{"id":2380622,"date":"2026-04-20T02:36:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T02:36:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2380622"},"modified":"2026-04-20T02:36:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T02:36:29","slug":"nola-jazz-fest-gambits-picks-for-music-to-see-april-24-jazz-fest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/nola-jazz-fest-gambits-picks-for-music-to-see-april-24-jazz-fest\/","title":{"rendered":"NOLA Jazz Fest: Gambit’s picks for music to see April 24 | Jazz Fest"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

With hundreds of performances out at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival<\/a>, it’s hard to know where to start. So Gambit has some suggestion for bands and musicians to see on the first Friday at the fest.<\/p>\n

Free Agents Brass Band<\/strong><\/p>\n

12:30-1:30 p.m., Jazz & Heritage Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

Free Agents<\/a> formed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina when a group of displaced brass band musicians found themselves in Atlanta. Some band members returned as soon as they could and found work playing store re-openings and second lines. Their 2008 album \u201cMade It Through That Water\u201d<\/a> was re-released in 2025 to commemorate Katrina\u2019s 20th anniversary. \u2014 LIAM PIERCE<\/p>\n

Sevana<\/strong><\/p>\n

12:45-1:45 p.m., Gentilly Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

3:35-4:35 p.m., Cultural Exchange Pavilion<\/em><\/p>\n

Jamaican artist Sevana\u2019s<\/a> vocal style lands as a kind of soulful reggae-slash-dancehall sound in free-floating melody and occasional patois. Her expressiveness may owe a bit of credit to her acting career. She portrayed reggae artist Judy Mowatt in the Bob Marley biopic \u201cOne Love\u201d in 2024 and the lead role in Television Jamaica\u2019s web series \u201cLosing Patience\u201d in 2016. But she was a musician first, starting from the age of 16 and citing Celine Dion as her biggest inspiration. But, to make a bold comparison, her sound comes across like a Jamaican version of Lauryn Hill\u2019s melodic work. \u2014 LIAM PIERCE<\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \n <\/div><\/div>
\n

<\/p>\n

Jonathon ‘Boogie’ Long<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n


\n Photo by Scott Threlkeld \/ The New Orleans Advocate<\/span>
\n <\/span><\/p>\n


\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Jonathon \u201cBoogie\u201d Long<\/strong><\/p>\n

12:50-2:50 p.m., Blues Tent<\/em><\/p>\n

To get a sense of Jonathon \u201cBoogie\u201d Long\u2019s<\/a> particular brand of hard-driving Southern blues rock, just take a look at the kinds of acts he\u2019s shared a stage with: ZZ Top, Robert Cray, Joe Bonamassa and a whole bunch more. Long\u2019s tunes are shot through with a jolt of playful showmanship \u2014 check out his latest video, \u201cBaby I\u2019m Through,\u201d from his 2026 album \u201cCourage in the Chaos.\u201d But when it comes to big beats, chunky riffs and blazing solos, there\u2019s no question the Baton Rouge native and Jazz Fest regular is serious about the blues. \u2014\u202fBRAD RHINES<\/p>\n

Rosie Ledet<\/strong><\/p>\n

1:40-2:35 p.m., Fais Do-Do Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

A mainstay of the Southwest Louisiana zydeco scene, Rosie Ledet has been a Fais Do-Do Stage staple since the mid-\u201990s. With her backing band the Zydeco Playboys, Ledet packs dance floors and keeps crowds moving with her swaggering stage presence, up-tempo tunes and vibrant accordion work. \u2014 BRAD RHINES\u202f<\/p>\n

Los Skarnales<\/strong><\/p>\n

1:55-2:55 p.m., Jazz & Heritage Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

5-6 p.m., Cultural Exchange Pavilion<\/em><\/p>\n

The zoot suited Houston band Los Skarnales<\/a> produce a punk-ska-reggae-rockabilly sound that pulls cumbia and danzon to center stage. Their fourth studio album was recorded in New Orleans, so they\u2019re well acquainted with the city. Horns, bass, drums and ska guitar will have you skanking in no time. \u2014 LIAM PIERCE<\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Cyril\n <\/div><\/div>
\n

<\/p>\n

Cyril Neville<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n


\n Photo by Chris Granger \/ The Times-Picayune<\/span>
\n <\/span><\/p>\n


\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Cyril Neville<\/strong><\/p>\n

2-3 p.m., Festival Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

Cyril Neville<\/a> still goes hard at 77 years old. Part of New Orleans\u2019 first family of funk and former member of the Meters and the Neville Brothers, Neville stays busy spreading the gospel of New Orleans grooves. His solo sets deliver a danceable lesson in music history, often covering local classics like Professor Longhair\u2019s \u201cTipitina\u201d and Dr. John\u2019s \u201cI Walk on Gilded Splinters\u201d as well as hits from his own extensive body of work. Neville has been celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Wild Tchoupitoulas\u2019 record, so also look out for Mardi Gras Indian funk classics. \u2014 BRAD RHINES<\/p>\n

