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Saxophonist and Astral Project founder Tony Dagradi grew up in Summit, New Jersey. By high school he knew what he wanted to do: play jazz.

“It was almost as if I didn’t have a choice,” he says. “I didn’t think about, well, how much money am I going to make or how do I get a gig. I was just — all I wanted to do was play.”

Jazz Fest — our annual overdose of music and food — is synonymous with New Orleans. Smoothie King — a healthy juice and food alternative — is the antithesis of the city. Both businesses were NOLA-born in the 1970's and are now international brands.

On this edition of Out to Lunch Peter Ricchiuti dines with Smoothie King's Tom O'Keefe and the Jazz & Heritage Foundation's Scott Aiges.

The chief executive officer of the Zurich Insurance Group played golf and dodged some heavy rain during the Zurich Classic golf tournament in Avondale. Martin Senn also found time to meet with business leaders while in New Orleans, and reaffirm the company’s commitment to the region.

The people of Bayou St. John tell of merriment and traffic as the festival descends on their neighborhood. 

In shady Bayou St. John, the neighbors really know each other.  The same crew assembles each morning at the local coffee house to read the paper and debate its assertions; another crowd convenes at the various watering holes each evening.

“It’s one of the great things about this neighborhood,” says Fortin St. resident Jonas Bishop. “The fact that I know everyone on my block… It’s definitely a community-centric area that you don’t find a lot of places.”

Delanie Manuel, server at Liuzza’s by the Track and Jonas’ neighbor, agrees. “I thought I’d be a Quarter Rat forever,” she admits. “But no, I love it here.”

Here's your full Jazz Fest schedule for Sunday, April 28, 2013. Click on the image to enlarge.

The second day of Jazz Fest is in full gear. And full sun.

The folding chairs are stacked deep at the Acura stage. Dozens of ticket holders ran to snag their spot this morning. The big deal? Bill Joel.

The Piano Man is closing the biggest stage at Jazz Fest after New Orleans ivories legend Allen Toussaint.

Here's your full Jazz Fest schedule for Saturday, April 27, 2013. Click on the image to enlarge.

As Jazz Fest enters its second day, folks may be waking up this morning a bit haggard from yesterday’s festivities. For those battling the brown bottle blues, fear not: there may be help for you at the Fair Grounds.

Poppy Tooker, host of Louisiana Eats!, says first you’ll need to visit Ms. Linda’s Ya Ka Mein stand, right near the Congo Square Stage.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival kicked off Friday. Beautiful weather greeted the crowds with their hats and folding chairs as they streamed through the gates at 11 a.m.

Some turned their heads at road crews still working on Esplanade Avenue.

Construction on long-term street projects has slowed down for the festival, and Esplanade will remain open to traffic throughout.