New Orleans Jazz Fest Lineup Announced

Jazz Fest fans have been waiting in antici ... pation for this announcement.

Here it is (below), straight from the horse's mouth, the lineup for this spring's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. For more details, go to the Jazz Fest site.

IMO, Rod Stewart and (especially) rapper Ludacris have no business being on the bill, as there's nothing remotely bluesy, jazzy or rootsy about what either act does. Stewart's "standards" CDs are absolute shlock.

But, hey, an awful lot of great music here ...

JAZZ FEST ANNOUNCES 2007 TALENT LINEUP
FOR NEW ORLEANS’ PREMIER MUSIC EVENT, APRIL 27-29 AND MAY 4-6
TICKETS ON SALE TODAY

THOUSANDS OF MUSICIANS AND FANS TO FILL CITY WITH CELEBRATION

Harry Connick Jr. To Close Festival On Sunday, May 6

Louisiana Legend Jerry Lee Lewis & Rebirth Brass Band Leader Featured On Two Official Posters

New Orleans, LA (January 25, 2007)—Harry Connick Jr., Rod Stewart, Steely Dan, Norah Jones, ZZ Top, John Legend, Van Morrison, Brad Paisley, Jill Scott, Ludacris, Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, New Edition, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Irma Thomas, Jerry Lee Lewis, Counting Crows, Allman Brothers Band, Allen Toussaint, George Benson, Pharoah Sanders, George Thorogood, Stephen Marley featuring Jr. Gong, Better Than Ezra, Joss Stone, Banda el Recodo, Calexico, Taj Mahal, Johnny Rivers, Lucinda Williams, Branford Marsalis, Richie Havens, Soulive, Cowboy Mouth, Percy Sledge, Tony Joe White, Gillian Welch, Bobby Jones & the Nashville Super Choir, T-Bone Burnett, Rebirth Brass Band, Galactic, Mose Allison, Marcia Ball, Roy Hargrove, Chuck Leavell, Arturo Sandoval, The Holmes Brothers, Snooks Eaglin, Dr. Lonnie Smith, The New Orleans Social Club, James Carter, The Radiators, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Lucky Peterson, Darrell McFadden, Sonny Landreth, Danilo Perez, Ivan Neville, Dottie Peoples, Davell Crawford, Ba Cissoko of Guinea, George Porter, Jr., Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste, Tab Benoit, Les Amazones of Guinea, World Saxophone Group, John Mooney & Bluesiana, Buckwheat Zydeco, Anders Osborne, Elder Baab & the Madison Bumble Bees of Winnsboro, Eddie Bo, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Rosie Ledet, Amanda Shaw, The Iguanas, Marva Wright, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Deacon John, Donald Harrison, Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews & Orleans Avenue, Bob French, Elysian Fieldz, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Ellis Marsalis and over 500 more groups will gather in New Orleans for the 38th annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell, April 27-29 and May 4-6, Festival organizers announced today. (An extended weekend-by-weekend list of performers is attached.)