The Essence Music Festival 2001, billed as the Fourth of July weekend's premier "Party With a Purpose," returns to New Orleans July 5-7 at the Louisiana Superdome, assembling the top performers in R&B, hip-hop, world rhythms, jazz and rap music. For its fourth consecutive year, Coca-Cola is the event's title sponsor.
Confirmed main-stage performers include Destiny's Child, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Jill Scott, Joe, Kelly Price, Teena Marie, comedian-actor Steve Harvey, Eric Benet, Yolanda Adams and The Whispers. More main stage artists are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The four nightclub-setting Superlounges will feature Carl Thomas, Brenda Russell, Jeffrey Osborne, Earl Klugh, King Solomon Burke,Steel Pulse, strokin' Clarence Carter, The Dells, Tower of Power, Bilal, The Roots and Patti Austin
Tickets are priced at $30, $40 $45 and $50; floor seating is $55 and $65. There is additional facility fee of $1.
Other event sponsors are Chevrolet; Microsoft; Nokia; Pro-Line, makers of Soft & Beautiful and Soft & Beautiful Botanicals; and Southwest Airlines (the official Festival airline).
