The 2023 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is finished, but the music plays on. Here are highlights of the live music options for May 11-17:
MAHMOUD CHOUKI NEW WORLD ENSEMBLE
Saturday, Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro
Mamoud Chouki mastered many stringed instruments, from the guitar to the lute-like oud, growing up in Morocco, where he attended music conservatories and soaked in the flamenco music beaming in from nearby Spain. Chouki landed in New Orleans six years ago and has introduced a fresh flavor to the jazz scene. He just released a single, “Mahmoud’s Blues,” from a forthcoming album. During his recent show at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival’s Lagniappe Stage, Chouki and his band of jazz musicians reframed “St. James Infirmary” and other standards. Chouki leads his New World Ensemble at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro on Frenchmen Street. In addition to Chouki on guitar and oud, it features pianist Oscar Rossignoli, accordionist Simon Moushabeck, bassist Martin Masakowski and drummer Alfred Jordan Jr. Tickets are $35.
Members of the local Rush tribute band Driven include, from left, vocalist Joey Pitcher, bassist/keyboardist Bobby Rodwig, drummer Matt Beeson and guitarist Chris Novak.
DRIVEN: A TRIBUTE TO RUSH
Saturday, Rock ‘N’ Bowl
The death of revered Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart from brain cancer in January 2020 left many fans saddened and stunned. One of them was local drummer Matt Beeson. To give himself some closure, celebrate the legacy of Peart and raise money for the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, Beeson formed Driven, a Rush tribute band, which will make its debut Saturday at Rock ‘N’ Bowl. In addition to Beeson, the band consists of guitarist Joey Pitcher, of Contraflow, on vocals, bassist Bobby Rodwig and guitarist Chris Novak. The Brother Martin High School drum line will open Saturday’s show at 8:30 p.m. with an arrangement of the Rush instrumental “YYZ.” Driven will then play two sets, sampling songs from every era of the Rush catalog, from “Working Man” to “The Anarchist.” Tickets are $17.
Hunter Hayes performs during Bayou Country Superfest at LSU's Tiger Stadium on Sunday, May 25, 2014.
HUNTER HAYES
Sunday, House of Blues
Hunter Hayes, a native of Breaux Bridge, received a toy accordion from his grandmother as a toddler. He was soon picking out Cajun songs and jamming with the house band at a seafood restaurant. On weekends, his parents drove him to festivals around south Louisiana. Louisiana Red Hot Records released his first album, “Through My Eyes,” in 2000, when he was 9. In high school, he and his family moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He co-wrote the songs and played all instruments on his 2011 self-titled Atlantic Records debut, which yielded the hits "Wanted," "I Want Crazy" and "Somebody's Heartbreak." Hayes’ 2014 follow-up, “Storyline,” yielded a moderate hit in “Invisible.” In 2020, he appeared on the third season of “The Masked Singer” as the Astronaut. Now 31, he released his latest album, “Red Sky,” in April. He headlines the House of Blues on Sunday; Abby Anderson opens. Tickets are $30 and up.
The modern rock band Alter Bridge.
ALTER BRIDGE
Wednesday, the Fillmore
Alter Bridge is the alter ego of Creed, the arena rock band that had a short but successful run of multimillion-selling albums in the late 1990s. After Creed went on hiatus in 2004, the band’s guitarist, Mark Tremonti, and drummer, Scott Phillips, teamed with ex-Creed bassist Brian Marshall to form Alter Bridge. They recruited veteran rock vocalist Myles Kennedy as the new project’s frontman. They released their debut album, “One Day Remains,” in 2004 and toured extensively. Creed reformed from 2009 to 2012 even as Alter Bridge remained active. Alter Bridge released its seventh album, “Pawns & Kings,” in October. The band headlines the Fillmore New Orleans on Wednesday. Sevendust and Hot For Crime are also on the bill. Tickets start at $37.50.
Louis Michot, known for his work with Lost Bayou Ramblers and Michot's Melody Makers, is now finishing his first solo album.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SHOWS
The outdoor Broadside on North Broad Street presents a rescheduled show featuring Louis Michot of avant-garde Cajun band the Lost Bayou Ramblers plus Aurora Nealand’s Monocle project on Thursday ($20).
Tenacious D, the rock-comedy duo consisting of Jack Black and Kyle Gass, hits the Fillmore for a sold-out show on Thursday.
Boogie T.rio, consisting of Boogie T on vocals/guitar/keys, Frank Castro on drums and New Orleans-based Andriu Yanovski on keyboard and synth bass, headlines Tipitina’s on Thursday ($20-$35).
Tipitina’s hosts “Steppin’ Out: Another Right On Party Situation” featuring DJ Soul Sister’s old-school funk, soul and R&B vinyl as well as emcee Charlie V on Friday ($15).
Meschiya Lake & the Little Big Horns play a free show at d.b.a. on Frenchmen Street on Friday at 6 p.m. Later, the trombone-powered Big Sam’s Funky Nation hits d.b.a. at 10 p.m. Friday ($20).
The Psychedelic Furs hold court at the House of Blues on Friday; Evan Dando of the Lemonheads is also on the bill ($39.50 and up).
Former “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah does two nights of stand-up comedy at the Saenger Theatre on Friday and Saturday as part of his Off the Record Tour. At press time, tickets were only available for Saturday’s show, starting at $115 plus fees.
Pianist and composer Amina Figarova, a native of Azerbaijan now based in New Orleans, leads her sextet at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro for shows at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday ($30).
Singer-songwriter Danielle Ponder is at the Toulouse Theatre in the French Quarter on Saturday ($22).
The Original Pinettes Brass Band fires up at d.b.a. at 10 p.m. Saturday ($20).
Traditional jazz clarinetist Dr. Michael White fronts a quartet at Chickie Wah Wah on Saturday ($35 advance, $45 day of show).
The Mother’s Day edition of the “BreakFest” morning mini-festival series at the Broadside opens at 9 a.m. Sunday with yoga with live accompaniment by the Radio Bird String Quartet, followed by performances by the Tin Men and R&B singer Erica Falls ($20 and up; breakfast items will be available for purchase).
Cajun accordionist and singer Bruce Daigrepont hosts his monthly fais do-do at Tipitina’s on Sunday evening starting at 5:15 p.m. ($10).
Singer Meschiya Lake and pianist Tom McDermott team up for two duo shows at Snug Harbor on Sunday at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. ($20).
Jamaican artist Nattali Rize brings her Liberate Tour, with special guest Kumar, to the Broadside on Wednesday ($18 to $22).
Bassist Roland Guerin plays sets at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Wednesday at Snug Harbor with his band ($25).