What’s On has details of Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival line-up, featuring John Legend. Get ticket info and prices for the music festival in Dubai.

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John Legend has been announced as the headline act for February’s Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival, the UAE’s longest running music event.

News of the superstar’s addition to the bill, on Friday February 27, is huge for an event which already has English singer-songwriter James Blunt and American musician Christina Perri on the opening night (February 25) line-up.

This year, the festival’s 13th, sees organisers bring the event back to it’s original location, at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, a decision that’s sure to delight party goers.

The announcement released today also revealed Esperanza Spalding, the acclaimed American jazz bassist, cellist and singer, would be joining Legend on Friday February 27.

Legend’s appearance in the region is part of his All Of Me Tour, which has so far taken in almost 50 shows in the USA, and every major European city. Before reaching Dubai, the star will also perform throughout Africa and Australia.

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“He’s an R&B icon and a true pop star,” organisers said. “His sound is so recognisable and unique; we had to have him back to the festival after the big success of his single ‘All of Me‘. He is an innovative artist that brings to mind the elegance of soul.”

Gaining a cult following prior to his own solo breakthrough, Legend’s career was kickstarted by numerous collaborations with the likes of Kanye West, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. He was even the pianist on Lauryn Hill’s monster hit ‘Everything Is Everything’.

The release of ‘Get Lifted‘ in 2004 saw the Ohio-born musician hit the mainstream. Tracks like ‘Ordinary People‘, ‘Alright‘, ‘She Don’t Have To Know‘ and ‘Used To Love You‘  helped it achieve Gold status, selling nearly one million copies.

He has since released ‘Once Again‘ (2006), ‘Evolver‘ (2008) and the 2009 collaboration with The Roots, ‘Wake Up!’. His most recent album, ‘Love In The Future‘ debuted at number four in the USA upon release in September 2013, the third single from which, ‘All Of Me‘ is the title of the tour that brings him to Dubai.

As for Esperanza, herself a four-time Grammy winner, has had the honour of playing as a guest of US President Barack Obama at the Nobel Prize ceremonies.

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“Needless to say, this distinctive jazz artist is a great addition to our celebrated list of performers at the Jazz Festival,” organisers added, of the star, who has released four albums to date. “The young artist will be fascinating the music lovers with her talent on the night of John Legend’s performance.”

James Blunt rose to fame in 2005 with the release of his hit single ‘You’re Beautiful’ from the debut studio album ‘Back to Bedlam’. In the span of Blunt’s career, he has garnered four No 1 singles, won multiple awards including Best British Male Solo Artist at the 2006 Brit Awards and received multiple Grammy, Billboard and MTV Awards nominations.

Blunt will be joined by award-winning musician Christina Perri, making her Middle East debut. Famous for her massive hit ‘A Thousand Years’ – which features on ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1′ soundtrack – and ‘Jar of Hearts’, Perri will perform on the opening night of the festival on February 25.

Chillout Productions also revealed that “this year there is more to this festival, as we will be introducing a new jazz event and we will be unveiling the name of an A-List artist by mid-November.”

Prices range from Dhs950 (front pit), Dhs750 (golden circle), Dhs395 (regular standing). Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster on ticketmaster.ae or 800-TM-UAE.