Kermit Ruffins

Trumpeter Kermit Ruffins is a modern day Louis Armstrong and backed by his incredibly talented band, The BBQ Swingers, is one of the funnest shows in town. Kermit is the definition of a local legend. Famous in the rest of the country for playing himself in the HBO series Treme, he’s beloved in New Orleans for his unique, yet classic style, while being extremely generous with the local community. Known as basically a Robin Hood figure throughout his hometown 6th Ward as well as the 9th Ward and Treme, Kermit regularly throws free barbecues for locals, shows up and performs for free for local fans’ birthdays and takes care of the people in his community. He’s incredibly funny and engaging on stage and is as gracious and accessible as a star could be with his fans. With an infectious smile, a never ending string of dad jokes, and a ruckus live show, Kermit is a can’t miss event anytime he’s playing nearby. With a weekly spot at Blue Nile Live on Frenchmen Street as well as a Monday set at his famous Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge where locals get in for free and there’s always free food to go along with his show, you’ll almost always have an opportunity to see him during a trip to New Orleans. If you plan on seeing him at Blue Nile make sure to buy tickets beforehand. Everyone in New Orleans knows what a great show this local legend puts on.

Trombone Shorty

Probably the most famous trombone player in the country now, and quite possibly in all of history. Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews is about as close to a rock star as you’ll ever seen in the brass instrument jazz genre. Seeing him play in person is like watching Lenny Kravitz in his prime. He just has a magnetic, rock star quality that’s hard to describe. He mixes standard New Orleans Jazz with rocking original pop songs as well as cool covers of rock music. One of New Orleans most famous modern act, he’s world renowned and a multi time Grammy nominee. His style blends Jazz, Funk, Rock, Pop and Hip-Hop. This isn’t your grandparents jazz, you’ll be on your feet dancing the entire time.

Washboard Chaz

Chaz Leary or as he’s known around New Orleans, Washboard Chaz, is about as local a legend as you’ll ever find. Most people outside of New Orleans have probably never heard of him, but in New Orleans he’s a local celebrity. His Washboard Chaz Blues Trio, featuring Chaz on vocals and a homemade washboard, Slim on steel guitar and Andy J Forrest on bass and harmonica, plays in New Orleans every weekend on Frenchmen Street, either at the Spotted Cat or Blue Nile Live. His delightful personality and his upbeat Chicago style blues and New Orleans swing make this a must see if you happen to be on Frenchmen Street while he’s playing. Try to get a seat near the pianee at the Spotted Cat while he’s playing.

Eric Lindell

Eric Lindell is a bit unique in his style for a local New Orleans music legend. As a transplant from California he’s not based in the typical New Orleans Jazz style that defines much of the local music scene. Eric combines funky, blues guitar licks, California-style rock and Louisiana swing into some of the best music coming out of New Orleans. Moving to New Orleans in 1999 and absorbing the ample musical stylings of the region into his already stellar guitar playing really took his music to a whole other level. Since then, Lindell has been a staple of New Orleans music and a regular at the New Orleans Heritage and Jazz Music Festival. If he isn’t touring nationally, you can find him at local bars like The Circle Bar, The Rock n’ Bowl and a host of other smaller music venues. Every show is different and he never fails to disappoint. Check out his debut album “Change in the Weather” and look him up before your trip to New Orleans to see if he’s playing anywhere locally, you won’t be disappointed if you drop in on one of his shows.

Grandpa Elliott

Also known as Uncle Remus, Grandpa Elliott is one of New Orleans most prolific street performers. Made famous by his role in the Playing for Change videos and subsequent band performances, Grandpa Elliott is best known for being one of the best harmonica players in the US and has a wonderful raspy singing voice that just oozes that old world blue charm. Completely blind as a result of glaucoma, you can still find this 75 year old legend playing for free on Royal Street in the French Quarter.

