Stevie Wonder will perform on the opening day of the Essence Music Festival

NEW YORK (Essence Official Website) - The Essence Music Festival begins Thursday (July 3), at the Superdome in New Orleans and runs through Saturday (July 5). The Gap Band is also among the acts on the bill for July 3.

The Essence Festival features the sounds of R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and reggae as well as comedy, and brings together performers that range from legendary veterans to today's hottest chart acts.

Unlike some of his peers who take issue with some of today's music, especially explicit lyrics in songs, Wonder believes the blame, if any, lies with older generations and a lack of proper guidance. "I think music is a reflection of society,� says Wonder. �We live in a time where there are many thoughts in the minds of the young generation of today, without them having a clear understanding of what it means and why. You know, so many things are accessible to the youth of today, and many things are accessible without explanation."

The Essence Festival line-up for July 4 includes Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and the S.O.S. Band. LaBelle is one of the headliners for the all-star July 4 performance paying tribute to Grammy-winning R&B singer Luther Vandross, who continues to recover from the stroke he suffered on April 16.

The closing July 5 date features Smokey Robinson, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, and Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers, among others. More information and a complete schedule is available on essence.com.