17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers

FRIDAY APRIL 26: DOORS 10PM/SHOW 11PM

Advance tickets $30

“We Partyin’!” FRI APRIL 26!

Kermit Ruffins needs only two words to hype a New Orleans barroom for one of his weekly shows, and this, his personal slogan, sums up what this Big Easy ambassador is all about. From playing himself in the HBO Series Treme, to barbecuing outside his bar, Kermit’s Treme Mother-inLaw Lounge, to sitting in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the trumpeter/vocalist keeps himself busy when he isn’t on stage doing what he does best—entertaining and sharing his love of life with the world. He personifies the laid-back vibe of New Orleans.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR DATE BEFORE COMPLETING PURCHASE.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents John “Papa” Gros

BLUE NILE BALCONY ROOM (UPSTAIRS)

ADVANCE TICKETS $20

DOORS 10PM / SHOW 11PM

“Sharing New Orleans with the world is my calling,” says pianist and organist John “Papa” Gros (pronounced grow).“That's what I have been doing and that's what I’ll do with the rest of my life.”

For over three decades, Gros has brought his city’s celebratory culture to listeners around the globe. Gros mixes all the sounds of New Orleans - funk, trad jazz, brass band, blues - and makes it his own signature gumbo. His new solo album Central City, shows Gros capturing New Orleans’ distinct feel-good charm with help from some of its’ most renowned players.

Gros began playing gigs when he was just fifteen years old but didn’t truly kick off his career until after graduating from Loyola in 1989 with a degree in French Horn performance. During the seminal years that followed, the young man cut his teeth as a solo performer on Bourbon Street while also developing a reputation as a formidable sideman. He backed up some of the biggest names in the Crescent City,: such as Meters bassist George Porter Jr. and guitarist Snooks Eaglin. Between 2000 and 2013, Gros began his transition into the spotlight by leading Papa Grows Funk, a highly revered group that mixed hard-hitting funk grooves with often unpredictable jazz spontaneity. The band released six critically-acclaimed studio albums while touring the U.S. and far off countries like Japan and Brazil.

This year, John “Papa” Gros released Central City, his third solo album. The album is a collection of classic New Orleans songs, both new and old, filtered through his decades of dedication to his craft. The album features Gros’ feel good originals alongside his takes on beloved songs by Allen Toussaint, Lloyd Price, and John Prine. Joining Gros on the album are a who’s who in the keepers of the New Orleans tradition, who perfectly exploit the similarities between New Orleans jazz and early rock 'n' roll on songs such as "Yeah Yeah Yeah" and "Personality."

Gros absorbed a lifetime of lessons and became part of the direct lineage of New Orleans music. “I’m walking in the same path as Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, and Art Neville,” explains Gros. “I’ve been following them my whole life. Now, they’re no longer in front of me. They’ve gotten off the path but the path is still very clear.”

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Stooges Brass Band

ADVANCE TICKETS $15

THIS IS A LATE SHOW FRIDAY APRIL 26.

(Technically this show starts early morning April 27.)

DOORS 1AM / SHOW 1:30AM

The Stooges Brass Band has earned their rank as one of the elite brass bands in New Orleans. The band consistently provides a welcome blast of true New Orleans spirit engaging audiences with their innovative blend of traditional New Orleans brass sounds, contemporary jazz and hip-hop beats.

Emerging onto the scene in 1996, the Stooges Brass Band has gained notoriety as a full-blown musical party immersing the crowd in a cut-loose vibe that is contemporary yet deeply rooted in the culturally rich musical legacy of New Orleans. The band has shared the stage with: Ozomatli, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Shemekia Copeland, Pedrito Martinez Group, Galactic, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave, Big Sam's Funky Nation, The Funky Meters, among others.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Punkadelick

THIS IS A LATE SHOW FRIDAY APRIL 26 in the Blue Nile Balcony Room (UPSTAIRS)

(technically this show starts early morning April 27)

DOORS 1AM / SHOW 1:30AM

ADVANCE TICKETS $20

A trio featuring Mike Dillon (Ricki Lee Jones, Ani DiFranco, Les Claypool) on vibraphone, marimba, Prophet 6, congas, and bongos, Brian Haas (Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey) on Fender Rhodes, piano, bass Moog and melodica and Nikki Glaspie (Beyonce, Nth Power) on drums, cymbals and vocals, Punkadelick is the unified vision of six hands creating a world that often sounds like the work of an ensemble three times the size.

