Options for live music in New Orleans this week include a legendary gospel group’s Christmas concert and a farewell for a local pop band.
BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA
Friday, Jefferson Performing Arts Center
Gospel vocal group the Blind Boys of Alabama first formed in the 1930s at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in Talladega. The Blind Boys’ most recent album, “Echoes of the South,” is named for the Birmingham radio program that hosted the group’s first professional performance in 1944. The album, which is nominated for three Grammy Awards, is indicative of how time marches on for the Blind Boys: Since it was recorded, 91-year-old Jimmy Carpenter, the sole remaining member from the group’s earliest years, has retired from performing, and two other longtime members, Paul Beasley and Benjamin Moore Jr., have died. But over the decades, new members have stepped in to keep the ensemble going. On Friday, the Blind Boys of Alabama are slated to stage their Christmas Concert at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drive, in Metairie. Tickets start at $40, inclusive of fees.
The New Orleans band Miss Mojo.
MISS MOJO
Thursday, Broadside
Since its 2016 inception as a group of like-minded friends who coalesced around Tulane University, the eight-piece New Orleans band Miss Mojo has made carefree pop/R&B/funk topped by lead vocalists Piper Browne and Jenna Winston. Early single “Fly Me Up” garnered some attention for the band, which was soon opening for a variety of more established New Orleans acts. 2022’s “Horizon” was the first of the band’s recordings to be released on vinyl. In recent years, Miss Mojo has taken its show on the road. But after nearly eight years of work, Miss Mojo is disbanding following a farewell performance Thursday at the outdoor Broadside on N. Broad St., the finale of the band’s "Bye For Now Tour." Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 or $20. Note: The Broadside is open only to patrons age 18 and older.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SHOWS
THURSDAY
Thirty years ago, singer and guitarist Liz Phair released “Exile in Guyville,” what became her signature album. On her current "Guyville Tour," she’s performing the album in its entirety, along with other fan favorites. She headlines the Orpheum Theater on Thursday, with special guest Blondshell opening the show. Tickets start at $39.50 plus fees.
Jazz guitarist and University of New Orleans jazz studies professor Brian Seeger does sets at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro on Frenchmen Street. ($25).
Master New Orleans drummer Johnny Vidacovich’s trio jams at the Maple Leaf Bar at 8 p.m. ($20).
Michael Cerveris and Kimberly Kaye lead the country band Loose Cattle.
FRIDAY
Snug Harbor hosts a tribute to jazz bass legend Jaco Pastorius featuring bassist Pat Casey, saxophonist Brad Walker, pianist Oscar Rossignoli and drummer Ricky Sebastian, who performed with Pastorius for several years. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30.
The Soul Rebels fire up brass band music tinged with hip-hop at d.b.a., which has reopened with a new ownership group, at 10 p.m. Friday ($25).
Americana ensemble Loose Cattle, led by Michael Cerveris and Kimberly Kaye, hosts its “Christmas Wrecktacular” at 7 p.m. Friday at the Maple Leaf Bar. Special guests slated to join in include John Boutte, the Iguanas, Debbie Davis, Lilli Lewis and Paul Sanchez ($22).
The later show Friday at the Maple Leaf features Rumplesteelskin, anchored by Revivalists steel guitar player Ed Williams, at 10 p.m. ($20).
Amigos Do Samba and the Haitian-born, New Orleans-based percussion ensemble RAM team up at the outdoor Broadside starting at 7 p.m. ($20).
SATURDAY
The members of comedy ensemble 85 South — DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller and Chico Bean — have built a massive online following, with 2 million YouTube subscribers and counting. That has translated to the ability to headline arenas. See them Saturday at the Smoothie King Center, which will be configured for only the floor section and lower bowl. Tickets start at $56.50 plus fees.
Electronic music band Pretty Lights’ three-night stand at Mardi Gras World from Friday through Sunday is sold out, but you can still attend “Late Night Radio,” the official Pretty Lights after-party, at Tipitina’s at midnight on Saturday. Tickets start at $25.
The NOJO 7 is a streamlined ensemble drawn from the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and powered by drummer Adonis Rose. On Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor, the NOJO 7 is augmented by powerhouse vocalist Erica Falls ($30).
Pete Murano, the guitarist in Trombone Shorty’s Orleans Avenue, leads his own band at 10 p.m. at the Maple Leaf ($20).
Local jazz-funk band Gravity A hits the Toulouse Theatre in the French Quarter, with Unicorn Fukr opening ($20).
SUNDAY
The Electric Yat Quartet, a different kind of string section featuring violinists Harry Hardin and Natalia Cascante, cellist Jack Craft and viola player Amelia Clingman, celebrates its new “Stringin’ With Some BBQ” album with two sets at Snug Harbor, starting at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sunday ($25).
Keyboardist Joe Krown is backed by guitarist Papa Mali, bassist Casandra Faulconer and drummer Wayne Maureau at the Maple Leaf at 9 p.m. ($20).
MONDAY
For many years, singer Charmaine Neville held court every Monday night at Snug Harbor. She now performs at the venue on bimonthly Mondays at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. She’ll be joined this week by longtime pianist and musical director Amasa Miller, guitarist Detroit Brooks, bassist Donald Ramsey and drummer Herman LeBeaux ($25).
Bassist George Porter Jr.’s trio does shows at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Maple Leaf ($20).
Americana band the Wood Brothers.
TUESDAY
The genre-defying Wood Brothers bring the tour in support of their eighth album, “Heart Is the Hero,” to Tipitina’s on Tuesday. The Watson Twins open. Tickets are $35.
Reed players Byron Asher and Tomas Majcherski have teamed up for a new project to explore the tonal possibilities of a sax, flute and clarinet collaboration. They’ll be backed by drummer Doug Garrison and bassist Matt Booth at Snug Harbor at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tuesday ($25).
WEDNESDAY
Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra swing at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday ($35).