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Marquis Hill's Blacktet was terrific at the Big Ears Festival this year.

Mahmoud Chouki Live at the 2026 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (Munck Music)

Marquis Hill, New Gospel Revisited

Second Weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The first two days were shortened by bad weather. Second Thursday: Starting out with a first for me, opera at Jazz Fest, with OperaCreole in a rainstorm. Helen Gillet: A typically wonderful set (solo and duo with a percussionist) from the cellist/vocalist. Isaiah Collier: Based on his Big Ears Festival performance, I was really looking forward to this set. He had the same pianist and drummer as at Big Ears, plus a harp player and the outstanding New Orleans bassist Amina Scott. The first two songs were just as good as at Big Ears, including his grim Requiem. Then the festival abruptly closed due to weather. Very disappointing that the set was truncated. Trumpet Mafia: In the evening, a small group version of Ashlin Parker's Trumpet Mafia at Snug Harbor. Cyrille Aimee is guest vocalist. Second Friday: Victor Campbell: The virtuoso Cuban pianist provides an electrifying set, with mostly Cuban jazz musicians. Larry Sieberth Prewsents Da Groove: Larry Sieberth is a fine New Orleans based pianist, but I was expecting a misbegotten fusion project. It was the opposite, an exciting fusion band featuring David "Fuse" Fiuczynski on guitar and Danny Sadownick on percussion. The guitarist I knew played with Ronald Shannon Jackson but I had to look up the percussionist. Taylor Swift's drummer, slumming in the jazz tent. Terrence Blanchard with Ravi Coltrane: This was a tribute to Miles Davis and Coltrane, but they only performed songs associated with Miles Davis (50s and early 60s era). For some reason, this set did not quite work for me. A focus on electric Miles would have been more appropriate for the band. Second Saturday: The weather was perfect for the final two days and massive crowds showed up. On Saturday, there was a cover band called The Eagles on the biggest stage, which seemed to draw a lot of people. I on the other hand happily spent most of the day in Economy Hall. The Paulin Brothers Brass Band. Founded in 1907. Mark Braud's New Orleans Jazz Giants. Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers, with Dr. Michael White, Jamil Sharif, and Shaye Cohn. This set was tremendous. Leroy Jones & New Orleans' Finest. A contemporary giant of the trumpet playing in relative obscurity in New Orleans. Uptown Jazz Orchestra. This big band, led by Delfeayo Marsalis and playing weekly at Snug Harbor, is just fantastic, filled with hot soloists. Pandemonium ensues in the Jazz Tent. Sacred Sunday: Another beautiful day. Starting out with the Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet, playing mostly arrangements of Brian Wilson compositions. This works surprisingly well. Trumpet Mafia: Ashlin Parker's giant, trumpet-based big band, Trumpet Mafia (in recent years they have added a saxophone and trombone section), this year features Keyon Harrold as lead soloist, in a Miles Davis tribute that far eclipses the Terence Blanchar/Ravi Coltrane tribute. This covers all of Miles' eras and is a tremendously exciting set. Jackie Venson: Making her Jazz Fest debut in the Blues Tent, probably the best and most intense live performance by her I have seen. Lila Ike: Closing out the Fest in the small stage Cultural Pavillion for Jamaican reggae singer Lila Ike. Great vocalist. Fantastic. On the way out, I hear the very loud end of Whipping Post by the Tedeski Trucks Band from a safe distance..

May 8, 2026: Guitar Prasanna, Windmills, The Colony May 9, 2026: Hiromi's Sonic Wonder, Cullen Theater, Houston Guitar Prasanna, Windmills, The Colony David Lee Jones, Monk's Jazz Club, Austin May 16, 2026: Chucho Valdes, Paramount Theater, Austin Sandip Chatterjee (Violin) & Subhajyoti Guha (Tabla), Kathak Rhythm Studios, Plano May 17, 2026: Lucia, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston May 21, 2026: Stockton Helbing, Bank of America Theater, Richardson May 23, 2026: Ken Vandermark, Monk's Jazz Club, Austin May 30, 2026: Jackie Venson, Beer City Music Hall, Oklahoma City June 2, 2026: Chuck Redd, JazzTX, San Antonio0 June 6, 2026: L Shankar (double violin), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin Abhisek Lahiri (Sarod) & Subrata Bhattacharya (Tabla), Kathak Rhythm Studios, Plano June 7, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Unity of Dallas June 8, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Bates Recital Hall, Austin June 9, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Dianne Benaco Concert Hall, San Antonio June 10, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Bayou Theater, Houston Bill Charlap Trio, Parker Jazz Club, Austin June 11, 2026: Shelley Carrol, Bank of America Theater, Richardson June 12, 2026: Bill Charlap, JazzTX, San Antonio June 13, 2026: Bill Charlap Trio, Windmills, The Colony June 17, 2026: Hamilton de Holanda Trio, JazzTX, San Antonio June 19, 2026: Mohini Dey, Windmills, The Colony June 20, 2026: Mohini Dey, Windmills, The Colony June 26, 2026: Oz Noy, Windmills, the Colony June 27, 2026: Oz Noy, Windmills, The Colony August 22, 2026: S. Akash (flute) & Vivek Pandya (tabla)/ Manas Kumar (violin) and Ojas Adhiya (tabla), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin August 27, 2026: Buddy Guy, Majestic Theater, San Antonio August 28, 2026: Buddy Guy, Austin City Limits August 29, 2026: Buddy Guy, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands August 30, 2026: Buddy Guy, Majestic Theater, Dallas September 5, 2026: Samara Joy, Afro4 Jazz Band (Nigeria), Riverfront Jazz Festival, Dallas October 10, 2026: Niladri Kumar (sitar), Stafford Center, Houston October 11, 2026: Niladri Kumar (sitar), Austin October 18, L. Shankar (violin), Selvaganesh Vinayakram, Swaminathan, Amit Kaythekar (percussion), Matchbox4, Houston

