2018 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Kicks Off Friday: The Artists Share Jazz Fest Memories (PREVIEW)

With the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival only days away (April 27th – May 6th), it’s a good time to start printing out the cubes and marking off who you want to see. With twelve stages going at all times from the opening of the gates at 11:00 to the shutdown at 7:00, that’s a lot of music to pick from. I mean, how in the world do you fit it all in. Sensibly, you don’t. You go where your favorites are, either by genre or particular artists. You stake out a spot for your #1 of the day to see and then you wander, you eat, you dance and you people watch. It’s as simple as that – just follow your ears and your nose and you will have a perfect day.

Being that 2018 is year #49 for Jazz Fest, I guess you could call it the opening act for 2019, year #50, which no doubt will be one humdinger of a hootenanny. I’m sure Quint Davis, head honcho for the festival, is already talking up 2019 and arranging for some huge artists and legends to play, as fifty years is quite an accomplishment for a music festival. But what Jazz Fest has that no other festival can lay claim to is their diversity of music. As it’s official name implies, this started off as a Jazz festival to celebrate the music of New Orleans. It had blues and Dixieland. But they continued to evolve over the years and now they showcase artists from most all genres, as this year’s lineup certainly attests to: Common, Aerosmith, David Byrne, John Mayall, Cage The Elephant, BeauSoleil, Big Freedia and Jimmy Buffett.

And those are only the big names. There are hundreds more on the roster that come from all levels of notoriety, from up & comers to well-traveled road dogs. To play Jazz Fest, for many musicians it’s an honor right up near the top of things they hope to accomplish in their careers. Some people work their whole lives and never get asked to perform on one of the stages. Others get asked back over and over. “I have tried my best for decades to get booked into Jazz Fest,” singer-songwriter David Bromberg told me last year. “You have to either be a local New Orleans musician or famous enough to draw a lot of people and I’m not famous enough in Louisiana to draw a lot of people so they’ve never booked me no matter how hard I try. But I’d love to play Jazz Fest.” For Don McLean, whose song “American Pie” is one of the biggest songs ever recorded, he received a coveted invitation but already had something on his agenda: “I was supposed to play it but I couldn’t do it because I had to go to England to get a BBC Life Achievement Award. I really wish I had done the Jazz Fest but they never asked me again.”

“The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival allows the world to come to our little country within this country and experience our lives here in the Big Easy,” singer Erica Falls recently told me. “Southern Hospitality goes a long way and this creeps into everything we do, from our music to our food. These two things are a true staple to what Jazz Fest is and means just at the mere mention of its name.” Singer Yvette Landry seconds that: “Jazz Fest brings the world to New Orleans, Louisiana, and New Orleans, Louisiana, to the world. It gives us locals an opportunity to show the world what amazing talent we have here in our own backyard. It’s a place where we can all come together and enjoy music, food, dance and culture – because while you’re here, that’s all that matters, right?”

As we do every year, we share with you some memories of Jazz Fest past, food recommendations and personal feelings about the festival itself from artists who have played there, in hopes their words will seduce you to the Fairgrounds to see what they are so lovingly talking about.

Jerry Douglas [Alison Krauss & Union Station]  I played it with Elvis Costello one time and Allen Toussaint came up and played with us [on the song “River In Reverse”]. That’s the one I remember the best because he came up, and you know he always dressed so fine, and he had this powder baby blue satin suit on, and he was magnificent. It was like, I am the king of New Orleans, there’s no doubt. I was there with my band, probably in 2009 or 2010, and it was really cold but we played and Bob Lefsetz was in the audience and he loved us and he gave us a really nice write-up, like ranked us in the top five things that he saw at Jazz Fest that year.

Ben Harper – I remember different aspects of every Jazz Fest I’ve ever played and there has been a few of them. There’s just nothing like it. It’s the food, it’s the environment, it’s the atmosphere, it’s the people who are there and have been the living blood of American Jazz music for so many years. It’s just one of the most rare environments you can get. You check your ego at the door; the festival is the star and you just play your instrument.

