Due to the unprecedented circumstances brought upon by the COVID-19 crisis, WWOZ will bring the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival to everyone’s homes this year during the eight days the event was originally scheduled for. Get ready for eight days of Festin’ brought to your backyard, front porch, bedroom — anywhere (well, almost anywhere). Put on your Jazz Fest shirts, grab your festival essentials, and prepare to celebrate all the wonderful music New Orleans has to offer.

WWOZ 90.7 FM will broadcast a special Jazz Fest curated lineup for the eight days of Jazz Fest, April 23-26 and April 30-May 3. The broadcast will stream from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on these days, the same hours at the originally scheduled Jazz Fest. To amplify the Jazz Fest feeling, WWOZ is creating its own “special cubes” to highlight the schedules and will feature some of the most celebrated Jazz Fest performances in the history of the festival. 

Artists that will be featured during Jazz Festing in Place include New Orleans legends like Dr. John, Fats Domino, The Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas, The Meters, Allen Toussaint, Henry Butler, Marcia Ball, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Mardi Gras Indians, Trombone Shorty, Kermit Ruffins, John Boutte, The Radiators, Big Freedia, Ernie K-Doe, Ellis Marsalis, Danny Barker, Rebirth Brass Band, Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, and many others.

In addition to the Jazz Fest broadcast, WWOZ will also air the rare “Fire Benefit” performance that took place in 1974 and features Professor Longhair, the Wild Magnolias, and Dr. John. Interviews and audio highlights will be included as part of the broadcast to maintain the feeling of the festival. 

Of course, WWOZ could not forget about a crucial part of Jazz Fest: the food. Recipes for festival-favorite dishes including Cajun Jambalaya, Crawfish Monica, Miss Linda’s Yaka Mein, Turkey Wings and White Beans, Boudin Balls, Red Beans and Rice, Fried Soft Shell Crab Poboys, and more mouthwatering meals will be shared on WWOZ’s social media. Those who are “Festing in Place” are encouraged to share pictures of their festival outposts, outfits, and food to create the Jazz Fest feeling virtually and stay connected.

Yesterday (April 16), Jazz Fest 2020 announced its official cancellation.