Grammy-winning singer Irma Thomas had her first hit in 1959, and over the course of a six-decade career has earned the title, “Soul Queen of New Orleans.” Born in 1941 in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Thomas was raised in New Orleans, singing in school and in church choirs, wher... Read more

The Hot 8 Brass Band brings a younger funk style to the brass band scene, incorporating influences ranging from the Dirty Dozen to bounce, hip hop, and R & B. The Grammy-winning ensemble offers up energetic, horn-driven original tunes interspersed with crowd favorites. A pr... Read more

Higher Heights Reggae Band has been a stalwart on the reggae scene since 2000 both at home in New Orleans and on tour with the Bob Marley Festival and opening for such legends as Steel Pulse and Burning Spear. Keyboardist Cheryl McKay, drummer Juan White, guitarist Mario GT... Read more

Ed Wills & Blues 4 Sale feature New Orleans native Ed Wills’s honest, enduring guitar stylings on traditional and more contemporary tunes from the blues canon. The self-taught Wills, who learned slide from his aunt when he was just 8 years old, weaves the sounds of BB King,... Read more

Don Vappie is perhaps best known as a virtuosic banjo player, but he is also a gifted guitarist, bassist, singer, teacher, and composer. He is fluent in funk, contemporary jazz – indeed, most genres of the day – but his heart lies with the traditional New Orleans music he c... Read more

David Boeddinghaus is a classically trained pianist with a traditional jazz soul, accomplished in bringing to life the sounds of classic artists like Jelly Roll Morton and Fats Waller. The veteran entertainer has worked around the world, from touring with Pete Fountain to a... Read more

Derrick “Smoker” Freeman is a man with many hats: drummer, songwriter, and leader of the soul-funk Soul Brass Band, the hip-hop Smokers World, the power trio MFG, and the Band of Freeman. He performs with a kaleidoscopic cast of New Orleans musicians ranging from Angelika “... Read more

Gospel singer and pianist/organist Craig Adams electrifies audiences with his energetic stage presence and powerful performances. The dapper, dedicated artist is also a sought-after musical director and choir master. He shares a 2022 Grammy win for his performance with Jona... Read more

C. R. Gruver is a keyboardist, educator, and bandleader who can usually be found performing with the hard-touring New Orleans Suspects or as head of the New Orleans School of Rock youth program. His musical stylings emerge from a multitude of influences ranging from Little ... Read more