ONE LOVE JAMAICA

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is thrilled to showcase Jamaica’s vibrant music and culture at the Cultural Exchange Pavilion in 2026.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell stands in solidarity with the people of Jamaica and proudly dedicates its 2026 Cultural Exchange Pavilion to the island nation. Entitled One Love Jamaica, this special presentation celebrates Jamaica’s vibrant music, rich cultural traditions, and indomitable spirit in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in the fall of 2025. The lineup features some of the biggest names in Reggae and Dancehall—including Ziggy and Stephen Marley, Sean Paul, Protoje, Original Koffee, Luciano and Lila Iké—alongside jazz pianist Monty Alexander, foundational ska group The Skatalites, and contemporary gospel vocalist Kevin Downswell, among many others. Traditional mento band Showjam Mento and high-energy Junkanoo parade Kaya Jonkunnu bring Jamaica’s oldest musical and street traditions to life at the Festival.

Inside the Cultural Exchange Artist Demonstration Tent, a fashion pop-up boutique will sell a curated selection of craft items from artisans affected by the hurricane. Individual artists from across the island—including those from hard-hit communities such as Treasure Beach, Negril, and Montego Bay—will demonstrate their craft and offer their work for sale, including banjos and rumba boxes, Ludi boards, straw baskets, brightly painted dancehall-style signage, and intricate lacework.

For a true taste of the island, festival goers can sample the bold aromas and flavors of authentic Jamaican cuisine and a specially crafted signature cocktail at the Cultural Exchange Food Stand adjacent to the Pavilion