New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

Jazz Room • King Bed • Sleeps 2

 

In April of 1970, Mahalia Jackson returned to her hometown to appear at the first New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. She and Duke Ellington came upon the Eureka Brass Band leading a crowd of second-line revelers through the Festival grounds. George Wein, producer of the Festival, handed Ms. Jackson a microphone, she sang along with the band and joined the parade… and the spirit of Jazz Fest was born.

 

This spontaneous, momentous scene—this meeting of jazz and heritage—has stood for decades as a stirring symbol of the authenticity of the celebration that was destined to become a cultural force.

 

In announcing the first Festival, scheduled for April 22 – 26, Wein said, “The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival represents a new and exciting idea in festival presentation. This festival could only be held in New Orleans because here and here alone is the richest musical heritage in America.”

 

Inspired by the spirit of Mahalia Jackson and the Eureka Brass Band back in 1970 which hosted 350 guests, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival continues to celebrate the culture of Louisiana with the combined fervor of a gospel hymn and the joy of a jazz parade. Today, the Jazz and Heritage festival hosts millions over a two-week period:  traditionally, the last weekend in April and first weekend in May.

 

We dedicate this room, to Lisa’s (previous owner) love of New Orleans, New Orleans’ music and the joy of entertaining, celebrating and sharing with visitors from all parts of the world.  We celebrate her life and love of New Orleans. Every year, Lisa scheduled her two-week vacation to coincide with Jazz Fest so that she could soak up the joyous music, food and art that Jazz Fest offers.  She participated with a group of 20 of her closest friends to spend each day of the Fest in a special reserved area known as the “grassy knoll” from mid-morning to late evening each day, rain or shine.