ARTISTS
Experiencing The Meters
Experiencing The Meters is a veritable powerhouse of funk led by founding member, guitarist and lyricist, Leo Nocentelli, who is a GRAMMY lifetime achievement award recipient. The group includes David Russell Batiste, Sr. (David), who was The Meters’ keyboard player for 3 years, played the famous Saturday Night Live show, and is a member of the Louisiana Music Hall of fame. The group also includes David Russell Batiste, Jr. (Russell), drummer for the Funky Meters for 22 years. To top off this amazing combination off, the group will have two bassists – Donald Ramsey and “thunder thumbs” Bill “the Budda” Dickens.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Celebrating over 40 years since their founding in 1977, New Orleans-based Dirty Dozen Brass Band has taken the traditional foundation of brass band music and incorporated it into a blend of genres including Bebop Jazz, Funk and R&B/Soul. This unique sound, described by the band as a ‘musical gumbo,’ has allowed the Dirty Dozen to tour across 5 continents and more than 30 countries, record 12 studio albums and collaborate with a range of artists from Modest Mouse to Widespread Panic to Norah Jones. Forty-plus years later, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band is a world famous music machine whose name is synonymous with genre-bending romps and high-octane performances.
Krasno / Moore Project
ERIC KRASNO is a founding member of Lettuce and Soulive and STANTON MOORE is a founding member of Galactic and Garage-a-Trois. The two met each other in the mid nineties. Through their work with their respective bands they have crossed paths and shared the stage together countless times over the past 25 years. Both are GRAMMY award winning artists who together have worked with a vast array of both classic and current musical artists. During New Orleans Jazz Fest in May of 2022 these two established artists discussed the possibility of working together on a more regular basis with a consolidated project in mind. Together, they came up with the concept of making an organ trio record of covers that would be a tribute to women in music. The record would focus on female artists and the endless amount of incredible music they have gifted the world. With out wasting any time, this new dynamic duo started picking songs and working on demos with accomplished organist Eric Finland. They decided that the perfect studio to record this project would be the magical Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock New York. Having both worked there before they knew that Levon’s vibe-drenched barn would provide a wonderful environment to bring this project to life. After recording the record in July they brought the record to California to be mixed by the legendary Jim Scott in early August of 2022. The result is a collection of nine songs covering the works of Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone, Billie Eilish, Sharon Jones, H.E.R, Kacey Musgraves, Brittany Howard, Peggy Lee, and Aretha Franklin. The record sounds classic, yet fresh… at once vaguely familiar, yet quite unlike anything you’ve ever heard. Krasno and Moore are joined by musical legends Branford Marsalis, Cory Henry & Robert Randolph on 3 of the tracks. Krasno has released twelve Soulive albums, four Lettuce albums, three solo albums, and has production and/or songwriting credit with Norah Jones, Robert Randolph, Pretty Lights, Talib Kweli, 50 Cent, Aaron Neville, Allen Stone and Ledisi. As a dynamic performer, he’s shared stages with The Rolling Stones, The Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, and The Roots. Out of seven nominations, he picked up two GRAMMY® Awards for his role as a songwriter and guitarist on The Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Revelator and guitarist on The Derek Trucks Band’s Already Free. Throughout his 30 year career, Moore has released eight records under his own name, eleven records with Galactic and four records with Garage-a-Trois. He has performed or recorded with a diverse group of artists including Maceo Parker, Joss Stone, Macy Gray, Corey Glover (Living Colour), Cyril Neville, Irma Thomas, Leo Nocentelli and George Porter (of the Meters),Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Corrosion of Conformity, Donald Harrison Jr., Nicholas Payton, Trombone Shorty, Skerik, Charlie Hunter, Robert Walter, Will Bernard, Anders Osborne, Ivan Neville and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. In 2018, Moore and his bandmates in Galactic pooled their resources to purchase the internationally renown music venue Tipitina’s. Krasno and Moore also share a passion for education. Krasno has multiple online guitar courses available and Moore produces his own online drum school, Stanton Moore Drum Academy. With a new record on the way, the Krasno / Moore Project is actively playing shows together and booking tours and festivals. They are very much enjoying working together as new partners and longtime friends and colleagues.