During 2020 and 2021, while many music venues were still shuttered, the group began touring, sweating their way through cuts Dillon and Haas had composed during quarantine writing sessions. Locking in on stage, it quickly became clear the band was functioning at a level that made the hair on their arms stand at attention—even for three live music veterans accustomed to life on the road.Bending ears and surprising audiences has long been part of Dillon’s MO and Glaspie and Haas act as perfect foils for forays into the weird. While Dillon bristles at the “punk jazz” tag, punk rock and jazz remain core influences to the band, in sound and spirit.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents The Soul Rebels

ADVANCE TICKETS $30

DOORS 9PM / SHOW 10PM

The Soul Rebels started with an idea – to expand upon the pop music they loved on the radio and the New Orleans brass tradition they grew up on. They took that tradition and blended funk and soul with elements of hip hop, jazz and rock all within a brass band context. The band has built a career around an eclectic live show that harnesses the power of horns and drums in a deep pocket funk party-like atmosphere. The Soul Rebels continue to chart new territory as they feature in major films, tour globally, and combine topnotch musicianship with songs that celebrate dancing, life, funk and soul.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Lyrics Born with Special Guest Erica Falls

BLUE NILE BALCONY ROOM (UPSTAIRS)

ADVANCE TICKETS $20

DOORS 9:30PM / SHOW 10:30PM

Lyrics Born relocated to the United States from his birthplace of Toyko, Japan right around the time Hip Hop was exploding on the East Coast. From the moment he heard Sugar Hill Gang’s 1980 classic “Rapper’s Delight,” the Bay Area Hip Hop luminary knew he’d found his calling. Twenty-five years later, LB has obliterated the stereotypes of what an MC is “supposed to” look like and captured the hearts of countless fans who gravitate to his distinctive voice. He’s now the only Asian-American MC to release 10 studios albums and the first to play major music festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza.

Photo by Mark Chua.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet

ADVANCE TICKETS $15

THIS IS A LATE SHOW SATURDAY APRIL 27 in the Blue Nile Balcony Room

(Technically this show starts early morning April 28.)

DOORS 12:30 / SHOW 1AM

Treme Funk!

Trombonist COREY HENRY has what many musicians would consider the ideal upbringing: Raised in the neighborhood of Treme, the birthplace of jazz and a stone’s throw away from Congo Square, surrounded and nurtured by some of the most important musicians in New Orleans history.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Jennifer Hartswick

THIS IS A LATE SHOW SATURDAY APRIL 27

(technically this show starts early morning April 28)

ADVANCE TICKETS $20

DOORS 1:00AM / SHOW 1:30AM

Trumpeter and vocalist, Jennifer Hartswick is one of the most exciting performers in music today. She exudes confidence and joy and brings her own refreshing spirit to the stage every time she performs. Jennifer’s music is honest, and soulful and comes with a maturity far beyond her years.

Hartswick is an original member of the Trey Anastasio Band and has recorded/shared the stage with Herbie Hancock, Phish, Christian McBride, Tom Petty, Aaron Neville, Carlos Santana, The Rolling Stones, Big Gigantic, Dave Matthews, Lisa Fischer, and countless others.

Jennifer’s live performances are renowned as spontaneous, joyful, and contagious. Her natural charisma and sincerity shine through, and each performance is a celebration of musical collaboration. Whether she is wailing on the trumpet or singing an intimate vocal solo, her performance is all part of a single seamless instrument, one that is played not only with astounding technical proficiency, but also with sensitivity, conviction, and heart.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents The Rumble Ft. Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr.

ADVANCE TICKETS $20

DOORS 10PM / SHOW 11PM

On Mardi Gras morning, your eyes may feast on the intricate and elaborate beadwork of the Indians as they dance down the street, but the first thing you'll hear when they make their way toward you is the back line, known as "the rumble". Featuring seven GRAMMY-nominated musicians, The Rumble is more than just a band — it's an opportunity to be immersed in a wholly unique facet of New Orleans culture. Composed of Second Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. of the Golden Eagles, trumpeter Aurélien Barnes, trombonist José Maize Jr., bassist TJ Norris, guitarist Ari Teitel, keyboardist Andriu Yanovski, and drummer Trenton O’Neal, the group fuses iconic New Orleans funk in the vein of The Meters and The Neville Brothers — but updated, modern and vibrant befitting the next generation — with electrifying brass and the singular visual splendor of the Black Masking carnival tradition.