Quiana Lynell – My first performance at Jazz Fest was in 2013. It was especially memorable because I played right before Ellis Marsalis. I had been admiring his playing for years so to be able to somewhat open for him was incredible. Festival goers should not miss stopping in the Economy Hall Jazz tent. The historic music you find there will put you in a pleasant, happy mood. Food recommendation: There is so much wonderful cuisine. I have to select my top picks, though you can’t really go wrong with anything you choose. Must have a WWOZ Mango Freeze at least 2 times a day!! Cochon de Lait Poboy, Crawfish Bread and Fried Green Tomatoes.

Tyrone Vaughan [Royal Southern Brotherhood] – I thought it was incredible. The energy alone from the people who are there, I mean, New Orleans is just a big party town anyway, but times a thousand when you add Jazz Fest to it. And Jazz Fest is the time to go to New Orleans, if you ask me. It’s better than Mardi Gras. You’re getting so much music and people all over the world are there. But to be able to play it was amazing. We played in the Blues Tent both years in a row. Anywhere between three and four thousand people are in the Blues Tent and when you have that many people rocking, it’s pretty amazing. I was floored by all the people and the fans and how excited they were. We had great sets. I thought we played well and it was just a huge rush. It’s the most fun time I had all year and that was going all over the world and playing. I think Jazz Fest is up there for me as one of the better times in my career.

Erica Falls – As soon as we feel a warm breeze through the Crescent City, we know that Festival season is right around the corner. With this abundance of festivals available to us here in New Orleans, sometimes it’s hard to choose. But Jazz Fest is always my favorite. The music culture takes on a vibrancy and energy that compares to none as we, vocalist/musicians, take on way too many gigs in such a short time frame, juggle schedules, confirm rehearsals, perform and forget about rest. Who sleeps? And we drink lots of coffee with Chicory or a Bloody Mary, whatever you prefer.

As I recall my first time performing at Jazz Fest with my band on the Congo Square stage, I can still feel the butterflies in my tummy, although it was bittersweet because my father, who was an avid Jazz Fest lover, was not here in the present realm to take part but I know he was smiling down on me. Now, as support to so many legendary artists such as Allen Toussaint, Dr. John and others is an experience within itself, but to walk out on that stage and it’s all you and your dream becomes a reality, mind-blowing! I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. But the humid New Orleans heat was an ever present reminder that it was really happening (laughs). To so many, Jazz Fest is a place where music, food and folks come together in harmony and they do, but for me it’s our history and I’m honored to continue to be a part of it.

Food recommendation: Within all of that you can sample every delicacy, from Crawfish Bread to fried Soft-Shell Crab Po-Boy, Gumbo, White Beans with BBQ ribs and coleslaw and one of my favorites, Jamaican Chicken with sautéed cabbage and rice from Palmers. And let’s not get started on the sweets: Bread Pudding, Snow Balls, Pralines, Key Lime Pie, Roman Taffy and my ultimate favorite, the Mango Freeze.

Yvette Landry – I started playing music in 2004 and my first time playing Jazz Fest was in 2005. I played with the Lafayette Rhythm Devils. I’m pretty sure I played there consecutively with LRD, Bonsoir Catin or Balfa Toujours from 2005-2009. In 2010, I played my first gig as Yvette Landry. I performed on the Lagniappe Stage. My first CD, Should Have Known, had just been released and was getting a little bit of attention. I have to say, performing as a bass player is WAAAAY different than fronting your own band with your own songs! I was so nervous. But something happened that day, something I will never forget.  I began playing “Dead and Gone,” a song from my CD, and the crowd started singing along! At first, I couldn’t wrap my brain around where all these voices were coming from. I had my eyes closed, because of my nerves, and when I opened them, there was a group of women – standing in the front of the stage, singing every word, passionately! It was mind-blowing! I guess I never imagined that people would know my songs and would sing along. THAT was a memorable moment for sure.

