of South Africa	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	11:30 - 12:15	Zulu’s are the largest ethnic group of South Africa. Expect lots of drummers, high-kicking dancers in a rainbow of robes and patterned textiles.
Thursday 4/25	Pride of Zulu of South Africa	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	12:35 - 1:20 / 5:00 - 5:45	Zulu’s are the largest ethnic group of South Africa. Expect lots of drummers, high-kicking dancers in a rainbow of robes and patterned textiles.
Sunday 5/5	Prince of Wales	Parade	3:45- 4:15	Uptown’s Prince of Wales is among the oldest parade clubs in the city; their annual Sunday second line struts through the Irish Channel.
Thursday 4/25	Ragtime to Jellyroll with Lars Edegran	Economy Hall Tent	4:20 - 5:25	At the first Jazz Fest in 1970 Lars Edegran played with the Ragtime Orchestra. The program was “Ragtime to Jelly Roll” which Edegran will reprise this year. The band will include Jamil Sharif on trumpet, Tom Fischer on clarinet, Charlie Halloran on trombone, Peter Harris on bass, Matt Rhody on violin, and Benny Amón on drums, pianist Kris Tokarski, who is a specialist on Jelly Roll Morton and of course Lars Edegran. See feature in this issue.
Sunday 5/5	Real Love	Congo Square	11:20 - 12:05	Lars Edegran played the first Jazz Fest in 1970 with the Ragtime Orchestra. His band this year will be Jamil Sharif on trumpet, Tom Fischer on clarinet, Charlie Halloran on trombone, Peter Harris on bass, Matt Rhody on violin, and Benny Amón on drums. Of course Edegran will be playing the piano along with Kris Tokarski, who is a Jell Roll specialist.
Sunday 5/5	Real Untouchable Brass Band	Cultural Exchange Pavillion World Journey	4:15 - 4:30	This local brass crew adds congas to its otherwise street-centric sound.
Saturday 4/27	Rebirth Brass Band	Congo Square	4:20 - 5:20	Rebirth was one of the first bands to modernize and funkify the New Orleans brass band sound. They won their first Grammy in 2012 for the CD Rebirth of New Orleans and are frequent award winners at OffBeat’s Best of the Beat.
Thursday 5/2	Regina Carter’s Southern Comfort	WWOZ Jazz Tent	2:50 - 4:00	More than a decade ago, jazz violinist Regina Carter became the first non-classical musician to play Niccolo Paganini’s highly guarded, handcrafted Guarneri violin, an instrument that dates back to 1743 and is counted among the most precious items in classical music history. She is a master of improvisational jazz violin, drawing from a wide range of musical influences including Motown, Afro-Cuban, swing, bebop and more with a signature voice and style of her own. She is the cousin of jazz saxophonist James Carter who is also playing at Jazz Fest.
Thursday 4/25	Rev. John Wilkin	Blues Tent	1:35 - 2:20	The sounds of Mississippi Hill Country and Memphis blues meet gospel in music from this pastor, whose congregation included the late Otha Turner
Saturday 5/4	Rick Trolsen’s Neslorchestra	WWOZ Jazz Tent	11:15 - 12:05	Trombonist Rick Trolsen‘s Neslorchestra is an ensemble of at least 17 musicians. Trolsen arrived in New Orleans in 1982 after attending Berklee College of Music. He was a member of Bonerama for two years and has played or recorded with Dr. John, Al Hirt, Aretha Franklin, Boz Scaggs and many many others.
Saturday 4/27	Ricky Dillard & New G	Gospel Tent	3:00 - 4:00	Chicago born gospel singer Ricky Dillard was raised in the church singing in the choir from the age of five years. He has been nominated for a Grammy award twice.
Sunday 5/5	Rising Dragon Lion Dance Team	KIds Tent	12:45 - 1:00 / 2:20 - 2:35	Strength, endurance, motivation and respect are the calling cards of this local performance group, specializing in traditional Vietnamese lion dance.
Thursday 5/2	Rita Coolidge	Gentilly	1:25 - 2:15	You know that honeyed voice if you’ve heard her ’70s soft-rock rendition of “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher” or the epic power ballad “We’re All Alone,” but before that Rita was one of rock’s most in-demand backup vocalists (Leon Russell wrote “Delta Lady” about her), and since that time she’s expanded her range out into blues music and jazz, most recently torch songs. She’ll probably throw in a couple of hits, but she may rearrange them to fit her latest style.
Saturday 4/27	Robin Barnes – The Songbird of New Orleans	WWOZ Jazz Tent	11:15 - 12:05	Steeped in R&B, this self-professed “soul pop” vocalist first sang in the choirs at St. Phillip and St. David Catholic Churches, and later with her family’s jazz band the Soul Heirs.
Thursday 4/25	Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters	Acura	1:55 - 2:55	One of the few rubboard players to lead a zydeco band, Dopsie Jr. plays it wilder than his accordionist dad, and his sets are guaranteed party-starters. His brother Dwayne graces our cover this month.
Sunday 4/28	Roddie Romero & the Hub City All-Stars	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	3:00 - 3:55	This eclectic Cajun, zydeco, swamp pop and rock ‘n’ roll band is built around accordionist/guitarist Romero and pianist Eric Adcock. Their double album The La Louisianne Sessions was nominated for a Grammy.
Sunday 4/28	Roderick Harper Quartet	WWOZ Jazz Tent	12:25 - 1:15	A vocalist since early childhood, Harper sings with elegance and ease. The Washington D.C. native studied with the late Alvin Batiste at Southern University in Baton Rouge. Harper recorded his new album Perfect Imperfections at the Neutral Sound Studio in New Orleans.
Friday 4/26	Roger Lewis and Baritone Bliss	WWOZ Jazz Tent	12:20 - 1:10	Baritone saxophonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Roger Lewis, brings his project the Baritone Bliss to Jazz Fest. The project started in 2011 playing shows at Snug Harbor with five baritone saxophonists. According to Lewis this is music you can dance with.
Sunday 5/5	Roi “Chip” Anthony and Jeff Floyd	Congo Square	1:55 - 2:50	Producer Chip Anthony with Jeff Floyd, mixing the 2-step feel with hip-hop and smooth edging lyrics.
Sunday 4/28	Royal Teeth	Gentilly	2:45 - 3:35	This young indie rock outfit’s melodic yet danceable pop, highlighted by the pure vocals of Nora Patterson, has been racking up national buzz for a few years. In the summer of 2018 their dance rock single “Never Gonna Quit” with Valerie Sassyfrass spurred a new start for the indie rockers. Their latest single “Show You What I Can Do,” features Tunde Olaniran.
Thursday 4/25	Rumba Buena	Acura	11:20 - 12:20	This popular New Orleans Latin band is a 12-piece group with four singers, four percussionists, horns and rhythm to spare.
Thursday 4/25	Russell Batiste & Friends	Congo Square	1:30 - 2:20	The Batistes of New Orleans have had music in their blood for many generations. Drummer Russell Batiste is joined by some of New Orleans finest musicians.
Thursday 5/2	Samantha Fish	Acura	2:05 - 3:00	This Kansas City guitar-slinger was originally perched on the bluesy side of classic rock; her early albums included Rolling Stones and Steve Miller Band covers. Yet she’s got far more interesting on her last couple of releases, both from 2017: Chills & Fever explored roadhouse rock with the great garage band Detroit Cobras; the current Belle of the West uses Luther Dickinson’s acoustic-based production to put more soul upfront. Samantha Fish was the big winner at OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Awards winning Best Overall Artist, Best Blues Artist and others.
