The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is known around the country for its yearly mix of national acts and New Orleans-style jazz and blues. And this year’s lineup continues that tradition.Jazz Fest announced its 2009 lineup Dec. 16. Some of the names include national acts such as Aretha Franklin; Earth, Wind and Fire; Kings of Leon and Dave Matthews Band. This year’s festival, which begins April 24, will also feature artists who previously played at festivals in New Orleans such as Ben Harper, Common, Wilco, Spoon and Erykah Badu.The festival features many Louisiana acts such as Dr. John, Bonerama and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.Louisiana artist Marc Broussard is also scheduled to play at the festival and said he looks forward to playing for a large crowd in New Orleans.”Jazz Fest has always been a good time for us,” Broussard said. “I really like the festival shows. You usually get a one-hour set, so you get to put all your high-powered stuff in the set.”Broussard said festival shows are a great opportunity to make new fans because of the large crowds coming to see numerous bands.”Typically you’ve got a built-in crowd, so you don’t have to worry about whether people show up or not,” Broussard said. “I think we’ll be able to play for some people we wouldn’t necessarily get to play for at a smaller show.”Though he enjoys the experience of playing for large crowds at festivals, Broussard said he likes giving his fans more intimate shows at smaller venues.”Small clubs are still fun, and my fans really dig the small clubs,” Broussard said. “It’s a play some low-powered stuff.”Amy Wright, psychology sophomore, said she is going to try to make it to the festival.”I’d definitely like to go,” Wright said. “I especially want to go to see Dave Matthews.”Other students said they like the bands playing but would not be able to make to the festival.Matt Lousteau, mechanical engineering sophomore, said he will not be able to go.”I’ve been to Jazz Fest like three years ago and saw Dave Matthews, so I’d like to see him again,” Lousteau said. “But I’m really busy and tickets are really expensive, so I’m probably not going to make it.”Single-day tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the gate, while weekend packages are available for $105 for the three-day first weekend of April 24-26 and $140 for the four-day second weekend of April 30-May 3.A complete list of performers can be found at www.nojazzfest.com.
 
–Contact Ben Bourgeois at [email protected]