George Porter Jr. & Runnin' Pardners
George Porter Jr. is an award-winning bassist, songwriter and vocalist. He is a founding member of New Orleans’ seminal funk band, The Meters and widely recognized as one of the greatest bass players of all time. Formed alongside Art "Poppa Funk" Neville, Leo Nocentelli and Joseph Zigaboo Modeliste, the pioneering R&B funk outfit hit the scene on the streets of the Crescent City in the 1960s, to ultimately become one of the progenitors of the funk music genre. The groundbreaking collective carved out syncopated polyrhythms and grooves inherited from New Orleans’ deep African musical roots. Porter’s heavy pocket and fat notes formed the rubbery bass lines behind funk classics like their signature “Cissy Strut,” the now classic 1969 funk instrumental released as a single from their eponymous debut album, which reached No. 4 on the R&B chart and No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 respectively. While the group rarely enjoyed massive mainstream success, they are widely heralded alongside James Brown, Sly Stone, and George Clinton’s Parliament/Funkadelic as the founding fathers of funk. The Meters have been nominated four times for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (most recently in 2017), and were presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018. At the outset of his young career, Porter developed his signature style on sessions in his hometown New Orleans, with early musical pioneers Johnny Adams, Irma Thomas, Snooks Eaglin, Eddie Bo and The Lastie Brothers. While Porter developed his pedigree, The Meters were gaining notoriety, soon becoming the house band for Allen Toussaint’s recording label, backing classic records from Dr. John, Lee Dorsey and Earl King, while later supplying the musical foundation for classic hit albums and singles from modern artists Robert Palmer, Paul McCartney, Tori Amos, Taj Mahal, not to mention Patti Labelle’s No. 1 R&B hit “Lady Marmalade.” George and The Meters toured with the Rolling Stones in '75, were embraced by Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, and became primary influences to modern artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Beastie Boys. Porter’s rhythmic work with drummer Modeliste also became the building block behind primary samples used by the most relevant hip-hop artists of the 1980’s and 1990’s, including A Tribe Called Quest, Run DMC, N.W.A. and Queen Latifah. Porter has accompanied the stage as a band member or special guest with the likes of David Byrne, Dead & Company, Jimmy Buffet, Warren Haynes, Widespread Panic, Tedeschi Trucks Band, John Scofield, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart and various members of Phish, to name a few. He continues to be the bandleader of current projects, George Porter Jr. and Runnin' Pardners and George Porter Jr. Trio; with both incarnations still playing often locally, and touring prolifically, garnering respect not only as quintessential New Orleans' bands, but also as major national attractions within the jam band and festival scene. On special occasions, Porter still anchors Foundation of Funk, a current Meters "reinvention" with original drummer Zigaboo Modeliste, boasting a rotating line-up which has featured members of Widespread Panic, Medeski Martin & Wood, Dumpstaphunk and 2018's now infamous Lockn Festival sit-in by Bob Weir, John Mayer and Grateful Dead drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, the latter of whom George played with in the popular side project, The 7 Walkers. Currently, Porter still maintains a healthy touring schedule with his trio and Runnin’ Pardners projects with a cast of seasoned and talented musicians including long-time collaborator Michael Lemmler (keyboards), Terrence Houston (drums) and Chris Adkins (guitar). George and his Runnin' Pardners recently released their highly acclaimed first new studio album in six years, Crying For Hope in March 2021. The album garnered national coverage with Billboard, Tidal, MOJO, Premier Guitar and Bass Player, along with Porter's hometown publication, Offbeat, which declared: "While the title cut harkens back to the social commentary lyricism of some of the best Meters songs and references the déjà-vu all-over-again experiences of Black America in these fraught times, the rest of the album remains emotionally upbeat and hopeful. For a band that is known for its stop-on-a-dime tightness when performing live, this album proves over and over that with the right musical ingredients the magic can actually be bottled." During the course of his career spanning more than four decades, Porter has made a deep impression as an elite player; acknowledged as one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s 50 Greatest Bassist of All Time. At 74 years young, George Porter Jr. plans to keep a smile on his face and often says, "I feel like I am working towards something that will be remembered." For more information, visit georgeporterjr.com
Bucktown Allstars
Rock n Roll and horn powered R&B meet in New Orleans and they catch a parade at a tailgate party where somebody gets married. If that’s too hard to understand, it’s 1960’s classic Soul and RnB, 70’s funk, and New Orleans music mixed with laughs.
