Music has the ability to unite; in 2004, producer Mark Johnson took that notion and turned it into a phenomenon. He formed Playing for Change, a multimedia music project that brings together musicians from around the world. According to the website, Johnson and co-creator Enzo Buono travel the globe and record different street musicians performing the same song before compiling all of them into one recording.

Playing for Change also has a touring band, which will be in New Orleans tonight. Elliot “Grandpa Elliot” Smalls, a New Orleans native, is looking forward to seeing the people of his hometown. “I always love to come back home,” he says. “Everybody talks to you. They’re warm, they offer you food, they give you food. Food is the answer.” Playing for Change approached Grandpa Elliot while he was singing and playing his harmonica on Royal and Toulouse streets. Grandpa Elliot says that on the streets of New Orleans, he “can sing [his] heart out.”

Mermans Kenkosenki, a vocalist from Matadi, Congo, says that New Orleans reminds him of his home. “I love it! It’s just like Africa.” Luke Miller, a keyboardist from New Mexico, says that he loves New Orleans so much he wants to own property here someday. And Titi Tsira, a vocalist from Cape Town, South Africa, says she loves New Orleans because of the music and the food, and because, “Grandpa Elliot is from here.”

The touring band members are also excited about Playing for Change’s message. Manager Erika Duffy says, “Music seems to be a very easy way for people to understand each other. Through music, you could find more humanity in people.” Tsira also says, “Every song that we play has a message that it carries across to the people and to us as well.”

Miller also mentions the charity work that comes from the band’s Playing for Change Foundation, a separate non-profit organization that helps build music schools around the world. Along with building schools, Miller says, “They bring people together through music that would not otherwise be together.”

Playing for Change will be performing at the House of Blues on Wednesday October 20 at 7p.m. Grandpa Elliot says that people should attend because the recordings on the internet do not do the songs justice. “The live show is unbelievable!” Kenkosenki also adds that performing for Playing for Change is amazing not only for the music, but for the people. “Being with people like this, I don’t want to go home!”

The Playing for Change Band is at the House of Blues tonight. Doors open at 7 p.m., the show starts at 8. Tickets are on sale now.