Friday 4/26	Santana	Acura	5:00 - 7:00	As long as there’s a vocalist willing to work with him—in other words, forever—Carlos Santana will be making music, furthering a career that started with Woodstock and “Black Magic Woman” and reached its commercial peak not long ago with a series of duets with famous singers (like Rob Thomas on “Smooth”). His squalling Latin guitar runs are always the star of the show however, and he’s made some moves lately in the direction of going back to his roots in the early ’70s. He’s played with half of Journey, Buddy Guy, and Curtis Salgado among others, so we may get a roots heavy workout with occasional hits and fabulous guest stars.
Friday 4/26	Santiman and Garifuna Generation	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	4:55 - 5:45	From New Orleans Santos Bermudez also known as Santiman is known for his quick-paced punta rhythm. The Garifuna people are of mixed-raced origin with ancestral ties to Arawak, Carib, and African descendants. Though present in several countries, the overwhelming majority of Garifuna outside the United States reside in Honduras. Garifuna in New Orleans have helped define what it means to be a Latino in the Big Easy.
Thursday 4/25	Sasha Masakowski & Art Market	Lagniappe	4:20 - 5:15	The daughter of Astral Project guitarist Steve Masakowski has emerged as one of the city’s brightest young jazz vocalists, with a lively style that touches on torch songs and samba.
Sunday 5/5	Savoy Family Cajun Band	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	3:00 - 3:50	Marc and Ann Savoy have done as much as anyone to celebrate and preserve Cajun music and culture. This group finds the couple with their sons Wilson (of Pine Leaf Boys) and Joel.
Friday 5/3	Scene Boosters	Parade	4:10- 4:40	Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade.
Sunday 5/5	Seminoles Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	12:00- 12:30	Big Chief Keith “Keitoe” Jones leads this Ninth Ward-based tribe.
Saturday 4/27	Semolian Warriors Mardi Gras Indians	Jazz & Heritage	11:20 - 12:00	Big Chief Yam aka James Harris, created this Uptown gang after stints with the Creole Wild West and the Wild Magnolias.
Thursday 4/25	Shades of Praise	Gospel Tent	4:15 - 5:00	This gospel choir is integrated across race, gender and denomination, and had its first scheduled performance on September 12, 2001; they’ve since been dedicated to spreading a message of hope.
Friday 5/3	Shamarr Allen & the Underdawgs	Gentilly	12:20 - 1:10	Jazz-funk-hip-hop trumpeter Allen resists categorization, having performed with Willie Nelson and written the local anthem “Meet Me on Frenchmen Street.”
Friday 4/26	Shannon Powell: King of Treme & his Traditional Allstar Band featuring Barbara Shorts	Economy Hall Tent	1:45 - 2:45	Billed as the “King of Treme,” Shannon Powell is a master drummer and Preservation Hall staple who began his career with Danny Barker and has since played with Wynton Marsalis, Dr. John and Harry Connick Jr.
Saturday 4/27	Sherman Washington’s Zion Harmonizers	Gospel Tent	1:55 - 2:40	This venerable group has been a Jazz Fest favorite since the beginning. The group’s history goes back to 1939, when the first lineup was formed in the Zion City neighborhood.
Sunday 4/28	Shining Star Hunters Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	3:25- 3:55	The Shining Star Hunters are led by Big Chief Jimmie Ricks, a veteran Spyboy and Second Chief for Larry Bannock’s Golden Star Hunters.
Saturday 5/4	Shirley Caesar	Allison Miner Music Heritage	12:30 - 1:15	A towering figure in gospel, Shirley Caesar joined the all-female group the Caravans in 1961 and launched her solo career later that decade; winning her first Grammy in 1971 for a cover of the Ocean hit “Put Your Hand in the Hand.” She performed alongside Aretha Franklin for President Obama in 2015.
Saturday 4/27	Single Ladies SA & PC	Parade	2:20- 2:50	The Single Ladies SA&PC have been parading through Uptown for two decades.
Saturday 4/27	Single Men SA & PC	Parade	2:20- 2:50	Uptown parade club the Single Men was established in 1995.
Thursday 4/25	Sisters of Change SA PC	Parade	3:35- 4:05	Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade.
Sunday 5/5	Sisters of Unity Social Aid & Pleasure Club	Parade	1:50- 2:20	Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade.
Thursday 4/25	Smitty Dee’s Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	1:20 - 2:10	This band was formed in 1991 by former Olympia Brass Band sousaphonist Dimitri Smith. They play regularly at Preservation Hall and on the Creole Queen riverboat.
Friday 5/3	Sonny Landreth	Blues Tent	4:00 - 5:00	A thoughtful songwriter and scorching slide guitarist, Landreth can claim the likes of Clapton, Buffett, Hiatt and John Mayall as collaborators and fans.
Thursday 5/2	Sons of Jazz Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	11:30 - 12:30	This local brass band often provides the soundtrack for parades by the Ladies of Unity and Revolution Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs.
Friday 4/26	Soul Brass Band	Lagniappe	5:40 - 6:30	Drummer Derrick Freeman and saxophonist James Martin lead the Soul Brass Band, which was formed in 2015. They were recently featured on the cover of OffBeat.
Saturday 5/4	Southern University Baton Rouge Jazzy Jags	Congo Square	11:15 - 12:00	Student group from the Southern University of Baton Rouge. The school’s modern jazz program was designed by the late Alvin Batiste.
Friday 4/26	Spencer Bohren	AARP Rhythmpourium	1:45- 2:30	Father and son, Spencer and Andre Bohren are interviewed by Lawrence N. Powell.
Saturday 4/27	Spencer Bohren & the Whippersnappers	Gentilly	11:15 - 12:05	Spencer Bohren is a virtuoso guitar player with a master’s knowledge of diverse blues styles and brings those attributes to his own moving compositions. He first made his mark on the New Orleans scene in the late ‘70s, and after leaving town for a long traveling hiatus, he moved back in the late ‘90s to put down roots again. He boasts a diverse and soul-packed discography, and his most recent CD is Makin’ It Home to You, a typically down-home affair featuring his young band, the Whippersnappers, performing a number of Spencer original compositions.
Thursday 5/2	Sporty’s Brass Band	Parade	3:00- 3:30	Sporty’s Brass Band will be parading with the Sudan, Revolution, and Men Buckjumpers Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs.
Saturday 5/4	Square Dance NOLA with The Bayou Clogger String Band	Kids Tent	4:10 - 4:55	The string band gets kids and grown-ups moving to the sounds of old-time fiddle tunes and a variety of up-tempo blues while caller Dan Wally Baker shouts out invitations to swing yer partner.
Friday 5/3	St. Joseph the Worker Music Ministry	Gospel Tent	2:10 - 2:55	The choir of this New York-based church plays a key role in their community’s daily activities.
Friday 4/26	Jordan Family Tribute featuring Kidd, Marlon, Stephanie & Kent, and Rachel Jordan	WWOZ Jazz Tent	1:30- 2:30	“Kidd” Jordan is one of the music industry’s most in demand jazz sax men, but at the fest he utilizes his family on vocals, flute, violin, and trumpet—all of whom are already leading lights on the stage and in music academia.
Sunday 4/28	Stephanie Jordan Big Band	WWOZ Jazz Tent	4:10 - 5:10	This popular New Orleans jazz singer hails from the esteemed Jordan family (her father is the award-winning saxophonist Kidd Jordan). In 2012, her big band performed a critically acclaimed tribute to Lena Horne at the Fair Grounds.
