Jazz Festival and Blues Shows Announced

- The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, where the concert series is rooted, has grown from just 350 attendees in its first year (1970) to an event with a record attendance of 650,000 in 2001, and it now generates an estimated economic impact of over $400 million for the city annually. - Vocalist Stephanie Jordan comes from a renowned New Orleans musical family, as the daughter of celebrated saxophonist Edward "Kidd" Jordan; critics have compared her to jazz greats Diana Krall and Dianne Reeves. - Kenny Wayne Shepherd's performance is part of a tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of his debut album, *Ledbetter Heights*, which achieved Platinum status and helped establish him as a major force in modern blues. - The Ryman Auditorium, a National Historic Landmark, is often called the "Mother Church of Country Music" as it was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974 and is also considered the birthplace of bluegrass. - The Gatlin Brothers' 70th Anniversary tribute celebrates the trio's start in 1955; their career includes a GRAMMY Award for the 1976 hit "Broken Lady" and three ACM awards in 1979. - The tribute for The Gatlin Brothers will feature performances from a wide array of artists, including The Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Greenwood, Vince Gill, and Travis Tritt. - Billy Strings' sold-out shows are a hot ticket; he has won two Grammy Awards for Best Bluegrass Album and was named Entertainer of the Year three years in a row by the International Bluegrass Music Awards.