New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival through the years

My daughter Katie playing in a pirogue at the children's section at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, 2009

Jazz Fest is one of my favorite destinations for an immersion of music, food & culture. There are always big mainstream acts who play but I always head for the smaller stages; and with about 10-11 stages of music happening during the day you certainly have your choice of music! Jazz (classic, contemporary), zydeco, cajun, blues, folk, gospel, country, rock, R&B, Mardi Gras Indians...there is a lot to take in.

Our last trip was 2009 with our then 6 year old daughter.  Our previous time there was 1999 pre-marriage:

The only thing we had to worry about was how much water we drink in relation to the beer that day. :)  But having a child changes one's approach. Katie seemed to like the Kids area at Jazz Fest... A LOT.  We spent a lot of time there and missed some of the other tents but I was still ok with it as I enjoyed watching my daughter enjoy herself. I didn't even think of going to jazz fest two days; one was enough for Katie and we had a great time during our non-Jazz Fest day doing the museums/aquarium.

Here are a few other photos from 2009. 

- Elizabeth & Katie walking through Congo Square.

- The Gospel tent in full swing.

- Katie holding onto her hat as we walk.

 

What I might end up looking like years from now:

If Found Return to Economy Hall, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

On the way to Jazz fest in the bus:

Aubry, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Inside one of the heritage tents:

Greetings from Jazz Fest, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Here is a photo of The Capri Motel where I stayed for Jazz Fest in 1992. It had its "charm":

Capri Motel, New Orleans 1992, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Here are some Jazz Fest images from 1996 which feature one of the second line parades (and anyone can join) which happen during the fest:

Jazz Fest Second Line, 1996, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.
Taken during this second line parade at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, 1996.

Jazz Fest, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.
Taken during this second line parade at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, 1996.

April, 1996 - Second Line, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.
Taken during this second line parade at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, 1996.

2nd Line, April 1996, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr. Note: this was scanned from the original darkroom print using Luminos paper (the company is no longer in business I hear - are they now owned by Kentmere or were they two totally separate companies?); this photo was not photoshopped but looking back at the print it looks like I went a bit far in burning in the sky. Ah, those old darkroom days. :) Taken during this second line parade at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, 1996.

This moment of happiness was at the Cajun/Zydeco stage:

Jazz Fest Enjoyment, 1996, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Since the atmosphere is casual, one can just break into a spontaneous run/dance in the tents such as this at the Lagniappe Tent:

Lagniappe Tent, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.