Saturday 5/4	Stephen Foster’s Foster Family Music Program.	Kids Tent	11:30 - 12:15	No relation to the early American composer, this family foundation is dedicated to music education in New Orleans.
Saturday 4/27	Steve Earle & the Dukes	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	5:45 - 7:00	Earle can do virtually anything during an electric set, from hardcore country to rip-roaring rock, with some Celtic and bluegrass moments likely thrown in. His latest album is a tribute to Texas songwriter Guy Clark, so expect some of that too. Be glad that Earle still wants to visit New Orleans since he already got killed here, in a dramatic moment during the second season of HBO’s Treme.
Friday 4/26	Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys	Sheraton New Olreans Fais Do-Do	12:30 - 1:25	The venerable band is equally capable of playing straight-up Cajun music as they are of going progressive. Some recent gigs have even included a ten-minute jam on Neil Young’s “Down By the River” in French.
Sunday 5/5	Stooges Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	6:05 - 6:55	One of the busiest brass bands on the second line circuit, and one of the best. They’ve also performed in Pakistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan as musical ambassadors on US Embassy tours, as well as throughout Europe.
Saturday 5/4	Storyville Stompers Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	4:50 - 5:45	This traditional New Orleans brass band formed in 1981, and it performs a number of rarely-played vintage jazz tunes. Its membership includes some of the top players in town, and it’s always in demand for parades.
Friday 5/3	Sudan Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs	Parade	4:10- 4:40	The Treme-based Sudan Social Aid and Pleasure Club rolls with elaborate, ribbon-bedazzled baskets at their annual parades.
Saturday 4/27	Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots	Kids Tent	5:15 - 6:00	Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes is dedicated to the Creole music traditions. With the Louisiana Sunspots, he plays a slightly urban version of zydeco with an emphasis on the R&B elements.
Sunday 4/28	Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	1:40 - 2:35	Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes is dedicated to the Creole music traditions. With the Louisiana Sunspots, he plays a slightly urban version of zydeco with an emphasis on the R&B elements.
Friday 5/3	Susan Cowsill	Lagniappe	1:50 - 2:40	Singer songwriter Susan Cowsill’s career began in 1967 with her family band The Cowsills. In 1969 she contributed to the vocals in what would become the Cowsills’ biggest hit, “Hair.” Cowsill has won numerous Best of the Beat Awards for female vocalist. Her husband Russ Broussard will be playing drums. Unexpected guests are usual.
Saturday 4/27	Sweet Cecilia	Lagniappe	1:50 - 2:45	Sisters Laura Huval and Meagan Berard, along with their cousin Callie Guidry, make up this trio of multi-instrumentalist Louisiana roots rockers from Acadiana. At the 2017 Best of the Beat Awards Sweet Cecilia won for Best Country/Folk/Singer-Songwriter artist and for their album Sing Me A Story.
Saturday 4/27	Sweet Crude	Acura	12:40 - 1:40	New Orleans indie pop septet Sweet Crude plays an energetic brand of percussion-driven, sparkly rock, often sung in French.
Friday 5/3	T’Monde	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	11:15 - 12:00	Louisiana Cajun musicians Drew Simon, Megan Brown, and Kellii Jones brings influences ranging from early country music to ancient French and Creole ballads to present day Cajun music. OffBeat called T’Monde “a creative fusion of classic country and out-of-the-way Cajun.” The band has received several Grammy nominations.
Friday 4/26	Tab Benoit	Acura	1:30 - 2:30	The Bayou guitar slinger is equally adept at swamp grooves and sizzling blues. As a Voice of the Wetlands founder, he has also been one of the most outspoken advocates for preserving Louisiana’s wetlands.
Thursday 4/25	Taj Mahal & the Phantom Blues Band	Blues Tent	5:40 - 6:55	Since the long-ago days at the Fillmore Taj Mahal has played the blues in just about every format, including a few that he made up. Perhaps his most rocking outfit, the Phantom Blues Band was formed partly as a New Orleans homage (their self-titled 1996 album has a couple of Jon Cleary covers), and only reunites once in a blue moon.
Saturday 5/4	Tank and The Bangas	ACura	1:40 - 2:40	This band, led by electrifying spoken word artist and soulful vocalist Tarriona Tank Ball. They broke out on the national scene after winning NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest.
Saturday 5/4	TBC Brass Band	Gentilly	12:10 - 1:00	If a brass band on Bourbon Street ever stopped you in your tracks, it was probably TBC Brass Band.
Friday 4/26	Terence Blanchard featuring the E-Collective	WWOZ Jazz Tent	4:10 - 5:20	This Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and film score composer—whose acclaimed 2015 album Breathless was largely inspired by Eric Garner’s death and the events that followed it—returns home for his annual Jazz Fest stint.
Sunday 5/5	Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	4:15 - 5:15	One of zydeco’s ambassadors and one of its most energetic performers, Simien has been present on the Jazz Fest stage for over three decades.
Saturday 4/27	Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	11:20 - 12:05	At age eight, Terry Domingue, received his first accordion and has been playing since. To keep tradition alive he sings many traditional zydeco songs in French as well as writing many new ones of his own. His CD Back on Track contains waltz and blues from Boozoo Chavis, John Delafose and other legends.
Sunday 5/5	The Anointed Jackson Sisters	Gospel Tent	2:40 - 3:30	Gospel group from North Carolina. The members of the group are Barbara Jackson-Pope, Marie Jackson-Bell, Carl Ann Darden, Doris Jackson-Toler, Pamela J. Ceesay, Catharina J. Mitchell and Catrina Jones. There latest release on the Malaco label is When God Is In The Building.
Friday 5/3	The Bahamas Junkanoos	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	11:30 - 12:00	Junkanoo is the greatest cultural event in the Bahamas. It is a type of street carnival, which occurs on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day (January 1). The main event happens in Nassau. The band employs the rich Bahamian tradition with drums, bells and whistles.
Friday 5/3	The Bahamas Junkanoos	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	4:25 - 4:40	Junkanoo is the greatest cultural event in the Bahamas. It is a type of street carnival, which occurs on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day (January 1). The main event happens in Nassau. The band employs the rich Bahamian tradition with drums, bells and whistles.
Saturday 5/4	The Bahamas Junkanoos	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	4:25 - 4:40	Junkanoo is the greatest cultural event in the Bahamas. It is a type of street carnival, which occurs on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day (January 1). The main event happens in Nassau. The band employs the rich Bahamian tradition with drums, bells and whistles.
Friday 5/3	The Bahamas Revue Band	Congo Square	4:15 - 5:15	Bahamian band with members from the Junkanoos.
Friday 5/3	The Bahamas Revue Band	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	1:55 - 2:55	Bahamian band with members from the Junkanoos.
Sunday 5/5	The Bester Gospel Singers	Gospel Tent	6:00 - 6:45	Evangelist Rosa Lee Smooth founded the Dynamic Smooth Family group three decades ago, and her daughter Cynthia Smooth Plummer now leads the group. A cappella gospel harmonies are the specialty of The Bester Singers, a Slidell, Louisiana-based group. Evangelist Rosa Lee Smooth founded the Smooth Family group three decades ago, and her daughter Cynthia Smooth Plummer now leads the group.
Sunday 5/5	The Boudreaux Family Celebrates Big Chief Monk Boudreaux	Cultural Exchange Pavillion World Journey	12:40 - 1:25	Not many people who participated in the first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival are still active in the festival today, but one of the fest’s longest-running, most important players has been Joseph Monk Boudreaux. The Boudreaux family tribute to Monk on closing day will include Monk’s new wife, Wynoka Boudreaux Myri Glammaw, and his grandson J’Wan Boudreaux, spyboy of the Golden Eagles and leader of his own Indian concert band, Cha Wa.
