JAZZ FEST THURSDAY AND THE NEVILLE BROTHERS
MAKE TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FESTIVAL
Tim McGraw and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
 Rebirth Brass Band :: Jazz Fest 2007 by Seth Rubin |
New Orleans, LA (November 15, 2007) — The 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell will feature an expanded and emotional return to its pre-Katrina self, Festival organizers announced today.
For the first time since 2005, Jazz Fest will occur for seven days, April 25-27 and May 1-4, as the event brings back the opening Thursday of its second weekend with a special advanced ticket price of only $25. And The Neville Brothers, the iconic band of New Orleans, a.k.a. The First Family of
Funk, are coming home for their first post-Katrina performance in the city, appearing in their traditional spot as the Festival's closing act on Sunday, May 4.
"Jazz Fest Thursday demonstrates the Festival's commitment to New Orleans and our culture, and it's the local and worldwide support of the event that's making this complete comeback possible," said Quint Davis, producer/director of Jazz Fest. "The return of Aaron, Art, Charles and Cyril Neville to New Orleans and to Jazz Fest is as powerful a statement as possible about the return of our culture to the city. They're back, which means we're back!"
The Neville Brothers, the four siblings whose recordings and live performances have for decades channeled the depths of New Orleans rhythm and blues with unparalleled authority, said, "We have been all over the world during the last two years, sharing the spirit of New Orleans through our music and raising funds for Katrina relief, so now it's time to bring the music home to our beloved New Orleans for the fans and the music community."
The Festival also announced that Tim McGraw, the country music superstar and Louisiana native,
will make his Jazz Fest debut on Sunday, April 27. "I'm really looking forward to playing Jazz Fest this year," said McGraw. "The event has such a storied history and New Orleans is one of the greatest cities in the world."
New Orleans favorite Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, the legendary soul group, will appear on
Sunday, May 4. The Festival will announce its complete music lineup in late January or early February.
A listing of hotels offering special Jazz Fest rates is posted at Frankie Beverly, where the Festival is launching a new hotel booking initiative to allow patrons to effortlessly reserve their hotel
rooms for the event. Festivalgoers can peruse room availabilities and book their accommodations early taking advantage of some of the best prices offered at participating hotels.
Tickets for the Festival, which takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course, went on sale today. Early advance Jazz Fest Thursday tickets are only $25. After January 22 they will be $30 with the gate price TBD. Early advance tickets to all other Festival days are $35. After January 22 they will be $40 with the gate price TBD. Children's tickets (ages 2 - 11) are only $5 in advance or at the gate. Tickets to Jazz Fest are on sale by specific weekend, with each ticket valid for a single day's attendance.
The Festival's popular Big Chief VIP Experience ticket package and a new premium ticket called the Grand Marshal VIP Pass that allows special golden circle, standing-room viewing at the Festival's three biggest stages are also on sale now while very limited supplies last.
Tickets are available at www.nojazzfest.com and www.ticketmaster.com, at all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling (800) 488-5252 (outside Louisiana) and (504) 522-5555 (New Orleans). Tickets can be purchased in person at the Jazz Fest ticket office located at the Louisiana Superdome Box Office (Gate A, Ground Level). All Jazz Fest tickets are subject to additional service fees and handling charges.
Check out JamBase's 2007 Jazz Fest coverage here.
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