Irma Thomas
Born Irma Lee, in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, United States, she was the daughter of Percy Lee, a steel chipper, and Vader Lee, who worked as a maid. As a teenager, she sang with a Baptist church choir. She auditioned for Specialty Records at the age of 13. By the time she was 19, she had been married twice and had four children. Keeping her second ex-husband's surname, she worked as a waitress in New Orleans, occasionally singing with bandleader Tommy Ridgley, who helped her land a record deal with the local Ron label. Her first single, "Don't Mess with My Man", was released in late 1959, and reached number 22 on the US Billboard R&B chart She then began recording on the Minit label, working with songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint on songs including "It's Raining" and "Ruler of My Heart", which was later reinterpreted by Otis Redding as "Pain in My Heart". Imperial Records acquired Minit in 1963, and a string of successful releases followed. These included "Wish Someone Would Care", her biggest national hit; its B-side "Breakaway", written by Jackie DeShannon and Sharon Sheely (later covered by Tracey Ullman, among others). "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)" was co-written by a young Randy Newman and future country star Jeannie Seely. This song has gained renewed appreciation as a result of its inclusion in numerous episodes of the science fiction anthology television series Black Mirror, stretching back to the first season. On its B-side is "Time Is on My Side", a song previously recorded by Kai Winding and later by the Rolling Stones. Her first four Imperial singles all charted on Billboard's pop chart, but her later releases were less successful. Unlike her contemporaries Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick, she never managed to cross over into mainstream commercial success. She recorded for Chess Records in 1967–1968 with some success; her version of the Otis Redding song "Good to Me" reached the R&B chart. She then relocated to California, releasing records on various small labels, before returning to Louisiana, and in the early 1980s opened the Lion's Den Club. Down by Law, the 1986 independent film by Jim Jarmusch featured "It's Raining" in the soundtrack. The film's actors Roberto Benigni and Nicoletta Braschi, whose characters fell in love in the movie, danced to the song. After several years' break from recording, she was signed by Rounder Records, and in 1991 earned her first Grammy Award nomination for Live! Simply the Best, recorded in San Francisco. She subsequently released a number of traditional gospel albums, together with more secular recordings. The album Sing It! (1998) was nominated for a Grammy in 1999. Thomas was still active as a performer as of 2021, appearing annually at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (and was scheduled to appear at the iterations that were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic). She reigned as Queen of the Krewe du Vieux for the 1998 New Orleans Mardi Gras season. She often headlined at her own club, but it went out of business due to Hurricane Katrina, which caused her to relocate to Gonzales, Louisiana, 60 miles (97 km) from New Orleans. As of April 2008 she was back in her home in New Orleans. Thomas appearing with James Taylor and others in 2008 Thomas is interviewed on screen and appears in performance footage in the 2005 documentary film Make It Funky!, which presents a history of New Orleans music and its influence on rhythm and blues, rock and roll, funk and jazz. In the film, she performed "Old Records" with Allen Toussaint. In April 2007, Thomas was honored for her contributions to Louisiana music with induction into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Also in 2007, Thomas accepted an invitation to participate in Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino where, singing with Marcia Ball, she contributed "I Just Can't Get New Orleans Off My Mind". The same year she won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album for After the Rain. In August 2009, a compilation album with three new songs titled The Soul Queen of New Orleans: 50th Anniversary Celebration was released from Rounder Records to commemorate Thomas' 50th year as a recording artist. Thomas was the subject of the 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival poster. She was chosen as the subject before the painting was chosen for the poster. Artist Douglas Bourgeois painted the singer in 2006. In 2010, Thomas rode in the New Orleans parade "Grela". In April that year, Thomas performed at the Corner Hotel, Richmond, Victoria, Australia. In 2011, Thomas performed twice at the Byron Bay Bluesfest in Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia. On April 24, she performed on the Crossroads stage, coming on after Mavis Staples; then on April 25, she headlined the Crossroads stage, coming on after Jethro Tull and Osibisa. In 2013, Thomas was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the "Soul Blues Female Artist" category, which she duly won. She won the same award in 2014. In 2018, Thomas received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance at the Americana Music Honors & Awards.
