Published on:
April 25th, 2026
It's a beautiful first weekend of Jazz Fest 2026! Here are a few photo highlights from around the Fair Grounds and in the WWOZ Hospitality Tent. Tune in to hear the sounds of the festival for the remaining days, only on WWOZ, at 90.7 FM locally or wwoz.org anywhere!
Special thanks to our volunteer photographers for their contributions: Kristen Derr, Louis Crispino, Bob Gibson, Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee, Ira Sockowitz, Leon Morris, Michele Goldfarb, Demian Roberts, MJ Mastrogiovanni, and Eli Mergel.
First Weekend Jazz Fest 2026
Blodies Jazz Jam, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Blodies Jazz Jam, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Blodies Jazz Jam, Photo by Louis Crispino. (3)
Silver Lining Serenaders, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Jamaican Food Booth at Jazz Fest
Ox tails from Afrodisiac, a Jamaican restaurant in Gentilly.
Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Quiana Lynell, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Moyuba A Tribute to the Spirit of Michael Skinkus, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Moyuba A Tribute to the Spirit of Michael Skinkus, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Omari Neville & The Fuel, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Cameron Dupuy & The Cajun Troubadours, Photo by Louis Crispino. (2)
Cameron Dupuy & The Cajun Troubadours, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Quiana Lynell, Photo by Louis Crispino. (2)
Show hosts in the tent., Photo by Louis Crispino.
Moyuba A Tribute to the Spirit of Michael Skinkus, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Jon Batiste on the Allison Miner Stage. , Photo by Louis Crispino.
Jon Batiste on the Allison Miner Stage. , Photo by Louis Crispino. (2)
Vieux Farka Touré, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Vieux Farka Touré, Photo by Louis Crispino. (2)
High Steppers Brass Band, Photo by Louis Crispino.
High Steppers Brass Band, Photo by Louis Crispino. (2)
Kenny Neal, Photo by Louis Crispino. (2)
Kenny Neal, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Blind Boys of Alabama, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Peter Harris presents Double Bird, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Peter Harris presents Double Bird, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Peter Harris presents Double Bird, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Blind Boys of Alabama, Photo by Louis Crispino
Blind Boys of Alabama, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Blind Boys of Alabama, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Line for Mango Freeze, Photo by Louis Crispino.
The Caesar Brothers FunkBox, Photo by Louis Crispino.
The Caesar Brothers FunkBox, Photo by Louis Crispino
Sierra Green and The Giants, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Around Jazz Fest, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Aurora Nealand's Royal Roses, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Aurora Nealand's Royal Roses, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Charlie Musselwhite & GA-20, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Cortes Ward - Honoring the Legacy of Michael Ward, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Sierra Green and The Giants, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Sierra Green and The Giants, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Around Jazz Fest. Photo by Louis Crispino.
Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Monty Alexander Jamericana. Photo by Louis Crispino.
Monty Alexander Jamericana. Photo by Louis Crispino.
Sportys Brass Band, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Sportys Brass Band, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Sportys Brass Band, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Charlie Musselwhite & GA-20, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Shinyribs. Photo by Louis Crispino.
Shinyribs. Photo by Louis Crispino.
Shinyribs. Photo by Louis Crispino.
Shinyribs. Photo by Louis Crispino.
Shinyribs. Photo by Louis Crispino.
