Long before Jimmy Buffett began selling-out stadium concerts in record time, the Mississippi born troubadour was happy to draw an attentive circle of tourists and locals as he played on a street corner in the fabled French Quarter of New Orleans.  A lot more than the number of golden locks on his dome has changed for Jimmy since the late 1960's, but not his love for the Crescent City. So it's as sure as a good bowl of gumbo at a rural Louisiana food shack or good music at Antoines that Buffett is pleased to be the poster man for the 2011 New Orleans Jazz Festival.  The official event poster with a painting of JB busking for quarters in the Quarter done by Garland Robinette unveiled this week will cause some to question what a poster of Buffett strummin' his six string and wearing what would become standard attire for the millions of Parrotheads that flock to see has to do with Jazz.  The answer is a lot more than plenty of the artists that have infiltrated the lineup of the annual New Orleans event in recent years.  Buffett's Coral Reefer Band does and has included members with Jazz, Calypso, Reggae, Roots and World Music chops - something that certainly can't be said for Bon Jovi, Kid Rock!  Being from Mississippi, growing-up a Saints fan, loving Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Professor Longhair and probably hundreds of lesser known NOLA musicians helps, as does the fact he was actively front and center in helping the region respond to the BP oil spill disaster (story).  The Jazz Fest (ironically sponsored by Shell Oil) spans the last weekend in April and the first one in May (April 29-May 1, and May 5-8). Buffett will play the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 7. Not going to make it but want the poster? It's available at ArtForNow.com.
NOLA.com

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