Music options in New Orleans for the week of March 21-27, 2024 include a free festival and a funk fest preview.
CONGO SQUARE RHYTHMS FESTIVAL
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, ARMSTRONG PARK
The Congo Square Rhythms Festival is one of the free festivals produced by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the nonprofit that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. It is staged in the historic Congo Square area of Armstrong Park, the spot where enslaved people were allowed to gather on Sundays and practice their ancestral African traditions. Festivities commence with a performance by Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles at 8 p.m. Friday at the George & Joyce Wein Jazz & Hertiage Center, 1225 N. Rampart St.; tickets are $10. The full festival, which is free, fills much of Armstrong Park from 10:45 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s lineup includes Alfred Banks, Alexey Marti and the Rumble. Sunday’s roster includes Bamboula 2000, a Mardi Gras Indian battle and Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet. jazzandheritage.org/events.
A.J. CROCE
SUNDAY, JOY THEATER
A.J. Croce was not quite 2 years old when his famous father, singer-songwriter Jim Croce, died in a plane crash in 1973 following a concert in northwestern Louisiana. A.J. grew up to be a piano player and songwriter heavily influenced by Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John and other New Orleans greats. He released albums and toured extensively, but generally declined to play his father’s songs. But on his current "Croce Plays Croce Tour," A.J. and his band — which includes longtime Dr. John bassist David Barard — showcase Jim’s songs alongside A.J.’s in a multimedia presentation. The setlist changes but always touches on Jim’s most iconic songs, including “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” “Operator,” “I Got a Name” and “Time In a Bottle.” The "Croce Plays Croce Tour" comes to the Joy Theater on Sunday. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets start at $39.50 plus fees.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SHOWS
THURSDAY
Local saxophonist Brad Walker and his progressive jazz Extended Trio do two shows, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro on Frenchmen Street ($25).
Dance to Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band for the weekly Zydeco Night at Rock ‘N’ Bowl ($15).
Piano prodigy River Eckert is featured for the weekly “Booker Sessions” James Booker tribute in the back bar of the Maple Leaf Bar ($10). At 8 p.m., New Orleans drum legend Johnny Vidacovich’s trio takes over in the main room at the Maple Leaf ($15 advance, $20 door).
FRIDAY
Virginia singer-songwriter Keller Williams stages his DeadPettyKellerGrass show at Tipitina’s with the Hillbenders. Tickets are $30.
Master New Orleans drummer Herlin Riley powers his quartet at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor ($35).
Chickie Wah Wah presents a trio of singers, songwriters and guitarists: Pat McLaughlin, Alex McMurry and Jerry Joseph ($30 advance, $35 door).
The Iguanas play from 6 to 9 p.m. at d.b.a. on Frenchmen Street ($10).
It’s Guitar Night at the Maple Leaf Bar with Chris Adkins at 8 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 door) followed by Eric Johanson at 11 p.m. (also $15 advance, $20 door).
Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition do swamp pop at Rock ‘N’ Bowl ($10).
SATURDAY
Tipitina’s hosts the NOLA Funk Fest 2024 Lineup Reveal Show, a preview of this fall’s second annual NOLA Funk Fest. The lineup reveal show at Tip’s on Saturday features Meters bassist George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Meters guitarist Leo Nocentelli and his band the Funkin’ Truth, the River Eckert Band and more. Tickets for the Lineup Reveal Show can be purchased for $25, with no additional fees, up to the day of the show at the Tip's box office; that ticket is also good for one day of admission to this fall’s Funk Fest, which is Oct. 18-20 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Additionally, a Louisiana resident discount ticket purchased for the Funk Fest at www.nofunkfest.com also grants admission to the Lineup Reveal Show.
Modern jazz quartet Astral Project — saxophonist Tony Dagradi, guitarist Steve Masakowski, bassist Jim Singleton and drummer Johnny Vidacovich — touches down at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($30).
Trombonist Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet fire up at the Maple Leaf at 9 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 door).
The New Breed Brass Band is at d.b.a. at 10 p.m. ($10).
Comedian David Spade, who specializes in sarcasm, brings his "Catch Me Inside Tour" to the Orpheum Theater.
Long-running cover band the Boogie Men crank out danceable hits at Rock ‘N’ Bowl ($10).
SUNDAY
The Grammy Award-winning New Orleans Nightcrawlers brass band fires up at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($30).
Keyboardist Joe Krown’s Trio Plus One features guitarist Papa Mali, drummer Eric Bolivar and bassist Casandra Faulconer at the Maple Leaf ($15 advance, $20 door).
MONDAY
The ever-popular New Orleans singer Charmaine Neville holds court at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($20).
Bassist George Porter Jr.’s trio does two shows at the Maple Leaf, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 door).
TUESDAY
Galactic drummer Stanton Moore moonlights with his jazz trio at Snug Harbot at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($25).
Kurt Vile & the Violators hit Tipitina’s with opening act Weak Signal ($30).
WEDNESDAY
Circle Jerks and Descendants team up for a night of old-school punk rock at the Civic Theater.
Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra swing at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($35).