Thursday 5/2	The Chosen Ones Brass Band	The rock-steady members of the nine-piece Chosen Ones bring a hip hop-infused, high-energy style to traditional New Orleans back beats and horn sections.
Sunday 4/28	The Circle of Chiefs	Jazz & Heritage	12:30 - 1:15	Mardi Gras Indian chiefs have been celebrating the Circle of Chiefs annual Cha Wa for seven years. Chiefs from several tribes including Richard Turner, 2nd chief of the 9th Ward Black Hatchets parade on Super Sunday will gather at Jazz Fest.
Friday 5/3	The City of Love Music & Worship Arts Choir	Gospel Tent	6:05 - 6:45	Singers from New Orleans’ City of Love ministry perform as part of the group’s arts focus.
Sunday 4/28	The Creole Jazz Serenaders with Don Vappie	Economy Hall Tent	5:45 - 6:45	Vappie is both a fine player and a scholar of the jazz banjo tradition, steeped in the music of King Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton and performing it with the original Creole inflections. He’s lately been playing the Sunday brunches and Friday happy hours at Brennan’s in the French Quarter.
Saturday 4/27	The Cypress Band featuring Warren Storm & Willie Tee	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	12:25 - 1:15	Drummer Warren Storm and long-time musical partner Willie Tee perform their brand of classic swamp pop. They are usually joined by singer T.K. Hulin and Gregg Martinez.
Sunday 4/28	The Daiquiri Queens	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	11:20 - 12:05	This female-fronted group brings influences ranging from early-era Cajun standards performs with twin fiddles and haunting vocal harmonies sung in Louisiana French to today’s Cajun hits. The group comes from Lafayette.
Friday 5/3	The Deslondes	Lagniappe	4:20 -5:15	Formerly the Tumbleweeds, this earthy songwriters ensemble describes itself as “country-soul swamp boogie.” The band’s leader is Sam Doores, a former traveler and companion of Hurray for the Riff Raff’s Alynda Lee Segarra. Three players share composing duties; fiddle and pedal steel player John James is also a standout.
Friday 4/26	The Dirty Dozen Brass Band	Congo Square	4:05 - 5:05	This band was formed in 1977 by Benny Jones and introduced bebop and funk into the brass band sound. They’ve continued to evolve by adding drum kit and electric guitar.
Thursday 4/25	The Django Festival Allstars	WWOZ Jazz Tent	4:15 - 5:30	Bringing the music of the legendary gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt into the 21st century the Django Festival Allstars continue to honor the traditions of “hot jazz.” The band features guitarist, violinist Dorado Schmitt and his two sons Samson and Amati. Addition members include violinist Pierre Blanchard, accordionist Ludovic Beier and guitarists DouDou Cuillerier, Francko Mehrstein, Antonio Licusati and Gino Roman.
Sunday 5/5	The Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music Band	Lagniappe	11:30 - 12:20	Students from this Kidd Jordan-directed, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation-sponsored free music program.
Thursday 4/25	The Doobie Brothers	Acura	3:30 - 4:45	They led an army of laid-back SoCal bikers in the Nixon era with anthems like “Listen to the Music,” “China Grove,” and “Without Love” (“...where would you be now?”) Then they somehow morphed into the epitome of smooth El Lay yacht-rock and slick Grammy-bait R&B with new frontman Michael McDonald. But if you like Doobies 1.0 or 2.0, or both, their Jazz Fest stint has got you covered.
Sunday 5/5	The Dynamic Smooth Family Gospel Singers	Gospel Tent	6:00 - 6:45
Saturday 5/4	The Earls of Leicester presented by Jerry Douglas	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	3:45 - 5:00	This bluegrass quintet exists solely to remind the world of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs’ gift to music... and also to remind us of its power.
Sunday 5/5	The Electrifying Crown Seekers	Gospel Tent	11:15 - 11:50	Keep an ear peeled for this Marrero, Louisiana-based group’s rendition of “Walk Around Heaven,” featuring a soloist whose falsetto voice won’t preclude him from topping out on the tune’s highest-register notes.
Sunday 4/28	The Furious Five SA & PC	Parade	1:30- 2:00	This acclaimed division of the Young Men Olympian, Jr. Benevolent Association is largely credited with changing the dance style of the SA&PC community’s annual parades, although its members look to Rebirth for providing the music that inspired them to innovate.
Saturday 5/4	The Gathering of Chiefs: Walter Cook & The Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians with Family and Friends	Jazz & Heritage	12:20-1:00	Mardi Gras Indians take over the Jazz & Heritage stage with their dance, feathers, and chants.
Saturday 5/4	The Gospel Inspirations of Boutte	Gospel	11:10 - 11:50	These Gospel Tent regulars, formed in 1979 by David Diggs Jr. and Kevin Drake, perform music of the spirit. Not related to the local Boutte singing family, the ensemble’s name derives from their hometown of Boutte, Louisiana.
Sunday 5/5	The Gospel Soul of Irma Thomas	Gospel Tent	4:45 - 5:45	If you heard 1993’s Walk Around Heaven, you know how stirring Thomas can be as a gospel singer. She has a personal rule against singing gospel during a secular set, but her sacred side feeds into everything the Soul Queen of New Orleans sings.
Friday 4/26	The Head and The Heart	Gentilly	3:30 - 4:45	This Seattle outfit is the kind of classically-modeled modern act that tends to play well at Jazz Fest, Rooted in the indie-folk world, they’ve evolved into full-blown pop with occasional acoustic guitars and fiddles. Indeed, the production on their latest album “Loving Mirage” is so polished that it winds up underlining how much lead singer Jonathan Russell sounds like Lindsey Buckingham.
Friday 5/3	The Iceman Special	Lagniappe	5:35 - 6:30	The Iceman Special is 4 piece outfit transplanted from the swamps of Louisiana. They combine a sound of dirty funk and delicate groove with elements of disco and rock and roll to create danceable jams with plenty of edge and substance. Screeching yet smooth guitars, wandering yet punchy bass lines, electronic synth samples, driving drum beats and powerful vocals form one a kind soundscapes.
Friday 5/3	The Iguanas	Acura	11:20 - 12:20	With Tex-Mex rock as their base, the Iguanas can swing freely into jazz, country, garage and Caribbean music.
Saturday 5/4	The Johnson Extension	Gospel	1:50 - 2:35	New Orleans spiritual leader and matriarch Rev. Lois Dejean leads four generations of family members in sacred song.
Thursday 5/2	The Jones Sisters	Gospel Tent	12:05 - 12:50	Grade school-aged sisters Kayla, Kiera, Dalia and Dejon Jones comprise this gospel quartet, which first performed when the youngest sister was only two.
Saturday 5/4	The Kings of Zydeco: A Tribute to Clifton Chenier and Buckwheat Zydeco featuring C.J. Chenier, Nathan Williams, and the Ils Sont Partis Band	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	5:30 - 7:00	Clifton introduced zydeco to the world, Buckwheat brought it into the mainstream, and Nathan is one of the best zydeco artists still recording.
Saturday 4/27	The Legendary Rocks Of Harmony	Gospel Tent	11:15 - 11:55	New Orleans gospel in its purest form, this all-male group has been singing praises and spirituals for half a century.