First Weekend of New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival First Thursday: Starting and ending the day with Mali guitar great Vieux Farka Toure (Blues Tent and Cultural Pavillion). Fantastic. Peter Harris Presents Double Bird: Bassist Peter Harris presides over different jazz groups four nights a week at the Bayou Bar in New Orleans. Aurora Nealand the the Royal Roses (Special Edition). I had not seen the Royal Roses since 2022 at the Big Ears Festival. This lineup featured three reed players (Rex Gregory and James Evans). Started off with an amazing composition taken from a Punch Miller piano roll. There were also Ellington and Sidney Bechet songs. Set was ecstatic. First Friday: Ex-Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio guitarist Jimmy James now has his own organ trio, Parlor Greens. He's a real fine guitarist and the group was quite exciting. Wendell Brunious: In Economy Hall, but more of a swing era style small group led by New Orleans trumpet icon Wendell Brunious. This group really swung hard, with William Moten on bass and the groove master Herlin Riley on drums. Tribute to Ragtime Piano, with David Boeddinghaus, Tom McDermott, and Terry Waldo. Each pianist played for twenty minutes. I gather Terry Waldo is the best known but Tom McDermott was the best of the three. Adonis Rose Orchestra with Andromeda Turre: Formerly the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. Excellent big band. Andromeda Turre (Steve Turre's daughter) joined on vocals for the second half of the set. She was good. Hiromi's Sonic Wonder: Featured Adam O'Farrell on trumpet. This is Hiromi's version of a fusion band. The compositions were elaborate and her virtuosity was very impressive. Very good set. First Saturday: Hordes of Stevie Nicks fans descended on the Fairgrounds, making for an overcrowded mess. My schedule was light and I left early. David Bode Big Band: A new to me saxophonist/leader. It was a solid big band, including Rex Gregory. Mahmoud Chouki: My favorite New Orleans based Jazz musician on acoustic guitar and oud, with a band including Ricardo Pascal on saxophone and Oscar Rossignoli on piano, performed another electrifying set. First Sunday: Roger Lewis Baritone Bliss: Four baritone saxophonists, plus bass saxophone and drums. Started off with a dedication to Kidd Jordan. A very pleasant surprise as this set was outstanding. Catherine Russell (interview and performance in Economy Hall): This woman is really a great vocalist. Ron Carter Foresight Quartet: With Jimmy Greene on saxophone and Rene Rosnes on piano, at 89 Ron Carter was an ageless wonder, sounding just as good as ever. Wonderful set.

