Danny Barker performance at Woldenberg Park (courtesy of Infrogmation of New Orleans)

The 11th Annual Danny Barker Festival Lineup Has Been Announced

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Organizers have announced the dates and lineup for the 2025 Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival in New Orleans.

The eleventh annual festival will take place from March 17 to March 23, 2025, featuring a week-long series of events, including live performances, interviews, and panel discussions. Key events include:

  • Live Music and Panels at the New Orleans Jazz Museum (March 21–23): General admission is $15 per day, with a $10 student rate.
  • Free All-Star Banjo and Guitar Summit at the Jazz Museum on March 19.
  • “A Touch of Blue” Tribute to Blue Lu Barker at NOMA on March 19 (6–9 p.m.): Featuring Tony, three-time Grammy-winning vocalist and actress Dee Dee Bridgewater, Grammy-winning string artist Leyla McCalla, backed by Dr. Michael White and the Danny Barker Tribute Band. Tickets are $75 for general admission and $25 for students.
  • Catherine Russell with the Danny Barker Tribute Band at Snug Harbor (626 Frenchmen Street) on March 20, with shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
  • School Clinics at the University of New Orleans (UNO) and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA).
  • Inaugural Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival Golf Tournament at English Turn Golf and Country Club on March 17.
  • Patron Party on March 18 at The Terrell House Bed & Breakfast (1441 Magazine St.) from 6 to 9 p.m., featuring live music, hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and a silent auction. Tickets are $50 per person.

The New Orleans Jazz Museum will host two stages of live music, showcasing 30 of the city’s top ensembles. The festival will also feature interviews curated by long-time WWOZ Traditional Jazz host Sally Young, focusing on Danny Barker’s life, legacy, and music. A complete schedule and ticket information are available at dannybarkerfestival.com.

The festival’s mission is to honor NEA Jazz Master Danny Barker—musician, singer, songwriter, educator, raconteur, and author—who played banjo and guitar alongside many jazz greats over his 70-year career. Barker also mentored numerous New Orleans artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Herlin Riley, Leroy Jones, Gregg Stafford, and Dr. Michael White.

To continue Barker’s legacy of education and cultural preservation, the festival offers workshops, master classes, and clinics for students, exploring the roots and evolution of New Orleans jazz. Additional outreach efforts include programs for senior citizens and opportunities to connect musicians with diverse audiences.