Ivan Neville
As a standard bearer for the musical culture of New Orleans, Ivan Neville takes his anointing as seriously as the swamp water that courses through his veins. From the ferocious funk he makes with his bandmates in the dynamic Dumpstaphunk to his high profile gigs with Keith Richards and Bonnie Raitt, he embodies the irrepressible spirit of New Orleans. Touch My Soul -- Ivan’s first solo album in almost 20 years -- is tough-minded but also tender, filled with joy, beauty and pain. It exudes an unmistakable New Orleans ambience and breathes new life into his singular sound. It’s both a love letter to the Crescent City and a celebration of his emotional and spiritual journey as an artist, a father and a man. “I haven’t written any new material for myself in a long time,” Ivan explains, “so this project is very special to me. I made it up as I went along, a song here and there, in between my work with Dumpsta and my work with good musical friends.” Ivan Neville holds the keys to the Crescent City at his fingertips. He can summon the barrelhouse mambo of Professor Longhair and the spidery intricacies of James Booker. He can play spooky, atmospheric chords like Dr. John. He can riff like Sly Stone with catchy, melodic chord progressions. Or he can throw intense, impulsive jabs when he jams with his brothers in Dumpstaphunk. “Music is a way to make people feel better, it brings spiritual healing,” he says. “I take my job very seriously.” Consider that Ivan’s blood line runs through two of the most influential groups that New Orleans has produced, and that he has played with them both. His uncle Art Neville was the vocalist and keyboardist with the Meters, who epitomized New Orleans funk and are among modern music’s most sampled groups. Art also founded the Neville Brothers with Ivan’s uncles Charles and Cyril, and his father, the great balladeer and stylist Aaron Neville. The Nevilles’ musical range not only spanned generations but also idioms like carnival rhythms, pop, soul, R&B and jazz; their collective identity galvanized Black New Orleans's cultural life to create a musical identity that focused their individual gifts with grace and grit. Ivan is even more humble about his stature at the highest echelon of modern music. He has performed and recorded with the Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Don Henley, Robbie Robertson, Ani DeFranco and the Spin Doctors, among many others. He’s a charter member of Keith Richards’ X-Pensive Winos. He’s a founding member of the New Orleans Social Club and the group Neville Jacobs, in partnership with the songwriter Cris Jacobs. And he plays a vital role in preserving New Orleans’s musical culture. When Dumpstaphunk joined Trombone Shorty’s national Threauxdown Tour last year, he saw how audiences were affected by the otherworldly magic of a sound that could only come from New Orleans. “I saw my own place in the conversation about our musical and cultural heritage and history,” he says. “And, I got to see my role in the evolution of the music of New Orleans. The crowds may not have seen the Neville Brothers back in the day, most of the audiences were too young for that. But spiritually speaking, these were the Brothers’ children and that makes me appreciate what Dumpsta does even more. You become an elder, a teacher, by example. “It’s a beautiful realization,” he adds, “knowing that this is something I’ve earned.” The writing of Touch My Soul began with another epiphany. “When I was growing up,” Ivan says, “people interacted differently on the street. They acknowledged each other. There was a feeling of connection. Just a nod or a look that said, ‘Where y’at?’” “Hey (All Together)” brings that feeling back, with vocal contributions from Michael McDonald, Bonnie Raitt, Big Aaron and David Shaw of the Revivalists, and instrumental sparks from Troy Andrews on trombone and violinist Theresa Anderson. “I wanted familiar voices to bring back a feeling of community,” Ivan explains. “I figured, if everyone said hello to a stranger, spontaneously but within reason, it might make the world a better place. It certainly can’t hurt.” That sense of community-mindedness extends throughout an album that’s alive with the pulse of the Crescent City. The album’s first single, “Greatest Place On Earth” is an authentic slice of street corner soul, a deliriously Mardi Gras-styled salute packed with incisive rhythms, booting horn parts and vocal fireworks. Walking, stepping down the street y’all Talking, never know who you’re gonna meet Dancing, the groove feels so good to me Singing, yes indeed Soulful living is all we know how to do In the greatest place on earth Ivan constructed Touch My Soul around piano pieces that he composed in the pictured filled “sun room” in his house in Uptown New Orleans. “The drum loops were inspired by the sounds I heard on Sly Stone’s Fresh album,” he says, “which was a big influence on me as a teen.” The vocals on his previous albums -- If My Ancestors Could See Me Now (1988), Thanks (1994) and Saturday Morning Music (2002) which was repackaged in 2004 as Scrape -- have always been tart and sweet. But his voice comes from a more evolved different spiritual place on Touch My Soul. “People try to warn us about the risks in life, but we want to learn for ourselves,” he says. “And we have a choice whether we want to learn from our mistakes. I believe the more we embrace our vulnerabilities, our imperfections, our insecurities, the better we become. That’s my goal: stay teachable.” Two songs in particular speak directly to Ivan’s search for the touchstones that guide him today: the meaning of acceptance and surrender as a path to achieving peace of mind -- and both sound like cinematic