The 50th annual Jazz Fest hits its back nine starting today, and the fest wants it's 50th finale to be a fitting one.
Fest Producer Quint Davis says they have a great lineup:
"Galactic with the Dave Matthews Band, John Boutté with Herbie Hancock," said Davis. "Big Freedia and Pitbull. Aaron Neville and Diana Ross."
Davis says they'll have a special event to close out the 50th Fest:
"There's only been three artists that have closed Jazz Fest: Professor Longhair, The Neville Brothers, and Trombone Shorty," said Davis.
Professor Longhair died in 1980, and The Neville Brothers handed off festival closing duties to Trombone Shorty after Hurricane Katrina. But Davis says for the 50th finale, they want to do it big.
"So when we get ready to close the book on 50 years of Jazz Fest, it will be Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue with the Nevilles, together," said Davis. "Will the circle be unbroken?"
Gates open at 11 a.m. each day.