New Orleans Jazz Fest returns

After two years of pandemic related cancellations, musicians from around the world will gather in New Orleans on Friday for the Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Performers range from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Luke Combs to Elvis Costello. To see a full schedule, go to nojazzfest.com.

In April 1970, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson appeared at the first festival. While there, she and Duke Ellington came upon a brass band leading revelers. Jackson was handed a microphone, and she sang along and joined the parade – and the spirit of Jazz Fest was born, a meeting of jazz and heritage that has stood for decades as a cultural force.

The festival welcomes around 400,000 visitors annually.