Pop icon Prince's death tempers celebration at Jazz Fest
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The customary jubilation accompanying Friday's opening of the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival was tempered for some by sadness over the death of pop music icon Prince.
The Southern Rock band Gov't Mule, one of Friday evening's closing acts, tweeted praise for Prince on Thursday and was expected to pay homage during its performance on the festival's Gentilly stage.
Festival goers were greeted by sunny skies at the Fair Grounds Race Course, the horse racing track where the festival unfolds over two weekends.
Crowds are drawn to hear music covering a wide variety of musical genres performed by scores of acts — some nationally known, some regionally and locally — who take their turns on close to a dozen stages spread over the track's infield.