The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has been canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The festival, which was scheduled to take place in October, was set to feature country legend Willie Nelson as one of its headliners. Unfortunately, Nelson had to cancel his performance and postpone other shows after a positive case of coronavirus was found in his band. The Rolling Stones were also booked for a unique mid-week show at the festival, which seemed to be a sign that the organizers thought they could pull off the event with proper safety protocols.
However, the cancellation of the festival has caused a stir in a wide network of people who rely on it for their annual income, from hundreds of musicians and culture carriers to the squads of artists and food stalls operators, to the vast team of stage builders and support workers who create the vast area of delights of the Jazz Fest. Johnny Sketch's Sage Rouge & the Dirty Notes said that “the promise of the return of the Jazz-Fest this fall was a bright beacon of hope for musicians, festival workers and fans.” While attracting national and international talent such as Nelson and Etheridge, the festival is also known for showcasing the wide range of musical talent and genres found in Louisiana, such as zydeco, gospel, blues and jazz. The cancellation of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is yet another example of how COVID-19 has impacted events around the world. It is a reminder that we must all continue to take precautions to protect ourselves and others from this virus.
