Mahmoud Chouki was a musical child prodigy in his native Morocco; today, the masterful guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and genial collaborator makes his home in New Orleans. His music is unique: with deep roots in European classical and jazz guitar, Chouki weave... Read more

Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown brings his impeccable trumpet sounds to any gig he blesses. The veteran performer picked up the horn at the tender age of nine, and by 15 was touring the world. He performs with a number of combos, including Players Ella & Louis Tribute Band and f... Read more

James Rivers has played on some of New Orleans’ most classic hits, and continues to please crowds today with his versatile repertoire and mastery of multiple instruments. He has also penned music for six Clint Eastwood films. Born in 1938 and raised in the historic Treme ne... Read more

Bill Summers is a New Orleans-based fixture on the Afro-Cuban and Latin percussion scene. The Detroit, Michigan native studied classical piano as a youngster, but morphed into a percussionist as he came of age. Now recognized as one of the elders of world beat rhythms, he s... Read more

Saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr. is both a modern jazz trendsetter and bearer of deep New Orleans cultural traditions. From his work with Art Blakey to his role as a Big Chief of a Mardi Gras Indian tribe, Harrison is the personification of New Orleans past and present. Har... Read more

Steve Masakowski is a prolific modern jazz guitarist, educator, collaborator, and inventor. The New Orleans native is a founding member of Astral Project, the seminal modern jazz group, and has performed with a jazz Who’s Who including Johnny Adams, Mose Allison, Bobby McFe... Read more

Simon Lott is a drummer extraordinaire, a multi-persona with musical sensibilities that range from rock solid grooves to adventurous melodic electronic experiments. Lott has been a go-to drummer for local combos and for major stars: Sandra Bernhard, Harry Shearer, Joan Rive... Read more

Sharon Martin, as a solo act or with her band Music from New Orleans, brings her unique vocal stylings to every stage she graces. Martin’s sass and humor augment her top-drawer musicianship; she has played Billie Holiday in the stage performance of “Lady Day at Emerson’s Ba... Read more

Robin Barnes, dubbed the “Songbird of New Orleans,” is a jazz singer who incorporates the rhythms and musical traditions of her native city in her exciting performances, often with her band, the Fiya Birds, or in duet with her husband, bassist Pat Casey, as Da Lovebirds. D... Read more

Peter Harris lays down deep jazz bass grooves with his own acclaimed ensembles and for a host of top-named talent – Germaine Bazzle, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Herlin Riley, Ellis Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Don Vappie, and Nicholas Payton. The New Orleans native has... Read more