NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Raucous performances by New Orleans hometown hero Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, rocker Lenny Kravitz and rising country star Kacey Musgraves closed out the 2015 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Sunday.
The seven-day celebration of Louisiana’s heritage features music stages dotted around the city’s fairgrounds, booths selling food and stalls showing art and handicrafts.
Kravitz, hot off his 2014 album Strut and roles in the Hunger Games movie franchise, might be the headliner at most music festivals. But in a city where jazz reigns supreme, Trombone Shorty and his Orleans Avenue band closed out the main stage.
Even before his set, Trombone Shorty came out to perform a few songs with Kravitz. The two have a connection. Trombone Shorty performed in Kravitz’s horn section on a 2005-2006 tour.
“We love you New Orleans. I love you New Orleans!” Trombone Shorty shouted to the crowd gathered under the hot sun. He later came out to do an encore – New Orleans Saints quarterback, Drew Brees in tow – singing When the Saints Go Marching In.
Trombone Shorty’s music incorporates various musical styles from New Orleans – jazz, gospel and R&B – along with hip-hop and rock.
“I love this city because of the music,” said Jerica Snyder, attending her second Jazz Fest since moving to New Orleans. “We love Trombone”.
Closing out the Jazz & Heritage Stage was the Stooges Brass Band, headed by band leader Walter Ramsey, an institution in the New Orleans music scene.
Speaking to The Associated Press ahead of the festival, Ramsey said it’s an opportunity for local residents to see national artists and for visitors to experience the city’s music, culture and food.
“That’s the importance of Jazz Fest to me,” he said.
Every year, concert organisers highlight a specific country or cultural institution. This year it was the New Orleans Centre for Creative Arts, a high school for the arts that’s marking its 40th anniversary.
