New Orleans played a key role in the development of jazz and is also home to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Approximately 250,000 spectators are drawn each spring to the Louisiana Fair Ground Race Course to see performances by jazz artists as well as other genres including blues, folk, funk, gospel, rock, R&B, Cajun and African. Since its first edition in 1970, the event has attracted artists such as Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Ella Fitzgerald, Fats Domino, Harry Connick Jr. and Stevie Wonder.
Holding the 2010 Guinness World Record for the world's largest jazz festival, the Montreal International Jazz Festival attracts approximately 3,000 artists from 30 countries. The festival has included performances by some of the world's best known artists, including B.B. King, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson and Ray Charles. First held in 1980, the festival's approximately 2.5 million festival attendees can enjoy more than 650 concerts, including 450 free performances in downtown Montreal, Quebec.
California's Monterey Jazz Festival is held during the third full weekend of September on the Monterey Fairgrounds. Visitors can also learn more about jazz during the festival from panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions and clinics. Its first outing in 1958 attracted such artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, John Lewis and Billie Holiday. The three-day 2010 edition included eight stages with performances from over 500 artists, including Harry Connick Jr., Dianne Reeves, Chick Corea, Ahmad Jamal and Angelique Kidjo.
Held over 16 days in July, the Montreaux Jazz Festival is one of Europe's largest music festivals with 1,000 musicians performing at 12 venues. Recognized as one of the top seven events in Switzerland by Switzerland Tourism, it has seen performances by Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Jones, Eric Clapton, Oscar Peterson, Roberta Flack, Etta James, B.B. King, Ray Charles, David Bowie, Radiohead, Alicia Keys and the Black Eyed Peas. Founded in 1967 the festival also features workshops and exhibitions.