The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
will return to its full seven-day format for the first time since
Katrina. As previously reported, the veteran festival will take place
from April 25-27 and May 1-4, boasting the first New Orleans appearance
by the legendary Neville Brothers since 2005.
Other marquee acts include Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffett,
Tim McGraw, Santana, Maze feat. Frankie Beverly, Sheryl Crow,
Widespread Panic, Dr. John, Al Green, Diana Krall, Keyshia Cole, Robert
Plant and Alison Krauss, The Raconteurs and Irma Thomas. This year
marks Joel’s first Jazz Fest appearance and Widespread Panic’s first
New Orleans show in three years. With the exception of a similar spot
at Coachella, the reactivated Raconteurs have not laid out their 2008
itinerary.
In a statement, Quint Davis, producer/director of the Festival, said,
“Welcoming Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Tim McGraw, Sheryl Crow and
Keyshia Cole for the first time, in the same year that we’ve added the
Thursday back to the Festival—and in the same year we’re bringing back
all-time Fest favorites The Neville Brothers, Jimmy Buffett, Santana,
Widespread Panic, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, and Diana Krall,
among so many others—speaks to our serious effort to grow the Festival
at a time when New Orleans needs it the most.”
Other confirmed acts include Steel Pulse, John Prine, Elvis
Costello and Allen Toussaint, Randy Newman, Bobby McFerrin and Chick
Corea, O.A.R., Galactic, The Roots, Dianne Reeves, Michael Franti &
Spearhead, Burning Spear, Ozomatli with Chali 2na, Rebirth Brass Band,
Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tower of Power, Delbert McClinton, John Hammond,
Cassandra Wilson, Keb’ Mo’, The Count Basie Orchestra feat. Patti
Austin, Pete Fountain, The Derek Trucks Band, Richard Thompson, Bela
Fleck and Abigail Washburn, The Radiators, James Cotton, Cupid, The
John Butler Trio, Del McCoury, Vernel Bagneris: Jelly Roll & Me,
Terence Blanchard with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Buckwheat
Zydeco, John P. Kee & the New Life Community Choir, Cowboy Mouth,
Byron Cage with Kim Burrell, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. and the Greater
St. Stephen Choir, Trinitee 5:7, Lizz Wright, Voices of the Wetlands
Allstars, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Bad Plus, Carolina Chocolate
Drops, Bettye LaVette, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave., Gene “Duke
of Earl” Chandler, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Davell Crawford’s N.O.
R & B Orchestra, Henry Butler, Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet, Leo
Nocentelli’s “Rare Gathering," Lee Boys, Harlem Blues and Jazz Band,
MOOV of Martinique, Jackson Southernaires, Big Jay McNeely and Paul
Porter of the Legendary Christianaires.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Inc. will hold
its 10th Annual Gala fundraiser on Thursday, April 24 at the Hilton New
Orleans Riverside. Little Richard, one of rock-and-roll’s last
remaining founding fathers, will offer his only Jazz Fest performance
at the Gala. The bill will include R&B legend Deacon John and the
Ivories, who will bring a contemporary high-energy mix of Motown,
Memphis and Louisiana R&B.
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