Neville Brothers return for New Orleans Jazz Festival

The national discourse may have long since shifted elsewhere, but in a recovering New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina still colors local discussion. So even when folks talk about the city's flagship cultural event, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, it's all in "pre-" and "post-Katrina" terms. Just like the rest of the city, the event hasn't quite been the same since disaster struck in 2005.

However, 2008 marks the point where the festival appears to be nearing its past splendor. The celebration will once again expand to seven days, and will also welcome the grand return of the Neville Brothers, long the standard bearers of New Orleans R&B. Aaron, Arthur, Charles and Cyril Neville have performed together as a unit for 30 years, and had frequently collaborated before adopting the "Neville Brothers" moniker. The hard swing and bayou grit of their performances have always reflected the spirit of New Orleans. Their appearance at the 2008 Jazz Festival marks the group's first performance in the Crescent City since Katrina.

Also on the preliminary bill are country colossus Tim McGraw and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, another Big Easy institution. The festival runs April 25-27 and May 1-4. Tickets for the May 1 Jazz Fest Thursday are on sale now for $25, with passes to all other dates costing $35 each. Check out the festival website or Ticketmaster to pick up single-day or V.I.P. passes.

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