Professor Longhair is one of the most influential musicians in New Orleans music history. But his name wasn't as recognized in the early 1970s. Learn more about how the advent of Jazz Fest was intertwined with Fess's career revival in this Jazz Fest at 50 Time Capsule. Read more

From the beginning, parades have been an essential part of Jazz Fest -- and because it’s New Orleans, there are no passive spectators at these parades. Everyone joins in. Find out more about the parading culture of New Orleans, and the history of parades at Jazz Fest. Read more

The first post-Katrina Jazz Fest in April 2006 was a beacon for New Orleanians. Read more

The chance to hear artists from French Louisiana was one of the "musical experiences" promised by Jazz Fest in its early years. And though it doesn't seem so today, in 1970 New Orleans, it was unusual for "country" musicians to play such a high-profile event in the city. Read more

The chance to hear artists from French Louisiana was one of the "musical experiences" promised by Jazz Fest in its early years. And though it doesn't seem so today, in 1970 New Orleans, it was unusual for "country" musicians to play such a high-profile event in the city. Read more

In 1970, the SS President was the last sidewheel steamboat in America, and it had called New Orleans home for three decades. But on the low-key evening of April 22, 1970, perhaps its most important cruise took place-- the very first event of a new multi-day festival. Read more

Musicians love to play at Jazz Fest, and Jazz Fest audiences love to see the consistently fantastic performances from their local favorites -- year after year, and decade after decade. Check out a few fan favorites in this WWOZ Jazz Fest at 50 Time Capsule. Read more

Jazz Fest and WWOZ's shared history goes back almost to the founding of the station. Find out more about the many ways WWOZ and the festival are intertwined, from our live broadcast from everyday of the festival to the WWOZ Jazz Tent, Brass Passes, and beyond. Read more

Louis Armstrong's contributions to New Orleans have been acknowledged many times over the decades at Jazz Fest, but never so profoundly as in 2001, when Jazz Fest celebrated his 100th birthday. Read more

No one was sure how the first New Orleans Jazz Festival & Louisiana Heritage Fair would go. But the founders knew the future of it would rely upon the promotion of New Orleans and Louisiana culture. Find out more about the very first Jazz Fest in this WWOZ Time Capsule. Read more