With so many amazing acts on so many stages at Jazz Fest, it can be a bit overwhelming to pick and choose who you want to see, and even easier to miss a great act that you've never heard of. To that end, we've got a few of your WWOZ show hosts to the rescue with their top picks for Jazz Fest 2015.
Jelly Roll Justice, host of "Overnight Jazz" (W/F 3am-6am) and "Jazz From the French Market" (Th 4pm-7pm)
Top 3 picks:
Monty Alexander
Christian McBride w/Dianne Reeves
The Meters
Nita Ketner, host of "New Orleans Music Show" from 11am-2pm on Thursdays
First, I'd like to encourage all Fest goers to check out as many New Orleans acts as possible, especially the ones who do not tour on a regular basis. Unfortunately, I can only pick three out of the hundreds of artists performing. I could have easily done a top 10 or 20!
Allen Toussaint: The quintessential Southern gentleman never disappoints. Last year his set on the Acura Stage was shorter than usual to accommodate Bruce Springsteen's marathon, 3-hour set. Placing him on the Gentilly Stage should give the man plenty of time to showcase his ace band, including the wonderful Renard Poche on guitar (and flute!), and make for an elegant opening for Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga. (Sunday, April 26; Gentilly Stage, 3:25 pm)
Juvenile and Mannie Fresh: Some may question what place this duo has at a "Jazz Fest," but let's not forget that this event was also created to present music from the Crescent City. That said, these born and bred New Orleanians are sure to deliver an unapologetic, over-the-top performance that might be the most talked about set of the Fest. (Saturday, April 25; Congo Square, 2:05 pm)
Chicago: Any regular listener to my (Thursday) New Orleans Music Show knows I'm crazy about horns. That passion was ignited when, as a rock & roll-swamped Midwestern youth, Chicago's powerhouse blast of brass threatened to blow out my tiny transistor radio. With several founding members still onboard, this could be the set heard round the city! (Friday, May 1; Gentilly Stage, 5:30 pm)
Missy Bowen, host of "Blues and R&B" from 7-10pm on Thursdays
Three acts that visitors should see:
Alexey Marti and Latin Urban Minds
Lost Bayou Ramblers
Woodenhead
Three acts for blues fans:
John Mooney
Sonny Landreth
Royal Southern Brotherhood and/or Johnny Sansone
Three acts that I want to see:
Jerry Lee Lewis. Acura Stage, May 2. The Killer. We’ve had good luck with octogenarians. Maybe Elton John should pack a fire extinguisher.
Carolyn Wonderland and Delbert McClinton, performing back-to-back, Blues Tent April 26
Robert Bilbo Walker and the California Dolls, Blues Tent, April 30
Three acts that will surprise you:
Helen Gillet
The Wee Trio
OperaCreole
Three JazzFest approaches:
Throw away the Cubes
Go off the beaten path and catch the Alison Miner interviews and Kids Tent (check out the Swing Setters!)
Do an early morning-mid-day stage sweep to catch local artists
Russell Shelton, host of "The Morning Set" from 6am-9am on Mondays
Nicholas Payton, Snarky Puppy, Vieux Farka Toure, Shovels & Rope, Kenny Garrett, Angelique Kidjo, Trumpet Mafia, Cedric Watson, Erica Falls, Galactic with Macy Gray, Germaine Bazzle, Astral Project, Charles Lloyd, Taj Mahal, Blind Boys of Alabama, and so many more...
Jim Hobbs, host of the Cajun and Zydeco show from 12-2pm on Sundays
Friday, April 24: Wayne Toups, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, The Revelers (swamp pop), Mia Borders, Brass-A-Holics, Jimmy Cliff, Lars Edegran & the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra, Magnolia Sisters, Tom McDermott & Friends, Ann Savoy & Jane Vidrine (Magnolia Sisters) interview with Ben Sandmel.
Saturday, April 25: Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys, Vieux Farke Touré, New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, Angelique Kidjo interview.
Sunday, April 26: BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet 40th anniversary with special guests, Savoy Family Cajun Band, Jeffrey Broussard & the Creole Cowboys, Ray Abshire Cajun Band, Irma Thomas, Angelique Kidjo, John Mooney & Bluesiana, Creole String Beans, Michael & David Doucet interview with Mark DeWitt.
Thursday, April 30: Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole, Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys, Joe Hall & the Louisiana Cane Cutters, Bonerama, Lil' Buck Sinegal Blues Band, Steve Riley interview with Michael Tisserand.
Friday, May 1: Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Jambalaya Cajun Band with D. L. Menard, Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners, Dirty Dozen, Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Hot Club of New Orleans, Dr. John interview with Dr. Bruce Raeburn.
Saturday, May 2: Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, Roddie Romero & the Hub City Allstars, Corey Ledet & His Zydeco Band, Bonsoir, Catin, Clive Wilson's New Orleans Serenaders with Butch Thompson, Taj Mahal Trio, Helen Gillet, Corey Ledet interview with Herman Fuselier.
Sunday, May 3: Buckwheat Zydeco, Pine Leaf Boys, FeuFollet, Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band, Dr. John, Steve Winwood, Buddy Guy, Don Vappe and the Creole Jazz Serenaders, Stooges Brass Band, Fredy Omar con Su Banda, Bobby Lounge.
Leslie Cooper, host of "Traditional Jazz" from 9am-11am on Tuesdays
Saturday, April 25: Banu Gibson with Students from NOCCA and New Orleans Traditional Jazz Camp. 3:05-4:00 Economy Hall
Sunday, April 26: Sweet Crude 12:20-1:10 Fais Do-Do stage
Thursday, April 30: Phillip Manuel Swings the Beatles 4:00-5:00 Jazz Tent
Saturday, May 2: You should never miss Geramine Bazzle 1:30-2:20