April 29, 2026: Robert Cray, Heights Theater, Houston April 30, 2026: Isaiah Collier (The World is on Fire), Steve Masakowski Family Band, Sasha Masakowsti as Trash Magnolia, Helen Gillet, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Poor David's Pub, Dallas May 1, 2026: Terence Blanchard with Ravi Coltrane; Charlie Gabriel; Victor Campbell, Stephen Walker, D.K. Harrell, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Jackie Venson, Main Street Crossing, Tombull May 2, 2026: Dianne Reeves; Uptown Jazz Orchestra; Alexey Marti, Leroy Jones, Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers feat. Dr. Michael White and Shaye Cohn, Larry McCray, Leyla McCalla, , New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Kenny Garrett, Jazz and Blues Market, New Orleans Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan (sitar), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin May 3, 2026: Herbie Hancock; Jason Marsalis, Trumpet Mafia featuring Keyon Harold, Jackie Venson, Lila Ike (Jamaica), Doreen's Jazz New Orleans, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 8, 2026: Guitar Prasanna, Windmills, The Colony May 9, 2026: Hiromi's Sonic Wonder, Cullen Theater, Houston Guitar Prasanna, Windmills, The Colony May 16, 2026: Chucho Valdes, Paramount Theater, Austin Sandip Chatterjee (Violin) & Subhajyoti Guha (Tabla), Kathak Rhythm Studios, Plano May 17, 2026: Lucia, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston May 21, 2026, Stockton Helbing, Bank of America Theater, Richardson May 30, 2026: Jackie Venson, Beer City Music Hall, Oklahoma City June 6, 2026: L Shankar (double violin), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin Abhisek Lahiri (Sarod) & Subrata Bhattacharya (Tabla), Kathak Rhythm Studios, Plano June 7, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Unity of Dallas June 8, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Bates Recital Hall, Austin June 9, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Dianne Benaco Concert Hall, San Antonio June 10, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Bayou Theater, Houston June 11, 2026: Shelley Carrol, Bank of America Theater, Richardson June 19, 2026: Mohini Dey, Windmills, The Colony June 20, 2026: Mohini Dey, Windmills, The Colony June 26, 2026: Oz Noy, Windmills, the Colony June 27, 2026: Oz Noy, Windmills, The Colony August 22, 2026: S. Akash (flute) & Vivek Pandya (tabla)/ Manas Kumar (violin) and Ojas Adhiya (tabla), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin August 27, 2026: Buddy Guy, Majestic Theater, San Antonio August 28, 2026: Buddy Guy, Austin City Limits August 29, 2026: Buddy Guy, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands August 30, 2026: Buddy Guy, Majestic Theater, Dallas September 5, 2026: Samara Joy, Riverfront Jazz Festival, Dallas October 10, 2026: Niladri Kumar (sitar), Stafford Center, Houston October 11, 2026: Niladri Kumar (sitar), Austin October 18, L. Shankar (violin), Selvaganesh Vinayakram, Swaminathan, Amit Kaythekar (percussion), Matchbox4, Houston

Darius Jones, Legend of e'Boi

April 18, 2026: Wendell Brunious, Victor Campbell, Joy Clark, Secret Six Jazz Band, Stephen Walker, Shake Em Up Jazz Band, Jamil Sharif, Marlon Jordan, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 19, 2026: Tuba Skinny, Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Rod Paulin, Astral Project, Helen Gillet, Leyla McCalla, Louis Ford, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 23, 2026: Nicholas Payton featuring Butcher Brown Presents the Supreme Blue, Monty Alexander "Jamericana", Charlie Musselwhite, Kyle Roussel, Kenny Neal, Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Nidia Gongora (Columbia); Yusa (Cuba), Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Jamil Sharif, Peter Harris Presents Double Bird, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 24, 2026: Hiromi's Sonicwonder, Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra featuring Andromeda Turre, Astral Project, Parlor Greens (w/Jimmy James), Tribute to Ragtime Piano Legends feat. Terry