New Orleans Jazz Fest 1st Weekend Huge Success---Pics of Bruce Springsteen

Any attendance numbers?

They don't release that information until after the entire Fest is over....probably Wednesday after it's over, they'll give grand totals, but, they don't promote daily attendance numbers anymore. The vibe is what counts, to me, whether it's 5 or 150,000...

Fest finished with a total attendance of just over 450,000 for 2012. An awesome year at the Jazz Fest with many great "Jazz Fest Moments" at numerous acts! Lots of fun...over until 2013....

Wow, almost half a million people. Insane...

When did Springsteen start playing Jazz?

Jazzfest has 12 different stages. Each stage has a different style of music. Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Zydeco/Cajun, Modern Rock, Rap, R&B, Classic Rock, etc. can be heard.

As an example...last Saturday I watched Jeremy Davenport perform, then hopped over and watched some Dwain Dopsie and the Red Stick Hellraisers. After that I listened to a bit of Better than Ezra before heading over to watch Paulina Rubio. I finished the day with the Eagles.

Sunday started with the Zion Harmonizers in the Gospel Tent, followed by some Ellis Marsalis, which was then followed by Foo Fighters. After the Foo Fighters, I checked out Frankie Beverly & Maze for a while before finishing out the day with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Food consumed...Crawfish Monica, Crawfish Bread, Cuban Sandwich, Mango Freeze, 2 daiquris, Softshell Crab Poboy, Alligator Pie, Beignets, Strawberry Shortcake. Lots of water! It was hot.

It seems like they would consider changing it to a "music" festival rather than specifying it as a "Jazz" festival. Just saying...

I went once back in the 90s and it was much more Jazz than anything else then. I guess that's why I was surprised to see the Springsteen headline.

WeimieLvr said:

It seems like they would consider changing it to a "music" festival rather than specifying it as a "Jazz" festival. Just saying...

I went once back in the 90s and it was much more Jazz than anything else then. I guess that's why I was surprised to see the Springsteen headline.

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This festival celebrates music where the roots are found and grounded in New Orleans and South Louisiana. There are many international musicians who perform at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival who's style of music goes straight back to that "style's" founding, which is in New Orleans. Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles, and many more perform that music. Cyndi Lauper played last year...why?...because she has a new style of music and that style originated in New Orleans. Every musician who performs at the Jazz Fest has a style in their works that originated in New Orleans or South Louisiana. That is a given (and a requirement).

Sean in New Orleans said:

This festival celebrates music where the roots are found and grounded in New Orleans and South Louisiana. There are many international musicians who perform at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival who's style of music goes straight back to that "style's" founding, which is in New Orleans. Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles, and many more perform that music. Cyndi Lauper played last year...why?...because she has a new style of music and that style originated in New Orleans. Every musician who performs at the Jazz Fest has a style in their works that originated in New Orleans or South Louisiana. That is a given (and a requirement).

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Okay, I wasn't trying to start a debate over the name. It was just the first thing that went throught my mind when I read about Bruce Springsteen's performance. It's a great festival and I had a great time when I was there.

I didn't mean to sound like I was debating. I was just trying to explain the fest and why some artists are there that people wouldn't normally associate with New Orleans jazz.

Sean in New Orleans said:

I didn't mean to sound like I was debating. I was just trying to explain the fest and why some artists are there that people wouldn't normally associate with New Orleans jazz.

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Thanks for the explanation.