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      *The Neville Brothers, who traditionally help close out the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, returned to the stage Sunday for the first time since their homes were wiped out by Hurricane Katrina.      

       The brothers — Aaron, Art, Cyril and Charles — performed on the festival's biggest stage in front of an immense crowd that appeared delighted to have them back, reports the Associated Press.      

       "This is a family reunion," festival producer Quint Davis said in introducing them. "This is the family of New Orleans coming together with the first family of our music."      

       The siblings opened with songs about Mardi Gras and The Wild Tchoupitoulas, a Mardi Gras group that danced onstage with them. Aaron Neville sang his hit "Tell It Like It Is," and later "Amazing Grace." The set wrapped with "Big Chief" to extended cheers.

       For the first time since Katrina, the festival returned to a seven-day format stretched over two weekends. Santana, The Radiators, The Pfister Sisters and Snooks Eaglin were also on the bill. Irma Thomas, Marva Wright and Raychell Richard performed a tribute to Mahalia Jackson.