NEW ORLEANS (New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival/ www.jazzfest.com) - It's only January, but things are already heating up down south as the Crescent City gears up for the 36th Annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, April 22 through May 1, 2005. The ultimate celebration of Louisiana culture and heritage, this year's Festival offers the most sensational line-up of music stars in its history.
Among the bands set to perform include: The Original Meters Reunion, Dave Matthews Band, James Taylor, Nelly, B.B. King, Juanes, the Neville Brothers, Trey Anastasio, Isaac Hayes, Widespread Panic, Jack Johnson, Anthony Hamilton, Elvis Costello, The Roots, Steve Winwood, Better Than Ezra, Steel Pulse, Wilco, Dave Bartholomew, Toots & the Maytals, Randy Newman, Irma Thomas and hundreds more. For a complete line-up and much more, visit www.nojazzfest.com
The Jazz & Heritage Festival is held at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course, and features 12 performance stages all going simultaneously, more than 100 varieties of Louisiana and international foods, as well as several crafts fairs.
Said Quint Davis, producer/director of Jazz Fest, "Think of New Orleans as the center of the music universe. Gospel, Jazz, Blues, Funk, Rock, Cajun, Zydeco, Latin, R&B, Jam, Mardi Gras, Hip Hop, African, and a whole lotta music you can't put into any category will be presented in the powerful way that only Jazz Fest can serve up."
Tickets for the Heritage Fair go on sale Monday, January 31 and can be purchased at the Festival's Web site, www.nojazzfest.com, at Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at 800-488-5252. Daily tickets for the Heritage Fair are $20 through February 22. On February 23 advance daily tickets will be $25. Tickets at the gate will be $35. Daily tickets for children under age 12 are $5 in advance and at the gate.
Jazz Fest is also introducing The Big Chief VIP Package, designed for the total VIP experience. The Big Chief VIP Package will consist of a variety of options including Festival admission with re-entry privileges, access to special viewing areas, limited edition poster, access to an air-conditioned hospitality lounge, special access to bathrooms and beverage concessions and parking if desired.
Jazz Fest will also present El Dia Latino (Latin Day), Sunday, April 24, featuring a stage packed with non-stop all-Latin entertainment. In addition, a new Festival stage will be devoted to a major facet of traditional and contemporary New Orleans' life: brass band music, second line dance clubs, Mardi Gras Indians, and other unique features of the city's unique culture.
Official sponsors of the 2005 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival are Acura, Miller Lite, Popeyes, Fair Grounds Race Course, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, BellSouth, Yamaha Drums, and Zatarain's. Additional sponsors will be announced soon.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is a co-production of Festival Productions, Inc. - New Orleans and AEG Live.
