Mardi Gras Road Show rolls into town

In keeping with the NOLAFunk.com tradition of bringing the juggernauts of New Orleans music into the city, we've got a pair of incredible shows coming up featuring two of the Crescent City's biggest, baddest talents. The Mardi Gras Road Show features the Rebirth Brass Band and Dumpstaphunk, two genre-defining acts that are each at the very top of the pile when it comes to funk and rock. They're coming into the city on Thursday, April 1st to rock the Highline, and then sticking around to play that Friday (the 2nd) at Sullivan Hall. Either of these acts coming up to NYC is plenty of reason to get ready to party. Both in one night? Unbelievable. Get ready for a unique night of really killer funk.

Rebirth was one of the bands at the forefront of the revival of New Orleans brass band music. Along with the Dirty Dozen, the Rebirth Brass Band rose quickly to the top due to their open-minded approach and unquestionable talent, and have stayed there quite comfortably ever since, with a huge and ever-growing fan base that spans generations. Always staying fresh, never resting on their laurels, the Rebirth is one of the most energetic funk shows out there. Need to be convinced? Here:



Dumpstaphunk, formed in 2002, is a much younger institution, but it was always destined for greatness and has already become a staple in Saints territory. Founded by two New Orleans Nevilles (Ivan and Ian Neville, descended from members of the Neville Brothers and The Meters, respectively), the lineup was something special from the beginning, and it's turned into the new standard-bearing act for New Orleans funk music. Their sound is loud, raucous, gritty and dirty, and it mixes together just about every sort of sound out there that makes you dance. If you haven't heard them yet, check them out in this video from a past appearance at Sullivan Hall:



Any fans of New Orleans music shouldn't miss this one. This is as good a funk show as you will ever see, period.
By the way, if you can make it out to both shows, there's a discount for getting the tix together...

Both shows (the 1st and 2nd of April) get underway at 8 p.m. The Highline is 16+, and Sullivan is 18+. Tix are $35 per show, although you can get the two-show pass for $65.

Joe Krown Trio at Sullivan Hall!

This Thursday we've got a killer trio from New Orleans coming up to play at Sullivan Hall. Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Joe Krown, and Russell Batiste, Jr, are each major artists in their own right, but since 2007 they've been playing a regular weekly gig together at the famous Maple Leaf Bar that's become an institution in town. The level of groove these three guys can put out together is just unbelievable. Check it out:



In case you don't already know these guys, here's a (VERY brief) history:

Walter “Wolfman” Washington is best known as a virtuosic guitarist in a bluesy vein, although he mixes in jazz, funk and various other influences. Originally a successful sideman, notably with Lee Dorsey, he started working as a singer in the '70s and has seen further success fronting his band, the Roadmasters.

Joe Krown covers B-3 organ duties here. Widely known for his decades-long tenure as the keyboardist for the legendary Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown's band, he's highly regarded for his work with his own organ combo. Fluent in jazz and in funk, he's a force to be reckoned with.

Russell Batiste, Jr., the son of NOLA jazz titan David Batiste, is probably best known as the drummer for the Funky Meters (the reincarnation of classic funk band The Meters, and for his work with the groove heavyweight combo Porter Batiste Stoltz. He's also played stints with artists from Maceo Parker to Harry Connick Jr.


Any one of these legends is plenty of reason to come on out to a show. All three coming together and forming a band is something fans of New Orleans funk should consider ourselves lucky for. This will be a memorable night.

The Joe Krown Trio hits Sullivan on Thursday, March 11th. Doors are at 8 am. Honey Island Swamp Band opens. Tix are $15 in advance or $18 day-of-show. PS—look out for a pair of upcoming Rebirth Brass Band / Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk shows at the beginning of April!