Essence Fest holds many vivid and very individual memories for those who’ve attended the fest, as well as those who’ve performed. There was Aretha Franklin’s stunning appearance at the first event, with notables like Jesse Jackson sprinkled through the audience. A disguised Prince roller-skated on stage for a surprise cameo in 2004 before his set. Who can forget Stevie Wonder, Solomon Burke, Etta James, and our own Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews—the first New O...