With hundreds of performances out at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, it’s hard to know where to start. So Gambit has some suggestion for bands and musicians to see on the festival’s first Sunday.
Nomfusi
12:45-1:45 p.m., Congo Square Stage
5-6 p.m., Cultural Exchange Pavilion
South African Afro-soul vocalist Nomfusi sings R&B anthems against poverty like 2009’s “Nontsokolo” but also has the pop appeal to lead vocals on the Calippo remix “Heat (African Day),” a deep house track. Her stage show includes ballads and rock jam-outs alike, her voice ranging from a coo to the clicks of her native Xhosa language to a powerful, trumpet-like blast — all coming together in a soulful, slow simmer. — LIAM PIERCE
Dr. Michael White’s Original Liberty Jazz Band feat. Thais Clarke
1:40-2:40 p.m., Economy Hall Tent
Clarinetist, composer and historian Dr. Michael White is among the world’s leading traditional New Orleans jazz experts. He’s also an expressive and engaging musician whose tone, repertoire and style all reverberate with the history of the music he loves. A devotee of clarinetist George Lewis, White played with Ernest “Doc” Paulin and Danny Barker’s legendary Fairview Baptist Church Marching Band before launching the Original Liberty Jazz Band in 1981. Their Fest sets with singer Thais Clarke often range from classics, like Lewis’ “Burgundy Street Blues,” to bawdy early blues. It’s a consistent festival highlight. — JENNIFER ODELL
Dr. Michael White
Boyfriend
2:10-3:10 p.m., Gentilly Stage
New Orleans-based vocalist and songwriter Suzannah Powell recently announced she’s retiring her stage persona Boyfriend later this year, telling fans her alter ego “has said what she came here to say.” For more than a decade, Boyfriend’s prickly synth-pop bangers have tackled issues around identity, feminism and sexuality, while her cabaret-style performances, featuring flocks of backup dancers, inspired fans to arrive in costume as Boyfriend, among other weird moments of revelry. Get your rollers ready. — JENNIFER ODELL
Gitkin
2:25-3:10 p.m., Rhythmpourium
Led by New Orleans-based guitarist and Pimps of Joytime member Brian J. Gitkin, the band Gitkin makes genre-defying music that’s moody, atmospheric and mostly instrumental. The songs swirl with a whole host of influences ranging from surf rock, spaghetti western soundtracks, global jazz and psychedelic funk. The project’s fifth full-length album, “Where the South Winds Wail,” is due out next month. — BRAD RHINES
Irma Thomas
3:35-4:45 p.m., Festival Stage
Irma Thomas’ formidable career took off in the 1960s when she scored hits with “It’s Raining” and “Break-A-Way” and began working with Allen Toussaint, who would come to see her as a muse. The Grammy winner’s rich voice has since become synonymous with New Orleans’ golden age of R&B. In 2025, the Soul Queen of New Orleans joined forces with Galactic to release the remarkable “Audience With the Queen.” Thomas also performs a gospel set on the festival’s second Sunday. — JENNIFER ODELL
St. Vincent
St. Vincent
3:40-4:55 p.m., Gentilly Stage
Art rock musician and guitar wizard St. Vincent has had a celebrated career across her seven studio albums and a collaboration with David Byrne. And it’s easy to see why: She tackles each new project with a fresh perspective and style, from the baroque pop of the album “Strange Mercy” to the more cinematic and industrial influences on 2024’s “All Born Screaming.” St. Vincent took home three Grammy Awards for “All Born Screaming,” including best Alternative Music Album.” Her most recent release is “Live in London,” recorded with the 60-piece Jules Buckley Orchestra. — JAKE CLAPP
The Music of Marcia Ball
3:40-4:50 p.m., Blues Tent
Late last year, friends and fans of Marcia Ball were caught by surprise when the renowned blues singer and pianist shared her recent ALS diagnosis and announced her retirement from performing. A longtime resident of Austin, Texas, Ball has been a fan favorite in New Orleans since the 1970s. Her rollicking piano licks and soulful singing voice anchored a musical style that straddled Texas and Louisiana-style blues, R&B, country and soul. At Jazz Fest, the Marcia Ball Band with guest friends like Jon Cleary, Sue Foley, Terrance Simien and more will pay tribute to Ball’s career. — BRAD RHINES
Shirley Caesar and The Caesar Singers
3:55-4:55 p.m., Gospel Tent
Pastor Shirley Caesar’s long and prolific gospel career has earned her the moniker “First Lady of Gospel” and 12 Grammy Awards. Caesar cut her first record in 1951 and worked briefly with the popular incubator-act the Caravans before launching the solo career that’s made her an icon. Caesar’s known for near-ecstatic performances that combine music and mid-song preaching breaks. Her most recent Grammy came courtesy of “Come Jesus Come,” a duet with Cece Winans. — JENNIFER ODELL
Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
5:25-7 p.m., Festival Stage
Sir Roderick David Stewart has compiled so many hit songs that even the most casual fan can start reeling them off: “Maggie May,” “Hot Legs,” “Young Turks, “Downtown Train” and on and on. Still rocking the bleached-blond rooster cut and leopard-print stage clothes at 81 years old, it’s easy to make a “Do You Think I’m Sexy” crack, but Stewart continues to wear it well and shows no signs of slowing down. — BRAD RHINES
David Byrne
5:30-7 p.m., Gentilly Stage
It’s no secret Talking Heads co-founder David Byrne prioritized his own artistic vision above the group’s as their frontman. But his recent solo projects seem grounded in more symbiotic artistic exchanges, from his collaborations with St. Vincent to the ensemble cast feel of musical theater piece “American Utopia.” His new album, “Who Is the Sky?,” is similarly group-oriented: Ghost Train Orchestra arranged and performs on every track. On his current tour, Byrne shares music and movement duties with his musicians and dancers while rocking through a mix of new material and Talking Heads classics. — JENNIFER ODELL
The Isley Brothers
5:40-6:55 p.m., Congo Square Stage
It’s hard to believe the same band was behind 1959’s gospel-fueled doowop hit “Shout,” the smooth 1973 chart-topper “That Lady” and 1975’s gritty, politically charged funk-rock anthem “Fight the Power.” But then, The Isley Brothers have covered a lot of ground in the past 70 years, including a stint with Jim Hendrix as their guitarist and a recent Beyonce collaboration. Their current touring incarnation features founding vocalist Ronald Isley, longtime guitarist Ernie Isley and plenty of sultry, funk-infused soul jams from their ’70s and ’80s-era catalog. — JENNIFER ODELL
The Ron Carter Foursight Quartet
5:45-7 p.m., WWOZ Jazz Tent
You’d be hard pressed to find a better musician to close out the first weekend in the WWOZ Jazz Tent than Ron Carter. The 88-year-old bassist is widely considered the most recorded jazz bassist in history; name a jazz giant — Thelonious Monk, Cannonball Adderley — and he’s probably backed them at some point. With his quartet, Carter favors a restrained, conversational swing, where the bass doesn’t just keep time but quietly steers the show. — LIAM PIERCE
Eight days of music, food and New Orleans culture.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nola.com ’
