John Mayer added to N.O. Jazz Fest

03/09/2007 4:26 PM, AP


Grammy-winning singer John Mayer has been added to the lineup of the 2007 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Mayer, who will perform May 5, joins headliners Rod Stewart, Steely Dan, Norah Jones, ZZ Top, John Legend, Brad Paisley, Van Morrison and Ludacris for the festival that spans two weekends in April and May.

As in previous years, a host of New Orleans native favorites will perform both weekends, including Harry Connick Jr., Irma Thomas, Branford Marsalis, Allen Toussaint, Better Than Ezra and the Rebirth Brass Band.

Connick will close the festival May 6. He is expected to perform selections from his "Oh, My Nola" album, which covers New Orleans standards linked with the likes of Toussaint, Dr. John and Louis Armstrong and includes original material.

The festival runs April 27-29 and May 4-6 at the New Orleans Fair Grounds, a horse racing track that flooded and was seriously damaged by Hurricane Katrina. More than 80 percent of the performers are from Louisiana.

This festival will be the second since Katrina hit on Aug. 29, 2005.

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