How come so few jazz musicians?

[Charstar]

I was excited after watching the Ken Burns/Wynton Marsalis documentary on Jazz to go to the New Orleans Jazz Fest. But there are hardly any jazz musicians playing this year. Robert Plant? John Mellencamp? Cyndi Lauper? Great that there's Sonny Rollins, but why hardly any other jazz musicians? Genuinely curious.

[swag]

Most of the big name acts are rock bands, that's what sells tickets. But there's a ton of jazz at the Jazzfest. There are two stages with nothing but jazz: the Jazz Tent (contemorary and traditional) and Economy Hall (traditional jazz), plus there are a lot of brass bands which fuse the traditional with the modern.

If you do make it to fest, you won't be disappointed.

[completejohn]

Oh, you'll find plenty, but maybe not on the big stages (and that's good news for you!). There is a main Jazz Tent, and you'll be able to park yourself there all day long if you want. Nothing BUT jazz! And there's another tent (Economy) that's also jazz, tho a little more traditional than the much larger main jazz tent.

As you will see when the "cubes" come out (the time and stage schedules) that there are differnt stages for different types of music. The Fais Do Do is mostly Cajun/Creole, Blues Tent is, um, blues, etc. The two largest stages (Acura and Gentilly) may seem rock oriented, but often more popular jazz or blues or whatever will be found there.

It will soon all become clear. But don't worry, you'll find enough jazz to satisfy your soul!

[funkkjunkie]

Don't forget the jazz and heritage stage when considering jazz bands. It will have several brass bands-traditional ones and more contemporary funkiness ones.

You're teasing us, yes? :D

[steeleye]

I was excited after watching the Ken Burns/Wynton Marsalis documentary on Jazz to go to the New Orleans Jazz Fest. But there are hardly any jazz musicians playing this year. Robert Plant? John Mellencamp? Cyndi Lauper? Great that there's Sonny Rollins, but why hardly any other jazz musicians? Genuinely curious.

Welcome to the board.

I suggest that you consider splitting your time between the Jazz tent and the Economy Hall tent. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised at the breadth of both the modern and traditional jazz forms on display. The local jazz artist community in New Orleans is extremely strong. Those not-to-be-missed include Dr. Michael White, Don Vappie, Germaine Bazzle, Connie Jones, Terrance Blanchard, New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, Tom McDermott, The Phister Sisters, Preservation Hall and (my favorite) Astral Project. There are many, many more.

As a fan of jazz, if you start with those tents you will not be disappointed.

[stlbarb]

Don't forget the jazz and heritage stage when considering jazz bands. It will have several brass bands-traditional ones and more contemporary funkiness ones.

You're teasing us, yes? :D

"will i have to pay extra to see the headliners on the big stages?"

[goodabouthood]

If you do make it to fest, you won't be disappointed.

I agree with what everyone suggested, but this comment in particular is completely and absolutely, TRUE! Seriously, don't worry about the big name acts, just come and enjoy yourself. Also, as the name implies, it is the Jazz and Heritage fest...so there's so much more to take in...

[festydave]

JAZZ AT JAZZ FEST: Sonny Rollins, Pete Fountain, Kenny G, Ahmad Jamal, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Fourplay, Terence Blanchard, Mingus Big Band, Ellis Marsalis, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Nicholas Payton, Ivan Lins, Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, The Golden Striker Trio feat. Ron Carter, Mulgrew Miller, and Russell Malone, Bob Wilber & the Crescent City Cats, Anat Cohen, Donald Harrison, Rebirth Brass Band, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Jeremy Davenport, Henry Butler, Christian Scott, John Boutté, Astral Project,
Glen David Andrews, Ruby Wilson, Dr. Michael White & the Original Liberty Jazz Band feat. Thais Clark, James Andrews & the Crescent City Allstars, Treme Brass Band, Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Orchestra, Banu Gibson & the Allstars feat. Bob Havens and Randy Reinhart, James Rivers Movement,Soul Rebels Brass Band, Young Tuxedo Brass Band, Haitian – New Orleans Connection feat. Emeline Michel, Dr. Jean Montes, and Dr. Michael White, George French & the New Orleans Storyville Jazz Band, Brice Winston, Germaine Bazzle, Leroy Jones & New Orleans’ Finest, Tim Laughlin, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Leah Chase, Traditional Tribute to Mahalia Jackson feat. Barbara Shorts, Mathilda Jones, Danielle Wilson & Cynthia Howard, Lars Edegran’s New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra, Khris Royal & Dark Matter, Michael Ward, Hot 8 Brass Band, Don Vappie & the Creole Jazz Serenaders, Gregg Stafford’s Jazz Hounds, Storyville Stompers Brass Band, Orange Kellin’s Deluxe New Orleans Orchestra, MASHUP feat. Terence Higgins, Ike Stubblefield, and Grant Green, Jr., Bob French & the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, Kidd Jordan, The Sammy Rimington International Band, New Birth Brass Band, Jesse McBride & the Next Generation, Dukes of Dixieland, Pinstripe Brass Band, New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra,
Kirk Joseph’s Tuba Tuba, and many many more…………………

[festivalgirl]

JAZZ AT JAZZ FEST: Sonny Rollins, Pete Fountain, Kenny G, Ahmad Jamal, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Fourplay, Terence Blanchard, Mingus Big Band, Ellis Marsalis, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Nicholas Payton, Ivan Lins, Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, The Golden Striker Trio feat. Ron Carter, Mulgrew Miller, and Russell Malone, Bob Wilber & the Crescent City Cats, Anat Cohen, Donald Harrison, Rebirth Brass Band, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Jeremy Davenport, Henry Butler, Christian Scott, John Boutté, Astral Project,
Glen David Andrews, Ruby Wilson, Dr. Michael White & the Original Liberty Jazz Band feat. Thais Clark, James Andrews & the Crescent City Allstars, Treme Brass Band, Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Orchestra, Banu Gibson & the Allstars feat. Bob Havens and Randy Reinhart, James Rivers Movement,Soul Rebels Brass Band, Young Tuxedo Brass Band, Haitian – New Orleans Connection feat. Emeline Michel, Dr. Jean Montes, and Dr. Michael White, George French & the New Orleans Storyville Jazz Band, Brice Winston, Germaine Bazzle, Leroy Jones & New Orleans’ Finest, Tim Laughlin, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Leah Chase, Traditional Tribute to Mahalia Jackson feat. Barbara Shorts, Mathilda Jones, Danielle Wilson & Cynthia Howard, Lars Edegran’s New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra, Khris Royal & Dark Matter, Michael Ward, Hot 8 Brass Band, Don Vappie & the Creole Jazz Serenaders, Gregg Stafford’s Jazz Hounds, Storyville Stompers Brass Band, Orange Kellin’s Deluxe New Orleans Orchestra, MASHUP feat. Terence Higgins, Ike Stubblefield, and Grant Green, Jr., Bob French & the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, Kidd Jordan, The Sammy Rimington International Band, New Birth Brass Band, Jesse McBride & the Next Generation, Dukes of Dixieland, Pinstripe Brass Band, New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra,
Kirk Joseph’s Tuba Tuba, and many many more…………………

Too bad there's no jazz this year ..... :rolleyes:

Can't get enough Gypsy Jazz myself. Nothing better than some Django.