Lauryn Hill to be featured at TD Halifax Jazz Festival

With headliners like Lauryn Hill and City and Colour announced for this year's TD Halifax Jazz Festival, event organizershope this will be one of the biggest years yet.

"This is our 30th anniversary and every year we try to present the best festival we can," said Heather Gibson, executive director of the Halifax Jazz Festival."We're really excited and the audience so far seems to be quite excited."

History-making hip-hop artist

Hill, a pioneering feminist voice in hiphop, made history with her 1998 album the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. At the 1999 Grammy Awards, Hill received a record 10 nominations, winning infive categories.

Hill was also the only female member of the mid-90s hip-hop/soul band The Fugees, whose music featured elements of soul and Caribbean music.

In terms of what Hill is expected to perform, Gibson said set lists are not something the festival talks to artists about.

"I know from what we've seen that she's done at other festivals recently that is seems to be a mix of her entire catalogue," said Gibson.

She said Hill is expected to play for about 90 minutes.

Hill dropped out of the public eye shortly after the massive success of the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

She was supposed to play with Toronto musician The Weeknd at the 2016 Grammy Awards, but apparently backed out.

Gibson said she has no concerns about Hill's performance in Halifax going ahead.

"I have complete confidence," she said.

More artists to be announced

Last year's Halifax Jazz Fest had just shy of 40,000 people attend.

Gibson said she hopes this year will be even bigger with more lineup announcements coming in the following weeks, although she would not give any hints about who else is coming.

"I think it would be safe to say there would be several more shows coming of the same calibre," she said.

Gibson also said she's been a fan of Hill's for a number of years.

"I listened to the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill probably thousands of times so I'm hopeful and excited that she's going to do some from that album."

Tickets for City and Colour, featuring Basia Bulat, are already on sale online.

Gibson estimates there will be about 3,000 to 3,500 tickets available for Hill'sJuly 12 performance.

Tickets go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. for the general public, with early bird tickets on sale Wednesday at 10 a.m. for TD Halifax Jazz Festival newsletter subscribers.