The Rumble's debut album, “Live at the Maple Leaf”, received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Regional Roots Album 2024. Their live show is a symphony of rich color and propulsive sound, with each member sharing vocal duties and engaging the audience in the classic Mardi Gras Indian-style call-and-response chanting. The group pays homage to trailblazers like Wild Magnolias and Golden Eagles, both of which featured the vocal stylings of Boudreaux’s father, Monk Boudreaux. The Rumble continues the fight to preserve the legacies and traditions of the community for the next generation while bringing new layers of depth to their live performance. The Rumble provides audiences with not only a top-tier musical event, but a chance to participate in a culture that, while deeply rooted in centuries-old tradition, is thriving and evolving through the active work of this next generation of bold and passionate culture-bearers.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Toubab Krewe

ADVANCE TICKETS $20

DOORS 10PM / SHOW 11PM

Some music cannot be found on a map or within iTunes categories. Some music is so original it seems snatched from the great, invisible substrata that runs below all human activity, a sound aching to be born without a flag or fixed allegiance – free, questing, overflowing with immediate, tangible life. This is the music of Toubab Krewe, the vibrant Asheville, NC-based instrumental powerhouse that creates a sonic Pangaea that lustily swirls together rock, African traditions, jam sensibilities, international folk strains and more. While nearly impossible to put into any box, it takes only a few moments to realize in a very palpable way that one is face-to-face with a true original who recognizes no borders in a march towards a muscular, original, globally switched-on sound.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Wil Blades, Donald Harrison Jr., Herlin Riley, Will Bernard Playing the Music of Dr. Lonnie Smith

Tuesday April 30 Doors 9PM / Show 10PM

ADVANCE TICKETS $25

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

ADVANCE TICKETS $25

DOORS 8PM / SHOW 9PM

THE CREATOR ENSEMBLE

Cochemea Sax/Flute

Marco Benevento Keys

Robert Walter Keys

Reed Mathis Bass

Chris Corsico Drums

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

New Breed Brass Band BALCONY PARTY (Balcony Room)

2024 GRAMMY NOMINEES New Breed Brass Band is the new sound of New Orleans, and its members have learned from the city's best including Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and James “12” Andrews. New Breed takes the NOLA second-line brass band tradition to all-new places.

DOORS 9PM.

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Game of Bones

ADVANCE TICKETS $20

DOORS 10:30PM / SHOW 11PM

Game of Bones ft. Big Sam & Corey Henry

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Flow Tribe
BLUE NILE BALCONY ROOM (UPSTAIRS)

ADVANCE TICKETS $20

DOORS 10PM/ SHOW 11PM

Flow Tribe recently released their new single featuring Ivan Neville called "Keep Pushing". The single is an upbeat funk/soul anthem that spreads the good word of never giving up. If any band has experienced the full spectrum of fortune and adversity it's the six Southern rascals in Flow Tribe.

Founded in 2004, the band solidified in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's destruction with the mission to bring the next generation of the New Orleans' sound of unstoppable rhythm and passion to the world. The next 15 years would find Flow Tribe performing over 120 shows a year crossing the country multiple times from the biggest festival stages to freak shows. These are six seasoned blue collar musicians who grind out the good times. They carry on the road dog tradition of following the highway to wherever the next crowd congregates.

The release of 2017's "BOSS", produced by legendary hip hop hit maker Mannie Fresh, gave Flow Tribe a critically acclaimed album that reached #58 on Billboard's R&B Chart. Recording "BOSS" convinced the band of the necessity to build their own studio and establish a hub for creativity for the New Orleans' music community.

The fruits of their labor are evident in the latest single "Keep Pushing". Recorded at Flow Tribe's Downman Sounds Studio, the single showcases Flow Tribe writing, engineering, and producing a track for their upcoming album completely by their own hands. Partnering with the legendary Ivan Neville (Dumpstahphunk, Rolling Stones) "Keep Pushing" leaps out of the speakers with an infectious and unrelenting groove. The incomparable vocals and organ playing of Ivan elevate the song to new heights. It acts as a tantalizing appetizer for their soon to be released album under the same name.

