2012 Jazz & Heritage Festival

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival,
presented by Shell

April 27 — May 6, 2012

Jazz Fest is a 10-day cultural feast in which thousands of musicians, cooks and craftspeople welcome 400,000 visitors each year. The Festival celebrates the indigenous music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, and showcases unforgettable music on multiple stages, delicious Louisiana cuisine in two large food areas, and crafts artisans from the region and around the world demonstrating and selling their work.

Festival Schedule

First Weekend                                       Second Weekend

Friday, April 27                                     Thursday, May 3
Saturday, April 28                                 Friday, May 4
Sunday, April 29                                    Saturday, May 5
 
                                                               Sunday, May 6

Or download a .pdf of the complete Jazzfest schedule here.

More Resources

Before you head out to the festival, make sure you're prepared. We've collected some handy resources for you to get the most out of your trip to the Fairgrounds.

Jazzfest Phone Apps
Technically-savvy? Take your schedule and map on the go with the 2012 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival app, available for Android and iPhone.

Festival Website
Check out the Jazzfest website for an in-depth look at the fest, including schedules, vendors, photos, answers to frequently asked questions, and tips on parking, public transportation, and a whole lot more.

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Jazz Fest Webcast
3:43 pm
Fri May 4, 2012

Jazz Fest Webcast to Stream May 4, 5 and 6

My Morning Jacket, Bon Iver, Jimmy Buffett Acoustic, Zac Brown Band, Trombone Shorty, Bonnie Raitt, Janelle Monae, Rodrigo y Gabriela, GIVERS, Bruce Hornsby, Galactic, Preservation Hall and Friends, and many others will all be featured during the Jazz Fest webcast, which began today at 2:00 p.m.

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Jazz Fest Minutes
1:03 pm
Fri May 4, 2012

New Orleans Pianist Jesse McBride Leads Living Tribute to Harold Battiste at Jazz Fest Sunday, May 6

Top-notch New Orleans pianist Jesse McBride is a long-time friend and protege of outstanding composer, arranger, producer, educator and saxophonist Harold Battiste – and leads an all-star big band living tribute to Battiste, with special guests Germaine Bazzle and Ellis Marsalis, at Jazz Fest Sunday, May 6.

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Jazz Fest Minutes
12:44 pm
Fri May 4, 2012

Soul-Stirring Singer Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings Play Jazz Fest Sunday, May 6th

For right at a decade now Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings have been one of the most soulful and dynamic bands going. They play Jazz Fest Sunday, May 6.

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Inside the Arts
9:47 am
Thu May 3, 2012

Vocalist Ingrid Lucia has Jazz Fest Lagniappe

The second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, presented by Shell, is here.  Four days of back-to-back music in a variety of genres will fill the air at the Fair Grounds.  We go Inside the Arts for conversation with native daughter and jazz vocalist Ingrid Lucia, who performs Friday, May 4, on the Lagniappe Stage. Lucia has just produced a new CD aimed at helping local female vocalists reach new markets.

Ingrid Lucia performs Friday, May 4 at 12:25 p.m. on the Lagniappe Stage. Her new CD is Ingrid Lucia presents New Orleans Female Vocalists.

Louisiana Eats!
4:20 pm
Wed May 2, 2012

Stories from The Track

Trombone Shorty graces the center of this year's official Jazzfest poster.

Terrance Osborne, the creator of this year's official New Orleans' Jazz & Heritage Festival poster, discusses his creative process, his ties to New Orleans, and his favorite foods at the fairgrounds. Plus, mixologist Chris McMillian explains the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, the mint julep.

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Jazz Fest Minutes
1:26 pm
Wed May 2, 2012

Great Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon to Bring "Hello Pops" Louis Armstrong Tribute to Jazz Fest May 4th

Wycliffe Gordon is one of the world's finest trombonists - a talented trumpeter - and gifted vocalist.  Wycliffe Gordon brings his acclaimed "Hello Pops" tribute to Louis Armstrong to Jazz Fest Friday, May 4th...

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Jazz Fest Minutes
1:57 pm
Tue May 1, 2012

Great Pianist and Composer Herbie Hancock Plays Jazz Fest with His Quartet Saturday, May 5th

Herbie Hancock is one of the world's finest pianists – and a great composer.  He plays Jazz Fest with his quartet Saturday, May 5.

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Photo Gallery
6:42 pm
Mon April 30, 2012

Jazz Fest in Pictures

WWNO was out at the Jazz Fest all weekend long! Take a look at the photo gallery to the left for a peek at some of the sights we ran across at the Fairgrounds.

Jazz Fest Minutes
3:15 pm
Mon April 30, 2012

Iguanas to Debut New "Sin to Sin" CD at Jazz Fest Thursday, May 3rd

For over 20 years now Rod Hodges, Joe Cabral and the Iguanas have lured listeners onto the dance floor with their intoxicating blend of blues and Latin grooves.  Catch them playing music from their new CD Sin to Sin at Jazz Fest Thursday, May 3.

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Jazz Fest
10:20 am
Mon April 30, 2012

Springsteen Packs Them in for Jazz Fest

Bruce Springsteen has closed out the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival with a 2 ½-hour show that combined crowd-pleasers such as "Born to Run" with the cover tune of his new CD, "Wrecking Ball."

Fans began staking out spots when the Fair Grounds opened at 11 a.m. Sunday, rushing from the entrance gates to spread blankets and set up chairs close to the stage. By the time Springsteen stepped on stage fans were stretched around the fairgrounds track, some standing 10 to 12 people deep.

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