New Orleans Jazz Festival announces headliners

Van Morrison and Aretha Franklin will perform at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, along with Pearl Jam, Lionel Richie and actor Steve Martin, who plays banjo in his bluegrass group the Steep Canyon Rangers. The 41st annual event is scheduled for the weekends of April 23-25 and April 29-May 2.

The majority of performers will include Louisiana acts, such as legendary The Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas, Dr. John, and Buckwheat Zydeco.

But besides the local Dixieland, jazz and zydeco music, hundreds of artists cover genres from pop and rock to gospel and R&B.

Other artists performing at the festival Anita Baker, Gipsy Kings, The Levon Helm Band, Widespread Panic. The Blues will be represented by B.B. King, Allman Brothers Band, Johnny Lang, and The Black Crowes.

There will be a special tribute to jazz singer, songwriter and trumpeter Louis Prima with jazz singers such as Keely Smith and Louis Prima Jr.

Tickets for the festival, to be held at the Fair Grounds Race Course, in New Orleans, went on sale Tuesday, December 15.

http://www.nojazzfest.com

RC