Thousands of festival-goers gathered in New Orleans this past weekend for the start of the 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The first weekend was a huge success, full of amazing music, food, and absolutely beautiful weather. Every year, thousands of people travel from far and wide to experience the culture of the Crescent City first hand. The shows at the Fair Grounds were nothing short of phenomenal, but any seasoned Jazz Fest veteran will tell you, in true N'awlins culture, it’s all about the after party.
Once again, Backbeat Presents is hosting their annual Jazz Fest series to keep the party going after-hours. Bonerama’s 2:00am performance at Tipitina’s French Quarter last Friday, April 29th was the epitome of a New Orleans late-night party. Special guests included guitarist and NOLA native, John Fohl, Tab Benoit playing drums and guitar, and Asher Ross on trombone. For video of this show, click here. Also performing last weekend were The Wood Brothers, Jon Cleary & The Original Absolute Monster Gentlemen, and NOLA Live Music Blog’s recently named Artist of the Month, Marco Benevento. Most notably, the Radiators headlined multiple performances throughout the weekend, one of which was a mostly acoustic show at Le Petit Theatre, with another at the recently established music venue, The Temple.
The party continues this weekend at the Blue Nile, Tipitina’s French Quarter, 12 Bar, Le Petit Theatre, and The Temple, with another amazing weekend full of musicians peppered throughout the NOLA late-night music scene. Keep an eye for Bill Kreutzmann, Steve Kimock, Henry Butler, Cyril Neville’s Nevillution, Aaron Neville, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Tab Benoit’s Swampland Jam, and George Porter & Runnin’ Pardners.
For full Backbeat Presents Jazz Fest series listing, visit www.backbeatpresents.com. If you’re one of the many who just couldn’t make it down to Louisiana this year, you can stream performances from Jazz Fest on May 7th and 8th. We’re psyched for this weekend and hope to see you there!
