Past shows

Opening tonight’s show King Oliver’s Jazz Band w/ with the young Louis Armstrong sitting in, followed by the New Orleans Rhythm Kings w/ Jelly Roll Morton, then Louis Armstrong. In Set #2 it’s all Tommy Ridgley! Thomas Herman Ridgley born in NO in 1925 and died in 1999 at 73. The R&B singer, pianist, songwriter and bandleader, with a musical career lasting half a century Ridgley was a stalwart of the New Orleans rhythm and blues scene. In Set #3: Branford Marsalis Quartet, one with the vocals of Dianne Reeves, then Jon Batiste. Listen

Opening the show tonight, Jelly Roll Morton, followed by Kid Ory, Celestin's Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra, Henry Red Allen Jr. and Bunk Johnson. In Set #2 it’s Clarence Frogman Henry, Earl King, John Boutte, and Dr. John. Set #3: Stephen Moccio with Bradford Marsalis, Donald Harrison Jr. and Idris Mohammad. Listen 

Opening our first set. . . early blues, blues, and more blues with Jelly Roll Morton, Bunk Johnson and Kid Ory, then it’s Sidney Bechet, followed by Louis Armstrong, in Set #2 it’s all Walter Wolfman Washington. And in Set #3: Kermit Ruffins, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, the Rebirth Brass Band, and The Original Pinettes Brass Band. Listen

On tonight’s show, set #1 features: Sweet Emma Barrett, Kid Ory, Sidney Bechet, and Louis Armstrong. In set #2, it’s Dave Bartholomew, Benny Spellman, Ernie K-Doe, James Booker, and Irma Thomas. Set #3: Gladney, Tank and the Bangas, and Davell Crawford. Listen

Tonight we go way, way back to those 1st Jass recordings from the Original Dixieland Jass Band, then it’s King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band, Sidney Bechet, Blue Lu Barker, and then Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, together. In Set #2 it’s Professor Longhair, Snooks Eaglin, and Deacon John Moore. Set #3: Erica Falls, Jason Marsalis, and Bamboula 2000. Listen

Opening tonight’s show, Mahalia Jackson, followed Jelly Roll Morton, Freddie Keppard, Henry Red Allen Jr, and Ella and Louis.  In Set #2, it’s Henry Butler, Johnny Adams, John Boutte, and Louis Prima. Set #3: Ellis Marsalis, the Branford Marsalis Quartet, and closing things out with Jon Batiste. Listen

Tonight, the horns are blowing. Opening our 1st set, Joe King Oliver, followed by Bunk Johnson, Henry Red Allen Jr., Lizzie Miles, and Lionel Ferbos. In Set #2, it’s Irma Thomas, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Allen Toussaint, John Boutte, and Dr. John. Set #3: Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Donald Harrison Jr., and Jon Batiste. Listen

Opening tonight’s show, Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five, followed by Lonnie Johnson, and Oscar Papa Celestin. In set #2, it’s all Irma, Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans. In set #3: Stephen Moccio and Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, and Cha Wa. Listen

Opening tonight’s show, two from Sidney Bechet, followed by Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, then Louis Armstrong with Dave Brubeck. In Set #2, it’s The Wild Magnolias, Henry Butler, and Clarence “Frogman” Henry. Set #3: Galactic, with Cyril and Ivan Neville, Nicholas Payton with Butcher Brown, Jon Batiste, and Ledisi. Listen

Tonight, the 3rd and final show featuring artists that performed at this year’s Jazz Fest, the 2026 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.  Artists include a tribute to Marcia Ball (who’s stopped performing due to illness), Jesse Royal, New Breed Brass Band, Leela James, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, The Black Keys, Little Feat, Susan Cowsil, Robin Barnes, Kermit Ruffins, Earth, Wind & Fire, AND Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Listen

Tonight is the 2nd of 3 shows  featuring select artists scheduled to perform at this year’s, the 56th year, of Jazz Fest. Featured artists include: Cedric Watson et Bijou Creole, John “Papa” Gros, Rickie Lee Jones, Widespread Panic, Treme Brass and Indian Band, John Mahoney Little Big Band, Anders Osborne, Jekalyn Carr, Mike Zito, Dianne Reeves, Ziggy Marley, The Eagles, and Herbie Hancock.  Listen

Ah, Jazz Fest. . . The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, most commonly referred to as Jazz Fest, is the annual festival celebrating the music, art, culture and heritage of New Orleans, as well as, featuring artists from all over the world and across multiple genres. 

This is the 1st of 3 shows featuring select artists performing at this year’s Jazz Fest, and as I have done on past NORMS Jazz Fest shows, we’ll use “the Cubes” as our guide, the graphic that lays out all the performers, times, and stages, we’ll go from stage to stage to take a listen to select artists, share a little history about the Fest, and some personal insights and experiences being at Jazz Fest

Featured artists tonight include: Brother Tyrone, Jelly Joseph, Lena Prima, The Blind Boys of Alabama,  

Irma Thomas, Dr. Michael White, Big 6 Brass Band, The Revivalist, Charlie Musselwhite, Stephen Marley, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, AND Jon Batiste. 

Listen