From B.B. King to Aretha Franklin, Jazz Fest has no shortage of legendary headliners this year.But what the average festivalgoer may not know is Jazz Fest offers a plethora of rare appearances, one-off collaborations and local talent.Thursday, April 29 Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk at 1:20 p.m. on the Acura Stage : A New Orleans staple, Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk always deliver an energetic, stomping performance. The band has usually been stuck playing in the tents in its past Jazz and Voodoo Fest performances, but it finally has the opportunity to perform on the Fair Grounds’ main stage. Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers at 3:35 p.m. on the Gentilly Stage: Yes, you read correctly — this is comedian and actor Steve Martin’s band. Though mostly known for his appearances in films like “The Jerk” and “The Pink Panther,” he can also play a mean banjo. Considering Martin is the only man I can think of who has shared a spotlight with legendary banjo player Bela Fleck and actor Chevy Chase, this is a show I wouldn’t think of missing.Friday, April 30 Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys at 2:55 p.m. on the Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do Stage: Steve Riley’s 2008 performance at Jazz Fest earned him a Grammy Award nomination. Though he lost out to Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience Band, Riley is a musician worthy of local support and national acclaim. Zydeco music is mostly heard a little further west, but Jazz Fest is a great opportunity to check out some great local music.Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Band at 5:45 p.m. in the Blues Tent: It’s unfortunate that he’s stuck performing at the same time as Aretha Franklin, but Derek Trucks always puts on a fine show. Trucks performed on the Acura Stage with the Allman Brothers Band this past weekend, and it would be great to see him again with his own band. Trucks shares a stage with the likes of Greg Allman and Warren Haynes for a reason.Saturday, May 1 MyNameIsJohnMichael at 11:30 a.m. on the Gentilly Stage: In 2008, New Orleans songwriter John Michael Rouchell set out to write, record and release one song a week for the entire year. The result of his efforts is MyNameisJohnMichael, a live band of local musicians that always brings a raucous performance. Jazz Fest is a complete experience, and you’d be doing yourself a disservice not to get out there early.Kenny Wayne Shepherd at 5:45 p.m. in the Blues Tent: Shepherd is another performer who fell victim to performing at the same time as the nationally touring headliners. But considering he’s stacked up against both grunge rockers Pearl Jam and the legendary Jeff Beck, seeing him in the Blues Tent should make for an intimate performance. Shepherd got his start performing in Louisiana, and Jazz Fest should be the perfect place to welcome this blues star home.Sunday, May 2Ellis Marsalis at 2:55 p.m. in the WWOZ Jazz Tent: Though he now runs the jazz program at the University of New Orleans, Marsalis truly shines onstage. Some have said Jazz Fest has become too reliant on rock and hip-hop artists, but Marsalis is proof that the best jazz musicians of our era will be at the Fair Grounds this weekend.The Dead Weather at 3:45 p.m. on the Gentilly Stage: They are perhaps the strangest act to appear at a jazz festival, but Jack White’s newest project is one of the best acts out this year. The Dead Weather effortlessly blends blues and grunge like White’s other bands, but it stands out in its dark harmonies and psychadelic sound.—-Contact Ben Bourgeois at [email protected].