The 17th Annual Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival | March 30th & 31st, 2012

This years festival will be
headlined by rock & roll hall of fame group The Family Stone, and
will also feature Satisfaction, a tribute to the rock & roll famers
The Rolling Stones.

The festival will also host The Louisiana
Music Hall of Fame Bayou Bicentennial Caravan, which is traveling the
state spotlighting Louisiana music.

The Family Stone originated
in the San Franciso Bay area in 1967, and they went on to become one of
the most popular groups of the late 60’s and early 70’s, striking gold
with such million selling hits as “Dance to the Music, ” (I want to take
you) Highter”, “It’s a Family Affair”, “Sing a Simple Song”, and many
many more.

Although Sly no longer preforms with The Family
Stone, the band’s supercharged set combines elements of jazz, R&B,
rock & roll, and funk to create and amazing concert experience.

2012
marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of The Rolling Stones and
if you can’t catch The Stones show live, seeing Satisfaction “The
Rolling Stones Experience” is about as close as you can come. Led by
Chris LeGrand, Satisfaction has the Stone’s look, sound, and feel down
to a “t” and will have everyone singing along.

The Louisiana
Music Hall of Fame is holdinga series of concerts around the state this
year known as the ” Bayou Bicentennial Music Caravan”.

This year
the Caravan will be partnering with the Natchitoches Jazz / R&B
Festival to present the Caravan for this area on March 31 at the
festival.

The Caravan will celebrate the music of Louisiana by spotlighting Louisiana artists and/or songs that feature the state.

Natchitoches
Group Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs will be the backing band for
the Caravan, which will feature performances by several guest artists
which will include some of Louisiana’s greatest musical talents and
members of the Louisiana’s Music Hall of Fame. ”

We’re excited
to be bringing the Bayou Bicentennial Music Caravan to the Natchitoches
Jazz / R&B Festival” said Hall of Fame president and executive
director Mike Shepherd. “We are happy to have a band of the Moondogs
stature as our “house” band and plan to bring in artists who will
spotlight several different genres of Louisiana music. It will be an
amazing show”.

During the festival, the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame will be inducting two new members, who will be announced later.

The
festival, which is a 2 day event, will kick off Friday afternoon with
“free Friday” meaning that, as the name suggests, there will be no
admission. There will be several bands performing on Friday evening.
Admission on Saturday will be $8.00 in advance and $10.00 at the gate
for adults, $4.00 in advance and $5.00 at the gate for students, and
children 12 and under get in free.

Also, much of the area’s most
popular groups will be preforming, including Hardrick Rivers, LukeJazz,
Becky Birdwell & Roadhouse, D.C. & The Zydeco Country Boys, Doc
Couty & The Natchitoches All Stars, The LaCour Brothers, and many
more.

On Saturday, in addition to the music on multiple stages,
there will, as always be lots of great food, activities for the kids,
and as festival co-chairman Layne Miller says: ” The star of the show
has always been the downtown Natchitoches River Bank, absolutely the
best music venue on Earth.” As usual, the festival will offer something
for every musical taste. ” We will have everything from zydco, to
country, to jazz, to R&B, to rock & roll, to blue grass, to
funk, to blues, and everything in between.

“I can’t imagine that
a music lover could come to this festival and not find something that
he or she likes, “Miller continued. “It’s a family event and we’ve tried
to keep it affordable so everyone can attend.”