Get ready for an exciting week of live music and cultural events in New Orleans. With a range of events catering to different interests, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out this week’s OffBeat Weekly Picks:
New Orleans-based trumpeter Eric “Benny” Bloom, whose musical roots are in Rhode Island, performed with the veteran funk band Lettuce at Newport on Friday, July 29, 2022.
On Thursday, July 27, Chickie Wah Wah hosts a special tribute show by the Grammy-winning trumpet player, Eric Benny Bloom. Bloom will pay homage to seminal New Orleans funk band, The Gaturs, alongside talented local musicians. The Gaturs were not as well known as the Meters, but they created a distinct sound based on the party atmosphere for which New Orleans is famous. Led by veteran session musician Willie Tee, the Gaturs’ jazz-inflected funk and soul only made it to a handful of singles, but did pave the way for Tee’s next project — as bandleader for the festive chants of Mardi Gras Indians the Wild Magnolias. The lineup also includes Shea Pierre on keys, Joshua Starkman on guitar, Luke Quaranta on percussion, Alfred Jordan on drums, Eric Vogel on bass, and Miles Berry on tenor saxophone. Special guests will also join the stage for a night to honor The Gaturs and band leader Willie Tee who Bloom describes as “an under-appreciated musician,” often overlooked as an architect of New Orleans funk and soul who helped shape the sound of New Orleans for more than four decades before his death in 2007. Doors open at 10 p.m. Click here for tickets.
Leigh “L’il Queenie” Harris. Photo by Clayton Call
The Little Queenie Day Concert will occur at Chickie Wah Wah on Friday, July 28, starting at 8 p.m. The event will honor the late Louisiana Music Hall of Famer Leigh ‘Little Queenie’ Harris. For those unfamiliar, Little Queenie was one of New Orleans’ boldest singers since her days fronting Little Queenie & the Percolators in the mid-70s and 80s. The concert will feature performances by some talented musicians, including Papa Mali and Lenny Zenith, who OffBeat Magazine regulars have seen us cover for years. Tickets for the show are available now at this link. Check out the new series of “Music Master Songs” T-shirts, the first of which is Leigh Harris, for the song she made famous, “My Dawlin’ New Orleans.”
Soul Brass Band, led by Derrick Freeman (center, holding the band’s award), won Best Emerging Artist. Photo by Willow Haley.
Soul Brass Band, led by the acclaimed percussionist Derrick Freeman, will take the stage at Tipitina’s on July 28 at 8 p.m. with their signature brass-driven sound. Having graced the Jazz Fest this year, they have cultivated a devoted fan base with their authentic New Orleans sound. Special guest Sam Price, who sat down with OffBeat several times over the last few years, will also join, bringing his roots-rock style. This performance is part of Tipitina’s Free Fridays, a tradition that hosted Tony Hall earlier this month and allows the community to experience live music without any admission fees. The event is open to the public, with a first-come, first-serve policy for attendees aged 21 and over. For tickets, click here.
Mahmoud Chouki
Mahmoud Chouki is set for a live performance at Snug Harbor on July 29 at 8 and 10 p.m. Hailing from Morocco, currently based in New Orleans, Chouki is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator at Lycée Français de la Nouvelle Orléans. Chouki is best known for fusing influences from around the globe into music. Notable achievements include composing the music score for the 2021 Sundance Award-winning film Ma Belle, Ma Beauty and earning the title of “Best Emerging Artist” at OffBeat Magazine‘s Best of the Beat Awards in 2021. Check out Snug Harbor’s official website for more information or to purchase tickets.
New Orleans Suspects
The New Orleans Suspects are returning yet again to the Maple Leaf Bar on July 29 at 10 p.m. Formed in 2009 as a pick-up band at the Maple Leaf, the group, initially known as The Unusual Suspects, consists of some of the most seasoned and respected musicians in NOLA. Their sound and local charm quickly made them a favorite, leading them to tour full-time under the name New Orleans Suspects since 2011. The group’s performances have drawn large crowds from San Francisco to New York. With five full-length albums already under their belt, they are gearing up to release their sixth album in 2023. To buy tickets or learn more about the show, click here.
Hot 8 Brass Band, photo courtesy of the band
New Orleans’s own Hot 8 Brass Band will play the Howlin’ Wolf on Sunday, July 30 at 10:30 p.m. The band has built a growing following on its renowned fusion of hip-hop, jazz, funk, and traditional New Orleans brass sounds. Founded in 1995 by the late Bennie Pete, Jerome Jones, and Harry Cook, the Hot 8 Brass Band represents the union of two earlier bands, the Looney Tunes Brass Band and the High Steppers Brass Band. With Grammy-winning accolades and their recent return from The Bossman Tour 2023, the band is excited to perform in their hometown again. To see the Hot 8 Brass Band at the Howlin’ Wolf, visit the venue’s official website.
If you are interested in featuring your band or club as an OffBeat Pick, get in touch with us, but your show must be listed in the OffBeat Music Calendar to participate.
