The Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival has announced its main stage lineup for its 24th annual festival which will be held on the beautiful downtown Natchitoches riverbank on May 15th and 16th. 

 

According to Entertainment Chairman, Daniel Page, “This year’s festival boasts probably the greatest and most diverse variety of acts we’ve ever had.  There is truly going to be something for everyone including Rock & Roll, Country, R&B, Classic Rock, Soul, Hip Hop, Zydeco, and, of course, Jazz.  If you can’t find something there you like, you just don’t like music.” 

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Rising Country star Lucas Jagneaux and The Road Show will kick off Friday evening’s entertainment.  Jagneaux is one of the hottest singer/songwriters in the region, and has had several of his songs zooming up the Country charts over the past year. 

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He will be followed on Friday night by popular Zydeco/R&B legend, Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band, and the evening’s festivities will be closed out by perennial favorite, L. A. Roxx, dubbed “The World’s Greatest Arena Rock Tribute Band.” 

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Saturday’s action gets rowdy early with the Rowdy Friends Revue: A Hank Williams, Jr. Tribute kicking things off on the main stage.  This show, featuring Country sensation, Dustin Sonnier, has the look, sound and feel of a Hank Williams, Jr. concert down pat.

 

The Hank Williams, Jr. Tribute will be followed on the main stage by local and regional favorite, Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs, whose performance at this year’s festival is themed “Sweet Soul Music” and will focus on the horn-driven Soul and R&B music from the 60’s through today. 

 

At the end of their set, the Moondogs will be joined by the legendary Peter Rivera, the original singer and drummer of the multi-platinum group, Rare Earth.  Rare Earth was signed to Motown Records in 1970 and sold over 25 million records and went on to record many gold and platinum albums, and they garnered no less than five Top 10 hits including, “I Know I’m Losing You,” “Get Ready,” “Born To Wander,” “Hey, Big Brother,” and the anthemic, “I Just Want To Celebrate.” 

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Back by popular demand are Cupid and the Dance Party Express.  In 2007, Bryson “Cupid” Bernard shuffled his way into the hearts of millions with the up tempo party song “Cupid Shuffle,” which also inspired the popular dance craze of the same name.  Cupid has virtually reshaped dance music and created an entirely new genre.  His high-energy show is a combination of Soul, R&B, Zyedco, and Hip Hop which will make everyone want to get up and dance.

  

This year’s festival will be closed out in a spectacular way, with a performance by AC/DC Tribute Band, Back In Black.  This Dallas-based band has been nationally recognized as the top AC/DC Tribute Band in the world.  Back In Black are so authentic that their lead singer was invited to audition for the real AC/DC.  AC/DC is no longer touring and Back In Black is as close as you will ever come to seeing the original band. 

  

There will be three stages of continuous music with over 20 bands playing and the full line up for the festival will be announced shortly as will ticket information.  For more information, please go to www.natchjazzfest.com