Now the gospel tent is one of Jazz Fest's most popular features, with crowds of people testifying right along with the singers onstage. There are stages and tents for American Indian sounds, country, reggae, funk, African and Caribbean music. The festival, a strong supporter of indigenous New Orleans talent, even booked Katey Red, a popular local rapper and drag queen. We try to reflect that. Two stages are devoted to straight jazz, both traditional and cutting edge, all day long every day, in addition to the acts on other stages.
Brass bands march through the festival grounds, too.
Besides, Edwards says, fans of mainstream pop fare are introduced to sounds they may not have heard before coming to Jazz Fest. We like to think we play a role in bringing this into the mainstream. And we're proud of that. Just here for the crawfish Some people who come to the festival don't care about jazz and freely admit it, to heck with the purists. Enjoying the music is an added bonus.