Backed by his band, Funky Nation, Sammie “Big Sam” Williams wields his trombone with a funk-driven, energetic authority that delights audiences from Frenchmen Street to France. Raised in the uptown Twelfth Ward and New Orleans East, an adolescent Williams ended up in the sc... Read more

The Bucktown Allstars are a New Orleans institution, known for their impeccable musicianship and high energy.  The horn-heavy party band offers up a crowd-pleasing setlist packed with classic R&B, 60’s hots, 70’s funk, and Crescent City flavors. The band has won a boatload ... Read more

Guitarist Leo Nocentelli reigns as one of the founding fathers of funk. The guitarist is the recipient of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with The Meters, and he has recorded and performed with top artists such as Etta James, Dr. John, The Supremes, Jimmy B... Read more

John Mooney embodies the direct connection between today and the music of the blues’ founding fathers: Professor Longhair, and the Mississippi Delta bluesman Son House, who mentored a teenaged Mooney and fostered his driving slide style and vocal sound. Mooney was born in... Read more

The Honey Island Swamp Band brings together elements of funk, blues, rock, reggae, and hot, greasy Southern swamp in a unique, danceable, compelling sound that has been described as “Bayou Americana.” Honey Island was founded in San Francisco by refugee New Orleans musician... Read more

Mike Lemmler, funky keyboardist, was raised just a few blocks from Fats Domino, and is a fixture on the Crescent City music scene. Lemmler is known especially for his work with George Porter, Jr. and the Runnin’ Pardners, Jubilation,  and as a member of the soul-funk trio T... Read more

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

George Porter, Jr. is truly one of the foundations of funk, and richly deserves his Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He is best known as the bassist for the seminal group, The Meters, and for his five decades as an elite performer, bandleader, producer, and session player... Read more