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The Raconteurs, Roots Join NOLA Jazz Fest Lineup

Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Tim McGraw, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, The Raconteurs, and The Roots have all been named as non-jazz acts in this year's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival—the first seven-day edition of the fest since 2005.

"Welcoming Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Tim McGraw, Sheryl Crow, and Keyshia Cole for the first time, in the same year that we've added the Thursday back to the Festival—and in the same year we're bringing back all-time Fest favorites The Neville Brothers, Jimmy Buffett, Santana, Widespread Panic, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, and Diana Krall, among so many others—speaks to our serious effort to grow the Festival at a time when New Orleans needs it the most," producer/director Quint Davis said in a statement, adding that the festival should generate around $300 million in revenue for the city. "In New Orleans, culture is a beacon for the rest of the community. When a trumpeter blows the right notes, we come together and dance. When a grand marshal steps, we step with him. Jazz Fest is trying to help lead the way in guiding New Orleans to complete recovery—culturally, economically and spiritually."

Eleven (!) stages will host simultaneous sets from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 25-27 and May 1-4. For more details on tickets and a day-by-day breakdown of acts, be sure to check out www.nojazzfest.com.

Or dig this distilled rundown of the entire festival:

The Neville Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffett, Tim McGraw, Santana, Maze feat. Frankie Beverly, Sheryl Crow, Widespread Panic, Dr. John, Al Green, Diana Krall, Keyshia Cole, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, The Raconteurs, Irma Thomas, Steel Pulse, John Prine, Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint, Randy Newman, Bobby McFerrin and Chick Corea, O.A.R., Galactic, The Roots, Dianne Reeves, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Burning Spear, Ozomatli with Chali 2na, Rebirth Brass Band, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tower of Power, Delbert McClinton, John Hammond, Cassandra Wilson, Keb’ Mo’, The Count Basie Orchestra feat. Patti Austin, Pete Fountain, The Derek Trucks Band, Richard Thompson, Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn, The Radiators, James Cotton, Cupid, The John Butler Trio, Del McCoury, Vernel Bagneris: Jelly Roll & Me, Terence Blanchard with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Buckwheat Zydeco, John P. Kee & the New Life Community Choir, Cowboy Mouth, Byron Cage with Kim Burrell, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. and the Greater St. Stephen Choir, Trinitee 5:7, Lizz Wright, Voices of the Wetlands Allstars, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Bad Plus, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Bettye LaVette, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave., Gene “Duke of Earl” Chandler, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Davell Crawford’s N.O. R & B Orchestra, Henry Butler, Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet, Leo Nocentelli’s “Rare Gathering," Lee Boys, Harlem Blues and Jazz Band, MOOV of Martinique, Jackson Southernaires, Big Jay McNeely, Paul Porter of the Legendary Christianaires, Nicholas Payton, and thousands more.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
01.29.08