NEW ORLEANS — Despite challenges from the weather and Rolling Stones/Fleetwood Mac shows that never happened, more than 475,000 people attended the 50th anniversary New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival this year, producers announced Thursday.
Jazz Fest organizers also confirmed that next year’s event, set for April 23 through May 3, 2020, will be eight days, just like this year. The eighth day was added for the 50th anniversary event and will remain next year.
Rain delayed the opening of this year’s event at the Fair Grounds and delayed things again on the second Saturday of the fest, which is always a major event for the local economy.
This year’s crowd compares to 450,000 people who attended the 2018 fest, also presented by title sponsor Shell.
Last year’s event was fortunate enough to have near-perfect weather for all seven days of the fest, which helped draw large crowds.
The 2017 and 2016 festivals, both of which battled rain, saw crowds of 425,000. 460,000 fans attended in 2015 – the highest attendance total since 2005.
Historically, the peak for Jazz Fest attendance came in 2001 when an estimated 650,000 people attended.
Highlights this year included performances by Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Katy Perry, a rare performance by the Ellis Marsalis and his four musical sons, Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo, and Jason; 50th anniversary tributes to other New Orleans music legends such as Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew, Louis Armstrong, Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Louis Prima, Danny and Blue Lu Barker and many more; as well as dozens of local and regional acts.
The 51st Jazz Fest is set for April 23-26 and April 30-May 3, 2020.