Day 7 of Jazz Fest looked a bit gloomy, but rain only drizzled briefly before noon and left the rest of the day dry. Guests came out in the thousands, but still did not reach the numbers of previous record-breaking years. Headliners for the day included Tems, Laufey, and Pearl Jam, all drawing in big crowds for their end of day performances.
In an all-white suit and black tie, blues artist and New Orleans native Samantha Fish rocked out on the Festival Stage. She recently released a rock album titled Paper Dolls, venturing into a more rock n’ roll type sound from her usual blues. She performed songs from the album like “Fortune Teller” and “Rusty Razor,” all of which were full of energy and her incredible guitar skills.
Musician Rickie Lee Jones greeted the crowd with a huge smile on the Gentilly Stage. Her style has reached an incredible range during her five decades of music featuring songs in genres like rock, R&B, pop, soul, and jazz. She sang her own classic songs “Chuck E’s in Love” and “The Last Chance Texaco,” throwing in some cover songs such as Frank Sinatra’s “My Funny Valentine” and Jerry Lee Lewis’s “Drinkin’ Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee.”
Multi-instrumentalist and jazz drummer Jason Marsalis performed some rare works completed by his father and jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis in the Jazz Tent. Ellis’s heyday was in the 80’s and 90’s, but his recently revealed songs prove to be timeless in their lyricism and jazzy tones. As a son of a long line of musicians, Marsalis carries on his family’s legacy by performing.
Southern Avenue took to the stage with lead vocalist Tierinii Jackson in a gorgeous sunflower yellow dress. Jackson was accompanied by her band composed of Ori Naftaly on guitar, sisters Tikyra Jackson on drums, Ava Jackson on violin and percussion, and touring member Gage Markey on bass. The group was ecstatic to deliver their soulful roots tunes.
GRAMMY winning trumpeter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Nicholas Payton brought good friends bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding and drummer Karriem Riggins to the Jazz Tent. The trio calls themselves Triune. Spalding began the set with a solo of “Feed the Fire.” The remainder of the set was full of creative compositions by Payton. Some song highlights were Payton’s “Ultra Violet” and “Gold Dust Black Magic.”
The Congo Square Stage was transformed into a party when rapper Ha Sizzle delivered a set DJ’d by Raj Smoove in celebration of his 20 year anniversary in music. Sizzle was joined by fellow stars Mia X, Kango Slimm, Pell, Alfred Banks, Flagboy Giz, PoppyH, 3D Na’Tee, Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, and more. His fast beats and tongue-twisting vocals gave good reason to his nickname as “the King of Bounce.”
Former lead vocalist of the New Orleans’ funk-band Galactic, Maggie Koerner has since embarked on her own solo journey. Koerner made the stage her own, dancing around and singing her powerhouse vocals in cowboy boots and a white cowboy hat. She mingled on stage with violinist Molly Graham while playing the guitar.
The award-winning country artist Margo Price closed on the Fais Do-Do Stage and introduced her new band. The new members are Logan Ledger on guitar, Sean Thompson on guitar, Libby Weitnauer on fiddle, Alec Newnam on bass, and Chris Gelb on drums. The set paid tribute to artists she has looked up to including Willie Nelson, John Prine, and Rodney Crowell.
Relatively new and critically-acclaimed singer Laufey was the closing performance on the Gentilly Stage. This Icelandic singer found her fame by appearing on Iceland’s Got Talent, The Voice, and posting to TikTok. In 2022 her debut album made it to No. 3 on the US Jazz Albums charts. Younger festival goers enjoyed Laufey’s set, bringing a new genre of music — jazz pop — into the mainstream.
Tems’ Afrobeats took over the Congo Square stage as day seven came to an end. Her set was full of crowd interaction and down-to-earth moments where you could tell Tems was putting her heart into her songs. She proved her vocal talents on songs “The Key” and “Essence.” The crowd erupted as soon as they heard the opening of the emotional “Free Mind,” one of her biggest hits.
In the Blues Tent, GRAMMY winning singer Bobby Rush and five-time Grammy-nominated vocalist and guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd came together after their joint album Young Fashioned Ways. Shepherd played some incredible guitar riffs with Rush on vocals showing he’s still got talent and some fantastic dance moves at 91-years-old. Noah Hunt also joined Shepherd on vocals to bring the blues alive during the packed late afternoon set. The show this pair put on was just a spectacular way to bring the day to an end.
On the main Festival Stage, iconic 90’s rock band Pearl Jam filled the Fairgrounds. The band opened with “Corduroy,” a song from their newest album Dark Matter. The rest of their set included crowd pleasing hits such as “Jeremy,” “Better Man,” “Daughter,” and “Alive.” Mike McCready played an incredible solo during “Even Flow,” placing his guitar behind his head while still maintaining every note. Lead vocalist Eddie Vedder dedicated the song to former Saints player and ALS advocate Steve Gleason, who was in the audience attending his 24th consecutive Jazz Fest.
Come back later for our look into Day 8 of Jazz Fest 2025!