Natchitoches’ downtown riverbank was once again transformed into one of our state’s preeminent musical events by the annual Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival, Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16. This year’s event, in its 29th year of musical excellence, featured 19 bands and singers on three stages playing everything from Zydeco to Jazz, Country, Gospel, and Rock throughout the day to a delighted crowd. The Jester Band, almost certainly the band with the youngest members ever to appear at the festival, put on an amazing performance made all the more so by the fact that none of them are old enough to vote.

The Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival has grown to become the largest live music festival in Northern Louisiana and a preeminent destination for live music aficionados. Natchitoches’ iconic Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs, a fixture of the local music scene and the only band to have played at all 29 Jazzfests, delighted the crowd once again with its eclectic blend of songs. Friday’s acts, tribute bands The Led Zeppelin Project and Waterloo, delighted fans young and old.

This year’s headliners, John Foster and Joe Nichols, did not disappoint! They kept the dance area full and the crowd moving to the music with their high energy performances.

The musicians at this year’s festival once again gave the audience their money’s worth and then some. The Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival is two solid days of fun and quality music for every taste.