The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, often simply called Jazz Fest, is one of the most iconic and culturally rich music festivals in the United States. It celebrates the music, culture, and cuisine of New Orleans and Louisiana, with a special emphasis on jazz, blues, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, R&B, funk, and other regional music styles.
Attendees enjoy music from local, regional, national and for many years now, even international artists. Artisans and craftspeople offer unique works across all media, including the annual limited edition Jazz Fest poster. And hungry patrons more than willingly endure long lines for a taste of Fest staples like crawfish bread, white chocolate bread pudding and Crawfish Monica.
Here's a deep dive into its history and evolution:
Origins and Founding (1970)
- Founded by: George Wein, a jazz impresario and founder of the Newport Jazz Festival, was invited by the New Orleans Hotel Motel Association to create a music festival that would attract visitors.
- Vision: Unlike other commercial music festivals, Wein envisioned a festival rooted in local culture, with a strong sense of community and heritage.
- First Festival (April 22–26, 1970):
- Held in Louis Armstrong Park, then known as Beauregard Square.
- Attendance: Around 350 people—it was small, but symbolically powerful.
- Featured artists included Mahalia Jackson, Duke Ellington, The Meters, Fats Domino, and Al Hirt.
Growth and Relocation (1970s–1980s)
- 1972: The festival moved to the Fair Grounds Race Course, its permanent home since then. This allowed for major expansion in size and layout.
- 1975: The first of the limited edition silkscreen posters debuted.
- Cultural Expansion: The addition of crafts, food, and folklife villages broadened the scope beyond music, showcasing local artists, chefs, and craftspeople.
- 1970s–1980s: Gradual rise in popularity. Jazz Fest began to incorporate more genres including blues, rock, Cajun, and zydeco.
Institutionalization and Global Recognition (1980s–1990s)
- Jazz & Heritage Foundation: A non-profit organization created to own the festival and reinvest its proceeds into the community through educational and cultural programming.
- Jazz Fest became known internationally as a must-see cultural event, drawing tens of thousands of tourists annually.
- Notable performers over the years included:
- The Neville Brothers (a perennial favorite and festival closer for years)
- Dr. John
- Aaron Neville
- Irma Thomas
- The Radiators
- Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis
Modern Expansion and Headliners (2000s–2010s)
- The festival began booking mainstream rock and pop acts alongside its traditional lineup, including:
- Bruce Springsteen
- The Rolling Stones (booked in 2015 but canceled due to illness, eventually appeared in 2024)
- Paul Simon
- Elton John
- Stevie Wonder
- Multiple stages and tents were developed, including the Gospel Tent, Blues Tent, and Jazz Tent—each with its own unique vibe.
- The Congo Square Stage honors the African roots of New Orleans music.
- Attendance numbers grew to over 400,000 people annually.
Cultural and Educational Mission
- Through the Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the festival funds:
- Music education programs
- Heritage School of Music
- Community grants
- Cultural preservation efforts
- The foundation also operates WWOZ 90.7 FM, a beloved New Orleans community radio station.
Challenges and Resilience
- Hurricane Katrina (2005):
- Jazz Fest 2006 went ahead as planned, becoming a symbol of resilience and healing for the city.
- Many locals considered that year's fest one of the most emotional and meaningful.
- COVID-19 Pandemic (2020–2021):
- Jazz Fest was canceled for two consecutive years, the first cancellations in its history.
- Returned in 2022 with massive crowds and renewed energy.
Jazz Fest Today
- Held over two weekends in late April and early May.
- Continues to celebrate local culture, with a blend of international stars and New Orleans legends.
- Not just a concert—Jazz Fest is a cultural immersion, with:
- Over 70 food vendors offering local specialties (crawfish bread, cochon de lait po’boys, pralines)
- Multiple arts & crafts areas
- A Fais Do-Do stage dedicated to Cajun and zydeco music
- Cultural exchanges, second lines, Mardi Gras Indians, and more
Quint Davis: Architect of Jazz Fest’s Soul
Early Involvement (1970)
- Quint Davis was involved from the very first Jazz Fest in 1970.
- A Tulane University student at the time, he worked under festival founder George Wein as an apprentice and stage manager.
- Though Wein was the original mastermind, Davis quickly emerged as the key cultural liaison between the formal organization and the local New Orleans music community.
Cultural Visionary
- Davis helped recruit local acts and traditional performers from all over Louisiana — Mardi Gras Indians, gospel choirs, second-line brass bands, and rural Creole musicians — who might otherwise have been left out of a more commercial festival model.
- He was instrumental in grounding Jazz Fest in authentic Louisiana culture, resisting pressure to make it just another mainstream music festival.
Festival Director and Producer
- Eventually, Davis took over as Executive Producer and became the public face of the festival.
- Under his guidance, the fest:
- Expanded to two weekends
- Booked international superstars alongside New Orleans cultural icons
- Added stages like the Fais Do-Do, Congo Square, and Gospel Tent
- Emphasized local cuisine and crafts as central to the experience
Balancing Global and Local
- Davis has long walked the fine line between commercial growth and cultural preservation. He introduced megastar acts (like Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, and The Rolling Stones), but always ensured that local heritage remained central.
- He famously said, “Jazz Fest is not a music festival. It’s a cultural festival.”
Post-Katrina Leadership
- After Hurricane Katrina, Davis was a rallying figure. He ensured that Jazz Fest 2006 took place, providing a crucial sense of normalcy and community during recovery.
Legacy and Recognition
- Quint Davis is now widely recognized as the spiritual and operational force behind Jazz Fest for over 50 years.
- He also runs Festival Productions, Inc.–New Orleans, which produces Jazz Fest and other events.
- In interviews and documentaries, his deep knowledge of Louisiana music and his passion for cultural preservation have made him a revered figure in both music and heritage circles.
While George Wein laid the foundation, Quint Davis built the house — and turned it into a cathedral of Louisiana culture. Without his deep local knowledge, passion, and tireless advocacy, Jazz Fest wouldn’t be what it is today.
Legacy
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is more than a music event—it's a living archive of Louisiana’s cultural diversity, blending African, Caribbean, French, Spanish, and Native American influences. It’s one of the few festivals in the world that so fully reflects the spirit of its host city.