Photo by Josh Brasted via Jazz Fest on IG

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival opened up its 50-year celebration this past weekend with the first four days of the festival, which were filled with big-name headlining acts and plenty of local musical flavor, plus some surprise collaborations.

Besides the many late-night offerings around the city that bring various musicians together into supergroups and impromptu jams, the festival grounds themselves usually host their fair share of artist meet-ups. One of the first big sit ins of this weekend came with Santana’s headlining set on Friday afternoon as the sun was setting on the second day of Jazz Fest 2019. The legendary guitarist and bandleader brought out New Orleans staple Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews for a run of songs during his set, including “Fever,” Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child” and Swamp Dogg’s “Total Destruction to Your Mind.” The set also featured other covers like Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” and Santana favorites like “Black Magic Woman,” “Oye Como Va,” “Maria Maria” and “Smooth.”

On Saturday, Katy Perry closed out the main Acura Stage with her own headlining set, while Leon Bridges manned the Gentilly Stage, and both artists brought some New Orleans flair to their late-afternoon sets. Perry offered a performance full of her hits, including a run of “Chained to the Rhythm” featuring The Soul Rebels brass band. Bridges also brought out a NOLA native for his set, welcoming Jon Batiste, who he also collaborated with at 2018’s Newport Folk Festival.

Jazz Fest continues this weekend (May 2-5). Visit NOJazzFest.com for more information.

Check out videos from weekend one below: