The Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival, which is going to be held on the downtown riverbank May 15-16 has released its schedule for its 29th Festival, and as usual, it is chocked full with artists for just about every musical taste, including Jazz, R&B (of course), Country, Rock & Roll, Soul, Gospel, Folk, Blues, Zydeco and much more.
This year’s headliner is multiplatinum Country superstar, Joe Nichols, who will appear on the main stage beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. Preceding Nichols will be American Idol runner up and Louisiana native John Foster at 7 p.m., local and regional favorites and Louisiana Music Hall of Fame members Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs at 5:25 p.m., hit making R&B/Soul singer, Tiffany Rachal at 3:40 p.m., Natchitoches’ own Country music legend and Curb Recording artist Trini Triggs at 2:35 p.m., with the music being kicked off on the Main Stage by Zydeco legend, Gerard Delafose.
There will be over 15 bands on three stages with the schedule for the Fleur De Lis Stage and Roque House Stage listed below. For the first time ever there will also be a Natchitoches Original Music Showcase Stage located at Beau Jardin. That stage will feature mostly Natchitoches artists performing their original music.
The fun begins on Friday night with Tribute to Legends night which will begin with Led Zeppelin tribute band, The Zeppelin Project at 7 p.m. featuring a faithful recreation of the super group’s hits.
Prior to the Zeppelin, will be Waterloo, the nation’s premiere ABBA tribute act will faithfully create the 70’s Swedish super group’s concert, including dancers and a lights show. Attendees are encouraged dress up and sing along.
As always, there will be plenty of great food and kids’ activities at this family event. For more information and to order tickets go to http://www.natchjazzfest.com
Fleur De Lis Stage
12:00 – 1:00 Snake Doctors. Led by grizzled veteran, Ed Huey, this Natchitoches based Doctors prescription will be an eclectic blend of Blues, Jazz, Folk, with a little Rock & Roll and R&B thrown in. You will hear things you’ve never heard before from this entertaining group.
1:10 – 2:10 The Luke Brouillette Jazz Trio (Traditional and Modern Jazz). Led by guitarist Luke Brouillette, this trio which includes Sammy Nix on drums and Dion Pierre on bass will play through well-loved jazz standards featuring Swing, Latin, and Bebop. Listen and watch while these virtuosos perform some righteous jazz.
2:20 – 3:20 Deep Water Rehab – (Classic, Southern Rock, Country, Originals & Covers). This Winnfield-based band covering Classic & Southern Rock, Country, and even some R&B tunes. They’ll also be performing cuts from their album of original songs which recently dropped.
3:30 – 4:30 Gumbo Delux – (R&B/Soul). This is a high-energy Shreveport based Soul/R&B group serving up a spicy mix of covers of great songs of yesterday and today.
4:45 – 5:45 Junior the Third – (Blues and Jazz). This Shreveport based trio started out as raw, stripped-down Blues and has stretched into something deeper, shaped by soulful jams, old standards, and the kind of feel you can’t fake. Pulling from the well of Delta and Hill Country blues, they built a sound that’s less about polish and more about pocket.
6:00 – 7:00 Becky Birdwell and the Shuffle Kings (Classic Rock/R&B/Country/Gospel). Becky and her family band has been a fixture at the festival for many years and play a crowd-pleasing mixture of classic rock, R&B, Country with some gospel thrown in.
Roque House Stage
1:00 – 2:00 The Amazing! Rhythm Disciples (Gospel/R&B/Rock/Country/Inspirational). This Natchitoches-based Gospel/Inspiration group will perform an eclectic blend of secular and traditional gospel music which will include some Rock & Roll, Country, Rhythm & Blues and Contemporary Christian songs. Their set includes some unique “Mash Ups” of traditional hymns with more modern secular music. All of it, music with a message!
2:10 – 3:10 Jenny & Kelli (Harmonious Rock, Covers, & Originals). These popular Natchitoches songbirds play a rousing blend of songs that you know and love along with a few of their very own originals. Every song will feature their spectacular angelic harmonies.
3:20 – 4:20 Broken Peaces – (Classic Rock). This kind of a “Super Group,” made up of members of various bands who have come together to make some great high-energy music, focusing mainly on the Rock & Roll of the 70’s through the 90’s.
4:35 – 5:35 Badd Apple – (Classic Rock/ R&B). Led by local legend, Billy O’Con, featuring some of the finest musicians in north Louisiana, this rocking group will have everyone on their feet and dancing from the first note.
5:50 – 6:50 Jester – (Rock and Blues). This 3-piece high-energy band, exploding out of Bossier City is fronted by 13 year old guitar protégé and vocalist, Odin Cobb, and is fueled by the thunderous drive of a 17 year old drummer and locked in tight by a veteran bassist. Don’t miss this highly entertaining act.
Advance tickets may be purchased at http://www.natchjazzfest.com