Waldo, Tom McDermott, and David Boeddinghaus, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Sevana (Jamaica), Joy Clark, Wendell Brunious, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Natu Camera (Guinea), Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette April 25, 2026: Mahmoud Chouki, Louis Ford, Little Freddie King, Dr. Nativo (Guatemala), New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Delgres (Guadeloupe), Natu Camera (Guinea), Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette Bnois King, Stevie Ray Vaughn Park, Cockrell Hill April 26, 2026: Ron Carter Quartet, Catherine Russell, Roger Lewis and Baritone Bliss, Love Is Supreme: A Tribute to John Coltrane feat. Derek Douget, Trevarri Huff-Boone and Ricardo Pascal, Chris Thomas King, Tuba Skinny, People Museum, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Delgres (Guadeloupe), Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Dr. Nativo (Guatamala), Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette April 28, 2026: Robert Cray, Empire Theater, San Antonio Joe Alterman, JazzTX, San Antonio April 29, 2026: Robert Cray, Heights Theater, Houston April 30, 2026: Isaiah Collier (The World is on Fire), Steve Masakowski Family Band, Sasha Masakowsti as Trash Magnolia, Helen Gillet, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Poor David's Pub, Dallas May 1, 2026: Terence Blanchard with Ravi Coltrane; Charlie Gabriel; Victor Campbell, Stephen Walker, D.K. Harrell, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Jackie Venson, Main Street Crossing, Tombull May 2, 2026: Dianne Reeves; Uptown Jazz Orchestra; Alexey Marti, Leroy Jones, Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers feat. Dr. Michael White and Shaye Cohn, Larry McCray, Leyla McCalla, , New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Kenny Garrett, Jazz and Blues Market, New Orleans Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan (sitar), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin May 3, 2026: Herbie Hancock; Jason Marsalis, Trumpet Mafia featuring Keyon Harold, Jackie Venson, Lila Ike (Jamaica), Doreen's Jazz New Orleans, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 8, 2026: Guitar Prasanna, Windmills, The Colony May 9, 2026: Hiromi's Sonic Wonder, Cullen Theater, Houston Guitar Prasanna, Windmills, The Colony May 16, 2026: Chucho Valdes, Paramount Theater, Austin Sandip Chatterjee (Violin) & Subhajyoti Guha (Tabla), Kathak Rhythm Studios, Plano May 17, 2026: Lucia, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston May 21, 2026, Stockton Helbing, Bank of America Theater, Richardson May 30, 2026: Jackie Venson, Beer City Music Hall, Oklahoma City June 6, 2026: L Shankar (double violin), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin Abhisek Lahiri (Sarod) & Subrata Bhattacharya (Tabla), Kathak Rhythm Studios, Plano June 7, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Unity of Dallas June 8, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Bates Recital Hall, Austin June 9, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Dianne Benaco Concert Hall, San Antonio June 10, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Bayou Theater, Houston June 11, 2026: Shelley Carrol, Bank of America Theater, Richardson June 19, 2026: Mohini Dey, Windmills, The Colony June 20, 2026: Mohini Dey, Windmills, The Colony June 26, 2026: Oz Noy, Windmills, the Colony June 27, 2026: Oz Noy, Windmills, The Colony August 22, 2026: S. Akash (flute) & Vivek Pandya (tabla)/ Manas Kumar (violin) and Ojas Adhiya (tabla), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin August 27, 2026: Buddy Guy, Majestic Theater, San Antonio August 28, 2026: Buddy Guy, Austin City Limits August 29, 2026: Buddy Guy, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands August 30, 2026: Buddy Guy, Majestic Theater, Dallas October 10, 2026: Niladri Kumar (sitar), Stafford Center, Houston October 11, 2026: Niladri Kumar (sitar), Austin October 18, L. Shankar (violin), Selvaganesh Vinayakram, Swaminathan, Amit Kaythekar (percussion), Matchbox4, Houston