Over the past 15 years Flow Tribe grew up on the road. Each show compacted another strata of experience into the band's uncanny resilience and longevity. "Keep Pushing" demonstrates Flow Tribe in full maturation at the height of their creativity. A career of triumphs and hard knocks animates a sound described as "bizarrely irresistible" by Relix Magazine. "Keep Pushing" invites the listener to embrace the karmic dance. Especially when life steps on your toes.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

ADVANCE TICKETS $30

DOORS 10PM/ SHOW 11PM

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.
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.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Funk You Plays Rick James Brown 

THIS IS A LATE SHOW THURSDAY MAY 2

(technically this show starts early morning May 3)

DOORS 1:30 AM / SHOW 2:00 AM

DOORS 1AM / SHOW 1:30AM

ADVANCE TICKETS $20

For over a decade, Funk You has enchanted audiences with an unmistakably intoxicating blend of modern and vintage sounds. Compromised of eight kindred spirits, this close-knit troupe is driven by an unwavering passion for live performance and emboldened by their own exuberance - making them one of the most electrifying acts in contemporary funk.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers

FRIDAY MAY 3: DOORS 10PM/ SHOW 11PM

Advance tickets $30

“We Partyin’!” FRIDAY MAY 3!

Kermit Ruffins needs only two words to hype a New Orleans barroom for one of his weekly shows, and this, his personal slogan, sums up what this Big Easy ambassador is all about. From playing himself in the HBO Series Treme, to barbecuing outside his bar, Kermit’s Treme Mother-inLaw Lounge, to sitting in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the trumpeter/vocalist keeps himself busy when he isn’t on stage doing what he does best—entertaining and sharing his love of life with the world. He personifies the laid-back vibe of New Orleans.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR DATE BEFORE COMPLETING PURCHASE.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Blaque Dynamite

This show is in The Blue Nile Balcony Room (UPSTAIRS)

DOORS 10PM / SHOW 11PM

Blaque Dynamite, a.k.a. Mike Mitchell, has given validity to the cliche that age is nothing more than a number. He began drumming at age 2, played in his first live recording session at the ripe young age of 7, and had acquired a roster of drum company endorsements by the time he turned 11 years old.  

Young Dynamite gained his early development and exposure to music in a church setting. At an early age, he began to create his own music which in turn fueled his relentless passion and respect for the drums. Inevitably, he had become very interested in the pursuit of expanding his knowledge of music and honing his craft. At twelve, he embarked upon the study of music theory. At fourteen, he found himself in the hallways of the renowned Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas in 2009. The school also fostered the amazing talents of Norah Jones, Erykah Badu, and the late Roy Hargrove. Simultaneously, Dynamite took full advantage of attending workshops, master classes, and clinics at colleges and universities all over the country during the summer breaks between tours. 

Being gifted to play all genres, Dynamite has been the recipient of a host of accolades and prestigious awards. He has received 14 DownBeat Music Awards and his impressive performance credits include Grammy award-winning artists Christian McBride, Erykah Badu, Thundercat, Michael McDonald, Bob Mintzer, Chrisette Michele, Kamasi Washington, and the legendary Clark Sisters.  In 2012, he was selected to perform on a global stage at the inaugural International Jazz Day Celebration with one of the most influential artist of all time, the iconic Herbie Hancock. Shortly after, Dynamite was reigning the drum throne for the living legend, virtuoso bassist, composer, Stanley Clarke. Then, he graduated high school! (Class of 2013) 

Fast forwarding, the Grammy nominated artist Blaque Dynamite has toured five of the seven continents of the world. In 2015, he released his debut album entitled "WiFi" with Dallas-bred band, Raché. His collaborations with artists such as Christian Scott, Derrick Hodge, Doobie Powell, Kierra Sheard, Willow Smith, Talib Kweli, and Jon Bap have been the catalyst in the making of a new band leader.

On April 10th, 2020, Blaque Dynamite released his third album, “Time Out” on Dolfin Records, an independent record label out of Dallas.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Marco Benevento

THIS IS A LATE SHOW FRIDAY May 3

(technically this show starts early morning May 4)

DOORS 1AM / SHOW 2AM

ADVANCE TICKETS $30

This summer, hallucinatory keyboard wizard Marco Benevento pulls back the curtain on his hazy home studio with Benevento — 40-minutes of small-batch psychedelia bubbled up from the base of the Catskill Mountains.

Titled as a nod to Paul McCartney’s first solo album, the record is a similarly loose, low-key affair. Like Macca’s eponymous release, Benevento is a solo work, where song sketches and sunrise jams share space with more constructed tracks.

