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Lionel Richie, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Ryan Leslie, Melanie Fiona, Charlie Wilson and Little Freddie King have just been added to the line-up for this year’s ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL, set for this July 3, 4 and 5 in New Orleans. These acts join the already announced line-up of talent that includes Beyoncé, Maxwell, Anita Baker, Al Green, John Legend, Keri Hilson, Robin Thicke, Salt-N-Pepa, Ne-Yo, Raphael Saadiq, En Vogue, Eric Benet, Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars, Teena Marie, and more than 30 acts (the full day-by-day line-up will be announced in the coming weeks).
This year, the weekend-long 15th Anniversary celebration of music and empowerment will conclude with a special ESSENCE ICONS TRIBUTE to Frankie Beverly and Maze, the group who have closed the annual New Orleans festival since its 1995 inception. This one night only event will feature a gathering of stars of R&B and soul music who will come together to honor the legacy of Frankie Beverly and Maze. A full list of talent for this special performance will be announced in the coming weeks.
The updated acts:
Frankie Beverly and Maze: For nearly thirty years, Frankie Beverly and Maze have created a sound that is distinctive, passionate, creative, original, soulful, honest and powerful. The group continues to be one of the most requested at music festivals throughout the world drawing major crowds and have earned a reputation for having one of the best live shows in R&B. Frankie Beverly and Maze have closed the show for the past 14 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL’s including 2006’s post-Katrina festival in Houston.
Lionel Richie: This global superstar is also an Academy Award and Grammy Award-winning American singer, songwriter, record producer who has sold more than 100 million records.
Charlie Wilson: As the former lead singer of the funkadelic brotherly trio, the GAP Band, Charlie Wilson is known as one of the most familiar voices in R&B music. His new CD, UNCLE CHARLIE, was released in February and debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 and #1 on the Billboard Hip Hop/R&B Chart and includes the #1 single, “There Goes My Baby.” In addition, Wilson is currently on the road starring opposite Robin Givens and Mel Jackson in the touring gospel play "Save Me From My Secrets." More information can be found at www.unclecharliewilson.com <http://www.unclecharliewilson.com/>
Ryan Leslie: Singer/producer Ryan Leslie’s self-titled debut album was released this past February. Billboard magazine said, “With its smooth melodies (‘Just Right’), fresh beats (‘Diamond Girl’) and effortlessly suave lyrics (‘Quicksand’), the album satisfies from beginning to end.”
Melanie Fiona: Singer/songwriter Melanie Fiona’s debut album The Bridge reveals a sweet push-and-pull between countless elements of herself. United by a singular passion, Melanie Fiona’s sound bridges past and present with an artistic and consistent blending of classic soul samples. It’s all held together by a unique quality, something that is innately her, much like the other artists she mentions as influences: Bob Marley, Sade, and Patsy Cline.
Little Freddie King: An acclaimed international blues artist/American roots guitar player from New Orleans. His live performances have enthralled audiences at music festivals throughout North America and Europe.
“From Lionel Richie to Charlie Wilson and Ryan Leslie, we have worked hard to create a musical line-up that’s appealing to all of our fans,” said Michelle Ebanks, president, Essence Communications Inc. “As the Essence Music Festival line-up has come together, we are thrilled to once again confirm Frankie Beverly and Maze as the act to close out our 15th anniversary celebration. We’re looking forward to another great weekend of music and empowerment.”
For additional information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL, visit www.essencemusicfestival.com <http://www.essencemusicfestival.com/> . General admission daily tickets are available for $51, $67 or $79; floor seats are $92 and $121; Gold Circle tickets are $173; all plus applicable service charges. To purchase tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or call 800-277-1700.
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The 15th Annual Essence Music Festival 2009
Friday, July 3 7:30p
at
Louisiana Superdome,
New Orleans,
LA
Age Suitability:
All Ages
Tags:
music, concert, soul, festival, new, 4th of july, new orleans, brown, chris, orleans, louisiana, rihanna, bet, superdome, chris brown, kanye west, essence, essence music festival, african-american festival, vip party
Creator: eventbrite 
Creator: eventbrite
Performers at this Event
Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa, consisting of Cheryl James ("Salt", now Cheryl Wray), Sandra Denton ("Pepa"), and DJ Deidra "Dee Dee" Roper (Spinderella), from Queens, New York, that came onto the music scene in 1985.
Salt-N-Pepa, consisting of Cheryl James ("Salt", now Cheryl Wray), Sandra Denton ("Pepa"), and DJ Deidra "Dee Dee" Roper (Spinderella), from Queens, New York, that came onto the music scene in 1985.