Sunday 5/5	The Magnolia Sisters	Lagniappe	12:40 - 1:35	A Cajun music band comprised of four diversely talented singers and musicians. The group’s musical collaboration gives a woman’s voice to Cajun music while maintaining a soulful, gutsy feeling to it. Each member brings her own rich individual experience as Louisiana musicians, parents, and women in the real world. The common ground is the music, the heritage and the feeling that comes across. The members of the group are Ann Savoy, Jane Vidrine, Anya Burgess, and Lisa Trahan.
Sunday 5/5	The Mavericks	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	5:45 - 7:00	During the ‘90s the Mavericks were one of the most successful groups in the country/Americana world, showcasing Raul Malo’s soaring voice on a string of hits like “O What a Thrill” and “There Goes My Heart.” After splitting for over a decade, the band reunited.
Thursday 4/25	The Milk Carton Kids	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	5:45 - 7:00	A married duo who forego the full-stage hootenanny of modern folk revivalists, their close harmonies and the gentle picking of their playing are perfect for the intimate nature of their approach.
Saturday 5/4	The New Orleans Classic R&B Legends featuring The Dixie Cups, Wanda Rouzan, Clarence “Frogman” Henry, and Al “Carnival Time” Johnson	Gentilly	2:35 - 3:35	This annual revue (clearly copied from OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Award show) remains the only place to catch some of the originals of local R&B. Expect to hear essentials like “Chapel of Love,” “Carnival Time,” “Ain’t Got No Home” and the Rouzan Sisters’ “Man of War” direct from the sources.
Thursday 4/25	The New Orleans Female Hip Hop Experience featuring Mia X, 3D Natee, Keedy Black, Briki Fa President, DJ Westbank Red and Downtown Leslie Brown	Congo Square	4:05 - 5:30	Women who’ve played a significant role in creating a signature sound in New Orleans rap and bounce will showcase the variety of overlooked contributions they’ve made. From pioneering No Limit Records MC Mia X to Best of the Beat nominated rapper 3D Na’Tee, the Female Hip-Hop Experience will teach you a few things about the woman’s role in rap music.
Thursday 5/2	The New Orleans Guitar Masters featuring John Rankin, Jimmy Robinson, and Cranston Clements	Lagniappe	2:45 - 3:35	The New Orleans Guitar Masters is a collaboration between some of the best New Orleans guitarists John Rankin, Cranston Clements and Jimmy Robinson. The trio has been performing together for several years, and include in their concerts original compositions from each member, and interesting arrangements of cover material.
Thursday 5/2	The New Orleans Guitar Masters featuring John Rankin, Jimmy Robinson, and Cranston Clements	Kids Tent	12:20 - 1:05	The New Orleans Guitar Masters is a collaboration between some of the best New Orleans guitarists John Rankin, Cranston Clements and Jimmy Robinson. The trio has been performing together for several years, and include in their concerts original compositions from each member, and interesting arrangements of cover material.
Sunday 4/28	The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra’s Tribute to Aretha Franklin	Congo Square	1:45 - 3:00	Adonis Rose the artistic director of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra reprises his successful tribute to Aretha Franklin. The tribute in November 2018 included vocalists Davell Crawford, Erica Falls and Jolynda “Kiki” Chapman. The orchestra’s own Nayo Jones, a flutist and singer will also take a turn out front.
Sunday 4/28	The New Orleans Klezmer All Stars	Lagniappe	5:30 - 6:30	Innovators of a funked-up localized take on traditional Jewish music, this band’s past and present members include scions of the city’s jazz and funk scenes. They’ll celebrate their anniversary with prestigious guests.
Saturday 4/27	The New Orleans Piano Professors: Celebrating Professor Longhair, James Booker, Jellyroll Morton, Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint and Dr. John	Blues Tent	1:25 - 2:35	A roll-call of active New Orleans piano greats—Jon Cleary, Davell Crawford, Tom McDermott, Al “Lil Fats” Jackson, David Torkanowsky, and John “Papa” Gros—pay tribute to the ones who’ve passed or are currently MIA. A nutshell version of WWOZ’s annual piano nights at the HOB.
Sunday 4/28	The O’Jays	Congo Square	3:45 - 5:00	The embodiment of Philly soul, the O’Jays ruled the charts through the ’70s, beginning their run of hits with “Back Stabbers” and ending it with “Use ta Be My Girl.” In the middle they cut “Love Train” and “For the Love of Money,” the latter of which was the theme for a TV series starring someone who became President. Two of the original five members, Eddie Levert and Walter Williams, remain in the lineup.
Sunday 4/28	The Palm Court Jazz Band featuring Sammy Rimington	Economy Hall Tent	12:25 - 1:15	The house band from the Palm Court brings their brand of traditional New Orleans jazz to the Fest along with English reedman Rimington, a longtime proponent of the genre’s revival.
Thursday 5/2	The Pfister Sisters	Economy Hall Tent	11:00 - 11:50	Inspired by the close harmonies and lively personalities of New Orleans’ Boswell Sisters, the Pfister Sisters are all about the ‘30s in both sound and look.
Sunday 5/5	The Radiators	Gentilly	3:50 - 5:00	Groupie-spawning fish-head rockers the Rads are back after calling it quits in 2011. The band got together last year to record Welcome to the Monkey House the follow up to The Last Watusi, which turned out to be not the last. Expect a massive show of support for these long-beloved locals.
Sunday 4/28	The Rance Allen Group	Gospel Tent	3:00 - 4:00	One of the buried treasures at this year’s Fest, brothers Rance, Steve and Tom Allen began singing together in Detroit in 1970 and signed to the Stax-associated Gospel Truth label two years later. Their records from that era combined fervent gospel vocals with the funky Stax sound, one of the first such crossovers.
Saturday 5/4	The Rayo Brothers	Lagniappe	5:35 - 6:30	The Rayo Brothers are Jesse Reaux the primary songwriter and Daniel Reaux lead vocalist. Expect impassioned folk-rock and modern alt-country with sweeping arrangements. Think Whiskeytown meets the Avett Brothers.
Thursday 4/25	The Revelers	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	1:35 - 2:30	An Acadian supergroup made up of founding members of Jazz Fest perennials the Red Stick Ramblers and the Pine Leaf Boys.
Friday 4/26	The Revivalists	Gentilly	5:25 - 6:55	This increasingly popular New Orleans band has solid songs for the rock ’n’ rollers and free-flowing grooves for the jam band crowd. They were big winners at the OffBeat Best of the Beat Awards.
Friday 5/3	The Rising Stars Fife & Drum Band	AARP Rhythmpourium	1:15- 1:40	Fife and drum music has a long history in African-American folk culture. Many accounts survive of black fife and drum units accompanying soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Otha Turner, founder of the long-running Rising Star Fife & Drum Band, was born in rural Rankin County, Mississippi, around 1907, and began playing the fife as a boy. After his death his granddaughter Shardé Thomas took it over.
Thursday 5/2	The Rising Stars Fife & Drum Band	Blues Tent	11:55 - 12:10	Fife and drum music has a long history in African-American folk culture. Many accounts survive of black fife and drum units accompanying soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Otha Turner, founder of the long-running Rising Star Fife & Drum Band, was born in rural Rankin County, Mississippi, around 1907, and began playing the fife as a boy. After his death his granddaughter Shardé Thomas took it over.