With few exceptions — guest percussion from Mamadouba ‘Mimo’ Camara on a handful of songs, and backing vocal appearances by his wife and kids — Benevento played all of the instruments. He also produced and engineered the album, all from Fred Short Studios, located at his Woodstock, NY home.

“This record really acts as a psychedelic window into my studio and my brain,” Benevento says.

Benevento has since decamped to a new, significantly larger, home studio. As such, the album acts as a swan song for — and love letter to — his former workspace.

“Wall-to-wall keyboards, mics, amps, drums… The place was about to explode,” Benevento laughs.

In this environment, Benevento unlocked his archives, mining for unfinished song ideas, and surrendered to the machines, coaxing beats and melodies from both go-to favorites and gear that had long since seen a dusting.

Deeply indebted to the West African psychedelia of artists such as Kiki Gyan, Francis Bebey and William Onyeabor, the songs are rhythmic and repetitive, built into thick mosaics of sound. And each track features at least one keyboard solo, allowing Benevento ample time to explore sounds from the deepest recesses of his studio.

Despite stresses of the global pandemic, the vibe at Fred Short was deeply peaceful and creative as Benevento patiently worked through years of accumulated ideas, lost, as he says, in the wonder of Woodstock. The experience ended up being so inspiring that — in another nod to McCartney — Benevento II is in the works.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Xavier Lynn Funk Party feat. Robert ‘Sput’ Searight, DJ Raymond, D’Vibes and Collin Miller

ADVANCE TICKETS $15

THIS IS A LATE SHOW FRIDAY MAY 3 in the Blue Nile Balcony Room.

(Technically this show starts early morning May 4.)

DOORS 1AM / SHOW 1:30AM

One of the country’s most exuberant up and coming artists, Xavier Lynn is surely a spectacle worth watching closely. Originally born in London to American and British parents, Xavier grew accustom to life on the move, subsequently making his home in France, Austin, TX, Madison, WI, Cleveland, OH, and Atlanta, GA where he currently resides.

Performing professionally since the age of 12, Xavier has learned to captivate audiences with his riveting, star-like stage presence, all the while supporting internationally recognized artists such as Ledisi, Ghostnote, John P Kee, MonoNeon,  Joe, Jon Cleary, Tim Rogers, Le’Andria Johnson, and a plethora of others.

Following the 2020 release of his hit single, “Make It Through,” Xavier formed a new band by the name of “The Ruckus On 118th.” Birthed out of an ongoing series of house parties on East 118th Street in Cleveland’s University Circle, the group’s vibrant young energy has enabled Xavier to modernize his sound for an enhanced funk experience.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17TH Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series Presents Nikki Glaspie & the Homies

BLUE NILE BALCONY ROOM

ADVANCE TICKETS $20

SATURDAY MAY 4 DOORS 9PM / SHOW 10PM

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents Big Sam’s Funky Nation

ADVANCE TICKETS $25

DOORS 10PM/SHOW 11PM

"We’re all going to have a good time. That’s what funk is all about." -Big Sam

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

THIS IS A LATE SHOW SATURDAY MAY 4

(technically this show starts early morning May 5)

DOORS 1:30 AM / SHOW 2:00 AM

ADVANCE TICKETS $25

“Joyride Tour 2023” celebrates the upcoming arrival of Karina Rykman’s hugely anticipated debut album, JOYRIDE, arriving via AWAL on Friday, August 18. The album was first heralded earlier this month with the premiere of the single and title track, “Joyride.” Equal parts thick bass, ethereal synths, disco-funk guitar, and silky, inviting vocals, the track – which features signature lead guitar from JOYRIDE co-producer Trey Anastasio – expertly captures Rykman’s jubilant brand of sonic exploration, bridging an array of genres to arrive at her own compelling and original take on psychedelic indie rock.

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents The Adam Deitch Quartet

ADVANCE TICKETS $25

DOORS 10PM / SHOW 11PM

Beyond his sheer virtuosity and versatility, drummer Adam Deitch has proven to be a musician of perpetual motion. In just over a year’s time, he has been the driving force behind psychedelic funk veterans Lettuce’s eighth studio album 'Unify', released a hip-hop beats album 'TAKE YOUR TIME', and now returns with the second LP release from his soul-jazz project The Adam Deitch Quartet. 'Roll The Tape', available on Deitch’s imprint Golden Wolf Records on November 10, 2023, exemplifies his unwavering commitment to producing authentic music from a broad spectrum of styles, all rooted in his tutelage of rhythmic studies & groove, and his upbringing as a drummer from a young age. The album features organist Wil Blades, Lettuce cohorts Eric “Benny” Bloom on trumpet and Ryan Zoidis on saxophone, and a feature from legendary guitarist John Scofield on the leading single “Mushroom Gravy”.  

