Rebounding from the devastation wrecked by Hurricane Katrina, the City of New Orleans can rejoice as the 2006 Jazz & Heritage Festival will take place April 28-30 and May 5-7 at its customary location, the Fair Grounds Race Course. Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Jimmy Buffett and the Dave Matthews Band are slated to assume the headlining spots but local musicians Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, the Rebirth Brass Band and the Meters will likely provide the most excitement. Rumors that U2 will perform have not been verified.

The sentimental favorite of this year's Jazz Fest will surely be Fats Domino. Believed lost in the aftermath of Katrina, the singer remained missing for three days and was feared dead before being rescued by helicopter.

Other acts scheduled to perform include: Robert Randolph &; The Family Band, Little Feat, Lionel Richie, Elvis Costello, Keith Urban, Keb Mo, Galactic, Terrence Blanchard and a recovering Ani DiFranco.

After being battered by nature and mishandled by FEMA, without question, the return of Jazz Fest to New Orleans shows that the spirit of the Big Easy, despite months of heartbreak and sorrow, cannot be broken.