classics. “Blessed,” whose undulating guitar recalls the Isley Brothers’ scintillating mid-80s sound, reflects what it means to feel the presence of a universal sprit. And “Touch My Soul,” with its exquisite string arrangement, comes from “a new understanding of what it means to love, and be loved.” “These particular songs represent the power of personal freedom,” Ivan notes. “The freedom to imagine, to express yourself, to create. I never say the words ‘blessed’ in the song, but I hope you can feel my gratitude because I reflect on my blessings every day.” He extolls that ethos on “Pass It All Around,” which he composed with Cris Jacobs. Keep learning and love along the way Keep giving when you get another day Keep trying when you’re feeling down Keep loving and pass it all around Other highlights include the ferociously funky “Stand For Something,” which featuring crushing contributions from Dumpsta’s guitarist Ian Neville, bass players Tony Hall and Nick Daniels III and drummer Devin Trusclair. The album’s lone cover, a hypnotizing version of the Talking Heads’ “This Must be the Place (Naïve Melody),” fits like the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle. “It’s taken me years to understand that it’s all about the journey, it’s not about the finish line,” Ivan says. “Everything serves a purpose. We just have to pay attention. So I look for blessings everywhere.” Ivan lives on a street named for a Spanish colonial governor, in a neighborhood with colonial architecture and verdant foliage. On a crystalline day in the Crescent City, he’s making a pot of his beloved gumbo, strutting around the kitchen with the swagger he brings to the bandstand. The ingredients -- onion, bell pepper, garlic, celery, three different kinds of sausage, six chicken thighs and three chicken breasts, lump crabmeat and shrimp -- start to simmer and cackle in a well-worn pot. Aromatic, robust flavors waft through the kitchen as Ivan talks about the generous spirit of his late mother and greatest champion, the Joel Roux Neville. “Nutty, smoky, with a little bit of a kick,” he says, smiling softly and blowing on a spoonful. He’s reminded of what his Uncle Art said of his cooking: “Tastes like them old people.” Touch My Soul is not unlike a good bowl of chicken soup, he says, “very soothing for the soul.” Which is what Ivan strives to bring to the world as an artist and a fellow traveler. “It’s the little moments along the way that I’m appreciating most. The joys of accomplishment and satisfaction. The sadness and the turmoil. How failures lead to triumphs. “Acceptance is definitely a major theme on the record. I’m always learning how much I don’t know, which opens me up to learning more. “When I think about the way music has touched my soul and all the songs that became special moments in my life, I become very emotional. Music should touch your soul. I hope this record and this music touches someone’s soul.”
Ghost-Note w/ Nola Guest
Headed by Snarky Puppy’s multi Grammy–winning percussion duo of Robert Sput Searight and Nate Werth, Ghost-Note is an explosion of sound. With an expansive roster of next-level musicians—representing members of Prince, Snoop Dogg, Erykah Badu, Herbie Hancock, Kendrick Lamar, Marcus Miller, Toto, Justin Timberlake, and more—the band is pushing funk music into the future, building on the uplifting, pioneering foundations laid out by the likes of James Brown and Sly & The Family Stone and infusing their fresh take with tastes of afrobeat, hip-hop, psychedelia, world folklore, and more. With the release of 2018’s Swagism, Ghost-Note has made their mission clear. The album puts rhythm at the forefront, with irresistible, heavy-hitting beats underlying the group’s wild, rich music. Featuring numerous guest collaborators, including Kamasi Washington, Karl Denson, Bobby Sparks, Nigel Hall, Taz, and others, Swagism showcases the band’s stunning ability to meld and amplify sounds, ultimately adding to Ghost-Note’s sharp, complex collaborations. Fearless, both in Swagism’s sonic depth and conscious social commentary, the band easily translates this adventurousness in a live setting. Ghost-Note’s live performances are bold and in your face, with the group offering up none of the tight-laced pretenses frequently associated with the band’s jazz roots. Focused on creating seductive dance-able grooves and a contagious feel-good energy, each show is an opportunity to let loose and connect, for both fans and the musicians alike. After forming in 2015, Ghost-Note has already begun to take the world by storm. The group’s two studio albums—2018’s Swagism and 2015’s Fortified—have earned critical acclaim and popular success around the globe, with both albums hitting the #1 spot on the iTunes Jazz Charts. Furthermore, the ever-growing family of musicians has mounted successful headlining tours in the United States, Canada, and Japan and performed at high-profile international music festivals and events.
Big Sam's Funky Nation
When you think of New Orleans, the city’s foremost flambeaux-lit traditions of Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street, voodoo, Po’ boys, beads, gumbo, and second line undoubtedly come to mind. You can also count Big Sam’s Funky Nation amongst those NOLA treasures. Known for a boisterous blend of funk, jazz, rock, and hip-hop, nothing short of seismic live “experiences,” and a whole lot of Southern charm, Big Sam’s Funky Nation might very well be The Big Easy’s best kept secret.
Erica Falls and Vintage Soul
The vibes and sound of Erica Falls and Vintage Soul are steeped in R&B, Funk, and Neo-Soul. The music is intertwined with sweet harmonies, telling a story from an intimate, relatable place of Love, Joy, Frustration, and Release.
