Tom Petty, Eagles Line Up New Orleans Jazz Fest Appearances

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and the Eagles are among the artists that have signed on to headline the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which is set for April 27 through May 6 at the Fair Grounds Race Course in the Crescent City.

It will be the first time both acts play the gathering, which combines the talents of local and Louisiana-based artists performing such genres as jazz, gospel, cajun and zydeco with national touring acts of a more popular persuasion.

“They’ve been on our most in demand list for years,” Quint Davis, the festival’s producer, says of Petty and the Eagles. “They are both legendary groups that you hope someday you can get.”

Davis says such bands add to the diversity of Jazz fest, helping make the event the melting pot that it is. “This festival really offers the best of both worlds,” he adds. “The heart and soul of the festival is all the Louisiana artists, but added to that is the very best of all these other genres.”

Other acts on this year’s bill include the Foo Fighters, Bruce Hornsby and the Band’s Levon Helm with special guest Mavis Staples. Last year’s lineup included John Mellencamp, Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, Gregg Allman and Jeff Beck.