My second, and equally favorite moment, was on April 30, 2014. My son Trevor Landry, who became my drummer the year before, turned 21 the day of our Jazz Fest performance. We were playing the Samsung Stage, you know, the massive stage with the huge Jumbo-trons. Well, our set was amazing, and at the end, while we were playing our last song, I introduced the band. Each member got a solo. When it came time to introduce my son, I said to the crowd, “And there, on the drums, he turns 21 today, my son, Trevor Landry!”  Before my eyes, a sea of people simultaneously raised their arms and voices in this huge swell and yell. The cameraman went directly to Trevor as he took his solo. His face and drum solo was plastered on every Jumbo-tron at that stage. Thousands of people cheering for my boy. I’ve never been so proud in all of my life! I remember on the drive home telling him, “I may not be the best Mom in the world, but I just jumped up 10 points on the “Coolest Mom Scale!”

Food recommendation: It’s all good, but before you leave, treat yourself to a Mango Freeze at the WWOZ booth. It’s a perfect ending to cool you down after a day of Louisiana Jazz Fest fun.

Below is a day-by-day of artist to check out, including our choice of Glide Artist Of The Day, a local performer we think are very much worth catching.

WEEKEND ONE: April 27, 28 & 29

Friday: Lukas Nelson & The Promise Of The Real, Sturgill Simpson, Yvette Landry, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Alexis & The Samurai, Eric Lindell, Jake Shimabukuro, UNO Jazz Guitar Ensemble, Spencer Bohren & The Whippersnappers, Sting and Arianne Keelan.

Glide Artist Of The Day: Samantha Fish

Saturday: Rod Stewart, Big Freedia, Sonny Landreth, Charles Lloyd & The Marvels with special guest Lucinda Williams, the Last Bandoleros, Common, Eddie Cotton and the Tribute To Fats Dominio featuring Bonnie Raitt, Jon Batiste, Irma Thomas & more.

Glide Artist Of The Day: Bonerama

Sunday: John Mayall, Jon Batiste with the Dap-Kings, Quiana Lynell, Vishten of Canada, Tab Benoit, Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes, NOCCA Jazz Ensemble, Lil Nathan & The Zydeco Big Timers, Socks In The Frying Pan, David Byrne & Amanda Shaw.

Glide Artist Of The Day: Erica Falls

WEEKEND TWO: May 3, 4, 5 & 6

Thursday: Lyle Lovett & His Large Band, Clay Parker & Jodi James, Old Crow Medicine Show, Honey Island Swamp Band, John Mooney & Bluesiana and the Bantam Foxes.

Glide Artist Of The Day: Big Sam’s Funky Nation

Friday: Beck, Sheryl Crow, Ruthie Foster, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, the Maggie Belle Band and James Andrews & The Crescent City All-Stars.

Glide Artist Of The Day: Little Freddie King Blues Band

Saturday: Walter Trout, Feufollet, Cage The Elephant, Kristin Diable & The City, Cowboy Mouth, Deacon John, Kermit Ruffin’s Tribute To Louis Armstrong and Aerosmith.

Glide Artist Of The Day: The Revivalists

Sunday: Galactic, Buddy Guy, Mia Borders, Rebirth Brass Band, Jack White, Anders Osborne, Flow Tribe, Calexico, Walter Wolfman Washington & The Roadmasters, Johnny Sansone and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.

Glide Artist Of the Day: Jonathon “Boogie” Long

Also, keep in mind that the Mardi Gras Indians will be performing on different stages throughout Jazz Fest, there will be live interviews happening in the Grandstand as well as meet & greets with artists performing that day, pow wows, exhibitions, cultural exhibits and performances in the Cultural Exchange Pavilion and fun stuff for the younger ones in the Kids Tent.

For photo galleries, highlights and tweets from the grounds, follow Glide on our website, Twitter and Instgram. Be sure to #glidemagazine whenever you’re at one of our Artist Of The Day sets and let us know what you thought of them.

Ticket information, parking options, maps and other information are listed on the Jazz Fest official website, http://www.nojazzfest.com/

Live photographs by Leslie Michele Derrough