NEW ORLEANS – The 2017 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell, which concluded on Sunday, was attended by approximately 425,000 fans.
Highlights of the seven days of Jazz Fest included a triumphant performance by Stevie Wonder in the welcoming sunshine of the second Saturday of the event; the nonstop showcase of the Louisiana’s musical vitality and influence with the likes of Harry Connick, Jr., Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Irma Thomas, the Revivalists, Jon Batiste and Stay Human, Dr. John, the Meters, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Galactic, Tank and the Bangas, Big Freedia, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, plus hundreds more; and the one of the largest celebrations of Cuban culture in the United States since the 1950’s, featuring more than 150 musicians, master craftsmen, and artists.
In covering this year’s event, the New York Times, called Jazz Fest “an institution,” noting that it is “as stubbornly exceptional and as proudly nostalgic as the city it reflects.”
Next year’s 49th annual event is scheduled for April 27 – May 6, 2018.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. is the nonprofit organization that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell. The foundation uses the proceeds from Jazz Fest, and other revenues, for year-round activities in the areas of education, economic development and cultural enrichment.
Shell is the Presenting Sponsor of the festival. Major Jazz Fest Sponsors are Acura, Peoples Health, Miller Lite and the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots (A Churchill Downs Company). IBERIABANK, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, Coca-Cola, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, Zatarain’s and WWOZ are all also Official Jazz Fest Sponsors. Starwood Preferred Guest is the exclusive Hotel Loyalty Program Partner of the festival.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell is a co-production of Festival Productions Louisiana, LLC. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Festival Productions, Inc.-New Orleans) and AEG Louisiana Production, LLC. (a subsidiary of AEG Presents).