The Nevilles

In a city where dynastic families of musical genius seem to be more common than anywhere on earth, there isn’t a more prolific family than the Nevilles. The Meters and the subsequent reboot The Funky Meters featuring Art Neville are musical royalty, widely considered the originators of Funk music. The Neville Brothers featuring Charles, Cyril and Aaron Neville are renowned the world over, Dumpstaphunk featuring Ivan Neville is a locally treasured fusion band, and Charmaine Neville is a fantastic solo performer, all of which carry on the musical tradition of their Grandfather Charles. If you see any performance featuring a Neville, don’t walk past it, you won’t be disappointed.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

A testament to New Orleans pervasive reverence for the deep historical traditions of their culture and music, the band, who’s home is the Preservation Jazz Hall, has tasked itself with preserving the original format and style of traditional New Orleans Jazz. You can see them play regularly in the French Quarter at the Preservation Jazz Hall, where they play shows in a period specific room, keys unchanged from the 1930s, and refusing to use any modern amplification to keep the performance as traditional as possible. You can also see them playing regularly across the country on the music festival circuit where they often will add their traditional jazz music to modern performers like Jack Johnson, the Foo Fighters, My Morning Jacket and Neko Case.

Rebirth Brass Band

Originally founded in 1983 by famed tuba player Keith Frazier and trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, the band has gone through countless iterations and plenty of changed in their lineup of musicians as their stay players move on to solo careers. It’s a testament to their staying power that, like a musical Saturday Night Live, they routinely act as a top notch musician factory. The famous Andrew’s family has all seemed to take a turn playing in the band before moving on to successful solo careers. After Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, who got his name from being a small 5 year old with a trombone sitting in on performances, brothers and cousins Glen David Andrews, Glen Andrews, James Andrews, Revert “Peanut” Andrews have all played with the band along with other famous brass bands such as the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The New Breed Brass Band, The Kinfolk Brass Band, and The Hot 8 Brass Band. While you can never be sure who you’re actually going to see when you show up at a Rebirth Jazz Band show, you’ll always get a great show.

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Translating their street style jazz music to the big stage this band is world renowned for fusing different styles of music while always keeping true to their New Orleans Jazz and Soul roots. A huge band with international appeal, you won’t find them in any small venues around town, but on special occasions you can stumble onto quite the treat if they are playing at some of New Orleans’ many midsized music venues.

Irma Thomas

“The Soul Queen of New Orleans,” as she is commonly referred, is still dazzling crowds into her late 70s. With a style comparable to Aretha Franklin and Etta James, her annual JazzFest appearances are must sees every year.

The Dixie Cups

This 1960’s era girl pop group from New Orleans, best known for their nationwide hits “Iko Iko,” “Chapel of Love,” and “People Say” are another group known for their beloved annual JazzFest appearances.

Wynton Marsalis

This New Orleans legend is a virtuoso on the trumpet and a world renowned jazz composer. Wynton Marsalis has won 9 Grammy Awards and his Blood on the Fields album was the first jazz composition to win the Pulitzer Prize. This is a no joke expert in the field of jazz who’s name is often thrown around as possibly the greatest trumpeter to ever live. Never, and I mean never, turn down an opportunity to see Wynton Marsalis play his trumpet.

Doreen Ketchens

This local legend doesn’t generate much press outside of her hometown of New Orleans, but if you’ve ever walked down Royal Street in the French Quarter on a Saturday or Sunday, you’ve undoubtedly stopped and stop in awe at her jazz stylings on the clarinet. Combining dixieland and Trad Jazz she is one of the first and few female bandleaders in New Orleans and one of the best jazz clarinetists you’ll ever see. The best thing is you can see her almost every weekend for free on Royal Street. Just don’t forget to tip the band if you stop to enjoy the music.

Harry Connick Jr

There’s not much to say about world famous Harry Connick Jr that most readers probably don’t already know. However, most people don’t realize that Connick was born and raised in New Orleans and his music, while having worldwide appeal, is firmly based in New Orleans traditions.

Yes Ma’am

The best street band you’ve never heard of. Local steel guitarist and vocalist Matt Edens hails from rural North Carolina and plays a mean mash up of old blues, bluegrass, soul and New Orleans country. His voice though, soulful and raspy, really steals the show. Look them up before your trip and find out where they’re playing and make a point to swing by their show. It’s worth it. You can typically find them playing on Royal Street as well in plenty of local dives.