The sound of jazz will fill New Iberia next weekend when the annual Bunk Johnson Jazz, Arts and Heritage Festival gets rolling Friday and ends Sunday. 

The festival is a celebration of jazz legend and former New Iberia resident Bunk Johnson, a trumpet player who died in 1949 and is known as a predecessor to Louis Armstrong. After spending years in New Orleans, Johnson retired in New Iberia and is buried in St. Edward Cemetery. The festival commemorates Johnson’s musical legacy and provides event-goers to listen to everything from smooth jazz to brass bands throughout the weekend. 

The event starts 5:30 p.m. Friday with Jazz Night Out on the Teche at the Sliman Theater. The lineup includes Jeremy “JB Saxx” Benoit and Nebu Nezey. A silent auction, late night breakfast and performance by the Bunk Johnson Brazz Band also take place as well. 

Bunk’n on the Bayou takes place Saturday at the Steamboat Pavilion in Bouligny Plaza. Artists playing at that event include the Westgate High School Band, Bunk Johnson Brazz Band, Side Show, Roi Anthony and Legit and Nathan “Lil Nate” Williams and the Zydeco Big-Timers. Music starts at 3 p.m. and lasts until midnight. 

The festival wraps up Sunday with a Gospel Jazz Tribute at St. Edward Catholic Church in New Iberia. The Mass is a tribute to artists, musicians and performers, and includes a walk to Bunk Johnson’s grave at the nearby cemetery with musical accompaniment from the Bunk Johnson Brazz Band. 

The festival closes out with a second line. Funds derived from the festival go toward the Bunk Johnson Arts Academy for young and aspiring musicians and artists. 

For more information, go to www.bunkjohnson.com.