While the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival gears up for its 51st year, musicians are invited to apply, before October 1, for spots on the festival schedule.

Last year, during the festival’s 50th anniversary, approximately 475,000 people were in attendance, and for the first time in the festival’s history, an extra day was added to the schedule, providing eight days of music and food.

Boasting a large number of local musicians–roughly 85 percent to 90 percent of performers are members of the LA music community–the festival welcomes any and all musicians who perform in the state. Plus, with such headliners last year as Earth, Wind & Fire, Santana, Katy Perry and Gary Clark Jr., Jazz Fest musicians can expect to perform alongside some of the biggest names in the industry.

“The mission of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is to promote, preserve, perpetuate and encourage the music, arts, culture and heritage of Louisiana,” states the festival website. Each year, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Foundation uses proceeds from the festival for activities in education, economic development and cultural enrichment.

The 51st Jazz Festival will take place from April 23 through May 3, 2020. To apply for a place on the festival’s lineup, click here. For more information about the festival, visit the website, here.