Me too.

April 16, 2026: Leroy Jones, Yusa and Mahmoud Chouki, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 17, 2026: Eddie Gomez Trio, Scat Jazz, Fort Worth Kyle Roussel, Joe Lastie, People Museum, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 18, 2026: Wendell Brunious, Victor Campbell, Joy Clark, Secret Six Jazz Band, Stephen Walker, Shake Em Up Jazz Band, Jamil Sharif, Marlon Jordan, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 19, 2026: Tuba Skinny, Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Rod Paulin, Astral Project, Helen Gillet, Leyla McCalla, Louis Ford, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 23, 2026: Nicholas Payton featuring Butcher Brown Presents the Supreme Blue, Monty Alexander "Jamericana", Charlie Musselwhite, Kyle Roussel, Kenny Neal, Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Nidia Gongora (Columbia); Yusa (Cuba), Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Jamil Sharif, Peter Harris Presents Double Bird, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 24, 2026: Hiromi's Sonicwonder, Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra featuring Andromeda Turre, Astral Project, Parlor Greens (w/Jimmy James), Tribute to Ragtime Piano Legends feat. Terry Waldo, Tom McDermott, and David Boeddinghaus, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Sevana (Jamaica), Joy Clark, Wendell Brunious, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Natu Camera (Guinea), Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette April 25, 2026: Mahmoud Chouki, Louis Ford, Little Freddie King, Dr. Nativo (Guatemala), New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Delgres (Guadeloupe), Natu Camera (Guinea), Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette April 26, 2026: Ron Carter Quartet, Catherine Russell, Roger Lewis and Baritone Bliss, Love Is Supreme: A Tribute to John Coltrane feat. Derek Douget, Trevarri Huff-Boone and Ricardo Pascal, Chris Thomas King, Tuba Skinny, People Museum, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Delgres (Guadeloupe), Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Dr. Nativo (Guatamala), Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette April 28, 2026: Robert Cray, Empire Theater, San Antonio Joe Alterman, JazzTX, San Antonio April 29, 2026: Robert Cray, Heights Theater, Houston April 30, 2026: Isaiah Collier (The World is on Fire), Steve Masakowski Family Band, Sasha Masakowsti as Trash Magnolia, Helen Gillet, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 1, 2026: Terence Blanchard with Ravi Coltrane; Charlie Gabriel; Victor Campbell, Stephen Walker, D.K. Harrell, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Jackie Venson, Main Street Crossing, Tombull May 2, 2026: Dianne Reeves; Uptown Jazz Orchestra; Alexey Marti, Leroy Jones, Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers feat. Dr. Michael White and Shaye Cohn, Larry McCray, Leyla McCalla, , New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Kenny Garrett, Jazz and Blues Market, New Orleans Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan (sitar), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin May 3, 2026: Herbie Hancock; Jason Marsalis, Trumpet Mafia featuring Keyon Harold, Jackie Venson, Lila Ike (Jamaica), Doreen's Jazz New Orleans, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 8, 2026: Guitar Prasanna, Windmills, The Colony May 9, 2026: Hiromi's Sonic Wonder, Cullen Theater, Houston Guitar Prasanna, Windmills, The Colony May 16, 2026: Chucho Valdes, Paramount Theater, Austin Sandip Chatterjee (Violin) & Subhajyoti Guha (Tabla), Kathak Rhythm Studios, Plano May 17, 2026: Lucia, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston May 21, 2026, Stockton Helbing, Bank of America Theater, Richardson May 30, 2026: Jackie Venson, Beer City Music Hall, Oklahoma City June 6, 2026: L Shankar (double violin), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin Abhisek Lahiri (Sarod) & Subrata Bhattacharya (Tabla), Kathak Rhythm Studios, Plano June 7, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Unity of Dallas June 8, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Bates Recital Hall, Austin June 9, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Dianne Benaco Concert Hall, San Antonio June 10, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Bayou Theater, Houston June 11, 2026: Shelley Carrol, Bank of America Theater, Richardson June 19, 2026: Mohini Dey, Windmills, The Colony June 20, 2026: Mohini Dey, Windmills, The Colony June 26, 2026: Oz Noy, Windmills, the Colony June 27, 2026: Oz Noy, Windmills, The Colony August 22, 2026: S. Akash (flute) & Vivek Pandya (tabla)/ Manas Kumar (violin) and Ojas Adhiya (tabla), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin August 27, 2026: Buddy Guy, Majestic Theater, San Antonio August 28, 2026: Buddy Guy, Austin City Limits August 29, 2026: Buddy Guy, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands August 30, 2026: Buddy Guy, Majestic Theater, Dallas October 10, 2026: Niladri Kumar (sitar), Stafford Center, Houston October 11, 2026: Niladri Kumar (sitar), Austin October 18, L. Shankar (violin), Selvaganesh Vinayakram, Swaminathan, Amit Kaythekar (percussion), Matchbox4, Houston

