As you bang if you ’re from New Orleans , alive , local music is an inherent part of our culture . The downright amazing pool of talent in this town should make any up - and - get musician a piddling nervous , whether they toy funk , careen , jazz , fusion , African , R&B , or reasonably much any other writing style – and specially if they ’re add to NOLA tradition like brass banding . Fortunately , you do n’t have to look far to find some player who might not be cosmos - famed yet , but by all odds have creation - year chop . Here are 11 model of local natural endowment that you should keep on your radar ( and in your playlist ) .
Danny Abel
A prolific guitarist with a sugared mode that seems damned effortless , Danny ’s made the rounds with local jazz and funk greats , and he channelize up Gravity A , a band that set about jammy without veering too much into “ crunchy ” territory . He also tours with Khris Royal and Dark Matter , as well as Pat Casey and the New Sound , all of which are worth checking out as well .
Where to find him : jolly much everywhere . Like we said : prolific .
Andrew Meehan, aka “Drew Meez”
Meez on the keys ! This cat has a serious talent for thrill some ivories ( and ebonies , for that matter ) , and likes to make wonderful mash - ups , like the Beatles with straight - up NOLA leaping . Plus , he also plays with Gravity A , because New Orleans musicians with natural endowment enjoy playing with other New Orleans musicians with talent .
Where to find him : Gasa Gasaon Freret St
Alfred Jordan
He may now live in Boston ( razz ! ) , but Jordan ’s a nursing home - grow NOLA barrel prodigy , and it evince in his masterful work behind the kit . A lot of people do n’t yield attention to drummers , but you should definitely pay tending to this guy .
Where to find him : Mostly in the Northeast ( sadly ) , but he urinate unconstipated appearances with local musician at various NOLA music fests like the Congo Square New World Rhythms Festival
Sam Dickey
New Orleans might be best fuck for its funk , rap , soul , and brass , but if you keep your ears open , you could find oneself more exotic menu , like the guitar stylings of Dickey , known for playing with band BrasiNola and Benyoro , and he regularly sits in with other local player and band , where he plays everything from rock to funk to jazz . He also hold back a passe-partout ’s degree in enthomusicology , which makes sense when you find out that he plays thejeli negoni(a string pawn common in West Africa – it ’s cool , we had no idea either ) .
Where you’re able to find him : The Maple Leaf Bar and Maison , among other venues
Raja Kassis
Like Sam Dickey , Kassis plays both New Orleans and more non - NOLA fare – you may pick up more West African audio if you check out his grouping HumanBEING . He ’s played with some seriously legendary instrumentalist , too , including the awesome , leave Allen Toussaint .
Where you could find him : Publiq House , Chickie Wah Wah
Luke Quaranta
Toubab Krewe ( not to be discombobulate with Two Live Crew ) lays down some earnestly funky African - inspired strait , specially with the backing of percussionist Luke Quaranta .
Where you could find him : Sadly , Toubab Krewe is “ presently hibernating in the studio , ” but they ’ve been be intimate to make appearances at NOLA Jazz Fest and other festivals that lionize international sounds .
Eric Vogel
You know you need a cause of death bass role player on this inclination , and you ’ll sure as shooting find out it in Eric Vogel , who kill the bottom end with the democratic funk / stone act Big Sam ’s foul-smelling land . His friendship with Victor and Regi Wooten should separate you a lot about how this guy rope can really slap and pop with legerity and authority .
Where you may find him : Most summertime medicine fests in NOLA , include Wednesday at the Square
Tank & The Bangas
This is a earnestly danceable R&B / Soul rig led by Tarriona " Tank " Ball , who combines spoken - word poesy with some powerfully soulful vocal . They dead extinguish their set at Jazz Fest in 2015 , and you could readily find them playing around Ithiel Town , likewise destroying club gig with their huge sound and crazily entertaining leg antic .
Where you may rule them : Gasa Gasa , Chickie Wah Wah , various festivals
Sweet Crude
Self - described as “ half - English , half - Louisiana French , half - witted , ” Sweet Crude has a typical sound unparalleled to New Orleans . It ’s a very fun and fascinating mixture of indie rock ‘n’ roll and Cajun fashion . Bonus if you pass to talk French , in which they in the main blab .
Where you’re able to find them : fete let in Jazz Fest , Hogs for the Cause , at the Varsity in Baton Rouge , and touring throughout the South .
Renshaw Davies
If you dig vocalist / ballad maker , the span of John Renshaw and Emily Davy should by all odds be on your to - see list . This pair stand out for their mournful vocals , elegant acoustic fingerpicking skills , and tastefully loose pleximetry . Plus , the deep committal to writing and smirch - on harmonies are really something to find .
Where you could find them : The Hi Ho Lounge , Aloft New Orleans , various spell date through the south
The New Breed Brass Band
Where you’re able to find them : Blue Nile , various festivals
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Scott Goldis a author in New Orleans who loves to play guitar , but ca n’t moderate a candle to any of these bit . Find him on Twitter@scottgold .
Courtesy of Gus Bennett Jr.
gravityavids/YouTube
Drew Meez/YouTube
Jonnieface/YouTube
Sam Dickey/YouTube
Raja Kassis/YouTube
Phinnegan Phipps/YouTube
Dean and Addy/YouTube
soundbetternet/YouTube
Sweetcrudeband/YouTube
Ryan Gregory Floyd/YouTube
Lisa Pal/YouTube