The New Orleans Suspects
w/ Maggie Koerner
The New Orleans Suspects have been tearing up the festival and club circuits for the past 13 years. This New Orleans Supergroup has been laying down its Swampified Rock and Roll throughout North America at a feverish pace. Their music combines irresistibly tight funk, soulful horns, Americana based rhythm and blues, and a pinch of jamband to create a uniquely funky groove. The group brings together some of the best, most highly respected players in New Orleans including Edward Christmas (John Cleary), Jeff Watkins on saxophone (Bradley Walker (Sturgill Simpson, George Porter Jr); Jake Eckert on guitar/vocals (Dirty Dozen BrassBand); CR Gruver on keyboards/vocals (Polytoxic, Outformation); and Eric Vogel on bass (North Mississippi Allstars, Fred Wesley). The Suspects have released five critically acclaimed albums since 2010. Over the years The Suspects have recorded and performed with such artists as The New Mastersounds, Dr. John, Leftover Salmon, Little Feat, Widespread Panic, Bill Kreutzmann, Col. Bruce Hampton and many others. This has helped the Suspects bring a piece of New Orleans musical heritage to music fans around the globe. ----- Maggie Koerner is a singer and songwriter from Louisiana. She has been performing, recording her music, and touring for over 10 years. Her new album "The Bartholomew" is out now.
Tribal Gold
When these tribes meet, turn up the heat. Big Chief Juan Pardo & the Golden Comanche bring Mardi Gras Indian rhythm, chant, & splendor to the party. The New Orleans Suspects supply groove-heavy music inspired by New Orleans's classic funk and rhythm & blues. United in music & culture, the combined entities become Tribal Gold. The union of the Suspects & the Golden Comanche has been in the works for a decade. This presentation is geared towards Arts Centers, Community Events, and Festivals. The elaborate Mardi Gras Indian costumes require a bit of room. Coupling this with crawfish boil or other cultural events allows both the Suspects & Indians to interact before and after the show to answer questions regarding New Orleans Culture, Music and Mardi Gras Indian Heritage. If Tribal Gold's March appearance at Tampa's Gasparilla Music Festival was a sign of things to come, audiences throughout the country are ready for the Suspects' & Golden Comanches new fusion of music & Indians.
Mark Mullins and Friends
Mark Mullins has played significant role in elevating the status of the trombone in New Orleans music for almost 30 years. As a leader in fronting New Orleans favorite trombone fronted band Bonerama and the award winning rock band MuleBone from the 1990's, his unique funk rock approach to the popular instrument has been widely recognized for years. As the main rock influencer in Bonerama, Mark is a fearless cover artist and arranger taking on anything from Led Zeppelin to the Allman Brothers through the voice of the trombone with a keen sense of arrangement sensibility that brings a new life to each song. In 1990 Mullins began touring and recording with The Harry Connick Jr. Orchestra as lead trombone while locally Mark was a member of George Porter Jr.'s early Runnin' Parnders band in the 1990's before eventually shifting gears to Bonerama. In 2005 Rolling Stone Magazine's David Fricke dubbed Bonerama as “the ultimate in brass balls” and the Bonerama still continues to entertain festival and club audiences across the country today. Mark's appearances as a special guest with the Radiators exposed him even further to music fans here in New Orleans as a dynamic trombonist and soloist that could fit seamlessly in their long extended live jams. In recent years Mark has been doing more horn arranging work, serving as horn arranger for the New York City based Blackbird Presents series of concerts that feature Don Was and Warren Haynes as musical directors. Mark's horn arrangements and horn section "The Levee Horns" have backed Bruce Springsteen, Keith Richards, Sheryl Crow, Gregg Allman, Peter Frampton, John Fogarty, Michael McDonald, Dr. John, Warren Haynes, Mavis Staples, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Church and more.
Russell Batiste & Friends
Brought up in a musical family, Batiste started playing drums at the age of four. He also learned to play keyboards, saxophone, guitar and bass, and started to play in the family band when he was seven. Batiste left college after two years to join Charmaine Neville 's band. He joined the funky Meters, the reincarnation of the funk band The Meters, in 1989. The funky Meters without Art Neville currently plays under the name Porter Batiste Stoltz (PBS). (with George Porter Jr. on bass, and Brian Stoltz on guitar) As a solo artist, he leads his own band Russell Batiste Jr. and the Orkestra from 'Da Hood and has released two albums under the name. Batiste also played regularly with organ player Joe Krown and late guitarist Walter "Wolfman" Washington as the Krown Washington Batiste trio. This unit released a live CD Live at the Maple Leaf in 2008. Batiste has performed with wide range of musicians and bands including Papa Grows Funk, Vida Blue, Harry Connick Jr. , Champion Jack Dupree , Robbie Robertson and Maceo Parker. In 1987 Batiste was in the New Orleans funk band Nuclear Rhythms featuring percussionist songwriter Rosie Rosato psychedelic funk guitarist songwriter Dirk Billie and bassist songwriter Mark Adam Miller.
