Bombino

Today at the Jazz Fest, there's plenty of jazz. But there's also West African blues-rock, outlaw country and that big biker guy with face tats and the angelic voice takin' it to church. Click through for a few free samples:

Bombino of Niger

2:40 p.m., Blues Tent

Musical globalization is on full display in the grueiling Sahara Desert, as the music of the Tuareg is somehow colored with influences from Jimi Hendrix. A bonafied rock star in Niger, Bombino grew up listening to Hendrix, and infuses blues and rock among the West African rhythms of his songs. He'll probably bring a heaping helping of energy to the blues tent. Sure, it's hot, but he's used to it.

Steve Earle and the Dukes

4:15 p.m. Fais Do Do Stage

Once again, JazzFest splitting an act befitting of at least the Gentilly Stage into the mid-afternoon slot on the Fais Do-Do Stage. And, once again, fans will be thrilled by the more intimate setting. After his guest spot in Season 2 of Treme, Steve Earle is well-acquainted with New Orleans, lending even more coziness to the excursion. Earle's brand of outlaw country is peppered with politics, so don't only look to Mavis Staples for speechifyin' this weekend.

Aaron Neville's Gospel Experience

4:55 p.m. Gospel Tent

Is it worth waiting in the crowd standing outside the Gospel Tent and sweating bullets in order to get in and see Aaron Neville. We have a feeling the answer will be a resounding yes by the time you get to the front. Gospel gave Neville a jumpstart to his post-too-much-cocoa-butter national pofile, and the velvet-voiced soul man continues to deliver each year for his special Gospel Tent set. Last year, his older brother Charles joined him on saxophone. Which member(s) of the family will join him this year? You'll have to make a little time and pass by to find out.

Mac Arnold and Plate Full 'o Blues

12:20 p.m., Blues Tent

We're pretty sure that thing Mac Arnold is playing is still a guitar, but either way he makes it sound like anything his one-time collaborators like Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker could've played. After his 1950s stint in Chicago with the Blues, Arnold moved to Los Angeles and worked with the late, great, Don Cornelius on his new show Soul Train. It's the Blues Tent, but we've heard plenty of R&B in there over the past couple weeks, so expect a set that spans the length of his career. Arnold's interview at 4 p.m. on the Alison Miner stage should also yield a lot of great stories.

The Malone Brothers

12:15 p.m., Acura Stage

With no Radiators set to close the Gentilly Stage tomorrow, this early Saturday Acura set is about as close as it gets. Dave Malone will join up with his brother, Subdudes member Tommy, for what's sure to be a classic set of guitar workouts penned by both men, and, yes, probably some that were written by other people, too. Recently debuted, the act has the kind of potential for guest spots that the Acura Stage seems like it was made to house.

CORRECTION: An earler version of this article incorrectly stated Steve Earle's album of songs by Townes Van Zandt was forthcoming. It came out in 2009.