New Orleans is near and dear to our hearts, thanks to the year-round programming that we hold there, as well as all of the great Music Forward artists like Fantastic 8 Brass Band, Jake Exavier, Kirsten Theodore & New Orpheus, and Young & Talented Brass Band who are all natives to the city.
So, with Mardi Gras in full swing we decided to join in on the celebration (pass the King Cake!) by paying tribute to some of the musical elements of the city this Fat Tuesday.
THE NEW ORLEANS SOUND
The New Orleans sound is heavily influenced by Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, and AfroCuban music, evident in Mardi Gras staples including: “New Suit” (Wild Magnolias), “Go See the Mardi Gras” (Professor Longhair), “Mardi Gras Mambo” (the Hawkettes), and “Jock-A-Mo” (Sugar Boy).
While the marching and brass bands take over the parade circuit, it has been legendary artists like Louis Armstrong, Allen Touissant, Sidney Bechet, Fats Domino, Dr. John, Jelly Roll Morton, Big Freedia, and Irma Thomas who helped define the Big Easy sound as we know it; while artists like Trombone Shorty, Big Freedia, Master P, and Lil Wayne have helped to introduce younger generations to the city.
Some of our favorite New Orleans themed songs include:
- Fats Domino “Walkin’ to New Orleans”
- Earl Hines “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?”
- Dr. John – “Down in New Orleans”
- Kermit Ruffins – “Drop Me Off in New Orleans”
- The Meters – ”They All Ask’d For You”
- Tom Waits – “I Wish I Was in New Orleans”
- Earl King – “No City Like New Orleans”
EXPLORING THE BIG EASY
Hundreds of thousands of music fans and revelers make the jour
ney out to New Orleans not just for Mardi Gras season, but also for the ever-growing music festivals like the Essence Festival, French Quarter Festival, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival which boasted nearly 500k attendees for it’s eight-day 50th anniversary installment last year.
We also can’t forget about Voodoo Fest, where we presented the opportunity for some of our alumni to perform on the House of Blues stage last year.
Didn’t make it to NOLA in time for Fat Tuesday? Don’t worry you can still join in on the fun of our upcoming programming by visiting our events calendar to stay looped in what’s coming next.