WORCESTER — Paulie's New Orleans Jazz & Blues Festival, which over the course of eight years grew from two bands in a dusty lot to a popular three-day event in the Canal District, won't be making any music this summer.

Festival founder and organizer Paul Collyer said there will be no festival this year as he focuses on trying to buy a property in the city and developing it as a cafe.

The Yellow Moon Cafe would include food, refreshments and music. If the project is successful, Collyer said he likely would bring back the festival.

"I feel comfortable with it," Collyer said of his decision. "I did it (the festival) eight years. I was really happy for eight years. It had a great run. I'm proud of that."

Collyer, director of B.A. Event Promotions and a resident of Chandler Street, got the idea for Paulie’s after traveling to the legendary New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2007.

In 2008 the first Paulie’s had two bands and was held in an empty lot on Chandler Street near Collyer’s home. The event grew in popularity each year, and Collyer spent more time in New Orleans looking for acts to come here. The "mission" of the festival was "to provide quality New Orleans & Louisiana jazz, blues, country, funk & zydeco music & food within an urban setting."

Another space on Chandler Street eventually became too small for the event. Two years ago, Paulie’s moved to a lot at 152 Green St., bringing in such performers as Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural Jr. and his band Buckwheat Zydeco from New Orleans and blues singer and pianist Marcia Ball from Austin, Texas, for an event that spanned three days. Last year's line-up included Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers and Jonathan "Boogie" Long.

"I love the festival. All the years were great. The last two years were fabulous," Collyer said.

However, "I'm not a man of endless means," he said. Collyer said he has his eye on a piece of property and The Yellow Moon Cafe project will require all of his energies and financial resources if it goes through. Should that happen, "I most likely would resurrect it," he said of the festival.

"I still have a great rapport with musicians in New Orleans. They're saying 'I'm sorry the festival isn't going to happen.' That's nice, it lets you know that people enjoy it," Collyer said.

Contact Richard Duckett at richard.duckett@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @TGRDuckett.