After announcing yesterday that previously scheduled act Bob Seger would not be playing this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, organizers of the legendary gathering, which celebrates 50 years in 2019, have announced that singer Diana Ross has been added to the bill.
Ross is one of the most iconic voices in the history of American music, originally making her name as part of Motown group The Supremes. She will celebrate her 75th birthday in March and will make her Jazz Fest debut on Saturday, May 4, during the second weekend of the festival.
New Orleans’ Jazz Fest is set for April 25–28 and May 2–5, with performances from The Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, Jimmy Buffett, Chris Stapleton, Katy Perry, Van Morrison and many more. Tickets for the festival are on sale now.
4 Comments comments associated with this post
Jim
January 20, 2019 at 11:01 amThis will be something because of all stages shutting down when the Stones hit the stage pushing the biggest crowd ever to just one stage. my guess at least 150,000 though they never release officials numbers.Also 1st time that no folding chairs or blankets that day meaning all will be standing and Stones will go on at 5:00 and do a full show. my VIP tickets gives me bleacher seats on the side above the crowd and even more important real air condition bathrooms rather than smelly porto-potties when 95 heat is possible. And a roof in case it rains which is possible also. and a private beer stand LOL LOL Actually ran across Keith in a bar “The Dungeon” at about 3Am when he a Jagger were just visitors and not participants. Jagger popped out of the audience and led a Mardi Gras Indian parade through the French Quarter. The Dungeon’s hours hours were 12midnight till 8AM and in cellar when it was open. So you can guess what kind of place it was at 3AM. I still kick my butt for not getting a picture with him. Two burned out old rock & rollers. I will be 72 this trip down. My last probably. too much walking if really hot.He actually lives in Weston, CT since 1994, about 20 miles from me. Keith has stopped drinking and doping about 95%. Meryl Streep is his neighbor. Wonder if they partied together when Keith was at his peak? Be weird to watch that.
Bob Terwilliger
January 19, 2019 at 12:54 pmNothing says “Jazz Festival” like Diana Ross! Next announced, Neil Diamond because he once played a Jazz singer in a movie.. Lets see you spin this one, Jim! (who I admire greatly)
Jim
January 19, 2019 at 1:36 pmBob Terwilliger Jazz Fest has been some what miss named for 45 years. It has kept the original name from how it started. About 200 people Fest 1. This might draw over a million I bet. Now it is just a big Festival with all types of music. It does have a jazz tent that will be jazz bands all 8 days and only jazz bands. And there will jazz in other places also particularly Brass Bands. When you have over 500 bands and over 600 musicians you need a variety to attract enough people to make it worthwhile. And of course it has gone BIG TIME needing big time acts to make profits. There are no jazz bands that are going to draw 100,000+ fans daily. That means big STARS like the Stones, Perry, Buffet, Mathews etc. But this brings fans to lesser draws like jazz, gospel, world music etc. So they get exposure also. YOU want to fill 12 stages 8 days 11:30 to 7:30 you need variety and BIG names. How successful are they? VERY SUCCESSFUL Remember jazz fest is a nonprofit that supports numerous music programs through out the city all year. many free events. The more cash you bring in, the more you can do. They could have kept it small and just Jazz but there are many of those also. This will be my 13th. Still the best music buy in the country. Under 100 bucks 8 hours of music, 12 stages, about 50 bands a day to choose from, actually cheaper beer and food and greater choices then most concerts, isn’t bad. The Stones day is first time that costs more than other days. Probably will now happen more often as they see it is a winner. Stones tickets sold out in two days and was restricted the first day to having to show up in person with a state ID to buy just 2 185 each. I bought weekend VIPs which were about 120 a day each averaged for for 4 days. They sold out in a day also. Not many of those though.
Bob Terwilliger
January 19, 2019 at 8:01 pmThat is why we (the royal we) love you Jim, an always well thought out and factual rebuttal for modern times although many of us are stuck in past paradigms of what should be. Have a great time! Bless you to have the time, resources, health & energy to go 13 times. Went for the marathon in 2015 and glad to survive!