On The Dukes of Dixieland’s new album, Live at French Quarter Fest, the band demonstrates their repertoire is not limited to traditional jazz. Over the course of 16 songs they delve into calypso, gospel, New Orleans ’50s R&B, World War II era swing and even classic rock.

Four songs featuring guest appearances by the National World War II Museum’s vocal duo, the Victory Belles, cover the swing era. Their effervescent vocals enliven the proceedings and pump up the exuberant audience on the classics “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.”

Numerous artists have covered Allen Toussaint’s composition “Life” including a great version by James Booker. Here, the Dukes present a lively cover with a strong piano solo from Joe Kennedy. Unlike the Booker version the sly lyrics of one of the master’s greatest songs are rendered clearly and explicitly.

However, that leads to a single complaint about the album. Even given the limitations of reproducing any live performance, the individual instruments here are sometimes buried in the mix. 

Two instrumentals, James Booker’s “Keep on Gwine” and the Brazilian standard “Acreditar” are some of the strongest cuts and clearly demonstrate the musical expertise of the Dukes. Owen Callahan takes a spirited flute solo on the latter, following Kevin Clark’s subtle trumpet work and Wes Anderson IV’s jumping trombone.

Of course, since the album was recorded at a festival in New Orleans, the Dukes end the program with three quintessential New Orleans tunes and close with the “The Saints.”