Thursday 5/2	The Rising Stars Fife & Drum Band	Cultural Exchange Pavilion World Journey	1:55 - 2:25	Fife and drum music has a long history in African-American folk culture. Many accounts survive of black fife and drum units accompanying soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Otha Turner, founder of the long-running Rising Star Fife & Drum Band, was born in rural Rankin County, Mississippi, around 1907, and began playing the fife as a boy. After his death his granddaughter Shardé Thomas took it over.
Friday 4/26	The Robert Cray Band	Blues Tent	5:40 - 7:00	The man who almost single-handedly resuscitated blues in the ’80s returns to grace Fest stages with his winning combination of Southern-Soul vocals, twangy Texas guitar, and deep lyrical confession. This five-time Grammy winner has played with Clapton and the Vaughan brothers and Buddy Guy and God knows who else, and if that all means anything to you, you’ve probably been with him since “Smoking Gun.” A master of smooth modern blues.
Friday 4/26	The Roots of Music Marching Crusaders	Parade	1:30- 2:00	Rebirth snare drum player Derrick Tabb’s program aims to support, teach, and protect at-risk youth through music education while preserving and promoting New Orleans’ musical heritage. Songwriter Ani DiFranco is on the board of directors.
Saturday 4/27	The RRAAMS	Kids Tent	4:05 - 4:50	The River Road African-American Museum Society in Donaldsonville presents an educational program for kids.
Saturday 5/4	The Savoy Music Center Saturday Morning Jam	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	4:30 - 5:15	The world’s leading maker of handcrafted Cajun accordions holds a local jam session every so often, but now you don’t have to visit tiny Eunice, Louisiana to see it!
Friday 5/3	The Showers	Gospel Tent	5:15 - 5:55	This family gospel group includes six daughters and one son of Bobby and Oralean Showers of Hammond. They recently called on their faith and their music to sustain them when their family home burned down last year.
Saturday 5/4	The Soul Rebels	Acura	12:25 - 1:15	Arguably one of the most popular brass bands in the city, the seven-piece Soul Rebels have performed with hip-hop giants like Rakim, Nas, and Talib Kweli and recently backed Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA at his Tiny Desk Concert. Their repertoire includes original material and covers of everything from Marilyn Manson to Chance The Rapper.
Thursday 4/25	The Speakerbox Experiment	Congo Square	2:40 - 3:35	This local eight-piece ensemble performs a mix of soul, funked up rock and pop.
Friday 4/26	The Subdudes	Gentilly	1:50 - 2:50	Known for using a tambourine player (Steve Amadee) instead of a drummer, this Tommy Malone-fronted roots rock outfit draws on a mix of New Orleans music styles along with plenty of groove.
Friday 5/3	The Swing Setters	Kids Tent	1:50 - 2:35	Singer Jayna Morgan’s spirited new band covers standards, folk tunes and Disney songs with a jazz lilt.
Friday 4/26	The Wanting	Lagniappe	11:30 - 12:15	One of the newer local bands to play the Fest this year, the Wanting take their name and their inspiration from the high lonesome sound of Appalachian folk, and evoke that mood beautifully with an acoustic lineup and the harmonies of Chris Jacob and Cate Swan. They were a surprise hit at the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival last year and their debut CD Dark Road appeared last winter.
Saturday 5/4	The War and Treaty	Blues Tent	4:10 - 5:10	From Albion, Michigan, husband and wife, Michael Trotter, Jr. and Tanya Blount are The War and Treaty. Their sound is a blend of roots music, blue grass, folk, gospel and soul. Their stage presence together with their voices will keep you mesmerized.
Thursday 4/25	The Wimberly Family Gospel Singers	Gospel Tent	11:15 - 11:55	This Marrero family group has been singing traditional gospel for nearly four decades.
Friday 5/3	Theatre on Tap	Kids Tent	4:10 - 4:55	New Orleans’ premier rhythm tap dance company, whose mission is to celebrate, promote, and preserve America’s indigenous dance form. Emmy Award-winning founder, artistic director and principal choreographer Heidi Malnar leads the company.
Friday 4/26	Tim Laughlin	Economy Hall Tent	3:05 - 4:00	Clarinetist Laughlin’s compositions fit within the classic traditional jazz idiom, but his skill in bringing traditional New Orleans jazz into the 21st Century gives them a more modern feel. He was the first and only New Orleans clarinetist to write and record an entire album of originals.
Thursday 5/2	Tin Men	Gentilly	11:10 - 11:55	This rocking and swinging trio appears every Wednesday night at d.b.a. The band includes Alex McMurray, Matt Perrine and Washboard Chaz. In March 2019 Alex McMurray suffered a fall skiing. Please welcome him back after a two month recovery.
Friday 5/3	Tipitina’s Interns under the direction of Donald Harrison Jr.	WWOZ Jazz Tent	11:15 - 12:00	Tipitina’s internship program is an after-school jazz program for high school students. The program focuses on instrumental performance, recording, music theory, and career professionalism. They are led by saxophonist Donald Harrison, Jr.
Thursday 5/2	Tom Jones	Gentilly	2:55 - 4:00	This Welshman started as a sexy pop icon shaking his hips to outrageously over-the-top songs like “What’s New Pussycat” and “Delilah,” but it’s the full-chested power of his booming baritone that’s actually outlasted his kitsch; and he’s got more than a few EDM hits stuck up his belt as well thanks to a late ’90s renaissance. Throwing your panties is discouraged at this point, but it’s going to happen anyway.
Thursday 4/25	Tom Leggett Band	Lagniappe	12:40 - 1:35	Legget is a guitar slinger/roots-rocker who tleans towards Texarkana blues with West Coast horns, but he often drops country, swamp-pop and even reggae into the mix.
Saturday 4/27	Tom McDermott & Evan Christopher	Lagniappe	3:05 - 4:00	Virtuoso pianist whose skill and deep knowledge of music history allow him to play everything from New Orleans jazz and blues to Caribbean and classical music is joined by clarinetist Evan Christopher. As a duo they have released several CD including Danza in 2002 and Almost Native in 2011.
Friday 5/3	Tommy Sancton’s New Orleans Legacy Band	Economy Hall Tent	12:25 - 1:20	This clarinetist served as Time Magazine’s Paris bureau chief for 22 years. As a child, he took music lessons from Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s George Lewis, an experience he documents in the book Song for My Fathers.
Saturday 4/27	Tonia Scott & the Anointed Voices	Gospel Tent	4:15 - 5:00	Primarily comprised of women, this local gospel choir has become a Jazz Fest regular.
Thursday 5/2	Tonya Boyd-Cannon	WWOZ Jazz Tent	12:15 - 1:05	This New Orleans-based singer boasts a powerful contralto voice. Her delivery is sharp yet inspirational, contemporary and authentic. She has lots of soul and a near-winning run on The Voice.
Sunday 4/28	Topsy Chapman & Solid Harmony	Economy Hall Tent	2:50 - 3:45	Topsy Chapman leads the all-female group with a gospel-inspired vocal blend called Solid Harmony
Saturday 4/27	Tornado Brass Band in memory of Darryl Adams	Kids Tent	2:30 - 2:40	Tornado Brass Band leader Darryl Adams passed away on December 19, 2018 at age 61. The band performs a mix of tunes from traditional and modern brass band repertoires.
Thursday 4/25	Toronzo Cannon	Blues Tent	4:05 - 5:05	Singer songwriter and blues guitarist Toronzo Cannon grew up on the South Side of Chicago. His influences include Albert Collins, B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Jimi Hendrix. His album The Chicago Way was nominated for a Blues Music Award.
Sunday 5/5	Treces del Sur	Lagniappe	1:55 - 2:45	Latin music band from New Orleans.
