R&B · Soul · Piano
Allen ToussaintProducer, songwriter, and pianist whose fingerprints are on the entire canon of New Orleans R&B.
Early Jazz · Cornet
Buddy BoldenThe first king of jazz — the cornetist whose powerful, blues-inflected playing sparked it all.
Brass Band · Jazz
Dirty Dozen Brass BandThe band that revolutionized the brass band tradition — bebop harmonics, R&B energy, and the street.
R&B · Blues · Rock
Dr. JohnThe Night Tripper — a voodoo-tinged piano mystic who carried the city's sound to the world stage.
R&B · Rock & Roll
Fats DominoOne of the founding fathers of rock and roll, whose rolling piano style conquered the world.
Funk · Jazz · Rock
GalacticNew Orleans' premier contemporary funk band — jazz improvisation, rock energy, and serious groove.
R&B · Soul
Irma ThomasThe Soul Queen of New Orleans — a voice of extraordinary power recording for over six decades.
Jazz · Blues · Piano
James BookerThe Black Liberace — a piano genius of staggering complexity whose tragic life matched his towering gift.
Jazz · Piano · Composer
Jelly Roll MortonThe first great jazz composer — a self-promoting genius who proved jazz could be a crafted art form.
Jazz · R&B · Piano
Jon BatisteGrammy-winning pianist from a legendary New Orleans musical family — the city's brightest contemporary star.
Jazz · Trumpet
Kermit RuffinsTrumpet-playing bandleader and pit-master — the living embodiment of New Orleans joy.
Early Jazz · Cornet
King OliverLouis Armstrong's mentor and one of the most important bandleaders in early jazz history.
Jazz · Trumpet · Vocals
Louis ArmstrongThe founding father of jazz and New Orleans' most celebrated musical son.
Funk · R&B
The MetersThe most sampled band in history — the inventors of New Orleans funk and the foundation of groove.
Blues · R&B · Piano
Professor LonghairThe father of modern New Orleans piano, whose rhumba-infused style defined the city's keyboard tradition.
Brass Band · Jazz
Rebirth Brass BandThe Sunday institution on Oak Street — the brass band that pushed the tradition toward hip-hop and soul.
Traditional Jazz
Preservation Hall Jazz BandThe resident ensemble of the world's most important traditional jazz venue.
Blues · Slide Guitar
Sonny LandrethThe world's foremost slide guitarist — a Louisiana original whose swamp blues sounds like the landscape.
Blues · Guitar
Tab BenoitHouma-born blues guitarist whose swamp blues sounds like it grew directly from the bayou.
Jazz · Trumpet
Wynton MarsalisThe most celebrated jazz musician of his generation — the music's greatest living advocate.
Brass Band · Hip-Hop
The Soul RebelsThe brass band that brought hip-hop into the second-line tradition — bold, loud, and completely original.
All Genres · Uptown · Est. 1977
Tipitina'sBorn from a benefit for Professor Longhair, Tipitina's is the most beloved music club in New Orleans — the room every musician wants to play.
501 Napoleon Avenue · Uptown
Jazz · Bebop · Est. 1983
Snug HarborNew Orleans' preeminent jazz listening room — two sets a night, reserved seating, and the city's finest musicians on stage.
626 Frenchmen Street · Faubourg Marigny
Jazz · Swing · No Cover
The Spotted CatFrenchmen Street's most charming room — vintage jazz and swing from late afternoon, no cover, and one of the best dance floors in the city.
623 Frenchmen Street · Faubourg Marigny
Brass · Funk · Est. 1974
The Maple Leaf BarA beloved Oak Street institution famous above all for its legendary Sunday night residency with the Rebirth Brass Band.
8316 Oak Street · Carrollton
Jazz · Wine · Outdoor
Bacchanal WineA wine shop, cheese counter, and outdoor music venue in Bywater — jazz under string lights with a glass in hand.
600 Poland Avenue · Bywater
Jazz · Blues · Rock
d.b.a.A serious music bar with serious booking — one of the anchors of Frenchmen Street and home to John Boutté's celebrated Thursday residency.
618 Frenchmen Street · Faubourg Marigny