Paull Cornish, You're Exaggerating! (Blue Note)

April 12, 2026: John Beasley's Unlimited Miles (John Beasley, Mark Turner, Sean Jones or Marquis Hill, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ben Williams, Terreon Gu)), Eisemann Center, Richardson April 16, 2026: Leroy Jones, Yusa and Mahmoud Chouki, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 17, 2026: Eddie Gomez Trio, Scat Jazz, Fort Worth Kyle Roussel, Joe Lastie, People Museum, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 18, 2026: Wendell Brunious, Victor Campbell, Joy Clark, Secret Six Jazz Band, Stephen Walker, Shake Em Up Jazz Band, Jamil Sharif, Marlon Jordan, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 19, 2026: Tuba Skinny, Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Rod Paulin, Astral Project, Helen Gillet, Leyla McCalla, Louis Ford, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 23, 2026: Nicholas Payton featuring Butcher Brown Presents the Supreme Blue, Monty Alexander "Jamericana", Charlie Musselwhite, Kyle Roussel, Kenny Neal, Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Nidia Gongora (Columbia); Yusa (Cuba), Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Jamil Sharif, Peter Harris Presents Double Bird, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 24, 2026: Hiromi's Sonicwonder, Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra featuring Andromeda Turre, Astral Project, Parlor Greens (w/Jimmy James), Tribute to Ragtime Piano Legends feat. Terry Waldo, Tom McDermott, and David Boeddinghaus, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Sevana (Jamaica), Joy Clark, Wendell Brunious, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Natu Camera (Guinea), Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette April 25, 2026: Mahmoud Chouki, Louis Ford, Little Freddie King, Dr. Nativo (Guatemala), New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Delgres (Guadeloupe), Natu Camera (Guinea), Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette April 26, 2026: Ron Carter Quartet, Catherine Russell, Roger Lewis and Baritone Bliss, Love Is Supreme: A Tribute to John Coltrane feat. Derek Douget, Trevarri Huff-Boone and Ricardo Pascal, Chris Thomas King, Tuba Skinny, People Museum, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Delgres (Guadeloupe), Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Dr. Nativo (Guatamala), Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette April 28, 2026: Robert Cray, Empire Theater, San Antonio Joe Alterman, JazzTX, San Antonio April 29, 2026: Robert Cray, Heights Theater, Houston April 30, 2026: Isaiah Collier (The World is on Fire), Steve Masakowski Family Band, Sasha Masakowsti as Trash Magnolia, Helen Gillet, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 1, 2026: Terence Blanchard with Ravi Coltrane; Charlie Gabriel; Victor Campbell, Stephen Walker, D.K. Harrell, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Jackie Venson, Main Street Crossing, Tombull May 2, 2026: Dianne Reeves; Uptown Jazz Orchestra; Alexey Marti, Leroy Jones, Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers feat. Dr. Michael White and Shaye Cohn, Larry McCray, Leyla McCalla, , New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Kenny Garrett, Jazz and Blues Market, New Orleans Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan (sitar), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin May 3, 2026: Herbie Hancock; Jason Marsalis, Trumpet Mafia featuring Keyon Harold, Jackie Venson, Lila Ike (Jamaica), Doreen's Jazz New Orleans, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 8, 2026: Guitar Prasanna, Windmills, The Colony May 9, 2026: Hiromi's Sonic Wonder, Cullen Theater, Houston Guitar Prasanna, Windmills, The Colony May 16, 2026: Chucho Valdes, Paramount Theater, Austin Sandip Chatterjee (Violin) & Subhajyoti Guha (Tabla), Kathak Rhythm Studios, Plano May 17, 2026: Lucia, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston May 30, 2026: Jackie Venson, Beer City Music Hall, Oklahoma City June 6, 2026: L Shankar (double violin), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin Abhisek Lahiri (Sarod) & Subrata Bhattacharya (Tabla), Kathak Rhythm Studios, Plano June 7, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Unity of Dallas June 8, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Bates Recital Hall, Austin June 9, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Dianne Benaco Concert Hall, San Antonio June 10, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Bayou Theater, Houston June 19, 2026: Mohini Dey, Windmills, The Colony June 20, 2026: Mohini Dey, Windmills, The Colony June 26, 2026: Oz Noy, Windmills, the Colony June 27, 2026: Oz Noy, Windmills, The Colony August 22, 2026: S. Akash (flute) & Vivek Pandya (tabla)/ Manas Kumar (violin) and Ojas Adhiya (tabla), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin August 27, 2026: Buddy Guy, Majestic Theater, San Antonio August 28, 2026: Buddy Guy, Austin City Limits August 29, 2026: Buddy Guy, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands August 30, 2026: Buddy Guy, Majestic Theater, Dallas October 10, 2026: Niladri Kumar (sitar), Stafford Center, Houston October 11, 2026: Niladri Kumar (sitar), Austin October 18, L. Shankar (violin), Selvaganesh Vinayakram, Swaminathan, Amit Kaythekar (percussion), Matchbox4, Houston

