The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival kicks off this weekend — the perfect way to celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of summer break.
The Daily Reveille lists the top three acts you just can’t afford to miss:
Friday
1. NAS with special guests The Soul Rebels
NAS is undoubtedly one of the greatest hip hop artists of all time. He is a lyrical master, painting pictures through his raps and incorporating powerful samples into his storytelling. This is one act anyone who is a fan of rap should see in their lifetime.
Listen to his 1996 album “It Was Written” and you’ll surely want to see him live. The Soul Rebels, a New Orleans brass ensemble, will join him on stage and bring more soul, funk and jazz to the already promising performance. The performance will begin at 5:30 pm on the Congo Square Stage.
2. Trey Anastasio Band
Trey Anastasio, a founding member of the band Phish, has his own solo career that surely won’t disappoint audiences at this year’s fest. This group of talented musicians will bring happy music to the festival grounds, with a sound that can best be described as jam band funk with Latin American jazz influences and Zeppelin-esque shredding.
Jennifer Hartswick will join Trey Anastasio on vocals, which will surely make for an amazing sound. Listen to the albums “Plasma”and “TAB at the TAB” to get a feel for this distinctive group. The group’s performance will begin at 5 p.m. on the Gentilly Stage.
3. Leon Bridges
For someone under 30, Leon Bridges sings with the soul of someone from decades past, reminiscent of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. This Texas native will surely bring the ’60s rhythm and blues style he is known for in his vocals and appearance.
This is sure to be an intimate yet beautiful and dance-inducing performance that will take you back in time. His debut album “Coming Home” is out now. Check him out on the Gentilly Stage at 3:10 p.m.
Saturday
1. Alabama Shakes
This soulful, bluesy southern rock band has gained significant popularity with its most recent release, “Sound & Color.” Lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard will surely bring a powerful and noteworthy show to this year’s lineup. Alabama Shakes are unlike many performers today and fest-goers can see this for themselves at 5:15 p.m. on the Gentilly Stage.
2. Rebirth Brass Band
Rebirth Brass Band perfectly encapsulates New Orleans in its music. If you haven’t heard the group’s big hit “Do Whatcha Wanna,” then you’ve been missing out on a huge part of the city’s sound.
This brass band has been around since the ’80s, born out of the Crescent City’s Treme neighborhood. Jazz Fest is known for bringing out the best of New Orleans’s sound and this show will surely be a great example of that. See this classic act at 3:25 p.m. on the Congo Square Stage.
3. Lost Bayou Ramblers
In the same stride, the Lost Bayou Ramblers bring a different, yet equally as important sound to Jazz Fest. This Cajun band incorporates a mix of zydeco, western and punk rock influences into its shows, which are usually performed entirely in Cajun French.
This group will bring a performance that will be hard not to dance to out on the fest grounds, rain or shine. They bring to life the infectious and very New Orleans quality of kicking up your heels and dancing the day away to some of the unique music the South has to offer. Check them out at the beginning of the festival day at 11:15 am on the Gentilly Stage.
Sunday
1. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is an iconic group that shouldn’t be missed. This heartland rock band will be enjoyable for all ages with the inimitable Tom Petty on vocals, bringing the group’s classic rock hits like “American Girl” and “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” to life, for a good set that will have the whole crowd singing along. The Heartbreakers are great to bring your parents to; they’ll be closing out weekend one on the Acura Stage.
2. Pitbull
This surprising Jazz Fest favorite will definitely bring a fun and lively show to the crowds on Sunday. This Cuban rapper will perform his energetic songs like “I Know You Want Me” on stage, getting everyone in the crowd on their feet and dancing in no time.
Listen to any of Pitbull’s plethora of radio hits to get excited for this performance, which also closes out Sunday’s shows at 5:35 p.m. on the Congo Square Stage.
3. Dr. John
Lastly, this New Orleans legend will be performing at 3:15 p.m. on the Acura Stage. Dr. John is an icon down here for a reason — he mixes funk and soul with a slew of other genres effortlessly to bring that New Orleans sound we know and love to mainstream success.
His southern, gritty and powerful voice incorporated with elements of blues, pop, jazz, zydeco and rock and roll are all you need to know ahead of one of the most important performances to grace the main stage this year. Listen to the classics “Down in New Orleans” and “Iko Iko” to get ready for this impressive set that captures what Jazz Fest is truly about.
