The first full week of 2024 arrives with a solid schedule of jazz, including the return of Snug Harbor’s late-night concert series following a decadelong absence.
JOY CLARK
FRIDAY, d.b.a.
Joy Clark grew up on the West Bank in Harvey’s Woodmere neighborhood. Her music, like that of Tracy Chapman, draws on folk, blues and Americana, but is uniquely hers. Her voice, like her tidy guitar solos, captures your attention without demanding it, then invites you in. Onstage, her smile is contagious. After years spent in New Orleans clubs and on the road backing Americana star Allison Russell, Cyril Neville and other bandleaders, Clark’s national profile is ascendant. She was featured on a recent episode of PBS’ “My Music with Rhiannon Giddens.” On Sept. 7, she played a solo acoustic show at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington, D.C. This year, she’ll release an album via Righteous Babe Records, the artist-friendly independent label founded by singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco. The first single, “Guest,” is already out. On Friday, Clark performs at d.b.a. at 10 p.m. ($20).
Folk-rock band The Lone Bellow.
THE LONE BELLOW
TUESDAY, TIPITINA’S
Folk-rock ensemble The Lone Bellow formed in Brooklyn, New York, in the early 2010s with Zach Williams on guitar and lead vocals, Kanene Donehey Pipkin on mandolin, bass, keyboard and vocals, and Brian Elmquist on guitar and vocals. Their harmonies, especially radiant onstage, and nimble songwriting earned the group a reputation on the Americana music circuit and paved the way for The Lone Bellow’s self-titled 2013 debut album, which turned up on best-of-the-year lists. They’ve since toured with Maren Morris and Kacey Musgraves while continuing to record and release evocative albums. The group’s fifth, “Love Songs for Losers,” came out in 2022. A trio tour pegged to the 10th anniversary of The Lone Bellow’s debut album stops at Tipitina’s on Tuesday, with Liz Longley opening. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25 general admission to $110 for a VIP experience.
Jason Marsalis performs at the Ellis Marsalis Family Tribute in the Jazz Tent during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on Sunday, April 28, 2019.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SHOWS
THURSDAY
Jazz saxophonist Rick Margitza studied at Loyola University before joining Miles Davis’ band and releasing his own albums for Blue Note Records. Margitza returns to New Orleans during the Jazz Education Network conference to play shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Thursday at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro with drummer Johnny Vidacovich, bassist James Singleton, guitarist Steve Masakowski and pianist Michael Pellera ($30).
Later on Thursday, Snug Harbor revives its “Snug Late Night” concert series with a free 11:30 p.m. show featuring drummer Jason Marsalis and his Trio Excursions with bassist Robin Sherman and saxophonist Ricardo Pascal.
Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners are featured for the first weekly Zydeco Night of 2024 at Rock ‘N’ Bowl ($15).
FRIDAY
Drummer Doug Belote powers an all-star band at 8 p.m. at the Maple Leaf that includes saxophonist Jeff Coffin, of the Dave Matthews Band; keyboardist Larry Sieberth; bassist Brian Quezergue; and Grammy-winning jazz guitarist Nir Felder ($20).
Later on Friday, the Maple Leaf hosts the annual “Queens Balls” with Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes at 10 p.m.; the event includes a costume contest ($20).
At Snug Harbor, Ingrid and Christine Jensen are joined by Ashlin Parker at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. At 11:30 p.m., the club hosts a “Snug Late Night” show with the Trumpet Mafia.
Friday’s Saenger Theatre stop of comedian Leanne Morgan’s aptly named "Just Getting Started Tour" is the first major show of 2024 in New Orleans.
New Orleans singer Jenn Howard, in an image from her 2023 album 'Valiant Women.'
New Orleans rock and soul singer Jenn Howard released "Valiant Women," her first album in 14 years, in early 2023. She'll sing songs from it with her band at Chickie Wah Wah on Friday ($25).
Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition do swamp pop at Rock ‘N’ Bowl ($10).
SATURDAY
The 101 Runners Mardi Gras Indian funk band and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux team up for a Twelfth Night celebration at the Maple Leaf at 9 p.m. ($25).
Tuba Skinny swings out on songs from the 1920s during a free 6 p.m. show at d.b.a.
Visit saxophonist and Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Donald Harrison’s Music Omniverse at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Then, trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra take over for the “Snug Late Night” show at 11:30 p.m.
The Creole String Beans are a vintage south Louisiana jukebox come to life; they’ll crank out classic and classic-sounding swamp pop and New Orleans rhythm and blues at Chickie Wah Wah ($20).
SUNDAY
Acclaimed jazz vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Johnaye Kendrick earned a master’s degree from Loyola University and sang with Ellis Marsalis, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and Nicholas Payton. She’s since released her own albums, and is now based in Seattle, where she is a professor of music at Cornish College. She returns to New Orleans to sing at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
Cajun accordionist, singer and songwriter Bruce Daigrepont and his band host the monthly fais do-do at Tipitina’s starting at 5:15 p.m. ($12).
Keyboardist Joe Krown is joined by guitarist Papa Mali, bassist Casandra Faulconer and drummer Eric Bolivar at the Maple Leaf at 8 p.m. ($20).
MONDAY
Meters bassist George Porter Jr. plays at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Maple Leaf with his trio ($20).
TUESDAY
Traditional jazz clarinetist Dr. Michael White fronts his Liberty Quartet at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro.
The To Be Continued Brass Band fires up at the Maple Leaf ($15).