Are you here?
It’s a review of the vibrant 2025 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, where the soul of Louisiana and beyond comes alive. In this report on April 25th and 26th, we’re diving into the electrifying performances that define this iconic celebration: from the gritty blues of the Johnny Sansone Band to the mesmerizing Mexican folk fusion of Lila Downs.
We also witnessed the country-soul swagger of Chapel Hart, the timeless New Orleans jazz of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and the legendary voices of soul queen Irma Thomas and jazz luminary Diana Krall. All brought their magic to this year’s festival, and a review of these unforgettable moments is starting right now.
It was good to be back at Jazz Fest. I had an idea of the acts I’d like to see, but just being there is a festival experience unlike any other. My first order of business — beignets and frozen cafe au lait. Necessary. Having enjoyed the hot beignets courtesy of Cafe Du Monde, I rushed over to the blues tent.
Johnny Sansone: “He’s the Real Deal”
My mission was seeing bluesman Johnny Sansone who I’ve been listening to for years. He’s the real deal, which is why I got there early. Wanda Rouzan was finishing up her set. After just a few minutes of her feel good performance, I made a mental note to find out more about her. It’s one of the joys of this festival, you’ll get to see people that are new to you.
Then it was time for Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone. He ignited that stage. He’s one of the best harmonica player I’ve seen live, and his vocals are on the same level. Johnny Sansone Band is the kind of blues I love. But, then it was on to the next thing.
“The Music Puts You in a Trance”
The thing about Jazz Fest, is that the music easily puts you in a trance as you walk from point A to point B. I hadn’t planned on seeing Mixanteña de Santa Cecilia, a Mexican brass band. I didn’t even know they existed. They just had a magnetism.
From there, another Mexican act had my attention. Lila Downs brings the music of Mexico’s many indigenous groups to the masses. If you had the notion that Mexican music is monolithic, seeing her show is sure to give you a new perspective. Lila and her band completely pulled us in, and before we knew it, her show was over. What can I say? I’m a fan now.
“Your Greatest Joy May Be an Unexpected One”
It was in the Lila Downs experience that I really started “getting” jazz fest. Your greatest joy just may be an unexpected one.
Another unexpected wonder was Cathy Rose. Not a musician, but a sculptor and painter of real excellence. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such an engaging blend of whimsy and beauty ever.
“Chapel Hart Delivered a Heart Payment”
But, that wasn’t all the day had in store. We wandered by the festival stage and heard the sounds of Chapel Hart, a country music vocal group from Mississippi. WOW! Consisting of two sisters and a cousin, these vocalists are true performers. It wasn’t just the music, but the relatability and messages of Danica Hart, Devynn Hart and Trea Swindle that pulled at my heartstrings.
They brought it to everyone with their version of “Drift Away,” a song written by Mentor Williams made famous by Dobie Gray. I got moist eyes. Chapel Hart delivered a heart payment that afternoon. I’m almost at a loss for words.
And that was day one.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band, a Joyous Thing
The next day brought me to the Shell Gentilly Stage to see the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. It’s a joyous thing to see these guys. They put everything into their performance.
But, man, the heat was real. Just as the sun was making me ponder if I’d make it, the clouds swept in and you could hear the sighs of relief. I wasn’t the only one. The band played on.
The Bridge to Everything That Was and Is in Music
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is the bridge to everything that was and is in music. They represent the best of this thing called jazz and music as a whole.
And Charlie Gabriel, what a heroic talent. At 92 years old, he had our full attention whenever the focus shifted his way. He released his first solo album simply called 89 three years ago. Check it out, folks.
“Irma Thomas, a Miraculous Miracle”
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band ended in a hypnotic frenzy, soon to open the stage for the next artist — the Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas. Needless to say, I’d be staying.
Jazz Fest producer and legend Quint Davis stepped out to introduce her as photographers angled to capture those perfect moments. Davis pronounced her as “a miraculous miracle,” remarking “it doesn’t get any better than this.” That’s not an exaggeration. He said “she’s our queen,” before she took the stage.
She’s really someone everyone needs to witness in concert. Highlights included her “It’s Raining,” a song that goes back to the early 1960s, written by the late Allen Toussaint. But, she really knocked me out with “How Glad I Am,” from her new album “Audience with the Queen,” that she made with Galactic. Irma Thomas embodied this tune, originally by Nancy Wilson. It was one of those moments.
“Diana Krall, Turning Up the Quiet”
From there, I sought a much needed big bottle of water and attempted to locate the WWOZ Jazz Tent. I wanted to see Diana Krall. It would be quite a different vibe and show from the rest of the acts at the festival, but an important one.
This was on the Saturday of the first weekend and I made my way through throngs of people clear to the other end of the grounds. There was no room, so I was standing at the edge of the tent. Thank God for hats.
I noticed a familiar face on stage, Tony Garnier who has been the bassist with Bob Dylan for 36 years now. Also, I noticed Brian Blade was on drums. I’ve swapped handwritten notes with Mr. Blade and was beyond excited to see this trio of Krall, Garnier and Blade.
Admittedly, it took some adjusting to hear as they “turned up the quiet.” Classic after classic from the Great American Songbook poured out: “All or Nothing At All,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “All of Me,” “Like Someone in Love,” and one of my favorites “Day In, Day Out.” And then the exquisite “How Deep is the Ocean?” Mrs Krall faithfully called out the composer or lyricist on most tunes.
“The Finest Talent Around Today”
There were some lovely surprises like “Ophelia” by Robbie Robertson and an incredible version of Bob Dylan’s “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue.” Let me tell you, I’d be a happy guy if Diana Krall, Tony Garnier and Brian Blade made an entire album of Dylan songs, delivered in her distinct way. Actually, any songs these three wanted to do would be fine by me.
I remembered back to what the late Frank Sinatra, Jr. said to me about Diana Krall. He said “Diana Krall, for me, is the finest talent around today. She is absolutely magnificent. She sings beautifully. She is a magnificent jazz pianist.” True that.
Even with the sounds from nearby Lil Wayne bleeding through, Krall and the two men performed those standards gamely.
“The Horn of Plenty of Musical Nourishment”
It inspired me greatly. I thought about what they did as I sat on the streetcar all the way back to where I was staying.
There would be more music that night, traipsing towards Frenchman Street brought us face to face with an impromptu and joyous brass band. It’s one of the real benefits to Jazz Fest: both the music and the food is varied. But it doesn’t end when you leave the fairgrounds. The city is busting out with all of it.
Here’s the thing: with so many acts, on so many stages, you can’t see them all. But the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is truly the “horn of plenty” of musical and culinary nourishment. It helps to remember that you can’t be everywhere, but you can be here. And that’s a great place to be.
“Y’all Come, As We Say”
The second weekend is just about to start roaring, but if you can’t make it this year, I’ll see you in 2026.
Here’s Quint Davis, Director of Jazz Fest:
“Y’all Come. As we say.”
J&T Tire, Respect and Love
I’d like to take a moment and tell you one thing before we go. I didn’t touch my car for days and was all set to head home when I saw that all the air from one of my tires was gone. I got her over to J&T New & Used Tires over at 2629 Felicity Street in New Orleans. Never have I seen a business with so much respect and love. And lots of character. They looked out for my best interest and put theirs second.
If the guys from J&T Tire are watching this, thank you. We got home just fine. Thank you.
