Music plays a leading role in New Orleans, the city that brought jazz into the world. And while traditional jazz is revered here, New Orleans is tuned into all kinds of music expression.The calendar is dotted with music celebrations both epic and homespun.These festivals act as a kind of melodious Johnny Apple Seed, spreading the Gospel of New Orleans music to visitors from around the country and the world. Spring’s Jazz and Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) may be the best known, but hordes of soul, R&B and hip hop fans attend Essence over Fourth of July weekend and Voodoo Music + Arts Experience brings indie rock, punk and metal to City Park over Halloween weekend. Blues is on the menu at the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Fest, while all things Louis Armstrong is heralded during August’s Satchmo SummerFest. Locals love them all, but French Quarter Fest, a free huzzah to homegrown musical talent, is a New Orleans favorite. Here is a list:
Upcoming New Orleans Music Festivals