Our Jazz Fest Picks for Thursday, 4/30

Longtime festers refer to the only Thursday on the Jazz Fest schedule as “Slacker’s Day.” It’s also Kids’ Day so expect to see lots of New Orleans public school children and their smiling faces if you get there early in the day. The full lineup is here.

The Acura stage is strong with jam bands all day culminating in another appearance by Widespread Panic. The opening act, TAUK, is one I had to look up to find out what they are all about. They are a hard charging, instrumental four-piece that will definitely wake the neighborhood with their prog rock fusion sound. Check ‘em out below.

For something decidedly different and fresh, head over to the Jazz Tent for Trumpet Mafia. This new band is led by Ashlin Parker and has seven, count them, seven trumpeters. They have been making waves on the Frenchmen Street scene.

Victor Harris (pictured at top), Big Chief Fi Yi Yi and his Indian tribe, the Mandingo Warriors, put on one of the more impressive Mardi Gras Indian acts at the Jazz Fest. Harris has been “masking Indian” for 50 years and recently was honored for the achievement. His 2015 suit is black and white.

Stick around the Jazz and Heritage stage for the Nightcrawlers or head over to hear the beginning of Panic’s marathon set. The Nightcrawlers have been back on the scene lately and this super group of New Orleans horn players was on fire at the French Quarter Festival. They were so into the set, they lost track of the time to leave the stage and had to be reminded by the stage manager!

Monty Alexander is a Jamaican pianist who plays jazz with an island lilt. Check out a little of his set, or a lot, before really getting into the Jamaican groove with the legendary reggae band, Third World.

Tomorrow—Friday’s picks!

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