Sights at Jazz Fest

“Music IS the Scene”: Jazz Fest’s First Decade, 1970-1979

“Music IS the Scene”: Jazz Fest’s First Decade, 1970-1979 / Sights at Jazz Fest /
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In 1972, Jazz Fest moved from Beauregard Square to a larger space, the infield of the New Orleans Fair Grounds in the Gentilly neighborhood.

“The Fair Grounds had no drainage system, and after one of the first days of the festival, it rained. Quint (Davis), Henry Hildebrand III, and I picked up all the garbage in the rain and slush at the end of the day. In those early days people brought their own drinks, and there were broken whiskey bottles everywhere. When I look at how the festival has changed over the years, I find it hard to believe.” -Allison Miner, Jazz Fest Memories, 1997

Dancers at Jazz Fest, 1976, photographer: Mark J. Sindler, Louisiana Image Collection LaRC-1081, Box 29, Folder 2, Tulane University Special Collections.
Louisiana Heritage Fair Stage 5, with band featuring Danny Barker, banjo; Blue Lu Barker, vocals; and Frank Naundorf, trombone, 1974, Jazz Fest, photographer unidentified, Mina Lea Crais collection HJA-060, 117.090, Tulane University Special Collections.
James Rivers performs at Jazz Fest, 1974, photographer unidentified, Tad Jones collection HJA-056, Box 28, Folder 46, Tulane University Special Collections.
Performer Ernie K-Doe, with pianist Tommy Ridgley, circa 1974, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, photographer: Robin von Breton Davis, Robert Palmer collection HJA-027, Box 268, 219.8570, Tulane University Special Collections.
Roosevelt Sykes at piano, 1974, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, photographer: Michael P. Smith, Robert Palmer collection HJA-027, Box 268, 219.8572, Tulane University Special Collections.
Clifton Chenier performs at Jazz Fest, 1975, photographer: Harriet Blum, Louisiana Image Collection LaRC-1081, Box 26, Folder 10, Tulane University Special Collections.
Lawrence Trotter, snare drummer, and Reginald Koeller, trumpeter, both with Sherman’s Tuxedo Brass Band; and an unidentified man stand at Jazz Fest, 1975, photographer: Harriet Blum, Hogan Archive Photography Collection, PH003950, Tulane University Special Collections.
Earl King performs at Jazz Fest, 1975, photographer: Jim Scheurich, Tad Jones collection HJA-056, Box 14, Tulane University Special Collections.
Dancers at Jazz Fest, 1976, photographer: Mark J. Sindler, Louisiana Image Collection LaRC-1081, Box 29, Folder 2, Tulane University Special Collections.
Napper at Jazz Fest, 1976, photographer: G. Andrew Boyd, Louisiana Image Collection LaRC-1081, Box 29, Folder 2, Tulane University Special Collections.
Grand Marshall Walter Lewis marches with the Onward Brass Band at Jazz Fest, 1976, photographer: Harriet Blum, Hogan Archive Photography Collection, PH003075, Tulane University Special Collections.
Onward Brass Band performs at Jazz Fest, l. to r.: Louis Cottrell, clarinet; Oscar Rouzan, alto saxophone; Waldren “Frog” Joseph, trombone; unidentified sousaphone player (possibly Jerry Greene); Freddie Lonzo, trombone; and Wendell Eugene, trombone; 1976, photographer: Harriet Blum, Hogan Archive Photography Collection, PH003076, Tulane University Special Collections.
Doc Paulin’s Band performs at Jazz Fest, l. to r.: unidentified tenor saxophonist; Dwayne Paulin, sousaphone; Darryl Walker, trombone; Doc Paulin, trumpet; Michael White, clarinet; and Ricky Paulin, snare drum; 1977, photographer: Harriet Blum, Hogan Archive Photography Collection, PH003243, Tulane University Special Collections.
Nathan Abshire performs at Jazz Fest, undated circa 1970s, photographer: Harriet Blum, Louisiana Image Collection LaRC-1081, Box 26, Folder 10, Tulane University Special Collections.
Crowd surrounds brass band at Jazz Fest, undated circa 1970s, photographer: Jay Andersen, Mina Lea Crais collection HJA-060, 117.095, Tulane University Special Collections.
Proof sheet of Irma Thomas, known as the “Soul Queen of New Orleans,” at Jazz Fest, undated circa 1970s, unidentified photographer, Tad Jones collection HJA-056, Box 14, Tulane University Special Collections.
Proof sheet, Louisiana Heritage Fair Stage 3, with Onward Brass Band, Dance Band, Louis Cottrell’s Band, Danny Barker, and Blue Lu Barker, circa 1973, photographer unidentified, Mina Lea Crais collection HJA-060, 117.086, Tulane University Special Collections.
Proof sheet, Louisiana Heritage Fair Stages 2, 4, and 5, with the Fairview Baptist Church Band, Onward Brass Band, and Ed Garland, 1973, photographer unidentified, Mina Lea Crais collection HJA-060, 117.087, Tulane University Special Collections.
Ernie K-Doe greets an audience at Jazz Fest, 1976, photographer: Mark J. Sindler, Louisiana Image Collection LaRC-1081, Box 26, Folder 10, Tulane University Special Collections.
In 1979, KOINDU debuted at Jazz Fest. The new area featured crafts tents and a performance stage with artists that reflected the African diaspora. KOINDU resulted from efforts in 1978 by The Afrikan American Jazz Festival Coalition. The New Orleans-based group of activists advocated for more African-Americans to be part of the leadership and planning in the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and Foundation. 1979 Jazz Fest program book page describing KOINDU, Danny and Blue Lu Barker collection HJA-054, Box 2, Tulane University Special Collections.
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