Marty Peters fell in love with New Orleans, packed up his clarinet and saxophones, moved down, and has made a full-time music career as both a band leader and sideman since 2014 — becoming one of the most sought-after woodwind players in a town full of tremendous talent. His Party Meters are all full-time, New Orleans-based professionals: Jeff Kreis on trumpet and vocals, who brought the brash West Coast revival style with him from California; Mark Weliky on guitar, a New Orleans regular since studying under Steve Masakowski at UNO; Sam Lobley on bass; and Spencer Knapp on drums.
The band brings the heart and soul of New Orleans wherever they perform, mixing rip-roarin' instrumental arrangements, heartfelt sentimental numbers, and hard-swingin' tunes with call-and-response vocals, banter, and pure audience engagement. Catch one of their weekly gigs at the 21st Amendment Bar or the Spotted Cat Music Club and you'll get pumping party jazz that stays traditional while carrying a rock energy — crisp, clean, joyful, and more than a little funky.
Their albums Level Up (2021) and Big Easy Livin' (2022), both available from Louisiana Music Factory, show off the same spirit: from "Milenburg Joys" and "Clarinet Marmalade" to a frolicking "La Vie En Rose," it's music made for a good time and musicianship you can hear underneath it all.
