Get ready for another week of live music and cultural events in New Orleans. As usual, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out this week’s OffBeat Weekly Picks:

Johnny Vidacovich. Photo: OffBeat/Noé Cugny

Johnny Vidacovich, the acclaimed New Orleans-born jazz drummer, will perform at the Maple Leaf Bar on Thursday, September 21 at 8 p.m. in his regular gig at The Leaf. Vidacovich, famous for his role as a member of the jazz ensemble Astral Project alongside Tony Dagradi, James Singleton, and Steve Masakowski, has garnered global and local acclaim for his drumming skills (and we adore him for his vast musical knowledge and unique personality). Vidacovich has been honored with a total of 12 victories in the period from 1997 to 2018 at the OffBeat Magazine’s Best of the Beat Awards for his exceptional drumming, in addition to receiving the esteemed Best of The Beat Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, among other accolades. Vidacovich has performed regularly at The Leaf on Thursday evenings as a trio member for many years. To purchase tickets for this Weekly Pick, click here.

Leroy Jones, photo by Noé Cugny

Leroy Jones, the trumpeter hailing from New Orleans’s Seventh Ward, will perform alongside the Palm Court Jazz Band on Friday, September 22, at 7:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe, with a $10 cover charge. Born in 1958, Jones began his musical journey at St. Leo the Great Elementary School, eventually mastering the trumpet. Notably, his life and career were celebrated in the award-winning music documentary A Man And His Trumpet: The Leroy Jones Story, which premiered globally on major streaming platforms on January 29, 2021. Leroy Jones played a pivotal role in the brass band revival of the 1970s in New Orleans, leading to the formation of the Fairview Baptist Church Band with Danny Barker, and the Hurricane Brass Band. For 25 years, he also served as the featured solo trumpeter alongside Harry Connick Jr., performing worldwide. To learn more about Leroy’s upcoming show, visit Palm Court’s official website.

Ashlin Parker. Photo by OffBeat/Elsa Hahne

The Ashlin Parker Quintet, fronted by the versatile jazz trumpeter Ashlin Parker, is gearing up for a performance on Friday, September 22, at 8 and 10 p.m. The event will take place at the Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro. Parker, the sought-after musician based in New Orleans, is known for his prowess in big band, small ensemble, and solo performances, having graced stages in over 20 countries at jazz festivals and clubs worldwide. He leads the rising contemporary collective Trumpet Mafia and collaborates regularly with esteemed New Orleans ensembles like the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO), Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Bill Summers & Jazsalsa, and previously held the trumpet position in the Ellis Marsalis Quintet. Beyond his performance career, Parker is dedicated to music education, offering private lessons, master classes and teaching at institutions like the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, the University of New Orleans, and Tulane University, where he serves as a Professor of Practice. His honors include sharing in the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble for NOJO’s debut album, Book One, and Trumpet Mafia’s OffBeat Magazine‘s 2017 Best of the Beat Award for Emerging Artist of the Year. The upcoming Snug Harbor performances include Ashlin Parker on trumpet, Derek Douget on saxophone, Victor Campbell on piano, Nick Salcido on bass, and Jafet Perez on drums. For more information on Ashlin or the show, visit Snug Harbor’s official website.

Photo courtesy of Beignet Festival

Beignet Fest 2023 will return on Saturday, September 23, at 10 a.m. at the Festival Grounds in City Park. The festival’s culinary offerings will feature a wide array of beignet options, from traditional to innovative. Notable selections include Sweet Legacy’s Bourbon Brisket Beignets and The Vintage NOLA’s Pear & Brie Beignets. For those seeking non-beignet alternatives, options like Chubbie’s Fried Chicken and Diva Dawg’s Crabmeat Grill Cheesy are also available. Beyond the culinary options, the festival will feature a lineup of performances by Flagboy Giz, Flow Tribe, Black Magic Drumline, Imagination Movers, Mia Borders, and more. Attendees will also have access to shade tents, snoballs, huckabucks and a complimentary parking shuttle. General admission tickets are priced at $20 in advance, with free entry for children under 12. VIP tickets, offering additional benefits, are available for $50. Ticket prices for this Weekly Pick will increase on the day of the festival. For a complete menu and ticket details, visit Beignet Fest’s official website.

John Boutté is set to take the stage for a performance on Saturday, September 23, at 7 p.m., at 100 Men Hall. Born by the river in the Seventh Ward of New Orleans, Boutté emerged from a family with a deep-rooted connection to the city’s vibrant musical and cultural heritage. During his school days, he honed his talents playing cornet and trumpet in junior high and high school marching bands, ultimately becoming a section leader in a town where marching bands are iconic. Boutté’s journey also led him to a unique vocal prowess, starting at talent shows and evolving into street a capella groups with names like “Spirit” and “Remnant.” During this period, traditional jazz luminaries like Paul Babarin, Louis “Big Eye” Nelson, and Danny Barker became both friends and mentors to John. His sister, Lillian Boutté introduced him to local legends such as Dr. John, Allen Toussaint and James Booker. Notably, this upcoming show at 100 Men Hall marks John Boutté’s debut performance at the venue. His talent has garnered recognition, including a recent feature in OffBeat Magazine earlier this year, adding to his impressive musical legacy. To purchase tickets to this show, click here.

Photo courtesy of WikiMedia Commons

On Sunday, September 24, at 7 p.m., Southport Hall will host a nostalgic journey to the 1990s as the Consortium of Genius celebrates the 30th Anniversary of their original 1993 cassette, Songs of Violence & Stupidity. With a mission to fuse rock and theater, this unorthodox group has created a local reputation for their unconventional performances, where characters are as vital as the music. This crew of mad scientists and musicians, led by Lewis D’Aubin’s alter ego, Milo T. Pinkerton III, offers a unique entertainment experience. Consortium of Genius has recently released its latest single, “You Dance Like A Scientist,” available on the Funny Music Project’s website. Whether you’re a devoted Consortium fan or simply seeking a distinct experience, tickets for this Weekly Pick are currently available.