The music of Luther Vandross will be celebrated by some of the world's top performers at the Coca-Cola Presents the 2003 Essence Music Festival, set for July 3, 4, and 5 in New Orleans. Patti LaBelle, the Luther Vandross Band and other special guests will come together for an All-Star Tribute at the Louisiana Superdome on the Fourth of July. Essence will make a contribution from the July 4 concert tickets sales to a charity chosen by the Vandross family.

"We consider Luther Vandross part of the Essence family, and his past performances at the Essence Music Festival have been legendary and unforgettable," said Edward Lewis, Chairman and CEO of Essence Communications Partners. "Although Luther physically won't be with us in New Orleans, his spirit will fill the house through this celebration of his music."

In addition, Hip Hop superstar LL Cool J, actress/comedienne Mo'Nique and The Gap Band have just all been added to this year's Festival lineup.

Updated 2003 Festival Lineup (as of June 10, 2003)

 THURSDAY, JULY 3    FRIDAY, JULY 4                   SATURDAY, JULY 5
 Main Stage          Main Stage                       Main Stage
 Stevie Wonder       All-Star Tribute to              Maze featuring
 Erykah Badu          Luther Vandross featuring        Frankie Beverly
 Jamie Foxx           Patti LaBelle, Gerald           Anita Baker
 The Gap Band         Levert, Faith Evans, Ashanti,   Smokey Robinson
 Yolanda Adams        Kelly Price, The Luther         Heather Headley
                      Vandross Band and more!         Tom Joyner & The
                     LL Cool J                         Crew, Hosts
                     Mo'Nique
                     Chaka Khan
                     Jaheim
                     A.J. Jamal, Host

 THURSDAY, JULY 3    FRIDAY, JULY 4                   SATURDAY, JULY 5
 Superlounges        Superlounges                     Superlounges
 Musiq               Biz Markie & Doug E. Fresh       Will Downing
 Keith Sweat         Michael Franks                   Nappy Roots
 Dianne Reeves       S.O.S Band                       Bobby "Blue" Bland
 Third World         Kindred                          Chuck Brown & the
 Amel Larrieux                                         Soul Searchers
 Groove Theory
 Jaguar Wright
 Dwele

NOTE: Previously announced performers Babyface, P. Diddy and the Bad Boy Family including New Edition, Carl Thomas and Loon will not appear.

Known as "the party with a purpose," the Coca-Cola Presents the 2003 Essence Music Festival also presents free Empowerment Seminars during the day at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The following are a few of those who will appear: Gospel star Donnie McClurkin, July 3; the renowned minister Prophetess Juanita Bynum, July 4; noted speaker and author Iyanla Vanzant, electrifying speaker and scholar Michael Eric Dyson and fitness guru Donna Richardson, July 5.

The Essence Marketplace -- with fine Festival-style New Orleans cuisine, Afro-centric arts and crafts, author book signings, celebrity meet-and-greets, the Essence Boutique, and Festival souvenirs -- will also be a part of the exciting variety of Convention Center activities.

Tickets for the Coca-Cola Presents the Essence Music Festival 2003 are on sale now at ticketmaster.com, or by calling (800) 488-5252, (504) 522-5555 in New Orleans, or (225) 761-8400 in Baton Rouge. Ticket prices are $35, $45, $55, with floor seating available at $75 and a very limited number of Golden Circle Seats at $125. Tickets are subject to additional service charges.