T: Is for moving your body and Soul

In 1998 I went with some friends to New Orleans. During the trip I went to the Zoo and they were having a singing/songwriting competition so I entered and won. Thus began my love with the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. So when March rolls around I begin to crave craw fish Po boys, infusion of jazz and chicory coffee. This year more so than ever. After the wake of Katrina, New Orleans can not only use our support financially but emotionally in gaining back a celebration of music which makes New Orleans a place to cherish. "Jazz Fest is an invitation to move your body and your soul," which is this years saying. This year they're presenting more music than ever. Annually drawing tens of thousands of fans during each of its six days of activities. Back in 1970 Mahalia Jackson, Fats Domino, The Meters and Duke Ellington appeared at the first festial which drew only 350 people where about half were musicians and other participants in the event. This spontaneous, momentous scene—this meeting of jazz and heritage—has stood for decades since unparalleled. With a Food Fair offering more than 100 varieties of authentic Louisiana cuisine and a stunning array of one-of-a-kind crafts available around the grounds it is a slice on New Orleans at its best. This list of peformers this year is impressive with Norah Jones, John Mayer, Van Morrison, Rod Stewart, Steely Dan, John Legend with Harry Conick Jr closing the festval. Below are four reasons if you haven't been to the festival why you should attend.
Accordionist Buckwheat Zydeco and his band's music is a blend of traditional Louisiana bayou Creole Zydeco with Afro-Caribbean rhythm and blues, soul, and rock. Ever since Stanley Joseph Dural, Jr. formed Buckwheat Zydeco and his Sont Partis 20 years ago, audiences around the world have rocked, rolled, and frolicked in waves of ragin’ Cajun calamity. I first saw The Iguanas at Tip and Tina’s. Infused with a Latin and Caribbean flare, mixing in R&B, blues and jazz when they play one cannot stop dancing. Formed in 1989 by guitarist/accordionist Rod Hodges and Joe Cabral, who alternate between sax and a traditional Mexican stringed instrument known as the bajo sexto. These two also share lead vocal. Bassist Rene Coman, drummer Doug Garrison and saxophonist Derek Huston round out the group. If you have never seen the Iguana’s I suggest you do so. What makes them unique is their drummer, playing a drum that looks like a tambourine. The sounds; rhythms and beats he brings out are astounding. Against all odds, The Radiators have kept their original line up together for 25 years, bringing their New Orleans-infused blend of swamp rock and rhythm and blues to fans throughout the United States and Europe. With a constantly changing "book" of more than 300 original songs, as well as covers, The Radiators never play the same show twice. As a result, they are followed around the country by a devoted group of "fishheads". Last but not least and one of the posters for this years event ReBirth Brass Band is an institution. Formed in 1983, they conquered the streets of New Orleans and moved on to theaters and festivals all over the world. ReBirth is committed to upholding the tradition of brass bands while at the same time incorporating modern grooves. Their signature brand of heavy funk has garned them 10 albums. Touring the world when it comes to NY they sell out the Knitting Factory. To see these bands as well as over 500 more groups go to www.nojazzfest.com . The 38th annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will commence April 27-29 and May 4-6 and the price for a weekend ticket? An unheard of $35 and that is a F.A.C.T.