This year’s New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival began its two-weekend run on Friday, filling the air with the sounds of R&B, rock ‘n roll, Zydeco, pop, blues, country, rap, gospel — and of course jazz.
Music fans poured into the Fair Grounds Race Course when gates opened at 11 a.m. They wandered among 14 stages or tents, many spreading blankets or tarps and setting up folding chairs, laying claim to spots where their favorite artists were to perform.
And some were dancing, particularly in front of the festival’s Fais Do-Do Stage, where Zydeco rang out, played by Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie.
Retiree Joe Hulsey of Seattle said he and his wife have spent the last four months in New Orleans. A music festival veteran, Hulsey said Jazz Fest is his favorite.
“There’s just no comparison,” he said. “It’s just one of the gems about New Orleans that I love. It’s a whole vibe.
“You can’t beat the music, the food, the music,” he said, smiling.
Food was available from dozens of booths staffed by Louisiana restaurants. There were a variety of takes on traditional Louisiana fare — numerous seafood dishes or po’boy sandwiches featuring crawfish, sausage, pork or alligator. And there were other cuisines, like pan fried noodles from the Ajun Cajun.
Friday’s music lineup included scheduled performances by Lizzo; Robert Plant & Alison Krauss; Big Freedia; Tank and The Bangas; Wu-Tang Clan + The Soul Rebels; Nicholas Payton; Mavis Staples; Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers; Charlie Musselwhite; and Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience.
It was Lizzo that drew Kalindi Cordero, of Dallas, and her best friend, Lana Zring, of Atlanta, to the festival.
“This city is just so special and when I heard Lizzo was going to be here, I started tracking the lineup and tickets and hotels and everything,” Cordero said. “It’s the city’s diversity and…
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