The quartet was formed when Deitch and Blades joined forces to play a last-minute late-night show at Boom Boom Room in San Francisco after a Lettuce show at The Fillmore in December 2013. The show featured an array of special guests, including the Lettuce horns section, Eric Benny Bloom & Ryan Zoidis.  The group had an instant and undeniable chemistry.  After additional performances at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and some one-offs, Deitch knew the project had to continue, and took the reins to get the group in the studio.

‘Roll The Tape’ features ten brand-new songs that transcend the traditional organ trio format and are accentuated by Deitch’s prowess for funk, breakbeat, hip-hop, and electronic music experiences coupled with highlighting the strengths of every musician in the group. The record epitomizes Deitch’s strength for surrounding himself with the perfect collaborators for any scenario and his ability to make even mature, serious music, resonate with music lovers from all backgrounds and maintain the ability to have fun. A fluid expression of the funkier side of soul-jazz, Deitch and his curated collective hint at the avant-garde, but stay grounded in warm traditions.

17th Annual Backbeat JazzFest Series presents The Nth Power

ADVANCE TICKETS $20

DOORS 10PM / SHOW 11PM

The Nth Power believes in the healing power of music. This all-pro alignment of sharp and seasoned musical vets delivers a transcendent blend of soul, funk, rock and rhythm and blues with multi-part vocal harmonies and songs that inspire audiences to dance, groove, make love or just stand there with goose bumps.

The band's electric live performances have been flooring audiences ever since the group formed in New Orleans during an impromptu jam during Jazzfest nearly a decade ago. After an EP, studio album and two live albums, the band returned in 2021 in support of their second full-length studio release, Reverence, which was featured on the first-round nominations ballot for the 2022 Grammy Awards.

The Nth Power hails from diverse musical backgrounds, races and creeds, but the universal language of love and its power to change lives is the thread that binds them. The trio features drummer Nikki Glaspie, whose credentials include Beyonce, Maceo Parker, Dumpstaphunk and countless more; guitarist and lead vocalist Nick Cassarino, known best for his previous work with Jennifer Hartswick and Big Daddy Kane; and bassist Nate Edgar of reggae giant John Brown's Body.

“It’s my dream team,” said Glaspie, “each one of us is a songwriter, so when we get together, everything becomes that much stronger.” Beyond raw skill, however, Glaspie cites a deep spiritual connection as the glue that binds them together. “Music is what brought us together, but it's the spiritual bond that makes us play so in touch with each other,” she explained.

The Nth Power's inspirational sets have floored audiences at music festivals like Electric Forest, High Sierra, Peachfest, North Coast Music Festival and Hulaween. They maintain New Orleans as their spiritual home, and the celebratory essence of that city’s music culture is audible in each performance – garnering high profile festival appearances and national acclaim from outlets like Relix, Modern Drummer, Huffington Post, Glide, Consequence, Okayplayer and Sirius XM.

Simply put, there is something pretty magical happening in this band, and they’re only just getting started. “Were going as far as you can go on the planet Earth and playing music,” explains Glaspie, “I don’t know how many times we’ve said it, we are so blessed.”

All sales are final and refunds are only allowed in limited circumstances such as canceled events. If your event is canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved, we will attempt to contact you to update you on the status of the event, and inform you of any refund, credit, or exchange procedures.

All shows are for ages 21 and up. Valid ID required upon entry.

2024 GRAMMY NOMINEES! New Breed Brass Band is the new sound of New Orleans, and its members have learned from the city's best including Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and James “12” Andrews. New Breed takes the NOLA second-line brass band tradition to all-new places.

DOORS 9PM.

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

Where Ya At Brass Band is a band of showmanship, pride, joy, happiness, musical intelligence , commitment , and faith. Come out and vibe with the WYA Brass Band!

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

Blue Nile Balcony Room Global Groove presents Reggae Night with DJ T-Roy in the Balcony Room
Reggae • Dancehall • Afrobeat • Soca

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

“We Partyin’!”