Anita Baker
Anita Baker treats fans to a Christmas Fantasy this Fall! Grammy-winning singer Anita Baker gives give her fans a reason to rejoice this holiday season when Blue Note releases Christmas Fantasy on October 25th, her first-ever disc of Christmas music.
Anita Baker treats fans to a Christmas Fantasy this Fall! Grammy-winning singer Anita Baker gives give her fans a reason to rejoice this holiday season when Blue Note releases Christmas Fantasy on October 25th, her first-ever disc of Christmas music.
Lalah Hathaway
Contemporary R & B singer Lalah Hathaway has released several popular albums, including The Song Lives On, Outrun the Sky, and Self Portrait.
Contemporary R & B singer Lalah Hathaway has released several popular albums, including The Song Lives On, Outrun the Sky, and Self Portrait.
Teena Marie
Teena Marie (born Mary Christine Brockert; March 5, 1956) is an American Grammy® Award-nominated singer–songwriter–producer. Marie, nicknamed Lady T, is a protegée of late funk legend Rick James, and is notable as one of the few successful white performers of R&B.
Teena Marie (born Mary Christine Brockert; March 5, 1956) is an American Grammy® Award-nominated singer–songwriter–producer. Marie, nicknamed Lady T, is a protegée of late funk legend Rick James, and is notable as one of the few successful white performers of R&B.
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
For nearly thirty years Frankie Beverly and Maze have created a unique sound and become one of the most influential groups in modern history. The 80's brought the release of the best-selling albums, Golden Time of Day, Inspiration, Joy and Pain, containing a list of chart-topping...
For nearly thirty years Frankie Beverly and Maze have created a unique sound and become one of the most influential groups in modern history. The 80's brought the release of the best-selling albums, Golden Time of Day, Inspiration, Joy and Pain, containing a list of chart-topping...
Lionel Richie
After leaving the Commodores, Lionel Richie became one of the most successful male solo artists of the '80s, arguably eclipsed during his 1981-1987 heyday only by Michael Jackson and Prince.
After leaving the Commodores, Lionel Richie became one of the most successful male solo artists of the '80s, arguably eclipsed during his 1981-1987 heyday only by Michael Jackson and Prince.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe.
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe.
Rebirth Brass Band
Simply put, The Rebirth Brass Band is a New Orleans institution. Formed in 1983 by the now infamous Frazier brothers, the band has evolved from playing the streets of the French Quarter to playing festivals and stages all over the world.
Simply put, The Rebirth Brass Band is a New Orleans institution. Formed in 1983 by the now infamous Frazier brothers, the band has evolved from playing the streets of the French Quarter to playing festivals and stages all over the world.
Marva Wright
Down in Louisiana, Marva Wright is called the Blues Queen. Fans of her energy-filled performances, both live and recorded, call her a lot of other things, too, like "Marvalous Marva.
Down in Louisiana, Marva Wright is called the Blues Queen. Fans of her energy-filled performances, both live and recorded, call her a lot of other things, too, like "Marvalous Marva.
Zap Mama
Zap Mama is a Belgian musical group founded and led by Marie Daulne. Zap Mama specializes in polyphonic, harmonic music with a mixture of heavily infused African instruments, R&B, and Hip-hop and emphasizes voice in all their music.
Zap Mama is a Belgian musical group founded and led by Marie Daulne. Zap Mama specializes in polyphonic, harmonic music with a mixture of heavily infused African instruments, R&B, and Hip-hop and emphasizes voice in all their music.
The Blind Boys of Alabama
The Blind Boys of Alabama are a gospel group from Alabama that first formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind at Talladega, Alabama in 1939. The three main vocalists of the group and their drummer/percussionist are all blind.
The Blind Boys of Alabama are a gospel group from Alabama that first formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind at Talladega, Alabama in 1939. The three main vocalists of the group and their drummer/percussionist are all blind.
Solange
Solange Knowles is the younger sister of Beyoncé Knowles, lead singer of Destiny's Child, and the daughter of Mathew Knowles, manager of Destiny's Child and head of the Music World Music record label.
Solange Knowles is the younger sister of Beyoncé Knowles, lead singer of Destiny's Child, and the daughter of Mathew Knowles, manager of Destiny's Child and head of the Music World Music record label.
Charlie Wilson
Charlie Wilson (born January 23, 1953 in Tulsa, OK) is a R&B and soul singer, as well as the lead vocalist for the Gap Band. As one of the most distinguished voices in R&B music, Charlie Wilson needs no introduction.
Charlie Wilson (born January 23, 1953 in Tulsa, OK) is a R&B and soul singer, as well as the lead vocalist for the Gap Band. As one of the most distinguished voices in R&B music, Charlie Wilson needs no introduction.
