Pitchfork

As always, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (aka Jazz Fest) ought not be taken completely literally where its name is concerned. Sure, there will be plenty of jazz at the 2008 incarnation, which goes down April 25-27 and May 1-4 at the Big Easy's Fair Grounds Race Course. But bopping along amongst the jazzbos are a heck of a lot of other great musicians from genres far and wide.

Performers include Jack White and his Raconteurs, the Roots, Elvis Costello-- who'll appear alongside New Orleans legend Allen Touissant-- Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Keyshia Cole, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Bettye LaVette, the Neville Brothers, Robert Plant ant Alison Krauss, Burning Spear, Ozomatli with Chali 2na, Randy Newman... We could continue, but we might still be typing by the time the festivities kick off in April.

And, if seven days of genre-bending party wasn't enough, the incomparable Little Richard will perform at a fest fundraiser on April 24 at the New Orleans Riverside Hilton.