James Rivers has played on some of New Orleans’ most classic hits, and continues to please crowds today with his versatile repertoire and mastery of multiple instruments. He has also penned music for six Clint Eastwood films. Born in 1938 and raised in the historic Treme ne... Read more

Debbie Davis is a New Orleans institution, a songstress, ukulele master, and entertainer who has performed with an impressive roster of local music royalty: John Boutte, Paul Sanchez, The Pfister Sisters, the New Orleans Nightcrawlers, Tom McDermott, Alex McMurray, at the D... Read more

Bill Summers is a New Orleans-based fixture on the Afro-Cuban and Latin percussion scene. The Detroit, Michigan native studied classical piano as a youngster, but morphed into a percussionist as he came of age. Now recognized as one of the elders of world beat rhythms, he s... Read more

Saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr. is both a modern jazz trendsetter and bearer of deep New Orleans cultural traditions. From his work with Art Blakey to his role as a Big Chief of a Mardi Gras Indian tribe, Harrison is the personification of New Orleans past and present. Har... Read more

Tonya Boyd Cannon wowed audiences and judges on NBC’s “The Voice,” and brings that same spirit and talent to every stage she graces. The Mississippi-born, Louisiana-bred singer and songwriter easily weaves her way through deep soul and ballads to jazz to funk to gospel, and... Read more

Fiddler Amanda Shaw has grown from a child prodigy to a mature and enduring force in contemporary Cajun music. The festival favorite, born in 1991, grew up in Mandeville, Louisiana, took her first classical violin lesson at age four, and at age seven became the youngest sol... Read more

GRAMMY-nominated multi-instrumentalist, composer, and saxophonist Gladney is a sixth-generation native of New Orleans’s Lower 9th Ward, . Having performed and traveled professionally since the age of 12, Gladney is a graduate of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOC... Read more

Stanton Moore brings impeccable drumming, a collaborative spirit, and his jovial personality to every musical and educational endeavor he engages in. The Grammy-winning musician and educator is perhaps best known as one of the founding members of the funk-jazz band Galactic... Read more