Take Me to the River: New Orleans, a documentary by Martin Shore celebrating the city’s rich musical history, opened nationwide in 2022. The film, narrated by John Goodman, is the second installment in Shore’s series documenting the soul of American music. The first film, Take Me to the River, premiered in 2014, spotlighting Memphis’ musical heritage and earning accolades at festivals like Raindance and SXSW.

The New Orleans edition showcased performers like the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, PJ Morton, Big Freedia, G-Eazy, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Snoop Dogg, Dumpstaphunk, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, William Bell, Ani DiFranco, Donald Harrison, Galactic and many others.

“Memphis told the American music story,” Shore explains. “New Orleans is a story of how world music was created.”

Shore’s passion for preserving and celebrating musical heritage led him to establish Take Me to the River as a nonprofit. “The journey began with a simple idea: to capture the essence of the music that defined Memphis and New Orleans,” he says. “What started as a series of documentaries has grown into a comprehensive project, encompassing films, music productions, educational programs, and live tours. Our mission is to keep the river of music flowing for future generations.”

This year, the Take Me to the River All-Stars event will celebrate the musical legacies of both New Orleans and Memphis. The lineup includes Cyril Neville, Taj Mahal, Ivan Neville, Omari Neville, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Anjelika Jelly Joseph, Jontavious Willis, Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr., Mississippi MacDonald, Lina Beach, and The Soul Rebels.

The All-Stars Band will feature Robert Mercurio, Ian Neville, Deven Trusclair, Joe Ashlar, Brad Walker, and Aurelien Barnes. This special event will take place on April 27 at The Joy Theater.

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