NEW ORLEANS — Brass band musicians on trumpet, trombone and tuba belted out “A Closer Walk With Thee” as the Essence Music Festival gave a salute to Michael Jackson.
At a concert featuring performances by Beyonce, John Legend (at right), Ne-Yo and Salt-n-Pepa in the Louisiana Superdome, the festival paid homage to Jackson with a picture and video montage and the New Orleans-style tribute.
“He was the greatest entertainer of all time, bottom line,” said Queen Latifah. “There’s no one who can compare to him.”
Friday marked the festival’s highest attendance in its 15-year history, said Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications Inc., reporting a first-night sellout at the Superdome, which can seat about 85,000. The Associated Press; AP photo
