Franklin Jazz Festival

We're not sure if the festival organizers planned it this way, but how better to remember the third anniversary of the day the levees broke than with the unmistakably Louisiana sounds of Buckwheat Zydeco. Sure, Buckwheat is from Lafayette, not the Big Easy, but he's a legend throughout the region, and his thumpin' good-time music is the perfect tribute to the spirit of New Orleans. Even if you're a stranger to accordion-based zydeco, he makes the music accessible by covering the Stones, Dylan and Hank Sr., to name a few. Other Saturday highlights include the Aretha- and Ella-influenced soul-jazz of Cissy Crutcher, the Santana-tinged Latin jazz-rock of Corazon and ambient prog fusion from The Storm Kings. Sunday's lineup includes jazz singer Christina Watson, Nashville funk-fusion institution Reggie Wooten & Friends, keyboardist Pat Coil (who released one of the year's best local jazz discs, Bird House) and Atlanta Latin jazz ensemble Orquesta MaCuba. For a schedule, visit their website.
Sat., Aug. 30, 5 p.m.; Sun., Aug. 31, 5 p.m., 2008