New Orleans music luminaries—and more than a few fans—gathered at Generations Hall last night for the 2016 Best of the Beat Music Awards. The party featured food offerings from 20 different local restaurants and vendors, along with music from Khris Royal & Dark Matter, Mia Borders, Naughty Professor, The Fortifiers with special guest Bobby Rush, Soul Brass Band and Valerie Sassyfras.

Also on the bill was an all-star tribute to legendary New Orleans drummer Johnny Vidacovich. Curated by Vidacovich disciple Stanton Moore, the band featured drummer Brian Blade, saxophonist Tony Dagradi, guitarist Steve Masakowski, bassist James Singleton and keyboardist David Torkanowsky. The highlight of the show came towards then end, when Vidacovich, Moore and Blade rotated through the drum kit numerous times over the course of one song in a throwback to Vidacovich’s old teaching style.

Over 40 awards were given out at last night’s ceremony. You can find a list of winners below, along with a gallery of photos from the celebration.

2016 Best of the Beat Music Award Winners:

Artist of the Year – The Revivalists

Album of the Year – Allen Toussaint: American Tunes (Nonesuch)

Songwriter of the Year – Dave Shaw

Song of the Year – “Wish I Knew You” by David Shaw and Zack Feinberg

Best Emerging Artist – Soul Brass Band

Best Music Video – The Revivalists: “Wish I Knew You” directed by Mikey Cosentino & Sam Green of Rite Media Group

Best Blues Performer – Walter “Wolfman” Washington

Best Blues Album – Bobby Rush: Porcupine Meat (Rounder)

Best R&B/Funk Artist – Dumpstaphunk

Best R&B/Funk Album – Aaron Neville: Apache (Tell It Records)

Best Rock Artist  – The Revivalists

Best Rock Album – Anders Osborne: Flower Box (Back on Dumaine)

Best Rap / Hip-Hop Artist / Bounce Artist – 5th Ward Weebie

Best Traditional Jazz Artist – Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Best Traditional Jazz Album – Leroy Jones: I’m Talkin’ Bout New Orleans (Independent)

Best Contemporary Jazz Artist – Delfeayo Marsalis

Best Contemporary Jazz Album – Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra: Make America Great Again! (Troubadour Jazz Records)

Best Brass Band – The Soul Rebels

Best Cajun Artist – Lost Bayou Ramblers

Best Cajun Album – Roddie Romero & the Hub City All-Stars: Gulfstream (Octavia Records)

Best Zydeco Artist – Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers

Best Roots Rock Artist – Honey Island Swamp Band

Best Roots Rock Album – Honey Island Swamp Band: Demolition Day (Ruf Records)

Best Country/Folk/Singer-Songwriter Artist – Paul Sanchez

Best Country/Folk/Singer-Songwriter Album – Amanda Shaw: Amanda Shaw (Independent)

Best Gospel – McDonogh #35 High School Gospel Choir

Best Cover Band – Bag of Donuts

Best Female Vocalist – Mia Borders

Best Male Vocalist – Aaron Neville

Best Bass Player – George Porter, Jr.

Best Guitarist – Anders Osborne

Best Drummer – Johnny Vidacovich

Best Saxophonist – Khris Royal

Best Clarinetist – Doreen Ketchens

Best Trumpeter – Leroy Jones

Best Trombonist – Corey Henry

Best Piano / Keyboardist – Jon Cleary

Best Accordionist – Chubby Carrier

Best Violin/Fiddle Player – Louis Michot

Best DJ – Mannie Fresh

Best Other Instrument – Washboard Chaz (washboard)

Best Tuba/Sousaphonist –Matt Perrine

 

All photos by Willow Haley, Kim Welsh and Marissa Altazan.