Raphael Saadiq
He is a standard bearer for what folks call ‘old school’ music, a contemporary artist continuing a time-honored tradition that goes back to the ‘60s and ‘70s. From his early days as a member of the groundbreaking ‘80s group Tony!
He is a standard bearer for what folks call ‘old school’ music, a contemporary artist continuing a time-honored tradition that goes back to the ‘60s and ‘70s. From his early days as a member of the groundbreaking ‘80s group Tony!
Maxwell
Well-known American R&B artist Maxwell born in Brooklyn, New York on May 23, 1973 is an He played an important role in the development of the soul sub-genre, neo-soul. His album "Urban hang Suite" was nominated for a Grammy ® and also received double platinum status.
Well-known American R&B artist Maxwell born in Brooklyn, New York on May 23, 1973 is an He played an important role in the development of the soul sub-genre, neo-soul. His album "Urban hang Suite" was nominated for a Grammy ® and also received double platinum status.
Little Freddie King
Although Little Freddie King patterned his name and playing style after his role model Freddie King, the man with "Little" in his moniker is an original. Leaving his native Mississippi in the 1950s to move to the music Mecca of New Orleans, King brought the indigenous sound...
Although Little Freddie King patterned his name and playing style after his role model Freddie King, the man with "Little" in his moniker is an original. Leaving his native Mississippi in the 1950s to move to the music Mecca of New Orleans, King brought the indigenous sound...
Eric Benet
Eric Benet, born October 15th, 1966, got his big break in 1994 when he signed with Warner Bros. Records and released his solo debut album "True to Myself" in 1996. His first big hit came with his second album, "A Day in the Life", when his song "Spend My...
Eric Benet, born October 15th, 1966, got his big break in 1994 when he signed with Warner Bros. Records and released his solo debut album "True to Myself" in 1996. His first big hit came with his second album, "A Day in the Life", when his song "Spend My...
Beyoncé
Beyonce started her career being part of Destiny's Child as the lead singer in the 1990's. She released her first solo album in 2003, "Dangerous in Love" which was one of her most successful albums, with hit releases, "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy".
Beyonce started her career being part of Destiny's Child as the lead singer in the 1990's. She released her first solo album in 2003, "Dangerous in Love" which was one of her most successful albums, with hit releases, "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy".
Irvin Mayfield
Trumpeter Irvin Mayfield released half a dozen albums before he was 25 years old. His youth, as well as his willingness to contribute his time and knowledge in the spheres of both classical and jazz studies, make him a popular figure in educational music clinics in his home state of Louisiana.
Trumpeter Irvin Mayfield released half a dozen albums before he was 25 years old. His youth, as well as his willingness to contribute his time and knowledge in the spheres of both classical and jazz studies, make him a popular figure in educational music clinics in his home state of Louisiana.
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
Sharon Jones was born Sheron Lafaye Jones in Augusta, Georgia on May 4th 1956. Her mother moved to Brooklyn soon thereafter, however Jones was sent down south for a few months every year to stay with her family.
Sharon Jones was born Sheron Lafaye Jones in Augusta, Georgia on May 4th 1956. Her mother moved to Brooklyn soon thereafter, however Jones was sent down south for a few months every year to stay with her family.
Robin Thicke
The award-winning multiplatinum superstar returns to center stage with Something Else, a joyful and modern tribute to the ‘70s soul and pop records that have inspired an extraordinary career.
The award-winning multiplatinum superstar returns to center stage with Something Else, a joyful and modern tribute to the ‘70s soul and pop records that have inspired an extraordinary career.
Ryan Leslie
I’m a producer/songwriter/singer living between Harlem and Hollywood. Spring 1998 Graduated from Harvard concentrating in Government and delivered the Harvard Oration at the ceremony Featured in The Harvard Crimson’s commencement edition in a piece called “The Music Man”...
I’m a producer/songwriter/singer living between Harlem and Hollywood. Spring 1998 Graduated from Harvard concentrating in Government and delivered the Harvard Oration at the ceremony Featured in The Harvard Crimson’s commencement edition in a piece called “The Music Man”...
Keri Hilson
R&B singer and songwriter Keri Hilson has consistently churned out chart-toppers for such artists as Mary J. Blige, the Pussycat Dolls, and Britney Spears.
R&B singer and songwriter Keri Hilson has consistently churned out chart-toppers for such artists as Mary J. Blige, the Pussycat Dolls, and Britney Spears.