Sunday 4/28	Treme Brass Band	Economy Hall Tent	1:35 - 2:30	Led by Benny Jones, the Treme Brass Band is one of the longest-running traditional brass bands in town. The Treme Brass Band contributed to the Carnival repertoire with “Gimme My Money Back.”
Sunday 5/5	Tribute to Allen Toussaint with the Allen Toussaint Orchestra and special guests	Acura	1:25 - 2:25	Allen Toussaint was one of the guiding lights of New Orleans music and a man whose songs virtually define New Orleans R&B. In the 1980s the Allen Toussaint Orchestra, produced by Allen Toussaint and Marshal Seahorn, released several themed records including The Beatles, George Gershwin, Crescent City Christmas, The Themes of Andrew Lloyd Webber, etc. The Orchestra and special guests pay tribute to their leader who passed away in 2015.
Sunday 5/5	Tribute to Alvin Batiste with Herman Jackson and Friends	wwoz jazz tent	12:20 - 1:10	New Orleans born jazz clarinetist and composer Alvin Batiste passed away in 2007. He taught at Southern University in Baton Rouge. Several well-known musicians studied under Batiste including Branford Marsalis, Donald Harrison, Henry Butler and Randy Jackson. Pianist Herman Jackson, Randy’s brother, and also a music instructor at Southern University pays tribute to Alvin Batiste.
Friday 4/26	Tribute to Danny and Blue Lu Barker	Economy Hall Tent	4:20 - 5:25	Banjoist Danny Barker was rhythm guitarist for various bands including Cab Calloway and Benny Carter. He toured and recorded with his wife, singer Blue Lu Barker. Detroit Brooks, banjoist and founder of the Danny Baker Banjo and Guitar Festival in New Orleans is joined by vocalist Jolynda “Kiki” Chapman.
Sunday 4/28	Tribute to Dave Bartholomew and Fats Domino with special guests Bonnie Raitt, Irma Thomas, Davell Crawford, Jon Cleary, and Al “Lil Fats” Jackson featuring the Fats Domino Orchestra	Acura	12:15 - 1:30	One of those “only at Fest” situations where you can catch an all-star lineup early in the day, with Bonnie, Irma, Crawford and Cleary all playing in advance of their own sets—all this plus the great band that backed Fats at his own shows.
Sunday 5/5	Tribute to GG Shinn featuring Gregg Martinez & the Delta Kings with TK Hulin and Charlene Howard	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	12:30 - 1:30	Gregg Martinez (pronounced Mart-tin-ez) is one of the most powerful, knock-the-paint-off vocalists that Southwest Louisiana has ever produced. Swamp pop singer GG Shinn passed away on August 7, 2018. Close friend to GG Shinn, singer Charlene Howard will join Gregg Martinez.
Sunday 4/28	Tribute to Jo “Cool” Davis with Cordell Chambliss & the Gospel All-Star Band featuring Barbara Shorts	Gospel Tent	12:05 - 12:50	Gospel singer, and Central City’s pride and joy, Jo “Cool” Davis passed away in August 2016. Davis programed and co-hosted the popular Gospel Brunch at House of Blues. He was a tireless advocate for New Orleans, its culture and gospel music. After years singing with the Gospel Soul Children, Shorts left to play Big Bertha Williams in “One Mo’ Time.” Shorts’ voice is powerful and deep and she often ends her shows with the spiritual “Down by the Riverside.” Guitarist Charles Moore is the brother of Deacon John Moore.
Sunday 4/28	Tribute to Louis Prima featuring Louis Prima, Jr., John Boutté, Meschiya Lake, and Wendell Brunious	Economy Hall Tent	4:10 - 5:25	The descendants of New Orleans’ favorite Sicilian carry on his “king of swing” tradition with a bandleader who was there when much of it happened.
Saturday 5/4	Tribute to Pete Fountain and Al Hirt featuring Tim Laughlin, Wendell Brunious, Ronnie Kole, and Doyle Cooper	Economy Hall Tent	4:15 - 5:30	Larger than life and full of flamboyance, Raymond Anthony Myles was a gospel star waiting to happen, and his 1998 murder was one of the sadder chapters in local music history. The choir he led goes on and Davell Crawford seems an inspired choice to take his place.
Sunday 5/5	Tribute to Raymond Myles featuring The RAMS with guest Davell Crawford	Gospel Tent	3:45 - 4:30	New Orleans’ Eureka Brass Band was active from 1920 to 1975 and recorded prolifically. The group was founded by trumpeter Willie Wilson. Trumpeter Percy Humphrey led the band from the ’50s until 1975 but often revived the name when performing at festival with his brother clarinetist Willie Humphrey. Preservation Hall trumpeter and vocalist Mark Braud leads the tribute.
Friday 5/3	Tribute to the Humphrey Brothers and Eureka Brass Band featuring Mark Braud	Economy Hall Tent	4:20 - 5:25	Trombonist, trumpeter and singer Troy Andrews has become a member of New Orleans music royalty; his “supafunkrock” sets now close out Jazz Fest. Trombone Shorty took the retired Neville Brothers spot but this year is joined by the Nevilles. Although Art Neville recently announced his retirement from performing he may make a surprise appearance.
Sunday 5/5	Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with Nevilles	ACura	5:30 - 7:00	Blues guitarist from Baton Rouge, Troy first started singing in the Starhill Baptist Church choir at the age of five. Troy got to know harmonica master Raful Neal and was often performing at Tabby’s Blues Box run by Chris Thomas King’s father Tabby Thomas. People were taken with his youthful appearance the nicknamed him “baby face.” Troy was a huge Prince fan in high school. He dressed like the Purple One and thought of himself as a Southern version of the Minnesota superstar. He attacked songs with an aggressive style that earned him another moniker—Troy Turner, guitar burner.
Saturday 5/4	Troy Turner	Blues Tent	11:15 - 12:00	Blues guitarist from Baton Rouge, Troy first started singing in the Starhill Baptist Church choir at the age of five. Troy got to know harmonica master Raful Neal and was often performing at Tabby’s Blues Box run by Chris Thomas King’s father Tabby Thomas. People were taken with his youthful appearance the nicknamed him “baby face.” Troy was a huge Prince fan in high school. He dressed like the Purple One and thought of himself as a Southern version of the Minnesota superstar. He attacked songs with an aggressive style that earned him another moniker—Troy Turner, guitar burner.
Friday 5/3	Trumpet Mafia	WWOZ Jazz Tent	2:50 - 3:50	Featured on OffBeat’s Satchmo Summerfest cover, skilled local trumpeter Ashlin Parker, of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, brings a hip-hop sensibility to the modern jazz-rooted approach of his forward-thinking, multi-trumpet ensemble.
Sunday 5/5	Tyronne Foster & the Arc Singers	Gospel Tent	1:45 - 2:25	These Jazz Fest regulars formed in 1987 when Foster started working with St. Joan of Arc Youth and Young Adult Choir. In 1992, they opened their ranks to singers from all denominations.
Saturday 5/4	Undefeated Divas & Gents	Parade	12:00- 12:30	This downtown club paraded with the Young Fellaz Brass Band at their 2015 annual Sunday parade.
Friday 4/26	University of New Orleans Jazz All Stars	WWOZ Jazz Tent	11:15 - 12:00	Student group from UNO’s jazz program, which was established by Ellis Marsalis in 1989.
Sunday 4/28	Untouchables SA & PC	Parade	1:30- 2:00	The Untouchables represent a division of the historic Young Men Olympians.
