New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Announce Line-Up

[Lois Gilbert]

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, presented by Shell, announced on Thursday the music lineup for the 2011 festival.

The festival, scheduled for April 29 to May 1 and May 5-8, will have 12 stages of virtually every style of roots music to present one of the entertainment world’s most diverse music lineups, including its unparalleled showcase of Louisiana’s unique culture.

Arcade Fire, Bon Jovi, Jimmy Buffett, Kid Rock, John Mellencamp, Wilco, Willie Nelson, The Strokes, Robert Plant, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Tom Jones, Jeff Beck, Sonny Rollins, John Legend & The Roots, The Avett Brothers, Cyndi Lauper, Wyclef Jean, Mumford & Sons, Alejandro Sanz, Jason Mraz, Maze feat. Frankie Beverly, Lupe Fiasco, Arlo Guthrie, Jamey Johnson, Fantasia, Kenny G, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Decemberists, Gregg Allman Blues Band, Vickie Winans, Lucinda Williams, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Robert Cray, Bobby Blue Bland, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Edie Brickell, Keb’ Mo’, Rance Allen, Ahmad Jamal, Fourplay, Ricky Skaggs, Amos Lee, Jesse Winchester, Michelle Shocked, Tabou Combo, RAM, and Boukman Eksperyans of Haiti, Punch Brothers, Ron Carter Trio, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Ivan Lins, Charlie Musselwhite, Maceo Parker with guest Pee Wee Ellis and more are all among the national and international guest artists scheduled to appear at the 42nd edition of the Jazz Fest.

Hundreds of Louisiana artists, the heart and soul of the Festival, are scheduled to appear, such as: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Mystikal, Pete Fountain, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Better Than Ezra, Rebirth Brass Band, Galactic, Tab Benoit, The Radiators, Cowboy Mouth, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Marcia Ball, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Ellis Marsalis, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Sonny Landreth, Henry Butler, Papa Grows Funk, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, John Boutté, Terence Blanchard, Amanda Shaw, The New Orleans Bingo! Show, Jon Cleary, Partners N Crime with 5th Ward Weebie, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Joseph Zigaboo Modeliste, Glen David Andrews, Anders Osborne, Buckwheat Zydeco, George Porter, Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Big Freedia & Sissy Nobby, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, MyNameIsJohnMichael, Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters, Zachary Richard, Warren Storm - Willie Tee & Cypress, Honey Island Swamp Band, Bonerama, John Mooney & Bluesiana, Nicholas Payton, Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Jeremy Davenport, Deacon John, Donald Harrison, Astral Project, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles, Banu Gibson, Shamarr Allen, Pine Leaf Boys, Mia Borders, Hot 8, Mahogany, New Birth & Pinstripe Brass Bands, Roots of Music Marching Crusaders Band, The Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians plus many more.

Tickets for the Festival, which takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course, are on sale. Ticket packages purchased for April 29, 30 & May 1 will be $120 ($40 per day), while second weekend packages purchased for May 5-8 will be $160 ($40 per day).

Advance single day Jazz Fest tickets are only $45 and the gate price is $60. Tickets for children ages 2 to 10 are $5 and are available at the gate only. Single day tickets to Jazz Fest are on sale by specific weekend, with each ticket valid for a single day’s attendance.

Tickets are available at www.nojazzfest.com and www.ticketmaster.com, at all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Jazz Fest ticket office located at the New Orleans Arena Box Office.

[steve(thelil)]

I've gone several times, including 3 of the last 4. Always a great time. If you go, bring a rain slicker and footwear that is mud compatible. And make sure your camera and/or and phone and/or iPod is well protected from moisture.


Originally, when I went to the fest i would rent a bike, and ride to and from the fest, even though several years ago, a camera I had was ruined by water at the fest.

But my biking to and from the fest ended three or four years ago, the day I ended up riding a bike in a monsoon. I was heading back to the Central Business District (just the other side of Canal) where I was staying. I had convinced myself that it would be fun listening to music as I rode. And it was, until the water killed my iPod - even through a jeans shorts pocket.

After that, I found out that a shared cab ride to the fest was only like $4 a person, and that's what I do now.

If you're prepared, the partying in the inevitable rain becomes almost a plus.

[Pete C]

Bon Jovi, Jimmy Buffett, Kid Rock, Kenny G, Fourplay,

I'm there!

[Pete C]

After that, I found out that a shared cab ride to the fest was only like $4 a person, and that's what I do now.

The one time I went I stayed in the Garden District (at the Pontchartrain, which unfortunately has become a senior home), and there were regular shuttle vans--I assume the same in the CBD. I lucked out with perfect weather--not too hot, not too muggy and no rain, plus I got to see Boozoo Chavis's last Jazzfest appearance.

[Pete C]

Anybody who does go this year shouldn't miss John Mooney or Sonny Landreth.

[steve(thelil)]

Anybody who does go this year shouldn't miss John Mooney or Sonny Landreth.

Agreed. I saw Sonny just this Fall, and I once saw Mooney and the Subdudes play a set together at a New Orleans music themed one day festival at SPAC, and I was knocked out.

Also, any first time attendees should keep in mind that the people you've never heard of, at the smaller stages, often become your favorite experiences. For me, constantly moving from stage to stage is often what I'm into. Many of the acts are local and are booked with care and expertise, and good stuff is to be found all over. The Fais Do Do stage, with a lot of Zydeco and Cajun (and maybe other roots music) is a can't miss.

I generally don't spend much time at the biggest stage with the biggest headliners. Mainly because there's so much other stuff (I think there were 11 stages this year) Also, people set up their chairs for the day near the main stage, and unless you claim a spot early in the day, it can be hard to get close for most acts, especially if you want to find room to sit. Similarly, it can be a hassle navigating the mobs of people to find a place with both good sightlines and good sound in terms of the placement of the speaker columns.

Also, why spend time at the Jazz fest seeing acts you can see back at home, when you can be discovering someone great, up close, at one of the other stages?

That said, last year I did see the Main Stage sets of both Trombone Shorty and Van Morrison from a distance (although within view of a big screen) and enjoyed both,Van's set immensely.

[CraigP]

I had no idea that Bobby "Blue" Bland was still performing.