Starting in 1970 with such notables as Duke Ellington, Pete Fountain and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has grown into a 12 stage event with over 300 bands over the course of two weekends. And while there's jazz aplenty, there's also zydeco, reggae, gospel, folk, and varieties of ROCK. Think for a moment about 12 stages and over 60 renowned music acts per DAY, that's a LOT of music going on at once.

The main attractions in recent years like Steely Dan, Jimmy Buffett or Bruce Springsteen are every bit like a gen adm rock concert with big crowds and large video monitors, but the luxury here is the OTHER 298 acts. We have pioneered and staked our ground to get a good view for some large acts, but what we've enjoyed even more is wandering in & out of the tents and smaller stages to sit and experience great talent up close.

Here's a small sampling of the 2008 lineup, according to nolajazzfest.com:

The Neville Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffett, Tim McGraw, Santana, Maze feat. Frankie Beverly, Sheryl Crow, Widespread Panic, Dr. John, Al Green, Diana Krall, Keyshia Cole, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, The Raconteurs, Irma Thomas, Steel Pulse, John Prine, Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint, Randy Newman, Bobby McFerrin and Chick Corea, O.A.R., Galactic, The Roots, Dianne Reeves, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Burning Spear, Ozomatli with Chali 2na, Rebirth Brass Band, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tower of Power, Delbert McClinton, John Hammond, Cassandra Wilson, Keb' Mo', The Count Basie Orchestra feat. Patti Austin, Pete Fountain, The Derek Trucks Band, Richard Thompson, Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn, The Radiators, James Cotton, Cupid, The John Butler Trio, Del McCoury, Vernel Bagneris: Jelly Roll & Me, Terence Blanchard with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Buckwheat Zydeco, John P. Kee & the New Life Community Choir, Cowboy Mouth, Byron Cage with Kim Burrell, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. and the Greater St. Stephen Choir, Trinitee 5:7, Lizz Wright, Voices of the Wetlands Allstars, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Bad Plus, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Bettye LaVette, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave., Gene "Duke of Earl" Chandler, Preservation Hall Jazz Band... the list goes on and on and on.

Check out this year's current lineup HERE

Let's talk about what sets this festival apart from ANY other. The FOOD at Jazz Fest is truly unbelievable. If you are into chowing down - yes you - I encourage you to check out the menus from prior events on the main site's food page just to gawk (sorry, no direct link).

There is a HUGE variety of dishes: muffuletas and fried alligator po-boys, iron-skillet cornbread and crawfish bread, cajun jambalaya, fried pork chops, alligator piquant, vegetarian dishes, soups, casseroles, desserts, fresh squeezed lemonade...the list goes on and on and on. Eat a light breakfast!

My motto is, "if it comes in a bowl, get it."

If you're worried about the condition of the city, don't be. We attended 2006 Jazz Fest (only 8 months post Katrina) and the French Quarter was in relatively great shape, and surprisingly none of the locals we met had a single complaint to offer. The wrought iron balconies were prettied up with flower boxes, and the restaurants and galleries livened up the streets.

In 2007, the city as a whole was looking just fine, the superdome open for business and evidence of the disaster was harder to spot. Don't get me wrong, there are still major repairs to be made in rural areas and they still need tourist dollars all along the Gulf, so tip often and feel good about your contributions. One thing is for sure, there are some great stories of survival, character and miracles to be heard if you're interested.

If this is your first time to New Orleans, I recommend staying in the French Quarter, simply because of all the excellent restaurants, clubs, shops, galleries and the attractions along the Mississippi. Many of the bands playing at the festival can be found in the local haunts during the week and after the daytime festival. Still, while The Quarter and Garden District are popular favorites you won't be at a disadvantage staying somewhere else since getting to the festival requires a shuttle or cab. Book early, the hotels fill up!

Instead of a rental car, consider alternative transportation. Parking in the City of New Orleans is very tight and costs quite alot. A cab from the airport downtown is only about $20, and from the fairgrounds, about $12. Taxis save on the hassle of driving, navigating, parking and of course, drinking moderately.

Spring weather in New Orleans can get hot and humid. Hydration is an obvious buzz word these days, for good reason. The staff at the beverage tents have been happy to supply the crowd with some extra ice to keep those beers nice & cold, so take a soft-sided cooler. Also, Jazz Fest has in the past allowed at least one unopened water bottle thru the gates, so if you are able to freeze a few water bottles the night before for your cooler. They'll keep your other ice alive longer and melt into nice cold drinking water during the day.

Along the lines of staying hydrated and rested enough to enjoy (and remember) this best of fests, consider this: gates open and music starts at 10am and the grounds close before dark. If you have the oppportunity, show up early. The cool morning hours let you relax with a light crowd and you can park your lawn chair up front at most stages for some morning zydeco, gospel, horn sections or whatever. The merchants featuring handmade goods & art are rested and happy to chat with you, so it's a good time to wander around while tuning in to nearby music.

Play your cards right with your schedule though, and you can grab some shade during the mid-day hours or make your own shade with the right hat, an umbrella or the fold up chairs that come with an awning (worked out GREAT for my 8 month pregnant wife last year). We had several of the mango freezes and rosemary iced teas to cool off.

Here's the other strategy: if you are willing to leave before the headliner is over, you can catch a taxi about two hours earlier than if you leave with the mainstream (the line snakes all over a baseball field).

This leaves ample time to take a catnap and regroup at the hotel, then step on out onto Bourbon Street (or wherever) for a great dinner and more music in the clubs. I believe the vast local music scene is the reason behind Jazz Fest taking place entirely during the day.

Schedule some down time while you go, go, go.
The festival takes place over two weekends, including the middle Thursday. If you have the time, add an extra day or two to enjoy the city and unwind from your travels. You'll be glad you did.

New Orleans cops have a well-earned reputation for not taking any S*%@ whatsoever. They are as nice and professional as they can be, but hell, they allow some of the wildest events anywhere. So, when someone finally crosses that blurry line of bad behavior, they take them to jail without much discussion. Makes for a more comfortable party I think. Just remind any friends in your party who may be sowing oats or tempting fate to tread lightly.

A personal salute of gratitude to the NOLA uniformed: when seeing my aforementioned very pregnant wife exiting our cab at the fairgrounds taxi stand, the cop nearby ORDERED us back in the car, and the taxi driver to drop us off directly in front of the gate. Guess they don't take no for an answer when being nice, either. We yelled our thanks through the window as we pulled away; realizing yet again the famous spirit of New Orleans is alive and well.