The 2011 New Orleans Jazz Fest has released its menu, and it’s only fitting that the vittles will be as ambitious and eclectic as the rest of the line-up.
The 10-day cultural mosh pit of musicians, cooks and artisans–inspired by gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and Duke Ellington’s impromptu and legendary 1970 post-Louisiana Heritage Fair revelry–has cranked it up a notch this year.
Scheduled for April 29-May 1 and May 5-8 with a motley crew of musicians like Arcade Fire, Willie Nelson, Maceo Parker and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, the fest is also hosting the biggest, baddest celebration of Haitian culture in America since that region’s devastating quake.
The festival’s food has always been leagues above the usual outdoor fests (cochon de lait po-boys, alligator pies and crawfish Monica, anyone?), but this year foodies are already licking their chops over boudin balls, pheasant quail and andouille gumbo, mocha mousse, cracklins, jama-jama and dibbi.
To get us up to speed, Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding stopped by our studio to give us a history lesson in jazz:
TOPICS: Eat to the Beat, Kathleen Willcox