Jazz Fest 2026
Rebecca Fox
There's nothing quite like that first Thursday of Jazz Fest. It's the day we claim as our own—Locals Thursday. No massive crowds yet, just the right amount of breeze, and that familiar, electric feeling of the first brass notes hitting the air. April 23, 2026, was exactly what we needed to kick off the 2026 season: great spirits, high energy, and a few surprises that only happen at the Fair Grounds.
The day started where it should—at Congo Square. The Ancestors Ceremony remains one of the most grounded moments of the festival. Watching the gathering, hearing the drums, and honoring the history before the gates fully swing into high gear sets a tone that stays with you all day. It's a reminder that the culture is the heartbeat of every single set we see.
Early on, the Loyola University Jazz Ensemble took the stage, and having Jason Marsalis join them really added a special layer to the performance. It's always great to see the local student talent held to such a high standard, especially with a guest of that caliber. If you missed them, you missed a great showcase of where the city's music is headed.
If you made it over to the Fais Do-Do stage, you caught T'Monde. These three—Kelli Jones, Drew Simon, and Megan Constantin—are a beautiful trip straight into the heart of Cajun Country, bringing those soulful sounds from Lafayette and Arnaudville. Their set was rich and layered, capturing a side of Cajun music that felt both deeply rooted and incredibly fresh. It was the perfect bridge before the afternoon really ramped up. All of your favorite foods are back— the mango freeze is always mandatory, I really loved Caluda's pork debris grits, and there are a few new items, especially in the Jamaica section.
Now, I'll be honest—I'm still a little skeptical about Sandals being the face of Jamaica's cultural exchange this year. It felt a bit like a corporate choice for a section that's usually so grassroots; however, they definitely put in the work to make the hospitality tent a destination. The bar is beautiful, serving up actual Jamaican rum and local drinks, and the tables with locally-inspired games are a nice touch. Plus, the "upped the ante" features like the cooling, the free Wi-Fi, the cell phone charging station, and that AI Photo Booth are hard to argue with when the sun is out and you really need those resources. But once you've had your fill of the AC, make sure you explore the rest of the Jamaica section. The artisans—from the basket weavers to the ceramicists—are where the real heart of the island's culture is on display this year. I also have to mention our Mardi Gras Indians, who were seemingly parading every single time I looked around the festival grounds. I saw some of the most gorgeous costumes and high energy from Mardi Gras Indians. It was a truly all ages affair, from little kids being pushed in strollers to some of the most notable elders.
Things got super upbeat when Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band took the stage. If you weren't dancing, you weren't breathing. We also learned a very important lesson: Don't even think about "borrowing" Chubby's hot sauce—the man takes his food seriously! The energy stayed high all afternoon, with beach balls bouncing through the crowd and everyone just genuinely happy to be back in the dust.
The absolute highlight of the day, though, was Raye's
set. She was incredible, but it was a moment with a couple in the crowd that
really stole the show. Even from way back in the thick of the audience, they
managed to catch her eye by holding up a sign about her and her sisters, along
with a bouquet of roses. Raye noticed them, had the roses passed up to the
stage, and then found out from their friends that they had literally just
gotten engaged a few minutes earlier! She brought them up on stage to sit with
her while she performed "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!". It was one of those
raw, beautiful moments that you just can't script. Seeing them sitting there
with huge smiles, in front of a sea of cheering New Orleanians, was the perfect
end to Day One.
We're only just getting started. See y'all on Friday.
Emily Hingle
The opening day of Jazz Fest 2026 was rather laid back. I missed the annual run amok where people rush to claim their spot, however. Most of the customers just sauntered in, no agenda set and no worries in sight. I started off the day by pass the Fais Do-Do stage to see a little bit of local Cajun player Cameron Dupuy and band incorporate traditional Cajun music with bits of rock and R&B. After this, I strolled the grounds for long periods of time stopping by artisan booths, finding friends, and checking out the food options. I really enjoyed taking in the cultural displays in the (air-conditioned) grandstand. There were small but informative displays about the life and careers of the likes of Louis Armstrong and Cosimo Mattasa. The eye-catching Backstreet Cultural Museum had several full Mardi Gras Indian costumes.
I eventually made my way to the Blues Tent where Vieux Farka Touré was holding a captive audience. This wasn't blues as I knew it. The Malian musician lead the band that had an almost a marimba rhythm that slowly turned into a soft melodic music that felt like a cool breeze that hits just right. It was on this stage later in the day that Sierra Green & The Giants would impress me with a soulful, haunting rendition of Black Sabbath's "Changes" (R.I.P., Ozzy). The horn section made it sound like it was born out of Detroit, not Birmingham, England.
The Rhythmporium is a place that I'm getting more and more into. It's small and shaded; a lot of the people in it choose to sit on the floor to enjoy the music if they don't snag one of the tables. All of these factors combine to let you truly focus on the bands. First, it was Britti in her classic-styled sequin jacket perfect for this fest. Later, it was the sweet serenading duo Clay Parker and Jodi James. I felt like I was in the Pacific northwest or the Appalachians for just a moment with them.
The one-two punch of Gregg Stafford's Jazz Hounds at the Economy Hall Tent playing a hot ragtime beat where every member had a blazing solo and Cowboy Mouth at the Festival Stage where Fred LeBlanc masterfully orchestrated the four other members from behind the drum kit (even giving them notes to play to his rhythm so they could start playing a song they didn't know) was such a cool range of New Orleans-born music.
