One of the great traditions of spring is the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival that takes place over 8 days in late April and early May. As with so many events this year, it was cancelled due to the pandemic. But WWOZ Radio – the radio station of New Orleans, has come up with a great alternative. Festing in Place takes place on the same Thursdays – Sundays when this year’s JazzFest was to take place.
Festing in Place begins Thursday, April 23rd and continues through Sunday, April 26th. WWOZ will broadcast performances from the JazzFest archives between the hours of 11AM CDT/9 AM PDT – 7 PM CDT/5 PM PDT. They will do the same thing next week for what would have been the second weekend.
How can you listen to Festing in Place? You can stream it via devices like Alexa and Hey Google by asking to hear WWOZ Radio. You can download the WWOZ app to your phone or you can go their website and listen there.
This weekend has multiple highlights. All times listed are CDT. They include:
Thursday, April 23rd:
12:00 PM – Ella Fitzgerald featuring Stevie Wonder from 1977
2:00 PM – Bonnie Raitt from 2009
2:30 PM – Rebirth Brass Band from 2009
4:30 PM – Brian Blade from 2010
6:00 PM – Fats Domino from 2001
Friday, April 24th:
11:00 AM – Aaron Neville from 2014
11:30 AM – Dianne Reeves from 2013
2:00 PM – Dirty Dozen Brass Band from 2004
4:00 PM – Ellis Marsalis
6:00 PM – Irma Thomas from 2006
Saturday, April 25th:
1:00 PM – Buckwheat Zydeco from 2003
4:00 PM – Hugh Masekela from 1999
6:00 PM – Dr. John from 2006
Sunday, April 26th:
12:00 PM – Soul Rebels
2:30 PM – Jason Marsalis from 2013
3:00 PM – Clarence Frogman Henry
5:00 PM – Gregory Porter from 2014
6:00 PM – Trombone Shorty from 2010
There are several spots listed on the schedule as TBA. Who knows what surprises might lurk there! Full details are available at WWOZ’s website.
Check back next week when we will offer a preview of week #2 of Festing in Place.
Photo of Trombone Shorty at the 50th annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival courtesy of the festival’s Facebook Page.