Enter for a chance to win a custom guitar while supporting music education in New Orleans!

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival on October 9-11, 2026, in Lafayette Square Park! The commemoration of 20 historic years doesn't have to end when the music stops - you can keep it going at home with a custom-designed guitar! 

The Painted Axe Guitar Auction returns with a hand-painted Electromatic Jet by artist and Painted Axe founder Michael Gauf. Not only is the guitar custom-designed, but it will also be autographed by every artist performing this year!

Bidding opens Monday, September 28th, at 10:00 am and closes Sunday, October 11th, at 6:00 pm.
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Proceeds from the 2026 Painted Axe Guitar Auction directly benefit the community and educational programs of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, including the Don "Moose" Jamison Heritage School of Music. Hundreds of youth across New Orleans have the ability to access free music education through the Heritage School of Music, with courses in instrumental and vocal training, music theory, and audio engineering. 

When you place a bid, you are investing in the future and artistic development of our youth! 

Joy Clark with the 2025 Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival Painted Axe Guitar

Whether in New Orleans or beyond, you can place your bid for a chance to win! Pickup is available locally, or the guitar can be shipped wherever you are. Please note: the winner will be responsible for shipping costs. No matter your location, you can make a difference in the lives of New Orleans youth while taking home a precious memento representing 20 years of blues, barbecue, and community!

Bidding opens Monday, September 28th, at 10:00 am and closes Sunday, October 11th, at 6:00 pm.
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The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation gratefully acknowledges our sponsors for supporting musicians and live music in New Orleans

WWOZ 90.7 FM, Cathead Vodka, Urban South Brewery, National Endowment for the Arts, Louisiana Lottery, Goldfarb Financial, Louisiana Division of the Arts, Big Easy Cruise, WWNO 89.9, Realcycle, and ChillZone.
 

The Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival is a presentation of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. Jazz & Heritage Community radio station WWOZ New Orleans 90.7 FM is the sole broadcast partner of the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival and will broadcast live from Lafayette Square – over the air and via live-stream video at www.wwoz.org and on the Foundation’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation uses proceeds generated by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell and additional funds for year-round programs in education, economic development, and cultural enrichment, including initiatives like the Don "Moose" Jamison Heritage School of Music, Congo Square Lecture Series, Class Got Brass, youth workshops, grants, music industry workshops, and festivals such as the Crescent City Blues & BBQ, Tremé Creole Gumbo, Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco and Congo Square Rhythms. These free programs aim to support Louisiana’s cultural community and are complemented by assets like Jazz & Heritage radio station WWOZ 90.7FM, the Jazz & Heritage Archive, and the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center. For more information, visit www.jazzandheritage.org.
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