The first Jazz Fest since 2019 returns to New Orleans

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival finally returns to the Fairgrounds Friday after being silenced by the pandemic, and with headliners like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Willie Nelson, Stevie Nicks, and Erykah Badu; JazzFest Producer Quint Davis said the one thing he’s looking forward to the most is the audience.

“When that gate opens and people come in here and bring this festival back to life, that’s the moment I’m waiting for,” said Davis.

With opening weekend competing with Festival International, Garth Brooks, and the State Fair, Davis said he’s not sure attendance records will be broken but he is positive once the gates open it will be memorable, similar to the first JazzFest after Katrina, but this time it’s been absent for three years.

“I mean those three years, which everybody experienced, they were really long and the festival’s back,” said Davis.

And not only is JazzFest going to be memorable for the crowd this year, Davis said it’s going to be extremely special for the musical acts also. He said they were overwhelmed with requests to play the festival this year.

“You know the artists they were out of commission for those couple of years too. So, they’re really eager to get back to the festival and get up in front of live people,” said Davis.

JazzFest will take place over seven days, beginning April 29^th to May 1^st and then on May 5^th until the 8^th.  For more information visit NOjazzfest.com.