Nola Jazzfest 2022 Artist Predections

 So... we did this back in early 2020, and got a bunch right...then Jazzfest was canceled. Then tried again for a special October 2021 edition of Jazzfest and that was canceled as well...third times a charm for 2022? 

The lineup for the 2022 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced tomorrow but RtBE got the early scoop...

Actually no we don't...but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing.

We will exclude the brass bands and local acts (even though they are truly the main reason we go each year) including nationally touring NOLA acts like Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Funky Big Sam,  Galactic, Trombone Shorty who will all definitely be there.

Also we are obviously skipping the great jazz, blues and gospel acts who will be the foundation of the festival in their respective tents. Lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....We will focus more on locals closer to the show. 

To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.

a glimpse of LOUISIANA from Jeronimo Acero on Vimeo.

Now on to the predictions....

NOLA Jazzfest 2020, Artist Predictions

The lineup for the 2019 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced tomorrow but RtBE got the early scoop...

Actually no we don't...but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing.

We will exclude the brass bands and local acts (even though they are truly the main reason we go) including nationally touring NOLA acts like Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Big Sam,  Galactic, Trombone Shorty all the Brass Bands who will all be there.

Also we are obviously skipping the great jazz, blues and gospel acts who will be the foundation of the festival in their respective tents. Lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....We will focus more on locals closer to the show.

To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.

a glimpse of LOUISIANA from Jeronimo Acero on Vimeo.

Now on to the predictions....

NOLA Jazzfest 2021, Artist Predictions

So... we did this back in early 2020, and got a bunch right...then Jazzfest was canceled. Let's hope this one is happens and a lot of the same artists are involved. 

The lineup for the 2021 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced tomorrow but RtBE got the early scoop...

Actually no we don't...but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing.

We will exclude the brass bands and local acts (even though they are truly the main reason we go each year) including nationally touring NOLA acts like Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Funky Big Sam,  Galactic, Trombone Shorty who will all be there.

Also we are obviously skipping the great jazz, blues and gospel acts who will be the foundation of the festival in their respective tents. Lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....We will focus more on locals closer to the show. This is the first time the festival is being held in October so that changes things.

To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.

a glimpse of LOUISIANA from Jeronimo Acero on Vimeo.

Now on to the predictions....

NOLA 2023 Jazzfest Artist Predictions

The lineup for the 2023 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced tomorrow but RtBE got the early scoop...

Dylan Cover #425 Marc Stone "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" Live

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a live cover by Marc Stone playing "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry"

This month we have a special focus on artists who will be playing the 2020 Jazzfest in New Orleans. Today we highlight Marc Stone who plays this Friday, May 1st.

Unfortunately due to the outbreak of Covid19, Jazzfest has been rescheduled for October (no official date as of yet). Hopefully all of the scheduled acts are healthy and will be performing then, but since we crafted these posts before the outbreak, RtBE will still post them this month and will regroup/revisit things in the fall when (hopefully) things return to semi-normal.

Update: the 2020 version of Jazzfest has been officially canceled

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this song:
One of my favorite titled songs in the Dylan catalog, for some reason the title just nails an elusive feeling and perfectly works with the tune. Also contains multiple epic lines, my favorite being "I wanna be your lover babe/I don't wanna be your boss", AMEN brother Bob.  A pretty straight forward blues number musically that lends itself to cover attempts, leading to...

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
RtBE was unaware of Marc Stone until we heard this tune, but hope to catch some of his playing on Friday.

Thoughts on Cover:
We opened this monthly showcase of 2020 Jazzfest artists covering Dylan with a live tune from Tipitina's and we end this months showcase the same way.  Where the Honey Island Swamp Band grew to invite Alvin Youngblood Hart out to join the fun, Stone goes small and played a solo show opening for The Radiators back in 2017 at the venue during the Daze Between Jazzfest weekends. A great solo version of the tune.

Sazerwrap 2025

In years past we have delivered a Sazerwrap to catalog our personal New Orleans Jazzfest experience, so we will continue this year. 

We have reviewed some of the shows we caught already and it should be stated: Jazzfest in New Orleans is RtBE's absolute favorite time of the year. 

