To make the most of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, it's best to make a plan. There's so much to see and do and eat, it can be overwhelming. Here's a list of the best of the best by days.
Don't forget to keep up you strength by eating some of the best New Orleans food around.
1. Friday, April 24, 2009
Sharon Keating (c) 2005
Jazz Fest is the place to be on the last weekend of April, and the first weekend of May in New Orleans.
Jazz Fest gets off to a great start this year with Joe Cocker, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave, Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters, and the New Orleans Night Crawlers Brass Band.
2. Saturday, April 25 2009
On Saturday of the first weekend you can hear James Taylor, The Dixie Cups, Irma Thomas, Pete Fountain, Paul Sanchez and the Rolling Road Show, Ingrid Lucia, Rebirth Brass Band, and The Imagination Movers, just to name a few.3. Sunday, April 26 2009
Sunday of the first weekend features Sonny Landreth, Etta James, Better Than Ezra Dave Matthews Band, Earth Wind and Fire, and the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band.
Have fun, and rest up for next weekend because it starts on Thursday.
4. Thursday, April 30 2009
Opening the second weekend of Jazz Fest will be Emmylou Harris, Nicholas Payton, Ronnie Cole, Delfeayo Marsallis and the Little Freddie King Blues Band.5. Friday, May 1 2009
Bonnie Raitt, Tony Bennett, The Iguanas, The James Rivers Movement and Marcia Ball are just a few of the acts scheduled for Friday of the second weekend.6. Saturday, May 2 2009
Be sure to see Bon Javi, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, The Preservation Jazz Band, Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra on Saturday.7. Sunday, May 3 2009
It has always a been a tradition that the Neville Brothers close out Jazz Fest. But this year The Radiators will also be on at the same time. Tough choice. Before that see Alan Toussaint, Jeremy Davenport, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, Big Chief Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolia Mardi Gras Indians.
For the full schedule go to the Jazz Fest Website.