Watching the new documentary (2022) on Jazz Fest made me appreciate my recent trip to the “festival of all festivals” even more. Jazz Fest is truly one of the great non-digital remaining adventures in the US, and after 50 years it remains true to its roots.  Click here to read my story on Jazz Fest 2022.

Flying home on a crowded baby-heavy filled Jet Blue plane, I happily lost myself watching “Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story” (click here for more on Amazon).  The film does a great job of bouncing between performances and history of the festival. The film echoes a similar theme as the recent Elvis movie (click here to read that story) that champions the power of American music to erase racial divide and connect people through dance and song. 

Click below to watch the trailer…

I learned a ton about why Jazz Fest is so damn special, and was massively entertained by hearing the musicians talk about the unique spirit at the annual gathering in NOLA. Hearing from Ben Jaffe, who was conceived at the first Jazz Fest in 1961, talk about how the festival comes together each year was deeply personal and priceless insight.

The great guitar-man Tab Benoit tells a great story about the roots of Cajun music where the venue chairs face the dance floor, not the stage, to watch the real show – people twisting and twirling with another.

I also really was touched by the segment on Bruce Springsteen’s post-Katrina rousing performance of “City of Ruins” (originally written about Asbury Park, NJ). That man has a god-given gift to inspire people when they need it most.

In the end, this film celebrates the way music brings people together. It heals the bad, celebrates the good, and spices up the many mundane days in between.  It is nice compliment to my Music People Project (click here to visit the website) that also curates personal stories of the power of music.

Peace and love Rancheleros!