{"id":2390001,"date":"2026-04-26T14:31:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T14:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2390001"},"modified":"2026-04-26T14:31:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T14:31:10","slug":"nola-jazz-fest-gambits-picks-for-music-to-see-april-30-jazz-fest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/nola-jazz-fest-gambits-picks-for-music-to-see-april-30-jazz-fest\/","title":{"rendered":"NOLA Jazz Fest: Gambit’s picks for music to see April 30 | Jazz Fest"},"content":{"rendered":"

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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 when the festival picks back up Thursday, April 30.<\/p>\n

OperaCreole<\/strong><\/p>\n

11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m., Lagniappe Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

Founded by mother and daughter Givonna Joseph and Aria Mason, OperaCreole<\/a> for 15 years has diligently unearthed and performed operas written by people of color, including Creole composers from New Orleans. At Jazz Fest this year, the ensemble will perform a set including sacred Creole folk songs, grand works by New Orleans-born composer Edmond D\u00e9d\u00e9 and Lucien Lambert\u2019s work \u201cLe Spahi.\u201d \u2014 LIAM PIERCE<\/p>\n

The Rising Suns<\/strong><\/p>\n

12:40-1:50 p.m., Cultural Exchange Pavilion<\/em><\/p>\n

3:40-4:40 p.m., Lagniappe Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

This stripped-down, harmonizing reggae trio\u2019s<\/a> name pays direct homage to lyrics from Bob Marley\u2019s \u201cThree Little Birds.\u201d It\u2019s appropriate not just because of the play on threes, but also because one member, Quan-Dajai Henriques, portrayed teenage Marley in the 2024 biopic \u201cOne Love.\u201d Henriques plays guitar alongside fellow guitarist Irie Soljah and Matthew Malcolm on percussion. The group is sure to deliver vintage reggae classics in a chill and intimate set. The Rising Suns also perform Friday at 1:10 p.m. in the Rhythmpourium and at 3:30 p.m. in the Cultural Exchange Pavilion. \u2014 LIAM PIERCE<\/p>\n

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Martin, left, Steve and Sasha Masakowski<\/p>\n

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Steve Masakowski Family & Friends<\/strong><\/p>\n

1:35-2:35 p.m., WWOZ Jazz Tent<\/em><\/p>\n

Guitarist Steve Masakowski<\/a> has been a fixture of New Orleans\u2019 contemporary jazz scene for decades as a bandleader, a member of Astral Project and a sideman to many. Now 71, his latest release<\/a> \u2014 last month\u2019s \u201cTwo Worlds\u201d \u2014 brings aboard his daughter, vocalist Sasha Masakowski, and son, bassist Martin Masakowski, as part of the album\u2019s sextet. With eight original compositions and a version of James Black\u2019s \u201cA Lover Song,\u201d the album highlights the family\u2019s sophisticated jazz artistry and innovation. \u2014 BRAD RHINES<\/p>\n

Jesse Royal<\/strong><\/p>\n

1:50-2:50 p.m., Jazz & Heritage Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

3:50-5 p.m., Cultural Exchange Pavilion<\/em><\/p>\n

Roots reggae artist Jesse Royal<\/a> began to build his name around his native Jamaica in the 2010s through a series of mixtapes and EP and his 2017 full-length debut. But he seems to have hit his stride in the last few years, earning Grammy nominations for his 2021 album \u201cRoyal\u201d and last year\u2019s \u201cNo Place Like Home\u201d and touring extensively. Royal blends hip-hop, soul and electronica into his sound, creating a modern style that has earned him attention among reggae fans. \u2014 JAKE CLAPP<\/p>\n

Batiste Brothers Band<\/strong><\/p>\n

2:20-3:30 p.m., Congo Square Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

The Batiste family has been a cornerstone of New Orleans music for generations, including the Batiste Brothers Band, which started recording and touring in the 1970s. The band\u2019s 2024 fest appearance was a tribute to the late drummer Russell Batiste, son of original keyboardist David, and last year the family lost another principal member, Paul Batiste. Expect this year\u2019s appearance to be another celebration of classic New Orleans funk and soul from the multigenerational family that continues to keep the flame. \u2014 BRAD RHINES<\/p>\n

Lettuce<\/strong><\/p>\n

2:45-4 p.m., Festival Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

These Berklee-bred funk scholars<\/a> have burned down many a Jazz Fest aftershow, and in 2026, Lettuce makes its official fest debut. The band is known for its rhythmic psychedelic soul mixed with hip-hop breakbeats, and last December turned up the heat with its latest full-length album, \u201cCook.\u201d The band also hosts the post-fest show \u201cRage! Fest\u201d at 9 p.m. Thursday at the Joy Theater<\/a>. \u2014 LIAM PIERCE<\/p>\n

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Micah McKee<\/p>\n

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Micah McKee<\/strong><\/p>\n

