New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, April 24

We were on the scene for the first day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April 24). The festival runs for two consecutive weekends each year. This year it was April 24,24, 26 and April 30, May 1,2,3. You can see the whole festival line-up here:
http://www.nojazzfest.com/

music fans making their way to the fairgrounds, site of the festival

Tab Benoit Band in the Blues Tent

Joe Cocker's sax player

We couldn't get close enough to the stage for a decent picture, but the music was great

The crowds: mellow for the most part

Austin Texas Indie group: Spoon

Spoon lead singer Britt Daniel

Tommy McLain performing at the Fais Do-Do Stage

Many local crafts were on display

Wynton Marsalis with Yacub Addy & Odadaa!

Custom Iron work

Drive-By Truckers with Booker T.

Dancers at the Fais Do-Do Stage, which featured Cajun and Zydeco music

Those Cajuns love to party!

Hadley Castille Family & the Sharecroppers Cajun Band

The amazing Louisiana Fiddler, 18 year old Amanda Shaw and her band, The Cute Guys.

Go to her site, scroll down to the bottom, and watch the video:

http://www.amandashaw.com/

Amanda solo

Costumes from the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club

See more here:

http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/zulu/photos/displayimage.php?album=13&pos=4

We had lots to eat

Pheasant, quail and andouille gumbo from Prejean's

eggplant with crawfish sauce
booths in the food area

Crawfish Monica

Cochon de lait Po-Boy from Love at First Bite

Props for "ritual celebrations" in Louisiana

New Orleans Night Crawlers Brass Band

Folk Art

Semolian Warriors Mardi Gras Indians parade

Arts & Crafts

Como Now, gospel Group