The epitome of “the New Orleans Sound” is a band with horns. Brass Bands are all horns plus snare and bass drums. Other bands combine the brass band flavor with a jazz rhythm section of guitar, bass, and trap drums.

Many of New Orleans brass musicians harken their local forefather, Louis Armstrong. Even today, New Orleans bands create music reminiscent of Satchmo’s days, combining traditional jazz, horns, swing, and that special New Orleans flair.

New Orleans pianists play in a funky junkanoo style created by legendary Professor Longhair. Whether on piano or Hammond B3 Organ, New Orleans keyboardists have a special rhythm that spices up any room.

Only in New Orleans! Mardi Gras Indians are a cultural community unique to New Orleans. Primarily African American, tribes of Mardi Gras Indians combine the Native American tradition of head dresses and feathered suits with the West Indies/ Caribbean flair of vivid colors and percussive energy. It is tradition for Mardi Gras Indians to parade and show off their new suits every year on Mardi Gras Day. They can perform their Indian chants and songs just with tambourines or with a full band.

A new breed of horn players have updated their sound with funk and high energy rock, yet never leaving their New Orleans brass influences behind.