Omari Neville and The Fuel
Omari Neville And The Fuel is made up of its name sake, Omari Neville (Drums and Lead Vocals), Son of Legendary Cyril Neville of The Neville Brothers and The Meters. Legendary and Award Winning Bassist Darryl Johnson (Bass and Lead Vocals). Gregg Molinario (Guitar and Vocals), and Austin Clements (Piano/Keyboard, 2nd Bass, Vocals). They are blazing the New Orleans music scene by themselves and also as Cyril’s backing band. In 2022 they released the single Black Soul Heart of Gold featuring Zak Starkey of The Who. The band will have its 1st album release in 2023
Soul Project Funky Uncle Allstars
Built upon the funky foundation of New Orleans, the Soul Project FUAS (Funky Uncle All-Stars) bring their own voices to the mix of Funk, Blues, Gospel, Jazz. and Groove that the Crescent City continually produces. A new vehicle for Soul Project NOLA frontman Jon Cristian Duque, (Guitar/Vocals (Soul Project NOLA, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters, The Soulful 3), the Funky Uncle All-Stars are an ever changing cast of characters currently consisting of: Wanda Joseph, Bass/Vocals (Soul Project NOLA), Wayne Maureau, Drums (Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters, Krown/Ricci Trio, Mia Borders, The Soulful 3), Whitney Alouiscious, Vocals (Sam Price and the True Believers, Gene’s Music Machine), and Jake Gold, Keyboards (Gene’s Music Machine, Jon Roniger Good For Nothing Band, Margie Perez)
Jason Neville FunkySoul Band
Jason Neville FunkySoul Band was formed in 2016 and was the remnant of The very popular “Jason Neville Band”. The original band was established in 2015 and was a very popular cover band. The band added New Orleans Flavor and Funk to increase it’s visibility. Once the FunkySoul Band was created, they added originals. The single “Be Myself” was considered a limited edition and sold out 2 months after it’s release date. The group is independently managed. They do everything Independently and currently have current tunes available on iTunes, but they have created a new cd in 5/2021 that caters to the traditional funky sound of New Orleans tithed: “Funk with me” dedicated to the city that paved the way. “New Orleans” Written and produced by the Band. The Band Leader is from one of the most Famous Families in New Orleans. Jason Neville is the son of Mr. Aaron Neville. His vocals are phenomenal! Unlike the family traditions, Jason ventured off into a different yet similar Genre of music. He wanted the Heart and Soul of his families music but he also wanted the R&B and Pop Culture to Spill over into his creations. To give his band a new fun sound, he changed the dynamics of the normal Neville all male bands and hooked up with “Lirette Neville” also known as 1st Lady of Funk. She is the daughter of Legendary Jazz Drummer “Sullivan Dabney” and she added the hip hop rap flavor, sweet vocals and a fun percussion performance that made the group even more popular. She too was a funky performer. Lirette was a local Star during an era when HipHop in New Orleans was starting to expand. She is on a long list of great female rappers from New Orleans. Together they lead the only “LiveMix Band” in New Orleans. The term “LiveMix” means they mix the music genre in the show. It’s fabulous! Fans get it all! You can find them performing with: Ben Parker on guitar, Maurice Toussaint aka Mo Keys on keyboard, Lawrence Ussin aka “The Funky One” on bass , Phil Armand aka Juice on drums and the funk horn guest These guys can be seen at many clubs in Nola and on other States. They play at “Cafe Negril ” a very popular venue on Frenchmen St., 30/90 (2) Saturdays a month and many festivals. They perform Tipitinas yearly for major event and have previously had residency at LeBon Temps in Uptown New Orleans and Monkey Board Rooftop in Downtown Nola. The Band was a Headliner for the 2018 Texas Jazz & Heritage Festival and other festivals around the world and were invited back on 2019, but a conflict on scheduling prevented that performance. The band performs in the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The band opened Up for George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic Feb 2022!
