Issue Articles — Features
If It Makes You Happy: The Revelers are never going to be a pop band
THE REVELERS: SUNDAY, APRIL 30—FAIS DO-DO STAGE, 2:50 P.M. Legend has it that the Revelers began when the ghost of C.C. Adcock appeared to drummer Glenn Fields in the […]
BAM, BAM! Nicholas Payton’s musical journey through the African diaspora
At this year’s Jazz Fest set, don’t expect trumpeter/keyboardist Nicholas Payton to play the classic jazz that in 1997 won him a Grammy for his album with legendary trumpeter Doc […]
Soulful Tenor: Charlie Gabriel and Friends debuts at Jazz Fest
CHARLIE GABRIEL AND FRIENDS: THURSDAY, MAY 4—ECONOMY HALL STAGE, 2:55 P.M. On a recent Tuesday evening in March, a teenage girl squeezed herself into a spot on the floor […]
Preservation Propagation: Preservation Hall Jazz Band has left the museum behind
If there’s one thing you don’t expect to see at Preservation Hall, it’s David Bowie—hundreds of David Bowies in fact, in every incarnation from Ziggy Stardust on up to Lazarus. […]
High Fidelity: Bill Summers on Herbie Hancock’s 1973 Head Hunters
Percussionist/ethnomusicologist Bill Summers played a key role in shaping Herbie Hancock’s 1973 groundbreaking and platinum-selling Head Hunters record. Here, he reveals how “Watermelon Man” came about. “I found a job […]
No Genre, No Peers: Egg Yolk Jubilee celebrates 20 years
EGG YOLK JUBILEE: THURSDAY, MAY 4—LAGNIAPPE STAGE, 5:30 P.M. For 20 years now, the members of Egg Yolk Jubilee have practiced in the “Jefferson Orleans North” ballroom in Metairie, performing […]
The Gumbo Thing: PJ Morton takes on the Buddy Bolden spirit and keeps innovating.
PJ MORTON: FRIDAY, MAY 5—CONGO SQUARE STAGE, 3:30 P.M. MAROON 5: SATURDAY, APRIL 29—ACURA STAGE, 5:15 P.M. New Orleans native PJ Morton never thought he’d live in his hometown […]
Partners in Jazz: Alia Shawkat’s unlikely collaboration with New Orleans Swamp Donkeys
FRIDAY, MAY 5—ECONOMY HALL TENT, 4:25 P.M. If you’re familiar with Alia Shawkat, there’s a good chance it’s because of her work on the new dark comedy Search Party […]
Honoring Fallen Musicians: Tributes to Buckwheat Zydeco at Festival International and Jazz Fest
A TRIBUTE TO BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO: SATURDAY, MAY 6—BLUES TENT, 2:35 P.M. “Buckwheat is special to the whole world,” says Corey “Lil Pop” Ledet, zydeco accordionist and participant in the […]
Built on Heritage: Jazz Fest Developed Its Identity Through Repetition
Since its inception, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has sought to pair big name touring acts with local talent. This was meant to maximize crowds: tourists unfamiliar with […]
