NEWPORT – This year's JVC Newport Jazz Festival will once again feature a number of big names, including 2008 Grammy Award-winner Herbie Hancock topping the list of household names.

He will join artists such as Sonny Rollins and Chris Botti for the annual weekend of jazz at Fort Adams State Park.

The event will take place August 8 to 10.

Other acts set to appear include the Wayne Shorter Quartet, Soulive with Fred Wesley, Dave Holland, and the Anthony Hamilton Blues Project.

The festival kicks off with an opening performance at The International Tennis Hall of Fame on Friday evening.

Tickets for all events go on sale on Thursday, May 8th at 9 a.m. For more information on visit the festival's website.

2008 Jazz Festival lineup

Friday, Aug. 8, 8 p.m., Newport Casino

Chris Botti with Ledisi.

Saturday, Aug. 9, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Fort Adams State Park

JVC Jazz stage: Chris Botti, Wayne Shorter Quartet, Dave Holland-Gonzalo Rubacalba-Chris Potter-Eric Harland and Ledisi.

Pavilion stage: Holland-Rubacalba-Potter-Harland, Charlie Haden with Ethan Iverson and Paul Motian, Warren Vache Quintet and the Brian Blade Fellowship.

Waterside stage: Lettuce with special guest Fred Wesley, Aaron Goldberg Trio and Christian Scott.

Sunday, Aug. 9, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Fort Adams State Park:

JVC Jazz stage: Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Anthony Hamilton Blues Project and George Wein and the Newport All-Stars.

Pavilion stage: Marco Benevento Trio with special guest Chris Potter, Guillermo Klein y Los Gauchos, Chris Potter's Underground and the Mark Rapp Band.

Waterside stage: Soulive with special guest Fred Wesley, Lionel Loueke Trio and Esperanza Spalding.

More: Tickets go on sale Thursday, May 8 and can be purchased by calling 877-655-4TIX, by visiting the box office at 770 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m, or online at www.festivalnetwork.com.