Gerald Clayton, Ones & Twos (Blue Note)

SML (Small, Medium, Large) (International Anthem)

Shabaka, Of the Earth

Miles Okazaki, The Sky Below (Pi)

I last saw her in September of 2024. She had Lonnie Plaxico on bass, Herlin Riley on drums, Kelvyn Bell on guitar, and the second guitarist may have been Kevin Breit. I don't recall the keyboard player. It was an excellent concert. Her voice may not be quite as rich as when she was young, but she still sang beautifully.

April 2, 2026: Kaia Kater, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Little Rock, Arkansas Samora Joy, Austin City Limits April 4, 2026: Samora Joy, Tobin Center, San Antonio Melissa Aldana, Bates Recital Hall, Austin April 7, 2026: John Fedchock, Parker Jazz Club, Austin April 10, 2026: Coltrane at 100 (Joe Lovano, Melissa Aldana, Ndudzo Makhathini, Matt Garrison, Jefftain Watts), Cullen Theater, Houston Shelley Carrol, Scat Jazz, Fort Worth April 11, 2026: Rakesh Charaurasia (flute) and Amit Kavthekar (tabla), Matchbox4, Houston Bnois King, Balcony Club, Dallas April 12, 2026: John Beasley's Unlimited Miles (John Beasley, Mark Turner, Sean Jones or Marquis Hill, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ben Williams, Terreon Gu)), Eisemann Center, Richardson April 16, 2026: Leroy Jones, Yusa and Mahmoud Chouki, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 17, 2026: Eddie Gomez Trio, Scat Jazz, Fort Worth Kyle Roussel, Joe Lastie, People Museum, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 18, 2026: Wendell Brunious, Victor Campbell, Joy Clark, Secret Six Jazz Band, Stephen Walker, Shake Em Up Jazz Band, Jamil Sharif, Marlon Jordan, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 19, 2026: Tuba Skinny, Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Rod Paulin, Astral Project, Helen Gillet, Leyla McCalla, Louis Ford, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 22-26, Delgres (Guadeloupe), Natu Camera (Guinea), Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette April 23, 2026: Nicholas Payton featuring Butcher Brown Presents the Supreme Blue, Monty Alexander "Jamericana", Charlie Musselwhite, Kyle Roussel, Kenny Neal, Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Nidia Gongora (Columbia); Yusa (Cuba), Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Jamil Sharif, Peter Harris Presents Double Bird, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 24, 2026: Hiromi's Sonicwonder, Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra featuring Andromeda Turre, Astral Project, Parlor Greens (w/Jimmy James), Tribute to Ragtime Piano Legends feat. Terry Waldo, Tom McDermott, and David Boeddinghaus, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Sevana (Jamaica), Joy Clark, Wendell Brunious, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 25, 2026: Mahmoud Chouki, Louis Ford, Little Freddie King, Dr. Nativo (Guatemala), New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 26, 2026: Ron Carter Quartet, Catherine Russell, Roger Lewis and Baritone Bliss, Love Is Supreme: A Tribute to John Coltrane feat. Derek Douget, Trevarri Huff-Boone and Ricardo Pascal, Chris Thomas King, Tuba Skinny, People Museum, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festiva April 28, 2026: Robert Cray, Empire Theater, San Antonio Joe Alterman, JazzTX, San Antonio April 29, 2026: Robert Cray, Heights Theater, Houston April 30, 2026: Isaiah Collier (The World is on Fire), Steve Masakowski Family Band, Sasha Masakowsti as Trash Magnolia, Helen Gillet, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 1, 2026: Terence Blanchard with Ravi Coltrane; Charlie Gabriel; Victor Campbell, Stephen Walker, D.K. Harrell, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Jackie Venson, Main Street Crossing, Tombull May 2, 2026: Dianne Reeves; Uptown Jazz Orchestra; Alexey Marti, Leroy Jones, Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers feat. Dr. Michael White and Shaye Cohn, Larry McCray, Leyla McCalla, , New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Kenny Garrett, Jazz and Blues Market, New Orleans Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan (sitar), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin May 3, 2026: Herbie Hancock; Jason Marsalis, Trumpet Mafia featuring Keyon Harold, Jackie Venson, Lila Ike (Jamaica), Doreen's Jazz New Orleans, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 8, 2026: Guitar Prasanna, Windmills, The Colony May 9, 2026: Hiromi's Sonic Wonder, Cullen Theater, Houston Guitar Prasanna, Windmills, The Colony May 16, 2026: Chucho Valdes, Paramount Theater, Austin Sandip Chatterjee (Violin) & Subhajyoti Guha (Tabla), Kathak Rhythm Studios, Plano May 17, 2026: Lucia, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston May 30, 2026: Jackie Venson, Beer City Music Hall, Oklahoma City June 6, 2026: L Shankar (double violin), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin Abhisek Lahiri (Sarod) & Subrata Bhattacharya (Tabla), Kathak Rhythm Studios, Plano June 7, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Unity of Dallas June 8, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Bates Recital Hall, Austin June 9, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Dianne Benaco Concert Hall, San Antonio June 10, 2026: Eleonora Strino Duo, Bayou Theater, Houston June 19, 2026: Mohini Dey, Windmills, The Colony June 20, 2026: Mohini Dey, Windmills, The Colony June 26, 2026: Oz Noy, Windmills, the Colony June 27, 2026: Oz Noy, Windmills, The Colony August 22, 2026: S. Akash (flute) & Vivek Pandya (tabla)/ Manas Kumar (violin) and Ojas Adhiya (tabla), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin August 27, 2026: Buddy Guy, Majestic Theater, San Antonio August 28, 2026: Buddy Guy, Austin City Limits August 29, 2026: Buddy Guy, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands August 30, 2026: Buddy Guy, Majestic Theater, Dallas October 10, 2026: Niladri Kumar (sitar), Stafford Center, Houston October 11, 2026: Niladri Kumar (sitar), Austin October 18, L. Shankar (violin), Selvaganesh Vinayakram, Swaminathan, Amit Kaythekar (percussion), Matchbox4, Houston

At the 2026 Big Ears Festival: Ches Smith Clone Row; Isaiah Collier; Carlos Nino/Surya Botofasina/Aaron Shaw Trio; Nik Bartsch (solo piano); Jeff Parker Expansion Trio; Roscoe Mitchell and Tyshawn Sorey; Miles Okazaki Trickster; John Scofield Trio; Brian Marsella Trio; Kunal Gunjal; Saraswathi Ranganathan; Purbayan Chatterjee; Marquis Hill Blacktet; Hania Rani; Darius Jones Trio; Julian Lage Quartet; Either/Orchestra Plays Ethiopiques; Openness Trio.

Not far off. I was in the front row, leaning on the rail, on the far left facing the stage.

