The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is underway and runs through May 5.  The Fair Grounds is the scene for music at 12 stages & tents Friday through Sunday this weekend and Thursday through Sunday next weekend.  Over 70 food & drink vendors provide New Orleans fare, a major part of the Fair Grounds scene.

Headline acts this year include Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac, Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, The Black Keys, Widespread Panic, Hall & Oates and Maroon 5.  Also in the lineup are Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, B.B. King, Gary Clark Jr., Taj Mahal, Jimmy Cliff, Willie Nelson, Los Lobos, Trombone Shorty and a rare performance from Wayne Shorter.  Perhaps most important are Jazz Fest regulars like Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Sonny Landreth, Marcia Ball, the Nevilles, Anders Osborne, Terence Blanchard, Irma Thomas & Pete Fountain, to name a few.  Whew.  It is the greatest of all festivals.

As in past years, New Orleans radio station WWOZ will be broadcasting live from the Fair Grounds.