The fall 2024 season of Nickel-A-Dance, a beloved free traditional jazz concert series, is set to begin on September 29. For over three decades, Nickel-A-Dance has brought live jazz to the public, offering an afternoon of family-friendly entertainment on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. This year, the series moves to a new location at Favela Chic, located at 525 Frenchmen Street, continuing its tradition on this famous music corridor.

Originally started in 1994, Nickel-A-Dance has become a staple for fans of New Orleans jazz who may not frequent nightclubs. It attracts a diverse crowd, including children, families, and seniors, all coming together to celebrate traditional jazz as America’s original dance music. This fall’s lineup will feature some of the city’s most renowned jazz musicians.

The season kicks off on September 29 with trumpeter Kevin Louis and The Palm Court Jazz Band. Louis, a New Orleans native and graduate of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), has toured internationally and performed with legends such as Jimmy Heath and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He brings The Palm Court Jazz Band, previously a fixture at the now-closed Palm Court Jazz Café, to the stage for a lively opening night.

On October 6, Nickel-A-Dance will host Duke Heitger and The Crescent City Joymakers. Heitger, a classic jazz trumpeter known for his virtuosity, has performed internationally and is a long-standing performer on the Steamboat Natchez. His band is a staple of Nickel-A-Dance and promises a night of spirited traditional jazz.

Next, on October 13, Mark Braud and His Sunday Night All-Stars will take the stage. Braud, part of the musical Brunious and Santiago families, has been a fixture in the New Orleans jazz scene since his youth. He has performed with Harry Connick Jr., Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and many other notable artists. His band will bring a blend of traditional jazz and contemporary flair to the series.

Lars Edegran and The Palm Court Jazz All-Stars are set to perform on October 20. Edegran, originally from Sweden, has been a New Orleans resident since 1966 and is known for his versatility on piano, guitar, and banjo. He has worked with jazz greats like Earl Hines and George Lewis, and his band will showcase the best of New Orleans traditional jazz.

The fall series will conclude on October 27 with Gregg Stafford and The Jazz Hounds. Stafford, a respected trumpeter and vocalist, has led several prominent New Orleans jazz bands, including Danny Barker’s Jazz Hounds and the Young Tuxedo Brass Band. He has dedicated his career to preserving the musical traditions of New Orleans and remains an active figure in the city’s jazz community.

This 31st season of Nickel-A-Dance is expected to draw large crowds, eager to enjoy live music in a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere. For more information on the event series and its new location, visit the New Orleans Jazz Celebration website.

Nickel-A-Dance