Full Show Friday: The Rolling Stones @ MSG, NYC 2003 Licks Tour

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...The Rolling Stones!

For April The Masters focuses on The Rolling Stones.

Every April we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. Today we will focus on The Rolling Stones who will be playing Thursday May 2nd under a tent (we shall see what that means). Get well soon Mick

The Stones were supposed to be the special guest for the 50th Anniversary of Jazzfest and for the first time ever Jazzfest actually sold out the day they will be playing. Pretty unreal, it is going to be a  special moment but also kind of the opposite of what Jazzfest does best. Either which way it will be exciting to see them down there. (Update: Due to Mick Jagger's health issues the Stones have canceled their 2019 North American tour including Jazzfest)

Here they are from 2003 playing a small venue called Madison Square Garden (no plural, no matter what the title says). This was broadcast on HBO so it is pro-shot, with pro-sound. Enjoy:

Full Show Friday: Nile Rodgers & CHIC Live Kendal Calling 2019

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Nile Rodgers & CHIC!

Every April we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. In 2021 Jazzfest is happening in October, so we will have a special Full Show Friday this month. Today we will focus on Nile Rodgers & CHIC who will be playing Friday October 15th.

Once again Jazzfest is canceled due to Covid. Hopefully it happens in April-May of 2022.

The disco funk of Nile Rodgers & CHIC will kick off our monthly focus of bands who are playing this years Jazzfest. A special October edition of Jazzfest is happening this year and it should be a hell of a two week run for the best festival in the world. 

Pro shot, pro sound, here is the 2019 set from Nile Rodgers and Chic at the Kendal Calling festival. 

Full Show Friday: The Rolling Stones in Atlantic City, NJ 12/19/89 Steel Wheels Tour

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...The Rolling Stones!

For April The Masters focuses on The Rolling Stones.

Every April we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. Today we will focus on The Rolling Stones who will be playing Thursday May 2nd under a tent (we shall see what that means).

The Stones were supposed to be the special guest for the 50th Anniversary of Jazzfest and for the first time ever Jazzfest actually sold out the day they will be playing. Pretty unreal, as it is a special moment but also kind of the opposite of what Jazzfest does best. Either which way it will be exciting to see them down there. (Update: Due to Mick Jagger's health issues the Stones have canceled their 2019 North American tour including Jazzfest)

Ahh what could have been...it is so close...in less then one week they were supposed to be playing the Fair Grounds. RtBE were giddy with anticipation. How about a concert from 1989 Steel Wheels tour, Atlantic City Convention Hall stop instead? Pro-shot, pro sound, full setlist, ENJOY: 

2014 Jazzfest Acts: Annnounced Tomorrow, Predicted Tonight

Well "predicted" may be a bit strong, no research is really going into this, perhaps wish list would be a more accurate title.  The 2014 New Orleans Jazzfest will announce it's roster of artists tomorrow, which is pretty exciting as it confirms spring is just around the corner. Like we did last year we will put together who we think will/is/should be playing the best festival in America.

OutKast:

This one is pretty much locked in right? Just hope it is the second weekend when we will be there. 

Arcade Fire:

Heard the rumors that AF will be headlining Jazzfest this year. RtBE's guess is that it will be on the Saturday Second weekend, which seems to always be the big indie band slot. I wouldn't mind catching their theatrical rock and roll live, but I may also catch an act on the second stage depending on the lineup...(which won't be announced til much closer too)

Band of Horses:

We fell in love for real's with BoH at Jazzfest 2010 so we always hope they make an appearance.

Arctic Monkeys:

I don't think this lads have ever played the fest and after the best album of their career it would be great to catch them down south.

The Hold Steady:

New album due pre-fest, new label, come on boys get down to Nola, would love to throw back a hi life with the crew in that town. 

Neil Young (electric):

There always has to be one old big name, he hasn't played the fest since 09...why not Uncle Neil and maybe you can throw the Horse in that pipe dream?
 
Really that's just a list of bands we love that are currently touring nationally. All the local bands are the real draw of the fest and acts that never leave the area, but we will give special love to one:

Rough Seven:

Gotta end with one of personal favorite NOLA acts. Here's hoping they get back on the bill...or better yet just throw down a late night get down!

