MOG

Widespread Panic, The Neville Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffett, Santana, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Dr. John, Al Green, Diana Krall and The Raconteurs Confirmed for Jazz Fest



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.

1/23/08