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First Draft

Vintage Jazz Fest Photos That Make Us Want to Sing, Dance, Laugh, Cry, and Eat

Reliving the sights, sounds, and even smells of the Fair Grounds through images of Jazz Fests past.

By Eli A. Haddow, marketing associate

April 23, 2020

Michael P. Smith served as an unofficial photographer at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival for more than 30 years. While his most famous images feature legendary performers and shows, he also captured thousands of in-between moments at the Fest. While roving the grounds, Smith had an eye for the food, the fashions, and the fun diversions that make Jazz Fest one of the most interesting places in the world, for the two long weekends that it covers.

A man with a beard and a backwards cap smiles while wearing a colorful t-shirt with the text New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. He has a bag slung over his shoulder and stands in a festival setting with stage equipment behind him.
Michael P. Smith, photographer

Smith’s archive is one of the HNOC’s largest photo collections, and its contents also explore African American churches, second lines, and the general cultural scene in New Orleans from the 1970s through the early 2000s. Smith referred to the neighborhoods and residents that created and supported this as “the cultural wetlands.”

Whether you’re attending this year’s fest or merely dreaming of it, we present 23 vintage images of Jazz Fest—some all-time classics, many you’ve probably never seen before—by photographer Michael P. Smith. Want to see more? Explore Smith’s images in our online catalog.

All photographs by Michael P. Smith © HNOC

A young child plays a trombone, focusing intently, while an adult stands nearby watching. The scene appears to be outdoors, under a striped tent. The photo is in black and white.

Bo Diddly lends young Trombone Shorty a hand in 1990.

HNOC, 2007.0103.2.276
People running in a fenced area towards a marathon finish line. A young man leads the group, followed by others. Spectators and a security guard stand on the sidelines. Signs reading BARRICADE are attached to the barriers.

Festivalgoers rush through a line in 1982.

HNOC, 2007.0103.1.1167
Large outdoor concert audience packed closely together, many are wearing hats and sunglasses. There are sections marked by barricades, and a tower structure with people observing the event. Tents and trees are visible in the background.

A sea of people gathers beneath a clear blue sky in 1988.

HNOC, 2007.0103.8.1187
People walk near a food tent at an outdoor festival. The tent offers dishes like crawfish pie and gumbo. Signs and trees are visible, and attendees wear casual summer clothing, some with flower headbands. A large tree stands in the background.

Flower crowns are in style at the crawfish pie booth in 1977.

HNOC, 2007.0103.8.138
A musician wearing a denim jacket and hat passionately plays a keyboard on an outdoor stage. A microphone is visible, and a large crowd is gathered in the background, enjoying the performance.

Professor Longhair commands the stage in 1976.

HNOC, 2007.0103.8.102
A group of people gather around a blacksmith demonstration at an outdoor event. Adults and children watch as two men work with tools near a small forge, with flames visible. Tents and more onlookers are in the background.

The blacksmith demonstration draws a crowd in 1980.

HNOC, 2007.0103.8.506
A bearded man dances joyfully at the Louisiana Heritage Fair Stage 5, while others sit on the grass and watch a band perform in the background. The atmosphere is lively, and a banner with a pelican is visible above the stage.

These dancers show off their moves in 1977.

HNOC, 2007.0103.8.142
A vibrant outdoor festival with people gathered around food stalls under colorful striped tents. Signs advertise various food items like Cochon de Lait, trout, and shrimp. The scene is lively, with attendees enjoying the sunny day.

The food options in 1986 look delicious (and familiar).

HNOC, 2007.0103.8.1087
A performer sings passionately on stage with a microphone, facing a large, diverse crowd at an outdoor event. The audience, standing closely together, watches attentively, with some people wearing hats or sunglasses.

Irma Thomas draws a big crowd in 1975 (and still does).

HNOC, 2007.0103.2.231
A shirtless person with long hair, wearing white shorts, runs energetically through a muddy field. Trash is scattered around, creating a chaotic environment. The person appears carefree and lively amidst the messy surroundings.