We will end with, quite simply we don't care who plays.  We will love it and we will happily enjoy whoever is playing. The city has our heart, the people there are the greatest, the food/drink lives in our dreams all year and Jazzfest is the one trip we can't do without. See you, and hopefully some of those bands up there, in the racetrack and around the Quarter. 

2013 Jazzfest Acts: Annnounced Tomorrow, Predicted Tonight

Well "predicted" may be a bit strong, no research is really going into this, perhaps wish list would be a more accurate title.  The 2013 New Orleans Jazzfest will announce it's roster of artists tomorrow, which is pretty exciting as it confirms spring is just around the corner.

RtBE polled some of our Sazerwrapping Regulars who join us on our annual trip to the Big Easy to see who they would like to catch perform at the Fairgrounds this year.  Let find out what they say...

2016 NOLA Jazzfest Lineup, Predicted Today!

Soon the lineup for the 2016 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced but we got the early scoop...

Actually, no we don't but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing. We will exclude local acts (even though they are the main reason we go) lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....

To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.

a glimpse of LOUISIANA from Jeronimo Acero on Vimeo.
Now on to the predictions:

2025 New Orleans JazzFest Artist Predictions

The lineup for the 2025 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced tomorrow but RtBE got the early scoop...

Full Show Friday: The Revivalists Live 2019

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...The Revivalists!

Every April we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. Today we will focus on The Revivalists who will be playing Saturday April 25th.

Unfortunately due to the outbreak of Covid19, Jazzfest has been rescheduled for October (no official date as of yet). Hopefully all of the scheduled acts are healthy and will be performing then, but since we crafted these posts before the outbreak, RtBE will still post them this month and will regroup/revisit things in the fall when (hopefully) things return to semi-normal.

Update: the 2020 version of Jazzfest has been officially canceled

Today we focus on The Revivalists, a New Orleans based band that has been playing Jazzfest for a few years now. Here is a recent show of theirs to get you fired up for the set on the 25th.

Pro Shot, Pro Sound, Enjoy:

Sazerwrap Part 1: The Food

The Sazerwrap has been RtBE way of rounding up all the amazing things that happen down at our annual trip to Jazzfest in New Orleans.  This year we will breaking the review up into two parts, Food and Music, today is the food.  Only 11 Months until next years festival! 

Every year it gets harder and harder to put into words how amazing the NOLA Jazzfest experience is. From the amazing friends whose numbers keep expanding to the all night raging to the music and food that just melts your brain and clogs your heart...Things are pretty much magical in that town.

Today we will talk about the calorie inducing portion of the trip, the tasty eats that NOLA is famous for. Each year seems to up the ante on the restaurants we hit and the great variety and quality of the grub and cocktails.

Dylan Cover #502 Heartless Bastards & Charlie Musselwhite "You Ain't Going Nowhere" Live

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a live cover by Heartless Bastards & Charlie Musselwhite performing "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" 

This month we have a special focus on artists who will be playing the 2021 Jazzfest in New Orleans. Today we highlight Charlie Musselwhite who played Saturday October 9th

Once again Jazzfest is canceled due to Covid. Hopefully it happens in April-May of 2022.

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we addressed this cover:
A great song, and one that sounds so simple. It always felt to me that these are the kind of songs Dylan has seeping out of his pores, with lines like "Tailgates and Substitutes" that anywhere else would sound foolish yet here works wonders. The musical backing from the original Band version is loose and matched fantastically with the lyrics. I am sure it wasn't as easy going as it sounds on the final version, but what a gem of a track.

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
RtBE enjoys all of these blues/rock artists. While the Heartless Bastards aren't playing Jazzfest, Charlie Musselwhite did. So we will end this month with this mix and match cover for a mix and match Jazzfest experience. The good news is, the next one is only a few months away....(HOPEFULLY!)
   
Thoughts on Cover:

A very cool video that shows the behind the scenes and the performance and Musselwhite's harp is powerful. Very cool live cover version.  

Full Show Friday: Benevento/Moore Duo The Mint LA, CA 2013

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's.  These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Marc Benevento/Stanton Moore Duo!

