Neil Young at New Orleans jazz fest

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Neil Young will join a slew of other first-time performers at the 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, a bittersweet announcement given that Aretha Franklin canceled her coveted appearance.

Jazz Fest producer Quint Davis said the Queen of Soul’s activities surrounding President Obama’s inauguration, scheduling and travel issues led to the cancellation.

“She decided not to do any more work for a while and we honor that,” Davis said. “But, we definitely told her we want her next year. She’s made it clear that New Orleans and the festival are important and that she would like to be a part of this and raising the spirit of New Orleans.”

But landing Young was something organizers had been trying to do for years, Davis said. The rocker joins other first-timers Bon Jovi, Sugarland and Kings of Leon.