NEW ORLEANS NOSTALGIA Remembering New Orleans History, Culture and Traditions

Home , Aaron Neville, Dumpstaphunk, Earl King, Ivan Neville, Pete Fountain

By Ned Hémard

Ode To Jazz Fest

New Orleans is where Jazz was born And Louis Armstrong blew his horn. Our artists are the very best, So it made sense to have a Fest.

The first one was in Congo Square, Where soulful music filled the air. Mahalia Jackson made the scene, The undisputed Gospel Queen.

Duke Ellington and Mahalia Jackson at the first Jazz Fest, 1970

The late Pete Fountain was there, too, And very soon this Jazz Fest grew. The coolest posters out each year And beaucoup bands for you to hear.

Pete Fountain

For such success, we thank you, Quint, Through such a long and lasting stint, In making happy such a throng When little things can all go wrong.

Tents and stages, what a crowd! A thrill to sing those songs out loud. Local favorites through the years, Longhair, K-Doe, they brought cheers.

Allen Toussaint, Irma, Fats, Dr. John and all “dem cats”, Street parade and second line, It’s “All These Things” that make you mine.

Irma Thomas

The best in music, every style, Jazz and Cajun makes us smile. Blues and Gospel, yesiree, Rock and Country, R & B.

Island Riddims, fast and slow, Latin, Folk and Zydeco, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk; But don’t get sunburned, don’t get drunk.

Besides the stellar music scene, The Fest is famed for its cuisine. Its food is far beyond compare And not your frequent carny fare:

Crawfish beignets, Yaka Mein, Roast duck po-boys (dressed or plain), Jambalaya, Mango Freeze, Springs rolls à la Vietnamese.

Ernie K-Doe

Such fab food at all the stalls, Softshell crabs and boudin balls. Crawfish Monica, Gator pie, So much food for you to try.

Pheasant gumbo with Andouille, A Cajun version of Chop Suey, Chicken livers pepper-jellied, Festers now are happy-bellied.

For shoppers, you cannot deny There’s just so much for you to buy, Great arts and crafts from everywhere by artisans with so much flare.

Now this year’s lineup is the best, When Stevie Wonder plays the Fest. Just as Stevie starts to sing, “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing.”

And Aaron Neville knows his biz, He’s sure to “Tell It Like It Is” The Meters will all join in, too; In fact, the band all “Axed For You.”

Fats Domino

Beaded Chiefs all strut their stuff To rhythmic chants, can’t get enough. The Fair Grounds is where it’s all at For those of you who may speak “yat”.

So come on down for Jazz and Blues, And bring along your dancin’ shoes. “Do Watcha Wanna” but you must stay And listen to the brass bands play.

Hear Harry Connick, Junior croon Or Trombone Shorty play a tune. As Fats would say, just “Be My Guest,” And have a grand time at the Fest.

Earl King at the Fest, 20 years ago, 1997

Since Mahalia Jackson joined the second line with the Eureka Brass Band at the very first Jazz Fest in April 1970, the world has acclaimed the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival as the very best there is.

See you this year from April 28th through May 7th, 2017.

NED HÉMARD