New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: A Photo Essay

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is the grandest of all American music festivals. Each year I attend, and am rejuvenated by the always amazing array of musical talent. The music of New Orleans is anchored by the great New Orleans musical families, such as Barbarin, Lastie, Boutte, Harrison, French, Marsalis, and Batiste. The accompanying photos are from this year's festival, and include members of these families.

Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews: Troy has become a monster trumpet player.


Jason Marsalis: performing in tribute to Max Roach.



Diana Krall: a pleasure to watch and listen to.



Kermit Ruffins: lighting things up at his new club, Sidney's Saloon, with Herlin Riley sitting in on drums.



Herlin Riley: a drum giant and member of the Lastie family.



Bob French: legendary drummer holding court outside Sidney's Saloon.



Donald Harrison: aside from being an important musical figure, he is Big Chief of the Congo Nation mardi gras Indian tribe.





Stevie Wonder and his daughter Aisha Morris: Stevie electrified the crowd, and showed some jazz chops by playing Giant Steps and by accompanying his daughter who sang "Save Your Love For Me," which Stevie noted was recorded by Nancy Wilson with Cannonball Adderley.



John Boutte: dynamic performer and hometown favorite.



Pinettes Brass Band: these ladies hold their own with the every expanding brass band competition in New Orleans.



Jonathan Batiste: a tremendous young pianist.



Carlos Santana celebrated the return of the Neville Brothers band to New Orleans by joining them on stage.



Aaron Neville: Aaron conveyed (both in his solo gospel performance, and as part of the festival closing set by the Neville Brothers) deep emotion related to his first post-Katrina return to his native New Orleans.

Photo Credit

Joel A. Siegel