Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of  New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. "Since the 1920´s, Jazz has been recognized as a major form of musical expression in traditional and popular music. Jazz is characterized by swing and blue notes, complex chords, call and response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation." Jazz has roots in European harmony and African rhythmic rituals.                  

My first trip to New Orleans is to attend an Education Conference at Tulane University. I was there with Margaret Hart on behalf of our non-profit, "Communication On Alternatives, Inc." Nat Hentoff, the jazz critic and writer for Jazz Review, Downbeat, and The Village Voice, was on our Advisory Board of Trustees, and a big influence and help in our educational journey that started at Bensalem College of Fordham University, and then Goddard College.

Someone at Tulane suggests "Music is the Scene". The New Orleans Jazz Fest is happening that weekend, and we are able to attend. It´s the third Jazz & Heritage Festival, and B.B. King is the headliner, in this first year at the Louisiana Fair Grounds. I also got to see and hear Nina Simone, Jazz Giants Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Kai Winding and many others, and different genres, Bongo Joe, Professor Longhair, James Rivers, Big Joe Williams, Clifton Chenier, Annie Pavageau, Zion Harmonizers, Meyer Bros Bluegrass Boys, Mardi Gras Indians, Marching Brass Bands in Parades, covering Blues, Soul, Creole, Zydeco, Country Cajun, Gospel, a potpouri of African-centric & World Music, and Jazz tributes. It is a gathering of musical healing, cultural arts, historical heritage, and a variety of local food and craft vendors. The annual celebration grew each year in popularity and widespread recognition attracting the greatest jazz, rhythm & blues musicians´participation, including many local musicians, Jelly Roll Morton, Pete Fountain, Wynton & Ellis Marsalis, Harry Connick, Jr., Fats Domino, Trombone Shorty, Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, The Radiators, Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Thousands of other great musicians have played here including Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder,  Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson, Staple Singers, Duke Ellington, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Santana, Sarah Vaughn, Ray Charles, Dave Brubeck, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jimmy Buffet, Patti Labelle, Dave Matthews, Bob Weir, Rob Wasserman, Phil Lesh, Charles Lloyd, Mickey Hart & Hydra, Dixie Hummingbirds, Django Festival Allstars, John Handy, and Mavis Staples. So many other great artists, including Allman Brothers, John Mayer, Joni Mitchell, Doug Kershaw, Los Lobos, Howlin´Wolf, Muddy Waters, Count Basie, Tony Bennett, The Band, Fleetwood Mac, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Cole, Bobby Blue Bland, Max Roach, Sarah Vaughan, Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus, Rickie Lee Jones, Ani DiFranco, John Hiatt, Diana Krall, Joan Baez, Little Richard, Maria Muldaur, Vassar Clements, Roy Orbison, James Brown, Alison Krauss, Robert Plant, Herbie Hancock, Al Green, Andrae Crouch, Tina Turner, Jimmy Cliff, Chick Corea, The Meters, Taj Majal, Al Hirt, Tom Petty, Gladys Knight & The Pips, to name a few of the very best, musical talent who participated at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival over the past fifty years.

Some of the greatest jazz musicians who weren´t alive to play here include hometown Bandleader Buddy Bolden, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday. Their musical legacy continues in the sounds and hearts of the Jazz Fest.  The legendary Louis Armstrong never played the Jazz Fest but he did play in his hometown of New Orleans at a precursor to the first Festival.