The weekend after Thanksgiving and the following week feature a cornucopia of live music, with an emphasis on local favorites.
BONERAMA 25TH ANNIVERSARY
Friday, Tipitina’s
Can the trombone be the lead instrument in a rock-centric band? Bonerama has spent the past quarter-century answering that query in the affirmative. Founded by trombonists Mark Mullins and Craig Klein, who at the time were members of Harry Connick Jr.’s band, Bonerama merged rock and funk within the context of a brass band armed with a full drum kit and an electric guitar. Bonerama writes original material but also puts its spin on rock songs ranging from Black Sabbath to the Beatles to Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android.” The band’s 2019 release “Bonerama Plays Zeppelin” consisted of brass-funk renditions of Led Zeppelin songs; no less an authority than Robert Plant gave a thumbs-up to Bonerama’s take on “The Ocean.” The current incarnation of Bonerama consists of Mullins, fellow trombonists Greg Hicks and Chris Butcher, sousaphonist Matt Perrine, guitarist Bert Cotton and drummer Eric Bolivar. They’ll celebrate 25 years of churning out brassy funk rock with a special show Friday at Tipitina’s. Singers Erica Falls and Arsene DeLay, guitarist Papa Mali, keyboardist Mike Lemmler and BariRama are all slated to sit in. Showtime is 9 p.m. Tickets are $25.
New Orleans singer Sierra Green.
SIERRA GREEN & THE GIANTS
Wednesday, Chickie Wah Wah
Powerhouse rhythm and blues singer Sierra Green traces her roots to the 7th Ward and the church. Inspired by Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Chicago blues and New Orleans legend Irma Thomas — Green played Ruth Brown in “Simply Irma,” a play about Thomas — she cut her teeth as a singer and bandleader in Frenchmen Street clubs. Now managed by Hep Cat Entertainment, the same team behind the Soul Rebels, Green is making a play for wider recognition. Her debut album is slated for release in 2024. It features five songs produced by veteran keyboardist David Torkanowsky, including Green’s version of the Meters’ “Break in the Road” and a horn-heavy cover of Revivalists singer David Shaw’s “Promised Land” that shows off the potency and texture of her voice. Green and her band, the Giants, play a Wednesday night showcase at Chickie Wah Wah. The show kicks off at 7 p.m. with a DJ set by Brice Nice, followed by Sierra Green & the Giants. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 day of show.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SHOWS
Renowned jazz saxophonist, clarinetist and educator Victor Goines has been a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Wynton Marsalis Septet for 30 years, and is also the director of the Jazz St. Louis program. He returns to his native New Orleans, where he was a longtime member of the late Ellis Marsalis’ band, for sets at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro. He’ll be backed by pianist Oscar Rossignoli, bassist Jason Stewart and drummer Jason Marsalis. Tickets are $40.
Contemporary soul singer Maxwell performs at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Saturday, March 5, 2022.
Coinciding with the big Bayou Classic weekend, contemporary R&B and nouveau soul star Maxwell brings his "NIGHT: The Trilogy Show" to the Smoothie King Center on Friday with special guest Leela James. The arena's reduced capacity configuration for the night includes only the lower bowl and table seating on the floor. Tickets start at $63 plus fees. A portion of ticket proceeds benefits the Southern University System Foundation and the five campuses within that system.
PJ Morton, the New Orleans-born R&B and gospel singer, keyboardist and composer who is also a member of Maroon 5, headlines his hometown Orpheum Theater on Friday. Tickets start at $29.50 plus fees.
Revivalists bassist George Gekas anchors his own trio, featuring Alvin Ford Jr. and Paul Provosty, at the Maple Leaf Bar on Friday at 8 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 at the door).
It’s a 1990s throwback night at the outdoor Broadside on Friday as Big in the 90s and the Electric Yat Quartet join forces to cover songs from the likes of the Goo Goo Dolls, the Smashing Pumpkins, the Verve, Sisqo and more. Tickets start at $17.
Webb Wilder stages his acoustic show at Chickie Wah Wah at 8 p.m. Friday ($20 advance, $25 day of show).
New Orleans keyboardist and singer PJ Morton released a gospel album on Aug. 28, 2020.
Ninety-something Preservation Hall saxophonist Charlie Gabriel plays a free show from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday in the Lobby Lounge of the Toulouse Theatre in the French Quarter (he’s back at the same time on Saturday).
The Wolff & Clark Expedition Trio features pianist and former “Arsenio Hall” bandleader Michael Wolff, Herbie Hancock & the Headhunters drummer Michael Clark and New Orleans avant-jazz bassist James Singletary. Hear them Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor ($35).
Blues-based guitarist Eric Johanson plugs in at the outdoor Broadside on Saturday ($18 and up).
DJ RQ Away, who has opened shows for the likes of Ludacris and Maxwell, stages his quarterly “Lagniappe” party at Tipitina’s starting at 11 p.m. Saturday ($20). Sunni Patterson is also on the bill.
Chickie Wah Wah hosts the Cosmic Fishheads featuring keyboardist Camile Baudoin and bassist Reggie Scanlan of the Radiators plus keyboardist Mikey “B3” Burkart and drummer Michael Fouquier at 8 p.m. Saturday ($25 advance, $32 day of show).
Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen funk up the Maple Leaf Bar on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($20 advance, $25 at the door). Stick around for the all-star “Turkey Jam” with Big Chief Juan Pardo, sousaphonist Kirk Joseph, drummer Terence Higgins and more, at 11 p.m. Saturday ($20 advance).
Guitarist Bill Kirchen, the “Titan of the Telecaster,” swings by Chickie Wah Wah for an 8 p.m. show Sunday ($25 advance, $30 day of show).
Keyboardist and singer Davell Crawford does two solo sets at Snug Harbor at 7:30 and 9:30 Monday ($25).
Keyboardist Larry Sieberth and saxophonist James Evans team up at Snug Harbor at 7:30 and 9:30 Tuesday ($25).
The heavily percussive Haitian band RAM hits the Maple Leaf Bar at 9 p.m. Wednesday ($15 advance, $20 at the door).
American Aquarium headlines Tipitina’s on Wednesday; tickets start at $25.
Saxophonist Reggie Houston, a longtime sideman to Fats Domino and Charmaine Neville, stages his “Holiday Blues & Moods” show at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday with his quartet ($25).