Boukou Groove
Formed in late 2010 on the stage of Tipitinas, Boukou Groove is a New Orleans Power funk, soul, and jam band composed of veteran-vocalist/keyboardist/ & Moog Bass, Donnie Sundal, and guitarist, Derwin “Big D” Perkins. The combination of Big D’s gripping New Orleans funk guitar, Donnie Sundal’s wailing keyboards plus “blue-eyed soul” voice and World class drummers ( including Alvin Ford Jr., Jamison Ross, Terence Higgins) have lit up audiences around the world. That same chemistry has been distilled into their albums A LIL’ BOUKOU IN YOUR CUP (2012) and LET THE GROOVE RIDE (2015). Boukou Groove brings their brand of “New Orleans Soul Funk” to audiences along Florida’s Emerald Coast and New Orleans clubs like the Maple Leaf and Tipitinas, they have also appeared at numerous festivals and clubs nationwide, also completed two tours in Japan, performing to capacity crowds on the Peter Barakan’s Live Magic! Festival and the Blue Note in Tokyo. A LIL’ BOUKOU IN YOUR CUP features special guests Sam Bush, the father of Newgrass, on mandolin, and Junior Marvin of Bob Marley’s Wailers on guitar. The song “Two To Tango” to date, has enjoyed 2+ million plays on Spotify. LET THE GROOVE RIDE brings in more New Orleans artist on several of the songs- Nigel Hall of Lettuce on Background Vocals on the song “Let The Groove Ride” and a video produced by Live For Live Music. Boukou Groove frequently intertwines collaborative shows with some of the top names in the live music scene, including, Ivan Neville, Big Sam Williams, George Porter Jr., Roosevelt Collier, Kabuki ( Rebirth Brass Band), Rockin Dopsie Jr. and The Father of New Grass, Sam Bush. The groove has continued with the band making their debut at the 50th New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival with the cut “Never Steal Our Thunder”. 2 singles in 2022 “Ain’t No Lie” - 180,000 views on YouTube and “Going With The Flow”. Summer Single release in 2023 “ Back To New Orleans”.
Eric's Gonna Die
Eric Vogel has been playing the bass guitar his entire life. Heavily Influenced by the great funk, soul, fusion, and r&b bassists of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, Eric has decided to start a new group, Eric’s Gonna Die, which brings to center stage music that has bass interests at heart. Those frustrating days of bass-ic music are over for this bassist…hopefully.
Jamal Batiste and Friends
New Orleans' Jamal Batiste is a renowned music master playing percussion-charged rock, jazz, funk, soul, gospel, hip hop and RnB around the world. He has performed in nearly every corner of North America, as well as in the Caribbean, South Africa, Morocco, Japan, Ireland, Scotland, France, Austria, and England. He writes, records and performs on the Jam-All Pro. Music Group independent record label. Jamal Batiste has performed at “the world’s largest trade-only event for the music products industry” (NAMM in Anaheim, CA) and with Grammy Award Winning musicians such as Leo Nocentelli, Art Neville and George Porter (The Meters), Regina Belle, After 7, and Bill Summers (Herbie Hancock) and that's just to name a few, the list goes on and on. Jamal has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, CBS Nightly News and USA Today. Also to include several local news stations, newspapers and magazines as well. When Jamal isn't making an in person appearance one can still catch his extraordinary drumming talents in Disney's very first African American princess movie entitled "Princess and the Frog" he also played acoustic guitar in Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger TV series, and spoke at the 2014 Cutting Edge Music Conference about the audition process for his role in “Get On Up.”
David Batiste & The Gladiators
Mr. David Batiste, Sr. is a native New Orleanian and has been a staple in the City’s music scene for the past 60 years. Mr. Batiste is a part of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, received the 2021 Cutting Edge Music Influencer of Year and Lifetime Achievement Award from the White House for Arts Education & Community Outreach with the Obama Administration, and received the 2018 Teacher of the Year Award from ReNew schools. In 1962. David and his brothers created the band David Batiste & The Gladiators. Mr. Batiste served as the band's keyboardist and sang lead vocals. The Gladiators were the talent show winners at Harlem's renowned Apollo Theater in 1965. In 1970, The Gladiators had a hit record titled "Funky Soul" on Soulin's Label and Instant Records. Mr. Batiste also performed as the keyboardist with the Meters from 1977 to 1980, as well as performing on Saturday Night Live in 1977. The Gladiators frequently perform at local venues such as The House of Blues, Snug Harbor, and the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Not only is the band popular here in New Orleans, but they have performed across the United States, Europe, South Africa, Mexico, and Japan. The Batiste family is Louisiana's most prominent musical family comprised of 30 musicians and has not just influenced the music scene in New Orleans but also spread local music and culture internationally. Mr. Batiste has been involved with the youth as he has been a music teacher and band director at five different ReNEW schools. He was also involved in training seven kids to perform in Washington D.C. for former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama. I am proud to acknowledge Mr. David Batiste, Sr. as a musical pioneer in the City of New Orleans and look forward to his continued success.