Welcome to the
New Orleans
Jazz & Heritage
Foundation

Ensuring New Orleans’ rich cultural legacy lives on in future generations


Happening Now

The latest events and news from Jazz & Heritage.

Celebrate 20 Years of the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival on
October 9-11

The Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival returns to Lafayette Square Park on October 9-11, 2026, celebrating its 20th anniversary! For three days, we’re bringing you nonstop live music performances by Grammy Award winner Ruthie Foster, acclaimed singer and guitarist Samantha Fish, and legendary musician Booker T. Jones, a multi-Grammy Award winner and recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and many more; countless food vendors from across Louisiana; and a wide array of artwork by local artisans.

Admission is free. VIP tickets on sale now!

Applications Now Open: Jazz Fest Volunteer Photography Program

Interested in being part of the team that captures photography for the world-renowned Jazz Fest? Submit your application for the Jazz Fest Volunteer Photography Program with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Archive! Work side-by-side with the Archive to document Jazz Fest for inclusion in the Archive’s historic collection. Photographers of all experience levels welcome to apply. Deadline to apply is November 14th at 11:59 pm CT.

Help support our mission.

Donations may be made in any amount and can be directed to a specific program area. You can also make a Gift Donation for a friend or family member.

We Teach.

Educational programs that inspire our youth.

  • Tom Dent Lecture Series

    Tom Dent Congo Square Lecture Series

  • HSM for Beginners

    HSM Beginners: Music Classes For First-Time Learners

  • Vocal Workshops

    Vocal Workshops for Kids with Tonya Boyd-Cannon

  • Pro-Audio Workshops

We build.

Economic initiatives that support our artists.

We celebrate.

Cultural events that enrich our community.

  • Congo Square Rhythms Festival

     

  • Jazz & Heritage Concerts

     

  • 2026 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

     

  • Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival

     

  • Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival

     

  • Jazz Fest Gala

     

Our living legacy

The Jazz & Heritage Foundation has a close relationship with assets it supports all year long. These longstanding institutions of heritage are beloved in the community and worldwide.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell is firmly established as a singular celebration of both historic and contemporary significance.

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The fully renovated facility includes 7 state-of-the-art classrooms outfitted for music instruction, a 200-seat auditorium, and a recording studio..

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The Archive is the repository of materials and information from the Foundation’s various programs and activities — including Jazz Fest.

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WWOZ 90.7 FM is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Station, a community radio station. Photo by Kichea Burt.

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The George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center is our education and performance facility.

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The Jazz & Heritage Gala is an annual kick-off celebration to Jazz Fest. It is also a special opportunity to support the Foundation’s mission to make music education accessible to all young musicians.

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Calling All volunteers!

We are always happy to meet new friends who want to support the music and culture of New Orleans. If you would like to know more about volunteer opportunities, please contact us.

When the fest is over, our work is just beginning.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is the nonprofit that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell. We use the proceeds from Jazz Fest, and other funds, for year-round programs to support our music and culture.

Photos on this website are by Eric Simon Photography, unless otherwise noted.