John Legend
Born December 28, 1978, in Springfield Ohio, John Legend is an American recording artist, musician and actor. Some of his works include: * Get Lifted (2004) * Once Again (2006) * Evolver (2008)
Born December 28, 1978, in Springfield Ohio, John Legend is an American recording artist, musician and actor. Some of his works include: * Get Lifted (2004) * Once Again (2006) * Evolver (2008)
Dan Dyer
Dan Dyer greets his second decade as a musician with a self-titled album. From this soul-revivalist recording, produced out of an old snake-charmer church turned studio on the East side of Austin, emerges a spooky, diaphanous, and bright release drawn from an ever-deepening soul.
Dan Dyer greets his second decade as a musician with a self-titled album. From this soul-revivalist recording, produced out of an old snake-charmer church turned studio on the East side of Austin, emerges a spooky, diaphanous, and bright release drawn from an ever-deepening soul.
Jazmine Sullivan
What’s in a name? Well, if the name happens to include a reference to a musical genre, it could mean a whole lot. Jazmine Sullivan’s mother remembers having a sense that the child she was carrying twenty-one years ago was born to sing and as a lover of jazz, she named her daughter accordingly.
What’s in a name? Well, if the name happens to include a reference to a musical genre, it could mean a whole lot. Jazmine Sullivan’s mother remembers having a sense that the child she was carrying twenty-one years ago was born to sing and as a lover of jazz, she named her daughter accordingly.
Ne-Yo
Songwriter, arranger, and vocalist Ne-Yo was born Shaffer Smith in Arkansas and raised in Las Vegas, NV. His start in the music industry came as a songwriter. Prior to exiting his teenage years, he penned material for Youngstown and broke through in 2004 with Mario's "Let Me...
Songwriter, arranger, and vocalist Ne-Yo was born Shaffer Smith in Arkansas and raised in Las Vegas, NV. His start in the music industry came as a songwriter. Prior to exiting his teenage years, he penned material for Youngstown and broke through in 2004 with Mario's "Let Me...
Janelle Monáe
Open your minds, earthlings, and prepare to be launched headfirst into an alternate universe. A place where robots fall in love with humans. Where your tour guide into this alternate realm is a demure lil thang with a bold set of pipes.
Open your minds, earthlings, and prepare to be launched headfirst into an alternate universe. A place where robots fall in love with humans. Where your tour guide into this alternate realm is a demure lil thang with a bold set of pipes.
Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars
All the members of Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars lived in or near Sierra Leone's capital city before fleeing Freetown during the country's decade-long civil war. Throughout most of the 1990s, Freetown remained relatively sheltered from the rebel war that had turned much of the...
All the members of Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars lived in or near Sierra Leone's capital city before fleeing Freetown during the country's decade-long civil war. Throughout most of the 1990s, Freetown remained relatively sheltered from the rebel war that had turned much of the...
Big Sam's Funky Nation
Presiding over his Funky Nation is Big Sam, formerly the trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, who blows the funk out of his trombone and refuses to let the audience sit still. Between solos and trombone riffs, Big Sam second-lines (a uniquely New Orleans style of street-dance...
Presiding over his Funky Nation is Big Sam, formerly the trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, who blows the funk out of his trombone and refuses to let the audience sit still. Between solos and trombone riffs, Big Sam second-lines (a uniquely New Orleans style of street-dance...
The Knux
Comprised of brothers Krispy Kream and Rah Al Millio, the Knux are a clever alternative rap duo who are musicians as well as singer/rappers. Born in New Orleans yet displaced by Hurricane Katrina, the musically schooled brothers began creating a stir nationally in late 2007 when...
Comprised of brothers Krispy Kream and Rah Al Millio, the Knux are a clever alternative rap duo who are musicians as well as singer/rappers. Born in New Orleans yet displaced by Hurricane Katrina, the musically schooled brothers began creating a stir nationally in late 2007 when...
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Hailing from Tremé, the most musical neighborhood in the most musical city – New Orleans, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews has made the leap from child prodigy to Professional Master Musician.
Hailing from Tremé, the most musical neighborhood in the most musical city – New Orleans, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews has made the leap from child prodigy to Professional Master Musician.
Melanie Fiona
Don’t ask her to define it. Singer/songwriter Melanie Fiona’s debut album The Bridge reveals a sweet push-and-pull between countless elements of herself. At once Canadian and Caribbean, strong and sexy, contemplative and joyous, blending the sounds of pop and soul.
Don’t ask her to define it. Singer/songwriter Melanie Fiona’s debut album The Bridge reveals a sweet push-and-pull between countless elements of herself. At once Canadian and Caribbean, strong and sexy, contemplative and joyous, blending the sounds of pop and soul.
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