Every April we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. Today we will focus on Benevento/Moore Duo who will be everywhere during Jazzfest, but particularly here.

Ok so it's true this duo isn't playing Jazzfest proper, but they will both be individually playing more then almost anyone else in town for those two weeks. Moore in particularly is listed on almost every show imaginable, it is insane.

I wanted to highlight this set and playing because the freewheeling improv is what makes the late nights at Jazzfest so much damn fun. Benevento/Moore Duo are really loose and great.

These guys will be playing at the Megalomaniacs Ball at Howling Wolf which we will be attending. This is a fun loving rollicking show that touches on old favorites in new ways, in the 7 minutes you get Pink Floyd and Elton John...hmm he is playing the festival too. 

Enjoy:

Dylan Cover #422 Honey Island Swamp Band "Gotta Serve Somebody" Live

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a live cover by Honey Island Swamp Band with Alvin Youngblood Hart playing "Gotta Serve Somebody":

This month we have a special focus on artists who will be playing the 2020 Jazzfest in New Orleans. Today we highlight The Honey Island Swamp Band who play, Thursday April 23rd.

Unfortunately due to the outbreak of Covid19, Jazzfest has been rescheduled for October (no official date as of yet). Hopefully all of the scheduled acts are healthy and will be performing then, but since we crafted these posts before the outbreak, RtBE will still post them this month and will regroup/revisit things in the fall when (hopefully) things return to semi-normal.

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
This powerful call of hell-fire and brimstone rained down from the mountaintop as Dylan proclaimed his faith proudly, and this was the first song that most of the public heard confirming the fact that Bob did indeed "Go Jesus". It is point and fact with its belief and message. You gotta serve somebody... can't be simpler then that when it comes to faith can it? The original has a driving beat and a propulsion to it that sounds urgent, but not as urgent as Bob sings, reinforcing the proclamation through his powerful lyrics and leaving no man or woman on the sidelines...he brings everyone into this spiritual battle, and whatever your beliefs it is impossible not to feel Bob is committed as he runs through the verses and chorus.

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
We've been doing Jazzfest for 11 years straight now and been going to New Orleans longer than that, but have yet to catch Honey Island Swamp Band.  Hopefully that changes this year as they are a solid band right in RtBE's wheelhouse.

Thoughts on Cover:
A funky, bluesy take on the classic/best tune from Dylan's "Gospel" era. The extra vamping while Hart gets his guitar ready adds to the hypnotic groove and then the players really dig into it. A great way to kick off the month of Dylan covers heading into Jazzfest as this one typifies the jamming spirit of New Orleans, the musicianship, the great sit-ins and the soul...all taking place on Tipitina's stage. Here's hoping we catch a few tunes just as good in just under a month in October.   

WWOZ's Festing In Place Returns 4/22/2021

Every spring the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival puts on the best concert gathering in America. Last year, like everything else, it was canceled. However WWOZ came through with "Festing In Place" last spring and it was RtBE's favorite remote experience of 2020 as the radio station dug deep and delivered amazing sets from festivals past. 

This year, Jazzfest hopes to return in October (fingers crossed) but WWOZ is still going to do Festing In Place to give everyone their spring Jazzfest fix starting April 22nd. The cubes were just announced and there are some great performances coming up:

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A post shared by New Orleans Jazz Fest (@jazzfest)

Can't wait to tune in and have those TBA's filled in closer to the listening event. Last year the joyous music and communal spirit seeped through the speakers and while the world was shuttered WWOZ delivered a ray a sunshine from the south of the country to the whole world. It was a note of positivity that RtBE and countless others needed at that moment, this with hope on the horizon it will certainly scratch the festival itch. 

To get pumped for the two weekend event here is The Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars from Jazzfest in 2014.  

2017 Jazzfest Lineup, Predicted Today

Soon the lineup for the 2017 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced but we got the early scoop...

Actually no we don't...but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing. We will exclude local acts (even though they are the main reason we go) including nationally touring NOLA acts like Dr. John, Galactic and Trombone Shorty who will all be there. Lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....

To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.

a glimpse of LOUISIANA from Jeronimo Acero on Vimeo.

Now on to the predictions....