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When most people think about the Fourth of July, they picture fireworks, flags and veterans.
When Bill Fitzgerald, owner of FitzGerald’s Nightclub, recalls the holiday, his mind goes straight to outdoor music.
Beginning today and running through Sunday, the club will host its 31st-annual American Music Festival to celebrate our nation’s independence — and its music.
While we take time to celebrate our freedoms and those who fought wars to protect them, Fitzgerald does not forget to cherish the music that expresses those freedoms and made those wars more bearable.
“I think we’re celebrating freedom, and I love the flag,” he said. “I just think that we should celebrate what this country’s about and celebrate the music and all of the things that make it great.”
In particular, this year’s American Music Festival will honor some of the most quintessentially American genres: Chicago blues and New Orleans jazz.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band, one of the most renowned and influential New Orleans jazz ensembles of all time, will take the stage both tonight and Saturday night.
“I think the fact that they’re playing here is pretty cool,” Fitzgerald said.
With more than 33 bands performing on three stages, most traditional American musical tastes will be sated by acts like Tracy Nelson, Joe Pug, Whitey Morgan and the 78’s, Bottle Rockets, Reckless Kelly and Ronnie Baker Brooks.
“It’s chock-full of great stuff here. Bands from all over the country,” Fitzgerald added.
The festival’s lineup is so large that it also pays homage to the holiday’s tradition of over indulgence.
“It's a generous portion of music, that's for sure,” Fitzgerald said. “I guess if the Fourth of July is about excess, we've got that covered, too.”
And while the show may not have actual fireworks, Fitzgerald doesn’t think many will mind missing out.
“I think people put on shows here that are the best they put on all year,” Fitzgerald said. “We have musical fireworks here.”
When most people think about the Fourth of July, they picture fireworks, flags and veterans.
When Bill Fitzgerald, owner of FitzGerald’s Nightclub, recalls the holiday, his mind goes straight to outdoor music.
Beginning today and running through Sunday, the club will host its 31st-annual American Music Festival to celebrate our nation’s independence — and its music.
While we take time to celebrate our freedoms and those who fought wars to protect them, Fitzgerald does not forget to cherish the music that expresses those freedoms and made those wars more bearable.
“I think we’re celebrating freedom, and I love the flag,” he said. “I just think that we should celebrate what this country’s about and celebrate the music and all of the things that make it great.”
In particular, this year’s American Music Festival will honor some of the most quintessentially American genres: Chicago blues and New Orleans jazz.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band, one of the most renowned and influential New Orleans jazz ensembles of all time, will take the stage both tonight and Saturday night.
“I think the fact that they’re playing here is pretty cool,” Fitzgerald said.
With more than 33 bands performing on three stages, most traditional American musical tastes will be sated by acts like Tracy Nelson, Joe Pug, Whitey Morgan and the 78’s, Bottle Rockets, Reckless Kelly and Ronnie Baker Brooks.
“It’s chock-full of great stuff here. Bands from all over the country,” Fitzgerald added.
The festival’s lineup is so large that it also pays homage to the holiday’s tradition of over indulgence.
“It's a generous portion of music, that's for sure,” Fitzgerald said. “I guess if the Fourth of July is about excess, we've got that covered, too.”
And while the show may not have actual fireworks, Fitzgerald doesn’t think many will mind missing out.
“I think people put on shows here that are the best they put on all year,” Fitzgerald said. “We have musical fireworks here.”
