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Review and photos by Mary Andrews A massive storm Thursday morning on April 25th threatened to take over the opening day of the 50th New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival in 2019. The festivities did get to a late start, but once the clouds cleared, it was a glorious weekend. A little rain and some mud was not going to keep this spectacular show from going on.The festival is an institution dedicated to the city's culture. The food was as much of a star as the music and it was plentiful and fabulous. The beer and the daiquiris flowed freely. The people showed up in masses to partake in one of the most diverse and incredible group of entertainers in the industry. There were fourteen stages on the fairgrounds that were buzzing with continuous music from more than 300 acts. The artist lineup featured a number of performers who had been on the first bill back in 1970 including members of The Meters, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Ellis Marsalis alongside his children Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason. Standout performances came from the legendary as well as the new acts. There was literally something for everyone to enjoy.The gospel tent is always a great place to start the first day of Fest. The performers work hard to give people an uplifting experience as you go from stage to stage. The legends that we caught were Reverend Al Green, Taj Mahal, The Doobie Brothers, the O'Jays, Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison and Irma Thomas. Johnny Rivers made his first appearance at Jazz Fest. Boyfriend was a set like no other at Jazz Fest. The stage was set up with three curtain covered entrances that had scantily clad dancers emerging to the front of the stage. Elizabeth brought out every prop and lyric to create a show that was one of a kind, and bashed the societal "norms" chaining women to "manhood." Boyfriend's show was much like a cabaret about femme liberation. This is a set one must see for yourself. It was one of the most entertaining sets of the weekend. Rapper Logic gave a feel-good uplifting set while Baton Rouge native Lauren Daigle brought her A-Game on with a high energy set. Reggaeton was well represented with Columbia's J Balvin. Fans were dancing in the late afternoon sun. Ciara also stepped up the octane level with a well choreographed set. There were several tribute shows on the first weekend. The most memorable was the tribute to Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew that featured special guests Bonnie Raitt, Irma Thomas, Davell Crawford, John Cleary, and Al "Lil Fats" Jackson with the Fats Domino Orchestra. For jazz fans Gregory Porter had magical baritone vocals. Porter has admired and emulated Nat King Cole for many years, but his vocal capabilities reach far beyond Cole's. He maintains Cole's smooth delivery. Many of the songs in the set were self-penned revealing Porter's truth and experiences. The best news is we still have the second weekend of Jazz Fest coming up with Diana Ross, Dave Matthews Band, Tom Jones, Mavis Staples, Herbie Hancock, Kamasi Washington, and many more. |
 Santana |
 Santana |
 Al Green |
 Santana |
 The Revivalists |
 The Revivalists |
 Ciara |
 Ciara |
 Boz Scaggs |
 Taj Mahal |
 Taj Mahal |
 Boyfriend |
 Boyfriend |
 bonearama |
 bonearama |
 bonearama |
 Irma Thomas |
 Chairmane Neville |
 Amy Helm |
 Hurray for the Riff Raff |
 Hurray for the Riff Raff |
 Hurray for the Riff Raff |
 J Balvin |
 J Balvin |
 Gregory Porter |
 PJ Morton |
 PJ Morton |
 Maria Muldaur |
 Maria Muldaur |
 Logic |
 Leon Birds |
 Leon Birds |
 Lauren Daigle |
 Lauren Daigle |
 Lauren Daigle |
 John Cleary |
 James Andrews |
 Gregory Porter |
 Gregory Porter |
 Doobie Brothers |
 Doobie Brothers |
 Doobie Brothers |
 Indigo Girls |
 Tab Benoit |
 Bleachers |
 Aloe Black |
 Aloe Black |
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