Sunday 4/28	Uptown Warriors Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	3:25- 3:55	One of the younger Mardi Gras Indian tribes.
Sunday 4/28	Val & Love Alive Choir	Gospel Tent	1:55 - 2:40	Few things sound more spirited than 100 school-age kids singing praises. Valentine Bemiss-Williams directs this large choir
Saturday 5/4	Valley of Silent Men Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs	Parade	3:10- 3:40	This Uptown parade club has been hitting the streets for three decades.
Sunday 4/28	Van Morrison	Acura	5:30 - 7:00	It’s unlikely that any other singer will ever be able to capture the distinct Van Morrison “Celtic Soul” sound, which mixes Irish folk, classic New Orleans and Memphis R&B, and little twinges of country, all done with the touch of a true jazzmaster. This makes him more than his hit songs “Brown Eyed-Girl” or even “Moondance”: a rare bird indeed, and one that everyone should see at least once in their life. He’s not getting any younger, but can still command the stage with his sheer devotion to the healing power of music
Saturday 4/27	Versailles Lion Dance Team	Kids Tent	12:25 - 12:40	Strength, endurance, motivation and respect are the calling cards of this local performance group, specializing in traditional Vietnamese lion dance.
Saturday 4/27	Versailles Lion Dance Team	Kids Tent	2:05 - 2:20	Strength, endurance, motivation and respect are the calling cards of this local performance group, specializing in traditional Vietnamese lion dance.
Thursday 5/2	VIP Ladies and Original Four Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs	Parade	12:45- 1:15	This Uptown social aid and pleasure club usually rolls with all women and children at its annual Sunday parade.
Friday 5/3	Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars	Acura	2:05 - 3:10	Guitarist and activist Tab Benoit leads a troupe of environmentally conscious musical heavyweights, including Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Cajun fiddler Waylon Thibodeaux and more.
Saturday 5/4	Voices of Peter Claver	Gospel	4:10 - 4:55	This adult choir is based at St. Peter Claver Church on St. Philip Street.
Sunday 4/28	Walter Wolfman Washington & The Roadmasters	Congo Square	12:20 - 1:20	A local institution, the Wolfman puts plenty of hot guitar and soulful horns into his funky brand of blues. His latest CD My Future is My Past received OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Award for Album of the Year in 2018.
Sunday 4/28	Washboard Leo Thomas	Kids Tent	12:40 - 1:25	“Washboard” Leo Thomas, the inventor of the electric washboard was born and raised in New Orleans. He has 40 years of experience playing everything from classical jazz to rock. He played at President Clinton’s 53rd birthday party and with David Allen Coe, Earl Scruggs, John Prine, Willie Nelson and others.
Saturday 4/27	Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries	Gospel Tent	6:05 - 6:50	Based in Algiers and the Garden District, these singers are led by Pastor Tom Watson.
Friday 5/3	Wayne Toups	Acura	3:30 - 4:40	This Crowley singer/accordionist was one of the first Cajun/zydeco artists to sign with a major label in the ‘80s. While his band draws strongly from rock onstage, Toups has also embraced his roots, most recently on a trio album with Wilson Savoy and Steve Riley.
Friday 4/26	We Are One SA & PC	Parade	12:20- 12:50	We Are One Social Aid and Pleasure Club is based Uptown.
Friday 4/26	Wendell Brunious & the New Orleans All Stars	Economy Hall Tent	5:45 - 6:45	Trumpeter Brunious took over as the leader of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in 1987 and remained a Hall regular for many years (his nephew Mark Braud is the current leader). Brunious has played regularly with Lionel Hampton, Linda Hopkins and Sammy Rimington.
Saturday 5/4	Westbank Steppers	Parade	3:10- 3:40	This social aid and pleasure club hails from New Orleans’ West Bank just across the river.
Thursday 5/2	Widespread Panic	Acura	4:30-7:00	Athens’ famous neo-hippies return with two-plus hours of extended jams for their massive following. Hopefully, Acura will double as a lost-and-found for your missing stoner roommate. They replace the ailing Fleetwood Mac who replaced the ailing Rolling Stones. What a drag it is getting old.
Friday 4/26	Wild Apaches Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	11:30 AM - 12:00	Big Chief Ray Blazio leads the Wild Apaches Mardi Gras Indians tribe.
Friday 4/26	Wild Mohicans Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	11:30 AM - 12:00	A family tribe founded in 1996 by Big Chief Kentrell and Big Queen Zen, the Mohicans added Wild Man Ivory to their crew after his near-death experience in combat in North Korea left him determined to mask Indian upon his return home.
Saturday 4/27	Wild Red Flames Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	1:15- 1:45	This tribe made its Jazz Fest debut just a few years ago with Big Chief Thunder and the Cherokee Hunters.
Thursday 4/25	Women of Class SA PC	Parade	2:30- 3:00	Social Aid and Pleasure Club parade.
Sunday 5/5	Xavier University Jazz Ensemble	WWOZ Jazz Tent	11:15 - 12:00	Student group from one of New Orleans’ great jazz training grounds.
Thursday 4/25	Young Audiences Performing Arts Showcase	Kids Tent	11:30 - 12:15
Sunday 4/28	Young Brave Hunters Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	3:25- 3:55
Saturday 5/4	Young Fellaz Brass Band	Parade	12:00- 12:30
Saturday 4/27	Young Guardians of the Flame	Kids Tent	11:30 - 12:15	Big Queen Cherice Harrison Nelson, co-founder of the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame, tailors this educational look at Indian culture to a kids’ audience.
Sunday 4/28	Young Men Olympia Aid SA & PC	Parade	2:40- 4:10	The Aide or first division of the Young Men Olympian Jr. Benevolent Association handles the governing responsibilities for the organization.
Sunday 5/5	Young Pinstripe Brass Band	Jazz & Heritage	12:00 - 12:25	Formed in 2009 and led by fourth-generation musician Herbert McCarver IV, the group puts a funk and hip-hop spin on the brass band sound.
Thursday 4/25	Young Seminole Hunters Mardi Gras Indians	Parade	1:15- 1:45
Friday 4/26	Yvette Landry	Kids Tent	4:00 - 4:45	Singer songwriter and guitarist Yvette Landry breaks away the Jukes to perform her kid friendly set.
Sunday 5/5	Yvette Landry & The Jukes	Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do	1:50 - 2:40	Singer/guitarist Landry is part of the Cajun supergroup Bonsoir Catin, and her own sets are solid, swinging honky tonk with Richard Comeaux on pedal steel guitar.
Sunday 4/28	Zeke Fishhead and Los Reyes De Lagartos	Lagniappe	4:15 - 5:10	Zeke Fishhead is singer songwriter and keyboardist Ed Volker of the Radiators. According to Volker; “Ain’t no fool of a human bean got the power to hold back the flood. There’s only one way out: become a fish head.”
Thursday 5/2	Ziggy Marley	Congo Square	2:50 - 4:00	It took a long time, but Bob Marley’s son has finally escaped his father’s monumental shadow with his own reggae career. And it’s a long career to pick and choose from: will we hear those old Melody Makers hits like “What a Plot” and “Tomorrow People”? His mid-’90s dip into children’s music? His stunning new political stance, perhaps even more uncompromising than his father’s? Only one way to be sure.
Sunday 4/28	Zulu Gospel Male Ensemble	Gospel Tent	11:15 - 11:55	A downtown-based Social Aid & Pleasure Club.
Friday 4/26	Zulu SA & PC	Parade	3:15- 3:45	Local New Orleans singing group performs gospel music through an R&B and soul filter.