New Orleans’ WWOZ is turning lemons into lemonade next weekend when Jazz Fest was originally scheduled before being postponed and ultimately cancelled. The radio station will be broadcasting eights days of eight hours of programming dedicated to the best of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival from the archives. Every day will kick off at 11am and run to 7pm, just like your normal fairgrounds schedule!
Pull out your festival shirts, hats, flags, chairs and get ready to celebrate the best of New Orleans music from your backyard, your front porch or your air-conditioned living room-anywhere in the world!
According to the organizers, the schedule will include archival Jazz Fest performances from Fats Domino, The Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas, Allen Toussaint, Henry Butler, Marcia Ball, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Trombone Shorty, Kermit Ruffins, John Boutte, The Radiators, Big Freedia, Ernie K-Doe, Ellis Marsalis, Danny Barker, The Rebirth Brass Band, Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, and many other jazz, blues, cajun, and zydeco artists. They’ll also be airing the rarely heard “Fire Benefit” from 1974 featuring Professor Longhair, The Wild Magnolias, and Dr. John.
The eight-day broadcast will also include interview segments highlighting the music, food, crafts, and heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana to give the feeling of a wide-reaching cultural festival. We will also be sharing recipes for some of your favorite Jazz Fest cuisine, and also help you connect with local festival food and craft vendors.
Tune in April 23-26 and April 30-May 3.
UPDATE: the scheduled was released.