Givers<\/strong><\/p>\n

2:10-3:15 p.m., Gentilly Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

Lafayette-born band Givers<\/a> struck indie pop gold with their 2011 debut album, \u201cIn Light,\u201d propelled by the album\u2019s catchy, infectiously upbeat lead-off track \u201cUp Up Up.\u201d Mainstream attention landed them slots at Lollapalooza and Coachella, along with a television debut on \u201cLate Night with Jimmy Fallon\u201d and a NPR Tiny Desk performance. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the album, and the band\u2019s original lineup plays \u201cIn Light\u201d in full at Jazz Fest. Vocalists Tif Lamson and Taylor Guarisco also will be interviewed by Clint Maedgen at 4:15 p.m. Friday on the Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage. \u2014 BRAD RHINES<\/p>\n

Ani DiFranco<\/strong><\/p>\n

4:20-5:35 p.m., Fais Do-Do Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

Ani DiFranco<\/a> has been blazing her own trail and talking truth to power ever since the release of her self-titled debut album in 1990 on her own Righteous Babe record label. The prolific folk-punk musician and feminist icon is a true original, with an off-kilter acoustic guitar style and a poet\u2019s way with words. DiFranco\u2019s latest album is 2024\u2019s \u201cUnprecedented Shit,\u201d and she recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of her classic \u201cNot a Pretty Girl.\u201d \u2014 BRAD RHINES<\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Ani\n <\/div><\/div>
\n

<\/p>\n

Ani DiFranco<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n


\n Photo by Shawn Fink \/ The New Orleans Advocate<\/span>
\n <\/span><\/p>\n


\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Big Freedia<\/strong><\/p>\n

5-5:40 p.m., Gospel Tent<\/em><\/p>\n

For some, seeing Big Freedia<\/a> headline the Gospel Tent might raise some well-tweezed eyebrows. But to those deeper in the know, the Queen Diva is right at home there. The bounce artist grew up in the church choir and last year released a gospel album<\/a>, \u201cPressing Onward,\u201d which will feature heavily on Friday. Big Freedia will be back to her bounce and pop set on May 2 over on the Congo Square Stage. \u2014 LIAM PIERCE<\/p>\n

Lorde<\/strong><\/p>\n

5:30-7 p.m., Gentilly Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

As a teenage pop star, Lorde\u2019s<\/a> dreamy, stripped-down electro-pop on her 2013 debut \u201cPure Heroine\u201d spoke to the fragile 9th grader inside us all. Love arrived via rolled-down car windows and orange juice gifts (\u201c400 Luxe\u201d) while rampant materialism sparked existential dread (\u201cRoyals\u201d). Now 29, Lorde\u2019s sound is similar until you look under the hood. Her personal new album \u201cVirgin\u201d delves into weightier and at times darker matters, ranging from a past eating disorder (\u201cBroken Glass\u201d) to generational trauma (\u201cGRWM\u201d) balanced out with moments of sonic bubblegum pop. \u2014 JENNIFER ODELL<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Jon Batiste headlines the Festival Stage Friday, April 24.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

Sean Paul<\/strong><\/p>\n

5:45-7 p.m., Congo Square Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

Barring anyone with the last name Marley, you\u2019d be hard pressed to find a bigger Jamaican superstar than Sean Paul.<\/a> As can be heard on his latest album, 2022\u2019s \u201cScorcha,\u201d the dancehall vocalist\u2019s tightly packed lyrics still flow with the quickness. Expect Friday\u2019s headliner to spin early 2000s hits like \u201cGimme the Light\u201d or \u201cLike Glue\u201d to get you to the right temperature to shelter you from the storm. \u2014 LIAM PIERCE<\/p>\n

Hiromi\u2019s Sonicwonder<\/strong><\/p>\n

5:45-7 p.m., WWOZ Jazz Tent<\/em><\/p>\n

Sonicwonder is the latest quartet project from the classically trained pianist Hiromi Uehara<\/a>, whose recent original compositions favor a high-energy, fusion-oriented sound that highlights her now-signature virtuosity. The group, which also includes bassist Hadrien Feraud, drummer Gene Coye and trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, released their second studio LP \u201cOut There\u201d in 2025. Fans of keyboard pyrotechnics, unexpected rhythmic turns and high-speed technical precision, take note. Hiromi also will be interviewed by Jason Berry at 3:15 p.m. Friday on the Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage. \u2014 JENNIFER ODELL<\/p>\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Eight days of music, food and New Orleans culture.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div><\/div>\n