The Muffuletta from DiMartino's
Jamaican sign artist Russian Brummond
Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
WWOZ Tent during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
WWOZ Tent during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
WWOZ Tent during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
WWOZ Tent during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
WWOZ Tent during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Wynoka Boudreaux at her exhibit in the folk life area during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Old & Nu Fellas SA&PC during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Old & Nu Fellas SA&PC during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Old & Nu Fellas SA&PC during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Flaming Arrow during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Flaming Arrow during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Creole Wild West Spy Boy Trouble and his father Spy Boy Horace during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
FiYiYi former Big Chief Victory Harris at his exhibit during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Mardi Gras Artist Rene Pierre during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
The Z Steppers SA&PC during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
The Z Steppers SA&PC during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Sporty_s Brass Band Photo by Ira Sockowitz
Lady and Men Rollers during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Lady and Men Rollers during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Lady and Men Rollers during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
The Z Steppers SA&PC during Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Stephen Marley- Photo by Ira Sockowitz
Charlie Musselwhite & GA-20- Photo by Ira Sockowitz
Shinyribs Photo by Ira Sockowitz
Stephen Marley- Photo by Ira Sockowitz (2)
Sporty_s Brass Band- Photo by Ira Sockowitz
Omari Neville & The Fuel. Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
Maggie Koerner. Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
Kyle Roussell & Erica Falls. Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
Chubby Carrier & Bayou Swamp Band. Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
Aurora Nealand_s Royal Roses. Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
Cameron Dupuy & Cajun Troubadors- Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
Chubby Carrier & Bayou Swamp Band-1
Aurora Nealand_s Royal Roses-1. Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
Aurora Nealand_s Royal Roses. Photo by Ira Sockowitz. (2)
Cimafunk. Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
Blind Boys of Alabama. Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
Beth with Eckerts in the hospitality tent. Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
Brother Tyrone and the Mindbenders- , Photo by Bob Gibson.
Brother Tyrone and the Mindbenders, Photo by Bob Gibson.
Blodie's Jazz Jam-, Photo by Bob Gibson.
Blodie's Jazz Jam, Photo by Bob Gibson.
Blodie's Jazz Jam, Photo by Bob Gibson.
Yusa. Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
Kyle Roussel and Erica Falls-Photo by Bob Gibson.
Kyle Roussel and Erica Falls- Photo by Bob Gibson.
Jamaica Cultural Exchange- , Photo by Bob Gibson.
Jamaica Cultural Exchange , Photo by Bob Gibson.
Jamaica Cultural Exchange-Jazz Fest 2026,- , Photo by Bob Gibson.
Brother Tyrone and the Mindbenders-, Photo by Bob Gibson.
Kyle Roussel and Erica Falls Photo by Bob Gibson.-1
Loyola University Jazz Ensemble-3Photo by Bob Gibson.
Monty Alexander Jamericana -Photo by Bob Gibson.
Monty Alexander Jamericana Photo by Bob Gibson.-1
Monty Alexander Jamericana- Photo by Bob Gibson. 5
Monty Alexander Jamericana-Photo by Bob Gibson.
Lynn Drury in the hospitality tent, Photo by Kristen Derr. (2)
Gregg Stafford's Jazz Hounds, Photo by Kristen Derr.
Brass-A-Holics, Photo by Kristen Derr.
Brass-A-Holics, Photo by Kristen Derr. (2)
Brass-A-Holics, Photo by Kristen Derr. (3)
Brass-A-Holics, Photo by Kristen Derr. (4)
Nicholas Payton featuring Butcher Brown Photo by Bob Gibson.
Nicholas Payton featuring Butcher Brown Photo by Bob Gibson.
Old Man River on the broadcast. Photo by Bob Gibson.
Big Chief Donald Harrison featuring Deezle and BlaqNmilD, Photo by Kristen Derr.
Gregg Stafford's Jazz Hounds, Photo by Kristen Derr. (3)
Missy working the broadcast from the hospitality tent, Photo by Kristen Derr.
Lynn Drury in the hospitality tent, Photo by Kristen Derr.
Broadcast from the hospitality tent, Photo by Kristen Derr.
Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes, Photo by Kristen Derr.
Josh Paxton with Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes
Lynn Drury, Photo by Kristen Derr. (2)
Rik Jam and The Island Federation Photo by Kristen Derr
Monty Alexander Interviewer- Tom McDermott, Photo by Kristen Derr.
Monty Alexander, Photo by Kristen Derr.
Michael Hurtt & the Haunted Hearts, Photo by Kristen Derr.
Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes, Photo by Kristen Derr.
Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, Photo by Kristen Derr.
Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, Photo Kristen Derr. (2)
Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, Photo Kristen Derr.
The Silver Lining Serenaders , Photo Kristen Derr.(3)
The Silver Lining Serenaders, Photo Kristen Derr.
Michael Hurtt & the Haunted Hearts, Photo by Kristen Derr. (3)
Red Cheyenne at Jazz Fest 2026. Photo by MJ Mastrogiovanni.