3:35-4:20 p.m., Rhythmpourium<\/em><\/p>\n

Much of Micah McKee\u2019s music<\/a> is steeped in the sweet and soulful sounds of singer-songwriters from the \u201970s. Long ingrained in Americana and roots music circles in New Orleans, he\u2019s been part of numerous bands and projects and has had standing gigs at neighborhood spots like Saturn Bar, Banks St. Bar and MRB. Earlier this year, McKee\u2019s Lonesome Wilde released \u201cBeautiful Animal,\u201d showcasing his knack for down-to-earth songcraft and easygoing melodies. \u2014 BRAD RHINES<\/p>\n

Grace Bowers<\/strong><\/p>\n

3:45-5 p.m., Blues Tent<\/em><\/p>\n

It was easy to bandy the word \u201cprodigy\u201d around about Grace Bowers<\/a>, who released her well-received debut album in 2024 when she was 18. And the guitarist \u2014 who went viral last year for playing \u201cWhile My Guitar Gently Weeps\u201d alongside Peter Frampton and Phish\u2019s Trey Anastasio \u2014 has forged a meteoric career that has traces of blues yet leans into a grittier, punk-inflected sound. Enjoy watching her shred on songs about getting stoned and seeing UFOs. \u2014 LIAM PIERCE<\/p>\n

Widespread Panic<\/strong><\/p>\n

4:30-7 p.m., Festival Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

The Southern jam band returns to the Fair Grounds with an epic two-and-a-half hour headlining slot on Thursday. Widespread Panic<\/a> announced earlier this year that guitarist Jimmy Herring would be sitting out this tour sidelined by throat cancer (the prognosis is positive, and Herring should return soon). For now, Nick Johnson is filling in, and if fans were skeptical at first, reports from recent shows \u2014 including a three-night run in St. Augustine, Florida, that featured a rare cover of the Meters\u2019 \u201cJust Kissed My Baby\u201d \u2014 have been all good news. \u2014 BRAD RHINES<\/p>\n

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Widespread Panic<\/p>\n

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Lake Street Dive<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Lake Street Dive\u2019s<\/a> sunny, jazz-steeped pop dates back to 2004, when singer Rachael Price, bassist Bridget Kearney, drummer Mike Calabrese and former guitarist Mike “McDuck” Olson launched the band as New England Conservatory students. That pedigree was more noticeable when they were a bit less polished, but 20 years later, there\u2019s still plenty of playful musical risk-taking. Price\u2019s impossibly strong and soul-fueled voice, clever lyrics and quirky covers make this music fun, while unexpected harmonies and collaborative songwriting keep depth built into their sound. The band\u2019s latest EP is 2025\u2019s \u201cThe City Winery Sessions.\u201d \u2014 JENNIFER ODELL<\/p>\n

Leela James<\/strong><\/p>\n

5:35-6:55 p.m., Congo Square Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

Leela James\u2019<\/a> voice is steeped in retro soul with a raw, gravelly edge, and early on, it earned her a flurry of Etta James comparisons. And Leela in 2012 released an Etta tribute album featuring an impressive array of updated takes on the late singer\u2019s classic tunes. Strong as it was, Leela James sounds more at home now that she\u2019s mostly recording original work. It\u2019s a welcome shift for an artist who writes songs with the same kind of grit, power and heart she pours into her voice. \u2014 JENNIFER ODELL<\/p>\n

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On their album ‘Second Line Sunday,’ New Breed wanted to capture the sounds of hitting the streets.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

Fred Wesley & His New J.B.\u2019s<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

If James Brown was the Godfather of Soul, then his \u201cright-hand man,\u201d trombonist Fred Wesley<\/a>, was soul and funk\u2019s chief engineer. As Brown\u2019s musical director from 1968-1975, Wesley led and arranged some of the singer\u2019s greatest works while contributing deeply syncopated, intensely flexible solos that helped define the sound of funk. Wesley went on to work with George Clinton and the Count Basie Orchestra, but he\u2019s consistently returned to various incarnations of the \u201cDoin\u2019 It To Death\u201d-era J.B.\u2019s. Now 82, he leads the New J.B.\u2019s and remains an essential voice in jazz, funk, soul and hip-hop. Wesley also will be interviewed by Melissa Weber, the venerable DJ Soul Sister, at 3:45 p.m. Thursday on the Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage. \u2014 JENNIFER ODELL<\/p>\n

Alejandro Escovedo<\/strong><\/p>\n

5:50-7 p.m., Fais Do-Do Stage<\/em><\/p>\n

Born into a large musical family in San Antonio, singer, songwriter and guitarist Alejandro Escovedo\u2019s<\/a> musical output since the 1970s has spanned punk, cowpunk, no-wave, art rock and even strains of chamber jazz. But he\u2019s best known for the solo music he\u2019s recorded since the early \u201990s \u2014 a mashup that\u2019s alternately subtly provocative or gritty, heartbreaking or straight rock and rock and roll, sometimes in one song. On 2024\u2019s \u201cEcho Dancing,\u201d he reimagines deep cuts and classics with heavy electronics to take the angst quotient straight back to first-wave Escovedo. \u2014 JENNIFER ODELL<\/p>\n<\/div>\n