Jazzfest line up announced

The line up for the 2009 New Orleans Jazzfest has been announed - a good two months earlier than usual. As ever there are literally hundreds of acts scheduled to appear, but the highlights (to me anyway) would appear to be as follows;

1st weekend (April 24 to 26): Irma Thomas, Third World, Robert Cray, Etta James & the Roots Band, Mavis Staples, Drive-By Truckers feat. Booker T. Jones, Johnny Winter, Pete Seeger, Hugh Masekela, Roy Rogers, Buckwheat Zydeco’s 30th Anniversary feat. The Hitchhikers, Tab Benoit, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Tribute to Mahalia Jackson featuring Irma Thomas, Mavis Staples, and Pamela Landrum, Chris Smither, Henry Butler, Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters, Sonny Landreth, Mem Shannon & the Membership, Warren Storm, Willie Tee and Cypress feat. Tommy McLain and T K Hulin, The Dixie Cups, Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, John Mooney & Bluesiana, Tabby Thomas, Savoy Music Center of Eunice Saturday Cajun Jam, Dew Drop Inn Revisited hosted by Deacon John feat. Wanda Rouzan, Eddie Bo, Allen Toussaint, Robert Parker, and Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, Wayne Toups & Zydecajun, Bruce Daigrepont, Henry Gray & the Cats, Walter “Wolfman” Washington & Russell Batiste, Jr., Lil’ Buck Sinegal Blues Band, Johnny Brown & the Quality Blues Band, Rockie Charles & the Stax of Love, Guitar Slim, Jr.,Willis Prudhomme & Zydeco Express.
2nd weelend (April 30 to May 3): Aretha Franklin, The Neville Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, Buddy Guy, Los Lobos, The O’Jays, Toots & the Maytals, Allen Toussaint, John Mayall, Solomon Burke, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, The Whispers, Chuck Brown, Meter Men: Zig, George, and Leo, Rance Allen, Guy Clark, Radiators,Aaron Neville, Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, Tab Benoit & the Wetland Allstars, Marcia Ball, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Frankie Ford, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Roadmasters, the subdudes, Deacon John, Chris Thomas King, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Luther Kent & Trickbag, Marva Wright & the BMWs, Kenny Bill Stinson & the Ark-LA-Mystics, Eric Lindell, C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Eddie Bo, Sherman Robertson, D.L. Menard & the Louisiana Aces, Kenny Neal, Little Freddie King Blues Band, Reggie Hall & the Twilighters feat. Lady Bee.
Of course, whether I get to see them is open to debate, given the weakness of the pound etc. It's rather a predictable list and there's no one I haven't seen before who I'm desperate to see, and no Fats Domino, Lloyd Price or Little Richard, but it's not a bad line up in the circumstances.
Here's the link (click on Music Schedule): http://www.nojazzfest.com/index.php?http%3A//www.nojazzfest.com/info/faq.php