The Cultural Exchange Pavilion has hosted countries that require a healthy spin of the globe. But this year, the U.S.’s neighbors to the south are taking center stage in a celebration of all things Mexico and Mexican American.
The undisputed Mexican-born heavyweight in Jazz Fest’s lineup is Carlos Santana (Thursday, May 1, on the Festival Stage), but don’t sleep on the chart-topping, 17-person Banda MS de Sergio Lizarraga (Sunday, May 4, on the Congo Square Stage) and Mexican traditional music and rock-influenced vocalist Lila Downs (Friday, April 25, on the Fais Do-Do Stage). They have gigantic followings throughout the Mexican diaspora.
When it comes to selecting from the staggering 19 other Mexican and border-straddling acts, we’ve got you covered.
The first weekend will include the horn-heavy band Mixateña de Santa Cecilia, which delivers tidy boleros and cumbias native to Guerrero and Oaxaca that can sound almost Balkan at times. Don’t miss Corpus Christi, Texas’ El Dusty & The Homies, who blend hip-hop and Latin music in a style they call cumbia crunk.
Son de Madera represents the genre of son jarocho, which features the jarana, a small, 8-string, guitar-like instrument native to Veracruz. The Grammy-winning Los Texmaniacs rep deep South Texas with a sound that wouldn’t be out of place at a crawfish boil or a quinceanera.
It’s always fun to try new vendors, and this year’s newbies include all-vegan vendor Sweet Soulfood Vegan Cuisine.
During the second weekend, look for Grammy-winning Los Angeles band La Santa Cecilia, who were featured on the “Coco” soundtrack. They will be playing Thursday only, so definitely catch their modern spin on traditional Latin music.
Mexico City’s Son Rompe Pera takes the traditional marimba and runs it through a punk-rock filter, mixing in cumbia, ska, garage and surf rock. Mexican Institute of Sound, also featured on the “Coco” soundtrack, is almost like a Mexican RJD2 with lyrics. El Conjunto Nueva Ola performs new wave (“nueva ola”) covers with a cumbia beat — all in lucha libre masks.
Beyond the music, Jazz Fest will showcase artisan crafts, including guitar-making, embroidery, muralists and more. There will be musical parades across the festival grounds, dance demonstrations and cultural talks throughout both weekends.
And if we’re talking Mexico, then we need to talk food. Tempero’s Market Kitchen will be serving dishes near the Cultural Exchange Pavilion, and the menu includes traditional tamales, ceviche and veggie tostadas, flautas and more.
Gambit previews the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2025.