New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is about to start the second weekend of it's programming. Starting this Thursday, April 30th, some of the big draws will be Nicholas Payton, George Wein and the Newport All-Stars (featuring Anat Cohen, Esperanza Spalding, et. al.), Dirty Dozen and Rebirth Brass Bands, John Scofield and Piety Street Band, and Kurt Elling.

At many large festivals this year, jazz seems to be somewhat secondary to more popular music styles. In New Orleans, jazz acts are sprinkled into to a lineup of performances by Bonnie Raitt, Neil Young, and Bon Jovi. This has prompted some jokes revolving around the url of the festival's website, "nojazzfest.com."

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