Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Fantasia have been added to the lineup of performers at the 43rd Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which kicked off on Friday (April 29).
Lauryn Hill — currently on a cross-country tour — will be a headlining performer along with John Legend, the Roots and a slew of other artists including Arcade Fire, Willie Nelson, Bon Jovi, the Strokes and John Mellencamp.
The 43rd annual festival will spotlight Haiti, as the country still struggles to recover from a devastating earthquake in 2010. In addition to a performance from Haitian native Wyclef Jean, who raised over a million dollars in aid within a week of the earthquake, bands such as Tabou Combo and Boukman Eksperyans will also pay tribute.
Festival producer Quint Davis says that this year’s event will showcase the broadest spectrum of artists yet, while spotlighting Haitian culture. “We have put together the largest Haitian culture exposition in the United States since the earthquake,” Davis explained. “We said, ‘Let’s remind the world about Haiti. Let’s show the world that country’s culture, art and music and remind them about the indomitable spirit of those who live there.”
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will run from April 29 through May 1 and May 5 through 8 at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. Tickets can be purchased at NoJazzFest.com.
Source: theboombox.com
