Paul Simon, Springsteen, Etta James, Bartholomew added to Jazz Fest lineup

New Orleans' Jazz and Heritage Festival promoters announced Wednesday that Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Etta James, and Dave Bartholomew will be added to its lineup at the 37th annual event, to be held at the usual New Orleans Fairgrounds site on April 28-30 and May 5-7, 2006. The festival, which despite its name features a wide variety of rock, R&B, jazz, blues, gospel, hip-hop, and world music, also added 31 other artists to its roster, including The Ohio Players, Koko Taylor, Herbie Hancock, Warren Haynes, Robert Randolph, Pete Fountain, Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick, Little Feat, and Buckwheat Zydeco.

Also slated to perform: Fats Domino, Bob Dylan, Dr. John, Lionel Richie, Allen Toussaint w/Elvis Costello, The Meters, Jimmy Buffett, Irma Thomas, Hugh Masekela, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Snooks Eaglin, The Dave Matthews Band, Keith Urban, Galactic, Ani DiFranco, Yolanda Adams, Keb 'Mo, Rebirth Brass Band, Terence Blanchard, Walter "Wolfman" Washington & the Roadmasters, Sonny Landreth, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Cowboy Mouth, the subdudes, Ritmo Caribeño, John Mooney & Bluesiana, Terrance Simien, Anders Osborne, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Charmaine Neville, Banu Gibson & New Orleans Hot Jazz, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews with special guest Steve Turre, Dukes of Dixieland, Eddie Bo, C.J. Chenier, The Iguanas, Luther Kent & Trickbag, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Rosie Ledet, Lil' Rascals Brass Band, Lil' Band O' Gold, James Rivers Movement, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, NewBirth Brass Band, James Andrews, Leigh "Little Queenie" Harris, Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots, World Leader Pretend, Bryan Lee & the Blues Power Band, Tim Laughlin, Jo "Cool" Davis, Lighthouse Gospel Singers, Voices of Distinction, Young Tuxedo Brass Band, Kim Prevost, Leroy Jones, Higher Dimensions of Praise, Joe Krown, The Revealers, Poor Clares, and more!

Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans and a frequent Jazz Fest artist, entreats displaced Crescent City residents to "find a way to come back, because this is where your heart is... [The] festival will be the therapy we all feel we need." Festival organizer Quint Davis stated, "We're inviting the world to come. But... we want to say to all New Orleanians everywhere that this is your homecoming dance and this is your homecoming band." For tickets and other info, visit http://www.nojazzfest.com. Stay tuned for more updates!