Expect magic to happen this year at Jazz Fest. Many of NOLA’s favorite music show headliners are not your most stereotypical festival bunch per se, but rather artists leading the music industry who integrate jazz influence into their songs in a way that has threaded together this modern contemporary sound. Here are some noteworthy performances (click link for each day’s full lineup):

WEEK 1

Friday: Keith Urban, Snarky Puppy, Wilco, Tedeschi Trucks Band 
Saturday: The Who, John Legend, Ryan Adams, JUVENILE feat. Mannie Fresh, Cassandra Wilson (tribute to Billie Holiday!) 
Sunday: Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga (BECAUSE DUH!), Pitbull, Irma Thomas

WEEK 2

Thursday: Widespread Panic, Allison Krauss and Union Station
Friday: No Doubt, Chicago, Anthony Hamilton, Galactic featuring Macy Gray
Saturday: Elton John, Ed Sheeran, T.I., Jerry Lee Lewis, The Taj Mahal Trio, Aaron Neville
Sunday: Lenny Kravitz, Stevie Winwood, The O’Jays, Buddy Guy

Last year’s 2014 fest art created by Richard Thomas was a unique tribute to NOLA’s historical Congo Square, and this year the deep blue look will be hard not to catch your eye: a beautiful piece attributing to Bo Dollis (leader of the Wild Magnolias band), a longstanding advocate and voice for jazz music in the community who passed away in January.

Randy Frechette finished the silkscreen last month, and for those familiar with Bo Dollis’ contributions and legendary live performance art that has made the festival worth noting will recognize it right away. The artist first appeared in Jazz Fest’s graphics back in 2006.

Of course with Jazz Fest comes jazz music, but the local artists and vendors really bring the show together with fun crafts and activities. Oh and I GUESS the food is alright, too (see: last year’s food list), for anyone who digs dishes like Louisiana-style crawfish, BBQ chicken, Cajun Duck Po-Boy, Oyster Paddies, etc., etc., etc…

Tickets are still on sale for the festival and there is no doubt 2015 will be another year to remember in the city most known for its rich history in the fine genre. Follow @jazzfest on Twitter for updates and more news the next couple of months (55 days!!! But who’s counting?).

(via art4now.com)