Mardi Gras Continued: Trombone Shorty and Eric Lindell

Now that we're all recovering from the Mardi Gras Ball (and getting ready for the Fat Tuesday party over at BB's), NOLAfunk.com has even more amazing shows on the horizon for your enjoyment. This Friday, one of New Orleans's most distinguished brass players will be at the Highline to funk your face; the next day, a lion of blues and rock guitar will melt it at Sullivan Hall. All in all, between Trombone Shorty and Eric Lindell, your face will have an interesting weekend.

Trombone Shorty, pictured above at Voodoo Experience 2009, is the sort of musician that everybody can respect. He has ridiculous jazz chops on both trombone and trumpet, but he puts them to use in a wild blend of funk-rock that both salutes his hometown and blows minds. His site has an amusing anecdote regarding Bono and The Edge dancing on tables during a night he was headlining a NOLA club at age twelve. If you don't know his music already, I suggest you check him out.

Eric Lindell is a singer-songwriter based in Cajun territory; he's released his last three albums on the legendary blues and rock label Alligator Records to acclaim. The dude plays all over the world for sellout crowds, and we're lucky to have him here. I couldn't locate the video of him performing on Conan, but here's a pretty nasty one from Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa.

Trombone Shorty plays the Highline Ballroom at 9 pm this Friday; tix are $30 in advance or $35 at the door (if it doesn't sell out), and the Ryan Montbleu Band opens.

Lindell plays Sullivan on Saturday; show starts at 8 with Clinton Curtis and The Roof Walkers, and tix are $20 in advance or $22 at the door.

Mardi Gras in NYC, 2010!

UPDATE--Just added: DJ Cochon de Lait will be rocking the Ball, spinning greasy Nola funk and soul in between sets.

It's that time again. Next Saturday, Nolafunk.com is hosting the fourth annual Mardi Gras Ball, one of the biggest New Orleans music events of the year in NYC. We've been putting on this show every year for the past four years, and we can say from experience that it's a great time. Traditionally, in addition to getting some of the best music New Orleans has got to offer, we get the place decked out in real Mardi Gras style and, of course, bring copious amounts of throw beads.This year's party returns to Le Poisson Rouge (on Bleecker & Thompson), and the lineup features three classic New Orleans heavy hitters: Bonerama, the brass rock band described by Rolling Stone as “the ultimate in brass balls” (video from the Late Show w/ OK Go's singer below); Big Sam's Funky Nation, the powerhouse funk machine led by Big Sam Williams, formerly of the world-famous Dirty Dozen; and Tab Benoit, one of the top blues and roots musicians to emerge from Cajun country in generations.

All signs point to this year's Ball being the best one yet. Tickets have been going quickly, & we sold out early last year, so don't wait around to pick yours up. Wear your Mardi Gras costumes, too—we will be.

The Mardi Gras Ball is Saturday, February 13^th at (Le) Poisson Rouge. Doors open at 8. Advance tickets are $30, and you can get 'em here. Tix at the door will be $35 (if they haven't already sold out!).

P.S.—we've got tons of other great music coming up from Whodat territory. If you can't wait for Mardi Gras to celebrate, we'd recommend you check out E.O.E. at Sullivan Hall next Tuesday, February 9^th. Future upcoming shows include Trombone Shorty on 2/19 and Eric Lindell on 2/20. For more keep checking back here (we'll be updating regularly now, I promise!) and at www.nolafunk.com.