Surrendering to the mud in 1993.

HNOC, 2007.0103.8.2401
A group of five people standing in front of a colorful ice cream truck labeled Dr. Banana. They are holding frozen treats, with a sign advertising frozen banana and yogurt options above. A line of people is visible to the left.

A group poses in front of the Dr. Banana stand in 1982.

HNOC, 2007.0103.8.641
A singer passionately performs on stage with a microphone, wearing a patterned shirt. The audience in front of the stage is large and enthusiastic, enjoying the outdoor concert. Colorful flags wave in the background.

B. B. King puts on a show in 1972, the Fest’s first year at the Fairgrounds.

HNOC, 2007.0103.2.212
A bearded man with a butterfly on his nose stands in a crowded outdoor festival. Hes wearing red sunglasses, a hat, and a graphic t-shirt. People and tents are visible in the background.

Two Fest fashion staples that never go out of style: crawfish glasses and a Professor Longhair T-shirt .

HNOC, 2007.0103.8.491
A black and white photo of a barbecue food stall with a sign reading Bar-B-Que Ribs and Goat. Two people are leaning over a counter, while others stand nearby. The scene is lively, capturing interactions at a food festival or market.

More ’70s fashions on view at the BBQ Ribs and Goat booth.

HNOC, 2007.0103.1.558
A musician with an afro plays piano on stage at an outdoor festival. A crowd watches in the background. A microphone is positioned near the piano, and a can is visible in the foreground. The image is black and white, dated 1978.

James Booker shares the piano with a Schlitz can in 1978.

HNOC, 2007.0103.2.244
A large crowd of people gathered closely together outdoors, some wearing hats. Several individuals are sitting on top of a giant beverage can above the crowd. In the background, there are buildings and trees under a clear sky.

A giant Schlitz can offers a better vantage point in 1982.

HNOC, 2007.0103.8.650
A group of children and adults stand around a sound mixing board at an outdoor event. One child holds a drink can and smiles. A man wearing a navy shirt operates the mixing board. The background features a blue tent and other people.

Children lend a hand (and a beer?) in the sound booth in 1985.

HNOC, 2007.0103.8.864
People are lined up at a food stall selling oyster po boys. A man in a red visor and graphic T-shirt is reading a pamphlet, while a woman in a white hat stands nearby. The atmosphere is casual and crowded.

Spotted: A Levi’s shirt and blue jeans at the oyster po-boy booth in 1978.

HNOC, 2007.0103.8.211
A lively black and white photo of a marching brass band performing at a festival. Musicians play trumpets, trombones, and drums. They wear hats and casual clothing. A backdrop features festival signage.

The Rebirth Brass Band struts their stuff in 1988.

HNOC, 2007.0103.2.267
A busy outdoor food festival with a striped tent in the background. Diverse people gather, some holding drinks. A man with a pillow on his shoulder stands out. Signs advertise roast beef, poboys, muffulettas, and other foods.

The iced tea booth needs more ice in 1978.

HNOC, 2007.0103.1.726
A group of men are running across a grassy field at an outdoor event. Tents with red and white stripes are visible in the background. Some of the men are wearing casual t-shirts and jeans, and one has a baseball cap. It appears lively and festive.

There’s a mad dash for something in 1982.

HNOC, 2007.0103.8.645
A young woman with long hair holds a tray of crawfish in front of a booth with a sign reading Boiled CRAWFISH at a festival. People are gathered around, enjoying the outdoor event. Trees are visible in the background.

A customer at the crawfish booth looks puzzled in 1978.

HNOC, 2007.0103.8.223
A group of jazz musicians pose outdoors, wearing white shirts and caps. Marian Anderson stands in the foreground, smiling in a patterned dress. A trombonist holds his instrument while others hold drums and a trumpet. Trees are visible in the background.

Mahalia Jackson smiles at the first Jazz Fest in 1970, held in Congo Square.

HNOC, 2011.0307.9

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