The 2023 Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival will highlight the jazz master’s accomplishments and contributions to New Orleans.
The ninth annual festival will present events between March 7 to March 12. The festival will present school clinics, a Master Class with Catherine Russell and Don Vappie at the Wein Center and a Patron Party kick-off March 7 at The Terrell House. An all-star Banjo and Guitar Summit will take place at Tipitina’s on March 9. The New Orleans Jazz Museum will host live music performances, interviews and panel discussions March 10-12 as well as a pair of shows at Snug Harbor on March 10, featuring Grammy-winning vocalist Catherine Russell and the Danny Barker Tribute Band, led by Dr. Michael White.
Danny Barker was a musician, singer, songwriter, educator, raconteur and author who played guitar and banjo with top jazz artists throughout his 70+ year career. Beyond that, he mentored numerous young New Orleans artists who have since come to prominence, including Wynton Marsalis, Herlin Riley, Leroy Jones, Gregg Stafford and Dr. Michael White.
Musicians performing at the festival include Baby Dolls, Bruce (Sunpie) Barnes, Wendell Brunious, John Boutte, Detroit Brooks, Mark Brooks, Mahmoud Chouki, Roger Dickerson, Joe Hall, Solid Harmony, Meschiya Lake, Steve Masakowski, Charmaine Neville, Kermit Ruffins, Steve Pistorius, Shannon Powell, Gregg Stafford, Don Vappie, The Black Men of Labor, Hot 8 Brass Band, Treme Brass Band, Mari Watanabe
and Seva Venet.
For more information on the 2023 Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival, visit their website.