April 1, 2026: Samara Joy, Winspear Opera House, Dallas Pat Metheny Side-Eye III, Majestic Theater, Dallas April 2, 2026: Kaia Kater, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Little Rock, Arkansas Samora Joy, Austin City Limits April 4, 2026: Samora Joy, Tobin Center, San Antonio Melissa Aldana, Bates Recital Hall, Austin April 7, 2026: John Fedchock, Parker Jazz Club, Austin April 10, 2026: Coltrane at 100 (Joe Lovano, Melissa Aldana, Ndudzo Makhathini, Matt Garrison, Jefftain Watts), Cullen Theater, Houston Shelley Carrol, Scat Jazz, Fort Worth April 11, 2026: Rakesh Charaurasia (flute) and Amit Kavthekar (tabla), Matchbox4, Houston Bnois King, Balcony Club, Dallas April 12, 2026: John Beasley's Unlimited Miles (John Beasley, Mark Turner, Sean Jones or Marquis Hill, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ben Williams, Terreon Gu)), Eisemann Center, Richardson April 16, 2026: Leroy Jones, Yusa and Mahmoud Chouki, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 17, 2026: Eddie Gomez Trio, Scat Jazz, Fort Worth Kyle Roussel, Joe Lastie, People Museum, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 18, 2026: Wendell Brunious, Victor Campbell, Joy Clark, Secret Six Jazz Band, Stephen Walker, Shake Em Up Jazz Band, Jamil Sharif, Marlon Jordan, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 19, 2026: Tuba Skinny, Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Rod Paulin, Astral Project, Helen Gillet, Leyla McCalla, Louis Ford, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans April 22-26, Delgres (Guadeloupe), Natu Camera (Guinea), Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette April 23, 2026: Nicholas Payton featuring Butcher Brown Presents the Supreme Blue, Monty Alexander "Jamericana", Charlie Musselwhite, Kyle Roussel, Kenny Neal, Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Nidia Gongora (Columbia); Yusa (Cuba), Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Jamil Sharif, Peter Harris Presents Double Bird, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 24, 2026: Hiromi's Sonicwonder, Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra featuring Andromeda Turre, Astral Project, Parlor Greens (w/Jimmy James), Tribute to Ragtime Piano Legends feat. Terry Waldo, Tom McDermott, and David Boeddinghaus, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Sevana (Jamaica), Joy Clark, Wendell Brunious, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 25, 2026: Mahmoud Chouki, Louis Ford, Little Freddie King, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 26, 2026: Ron Carter Quartet, Catherine Russell, Roger Lewis and Baritone Bliss, Love Is Supreme: A Tribute to John Coltrane feat. Derek Douget, Trevarri Huff-Boone and Ricardo Pascal, Chris Thomas King, Tuba Skinny, People Museum, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festiva April 28, 2026: Robert Cray, Empire Theater, San Antonio Joe Alterman, JazzTX, San Antonio April 29, 2026: Robert Cray, Heights Theater, Houston April 30, 2026: Isaiah Collier (The World is on Fire), Steve Masakowski Family Band, Sasha Masakowsti as Trash Magnolia, Helen Gillet, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 1, 2026: Terence Blanchard with Ravi Coltrane; Charlie Gabriel; Victor Campbell, Stephen Walker, D.K. Harrell, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Jackie Venson, Main Street Crossing, Tombull May 2, 2026: Dianne Reeves; Uptown Jazz Orchestra; Alexey Marti, Leroy Jones, Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers feat. Dr. Michael White and Shaye Cohn, Larry McCray, Leyla McCalla, , New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Kenny Garrett, Jazz and Blues Market, New Orleans Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan (sitar), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin May 3, 2026: Herbie Hancock; Jason Marsalis, Trumpet Mafia featuring Keyon Harold, Jackie Venson, Lila Ike (Jamaica), Doreen's Jazz New Orleans, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 8, 2026: Guitar Prasanna, Windmills, The Colony May 9, 2026: Hiromi's Sonic Wonder, Cullen Theater, Houston Guitar Prasanna, Windmills, The Colony May 16, 2026: Chucho Valdes, Paramount Theater, Austin Sandip Chatterjee (Violin) & Subhajyoti Guha (Tabla), Kathak Rhythm Studios, Plano May 17, 2026: Lucia, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston May 30, 2026: Jackie Venson, Beer City Music Hall, Oklahoma City June 6, 2026: L Shankar (double violin), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin Abhisek Lahiri (Sarod) & Subrata Bhattacharya (Tabla), Kathak Rhythm Studios, Plano August 22, 2026: S. Akash (flute) & Vivek Pandya (tabla)/ Manas Kumar (violin) and Ojas Adhiya (tabla), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin August 27, 2026: Buddy Guy, Majestic Theater, San Antonio August 28, 2026: Buddy Guy, Austin City Limits August 29, 2026: Buddy Guy, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands August 30, 2026: Buddy Guy, Majestic Theater, Dallas October 10, 2026: Niladri Kumar (sitar), Stafford Center, Houston October 11, 2026: Niladri Kumar (sitar), Austin October 18, L. Shankar (violin), Selvaganesh Vinayakram, Swaminathan, Amit Kaythekar (percussion), Matchbox4, Houston

Teddy Edwards, Heart and Soul

I missed your message. I did attend. I've never seen a bass saxophone played in person before, much less by a very elegantly attired 85 year old.