New Orleans: Bevy of performers to descend on jazz, heritage fest
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is back in full swing with the first appearance of the Neville Brothers since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. New Orleans' first family of funk closes out the festival on May 4 at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course.
This year's jazz fest also returns to its pre-Katrina seven-day schedule.
The 39th annual festival's opening weekend is April 25-27. The traditional laid-back Thursday, May 1, kicks off the second weekend of performances, ending May 4. Besides the Nevilles, other May 4 acts include Santana, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, the Derek Trucks Band, Keb Mo and a Tribute to Mahalia Jackson featuring Irma Thomas (the subject of this year's beautiful jazz fest poster). Thomas headlines her own R&B revue on April 27.
Stevie Wonder makes his jazz fest debut May 2. Also on May 2, Michael Franti and Spearhead are sure to deliver a spiritually uplifting show and Chicago's John Prine will take the stage. Don't miss Aaron Neville's Gospel Soul on May 3, the same day Parrothead nation takes over the fairgrounds with the appearance of Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band.
Buffett is big news these days along the Gulf Coast.
Ground has been broken on the $700 million Margaritaville Casino & Resort on the gulf shores of Biloxi. Buffett, who hails from the Gulf Coast area, partnered with Harrah's Entertainment in the single largest investment in Mississippi since Katrina.
The company expects the casino and resort to be the first phase in a development that might cost more than $1 billion. The 800-room resort is slated to open in spring 2010. It's being built on the site formerly occupied by Grand Casino and Casino Magic.
At Jazz Fest on April 26, be on the lookout for the Count Basie Band featuring Patti Austin, Archie Bell (of the Drells), Roy Head, Big Jay McNeely featuring Chicago's Jesse Scinto and Billy Joel. April 27 headliners include Al Green, Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint and Cassandra Wilson. Tim McGraw? I'll be on a beer run. Opening-day April 25 sets will come from Sheryl Crow, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, as well as reggae master Burning Spear.
Gate ticket prices are $50 for all weekend dates and $40 on May 1. For the first weekend, advance adult tickets are $40 through April 24. For the second weekend, advance tickets cost $40 through April 30.
Visit www.nojazzfest.com or call (504) 410-4100.
Dave Hoekstra