The early Jazz Fests were more intimate-- here's a shot of the audience sitting in front of the stage in 1971 by John Messina, courtesy of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Archive. This is in Congo Square, the site of the first two festivals. In honor of Jazz Fest's 50th ... Read more

Leyla McCalla on the Lagniappe Stage on May 5, 2017. Photo by Bill Sasser. In honor of Jazz Fest's 50th anniversary in 2019, we're featuring a Jazz Fest photo of the day with our audience. Keep your eyes here, and at our Jazz Fest 50 page, all year long to see them, plus ... Read more

Greeting Stage 5 at the "Louisiana Heritage Fair" (now more commonly known as Jazz Fest) in 1973, the festival's second year at the Fairgrounds. Photo by John Messina, courtesy of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Archive.  In honor of Jazz Fest's 50th anniversary in 2019, ... Read more

Mr. Okra set up near the Jazz & Heritage Stage on April 29, 2017. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee.  In honor of Jazz Fest's 50th anniversary in 2019, we're featuring a Jazz Fest photo of the day with our audience. Keep your eyes here, and at our Jazz Fest 50 page, all year... Read more

Savoy Family Cajun Band on the Fais Do Do Stage at Jazz Fest, May 6, 2017. Photo by Bill Sasser. In honor of Jazz Fest's 50th anniversary in 2019, we're featuring a Jazz Fest photo of the day with our audience. Keep your eyes here, and at our Jazz Fest 50 page, all year ... Read more

Lunch time at Jazz Fest on April 26, 2013! Photo by David Stafford. In honor of Jazz Fest's 50th anniversary in 2019, we're featuring a Jazz Fest photo of the day with our audience. Keep your eyes here, and at our Jazz Fest 50 page, all year long to see them, plus more ce... Read more

WWOZ show host Sally Young has long been connected to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. She began volunteering with the festival as a teenager. One of her duties was driving artists-- listen in to hear her wild story of bringing Lightnin' Hopkins to the Fairgrounds. Read more

This very emotional set in the first post-Katrina Jazz Fest has been called a high point in the entire history of the festival. Read more

Loretta Harrison, founder and owner of Loretta's Authentic Pralines, talks about being a food vendor at Jazz Fest for over 40 years and how deeply the festival has impacted her life. This feature is part of WWOZ's Jazz Fest at 50 Flashback series.  Read more

Eureka Brass Band, 1971. Photo by John Messina, courtesy of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Archive.  In honor of Jazz Fest's 50th anniversary in 2019, we're featuring a Jazz Fest photo of the day with our audience. Keep your eyes here, and at our Jazz Fest 50 page, all ... Read more