Advance tickets $20

Kermit Ruffins needs only two words to hype a New Orleans barroom for one of his weekly shows, and this, his personal slogan, sums up what this Big Easy ambassador is all about. From playing himself in the HBO Series Treme, to barbecuing outside his bar, Kermit’s Treme Mother-inLaw Lounge, to sitting in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the trumpeter/vocalist keeps himself busy when he isn’t on stage doing what he does best—entertaining and sharing his love of life with the world. He personifies the laid-back vibe of New Orleans.

New Orleans Funk/Hip-Hop Stage Brass Band

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

2024 GRAMMY NOMINEES! New Breed Brass Band is the new sound of New Orleans, and its members have learned from the city's best including Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and James “12” Andrews. New Breed takes the NOLA second-line brass band tradition to all-new places.

DOORS 9PM.

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

Where Ya At Brass Band is a band of showmanship, pride, joy, happiness, musical intelligence , commitment , and faith. Come out and vibe with the WYA Brass Band!

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

Blue Nile Balcony Room Global Groove presents Reggae Night with DJ T-Roy in the Balcony Room
Reggae • Dancehall • Afrobeat • Soca

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

“We Partyin’!”

Advance tickets $20

Kermit Ruffins needs only two words to hype a New Orleans barroom for one of his weekly shows, and this, his personal slogan, sums up what this Big Easy ambassador is all about. From playing himself in the HBO Series Treme, to barbecuing outside his bar, Kermit’s Treme Mother-inLaw Lounge, to sitting in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the trumpeter/vocalist keeps himself busy when he isn’t on stage doing what he does best—entertaining and sharing his love of life with the world. He personifies the laid-back vibe of New Orleans.

Blue Nile Balcony Room Global Groove presents Afrobeat Night with MC Kodjo + DJ Ojay

On the Balcony 9-11, Balcony Room 11-2

FREE ADMISSION with Valid I.D. All shows Ages 21+

New Orleans Funk/Hip-Hop Stage Brass Band

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

2024 GRAMMY NOMINEES! New Breed Brass Band is the new sound of New Orleans, and its members have learned from the city's best including Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and James “12” Andrews. New Breed takes the NOLA second-line brass band tradition to all-new places.

DOORS 9PM.

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

Where Ya At Brass Band is a band of showmanship, pride, joy, happiness, musical intelligence , commitment , and faith. Come out and vibe with the WYA Brass Band!

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

Blue Nile Balcony Room Global Groove presents Reggae Night with DJ T-Roy in the Balcony Room
Reggae • Dancehall • Afrobeat • Soca

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

“We Partyin’!”

Advance tickets $20

Kermit Ruffins needs only two words to hype a New Orleans barroom for one of his weekly shows, and this, his personal slogan, sums up what this Big Easy ambassador is all about. From playing himself in the HBO Series Treme, to barbecuing outside his bar, Kermit’s Treme Mother-inLaw Lounge, to sitting in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the trumpeter/vocalist keeps himself busy when he isn’t on stage doing what he does best—entertaining and sharing his love of life with the world. He personifies the laid-back vibe of New Orleans.

New Orleans Funk/Hip-Hop Stage Brass Band

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

2024 GRAMMY NOMINEES! New Breed Brass Band is the new sound of New Orleans, and its members have learned from the city's best including Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and James “12” Andrews. New Breed takes the NOLA second-line brass band tradition to all-new places.

DOORS 9PM.

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

Where Ya At Brass Band is a band of showmanship, pride, joy, happiness, musical intelligence , commitment , and faith. Come out and vibe with the WYA Brass Band!

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

Blue Nile Balcony Room Global Groove presents Reggae Night with DJ T-Roy in the Balcony Room
Reggae • Dancehall • Afrobeat • Soca

AGES 21+ FREE ADMISSION WITH VALID I.D. 

“We Partyin’!”

Advance tickets $20

Kermit Ruffins needs only two words to hype a New Orleans barroom for one of his weekly shows, and this, his personal slogan, sums up what this Big Easy ambassador is all about. From playing himself in the HBO Series Treme, to barbecuing outside his bar, Kermit’s Treme Mother-inLaw Lounge, to sitting in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the trumpeter/vocalist keeps himself busy when he isn’t on stage doing what he does best—entertaining and sharing his love of life with the world. He personifies the laid-back vibe of New Orleans.