Good Morning Music Lovers!  It’s the most wonderful time of the year; no Andy Williams, not Christmas, Day 1 of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the unchallenged greatest music and culture event on the planet!

My hot picks –

If you are feeling Latin, start off with Rumba Buena; If you want to go Cajun, dance by Jimmy Breaux & Friends.  Next you can compare the traditional  French-Louisiana sounds of Geno Delafose with the Zydecajun style of Wayne Toups. I think Seeing Wayne at my very first JFest in 1994 changed my life.  Stay in the Acadiana grove with Steve Riley or check out 3 distinctly different sounds at about the same time: Laura Mvula, Brass-a-Holics, and Honey Island Swamp Band.  Take a break with the cool sophisticated stylings of Sasha Masakowski at Lagniappe (that’s the stage with seating!) before checking out not your typical rock star, Shamarr Allen.  Check out the interview of Carlos Santana 3:15-4 in the Grandstand.  It’s Eric Lindell next and my “Under-the Radar” pick, The Infamous Stringdusters.  Close out with Aurora Nealand and 2 classic sides of American music – Public Enemy or Santana!

Remember to practice the “Walk By”, stroll by the many different stages to see bands that you have never heard of for a song or two.  I promise that you will discover something fabulous you never even know existed.  Whatever adventures lie before you, remember to Go Hear Some Live Local Music!