After the cancellation of two festival seasons due to COVID-19, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell made a triumphant return, as 475,000 festival-goers attended the event over seven days in late April and early May, Jazz Fest organizers announced today.
“Jazz Fest fans make the Festival come to life,” said Quint Davis, producer/director of the event. “Thanks to everyone who was in that number. This was Jazz Fest at its very best.”
The figure matched attendance for the pre-pandemic festivals, but fell short of the all-time record of 650,000 fans in 2001.
“Generally Jazz Fest has about a $400 million economic impact which is huge and so badly needed,” said Mary Beth Romig, associate vice president of communications and public relations at New Orleans & Co., the city’s official tourism bureau.
The Festival once again celebrated the rich culture of Louisiana and the best of American roots and world music on 13 stages at the Fair Grounds Race Course, along with a remarkable presentation of New Orleans’ and Louisiana’s distinctive cuisine and vendors representing a wide array of arts and crafts.
With more than 500 New Orleans groups, covering the full range of street culture, gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and more, Jazz Fest’s showcase of the musical community continues to set the Festival apart. Highlights included: Tributes to artists central to New Orleans culture and to the Festival legacy—Festival founder George Wein, Dr. John, Ellis Marsalis, Dave Bartholomew and Art and Charles Neville. The tradition of hosting the highest level of special guests included the second Jazz Fest appearance by The Who; the Red Hot Chili Peppers closing out the first weekend; Ziggy Marley performing the songs of Bob Marley; Luke Combs headlining “locals Thursday”; a signature return to performing after three years by Stevie Nicks, joining Lauren Daigle, Erykah Badu, and Mavis Staples, all on the second Saturday. Also a part of the Festival musical family is the wide variety of international music, which this year featured Cimafunk of Cuba, Bombino of Niger, Lakou Mizik of Haiti, Son Rompe Pera of Mexico, and DakhaBrakha of Ukraine.
Next year’s event is scheduled for April 28–May 7, 2023.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. is the nonprofit organization that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell. The Foundation’s proceeds from Jazz Fest are used for year-round activities in the areas of education, economic development and cultural enrichment. Visit jazzandheritage.org for more information on the Foundation.
