SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE REBIRTH OF
NEW ORLEANS CULTURE
HISTORIC 37TH ANNUAL JAZZ FEST ANNOUNCES MUSIC LINEUP
American Express Initiative Focuses Spotlight on the City's Musicians
And Secures the Return of the Festival's Jazz & Heritage Stage
New Orleans, LA (February 15, 2006)—Heralding the comeback of New Orleans music and culture, organizers of the 2006 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell today announced a music lineup filled with hundreds of New Orleans' most beloved musicians, an array of superstars who have delivered some of the Festival's most thrilling performances, and major artists making their Jazz Fest debuts at the first post-Katrina event on April 28-30 and May 5-7.
Quint Davis, producer/director of Jazz Fest, said, "The true heart and soul of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, as with New Orleans itself, is music. It is the force that drives and defines us. Not merely for entertainment, but to feed our souls. It is overwhelming how our musical family has rallied to our cause, especially the New Orleans musical mainstays, many scattered throughout the country, all committed to returning to be a part of the renewal of our spirit. Jazz Fest 2006, the great New Orleans homecoming. Anybody who comes to this year's Festival will bear witness to the healing power of music."
American Express, a strong advocate of culture and the arts and the powerful role they play in community renewal, has joined the Festival this year as an important corporate partner. American Express' new initiative, "American Express Spotlights New Orleans' Own," will promote the appearance of some of the city's most treasured native musicians, including Irma Thomas and the Rebirth Brass Band, on the Festival's main stages. The support from American Express also makes possible the return of the Jazz & Heritage Stage. The Stage, which debuted at last year's Jazz Fest, features brass and bands, Mardi Gras Indian performances—the soul of New Orleans culture.
Howard Fulton, Vice President, Southern Region for American Express said, "This program will celebrate homegrown New Orleans' musicians who have made an immeasurable contribution to the artistic legacy of the city. Our support of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and program to promote native musicians is just part of our broader commitment to spark community revitalization. We are also working with merchant partners to stimulate business and developing longer-term initiatives to bring travel and tourism back."
Davis said that after some fine tuning of the music schedule, possibly as soon as next week, a day-by-day listing of the artists' performances will be posted at the Festival's official website, www.nojazzfest.com.
The Festival's signature Louisiana Heritage Fair, held at the Fair Grounds Race Course, runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each of its six days, with artists appearing on multiple stages at the same time. The Heritage Fair also features a famous Food Fair with over 100 varieties of irresistible Louisiana and international foods, as well as three important crafts fairs.
Among the big-name headliners are Jimmy Buffet, Lionel Richie, Dave Matthews Band, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan.
Local bands, the heart and soul of Jazz Fest, are well-represented even though many have been displaced from their Louisiana homes by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Among the higher-profile artists on the 2006 roster are the Meters, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Allen Toussaint with special guest Elvis Costello, Galactic, Kermit Ruffins, BeauSoleil and Fats Domino.
2006 Heritage Fair Daily Lineup
First Weekend - April 28 - 30, 2006
2006 Heritage Fair Daily Lineup
Second Weekend - May 5 - 7, 2006
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