Essence Music Festival 2008 in New Orleans The 2008 Essence Music Festival will resonate with the sound of its host city (New Orleans).
Irma Thomas, jazz trumpeters Terence Blanchard, Nicholas Payton, Irvin Mayfield, Kermit Ruffins and Christian Scott, blues belter Marva Wright, the Rebirth Brass Band, trombonist Big Sam’s Funky Nation and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s Gospel Revival are booked for Essence, July 4-6 in the Superdome. They’ll appear on the four “superlounge” stages in the Dome’s corridors.
The festival has also augmented its main stage roster with the Essence debut of Rihanna, the Barbados-born singer whose “Umbrella” ranked among 2007’s biggest hits; R&B diva Keyshia Cole; neo-soul singer Musiq; and rapper LL Cool J.