Anne Cutler

3:36 p.m. CDT, May 13, 2011
NEW ORLEANS—

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has come a long way since its humble start in 1970.

Program Director Scott Aiges says, "Legend has it that there were more musicians performing than people in the audience."

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In 41 years, Aiges says Jazz Fest has become a powerhouse.  Its annual economic impact on our region is about $300 million- a number that's not lost on the community or the musicians.

Glen David Andrews tells us, "One of the main things, is it's a great financial punch for the economy- from the waiters to the cab drivers to everybody.  For the musicians it's just the ultimate stage.  Where else can 400,000 people see Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias?  Where else can Amanda Shaw be exposed to 100,000 people?"

Glen David Andrews has taken full advantage of the opportunities Jazz Fest has to offer.  Rolling Stone and USA Today called the artist "Day 3's showstopper…who rocked the blues, took it to the church and carried it into the mosh-pit."  Spend a few minutes with this guy and the review is not surprising.

"The national spotlight, this is when you really should perform your best.  This is when you surround yourself with great artists.  For instance, I had Marcia Ball playing my entire show, Amanda Shaw, Irvin Mayfield, Trombone Shorty- and it drew attention."  Andrews realizes these opportunities wouldn't be possible without the Jazz and Heritage Foundation, which hosts the annual event.

Aiges explains, "We take the money from Jazz Fest and whatever other revenues we can raise and we use them for year-round programs in the areas of education, economic development and cultural events."

The foundation has a full time staff of 11 people, an army of volunteers and gives $3.5 million dollars back to the community.  Programs include the Don Jameson Heritage School of Music" for children and Tom Dent Congo Square Lecture Series.  The foundation also provides employment opportunities for local musicians, through gigs, festivals and networking events throughout the year.  "Such as the Sync Up conference that we do during Jazz Fest," Aiges explains, "which brings festival talent buyers from around the world together so that they can hire more Louisiana musicians to perform at their events around the world."

The foundation also helps these musicians with rent and mortgages, placing some of them in musicians' village.  It's part of an all-inclusive effort to help these artists not just in their professional lives, but their personal lives as well.

Aiges says, "Increasingly the foundation has become extremely vital, extremely important in our community and there are a lot of people who depend on what we do."

That includes people like Andrews who despite being signed by a new booking agency and landing a European tour, still plans to rock the house at Jazz Fest as long as he can.