Hal Smith began playing drums in 1963. He heard Ben Pollack, Nick Fatool, Wayne Jones and Fred Higuera in live performance and they are still four of his major influences. Later, Hal heard Minor “Ram” Hall’s recordings with Kid Ory’s Creole Jazz Band and became interested i... Read more

“Big” Luther Kent’s soulful voice and versatile repertoire – ranging from gospel to swing to traditional jazz – have made him a New Orleans household name. He’s performed around the world, and the Hall-of-Famer can often be heard with his own band, with The Dukes of Dixiela... Read more

Guitarist and banjo player Detroit Brooks was born into a New Orleans musical family with deep roots in the Southern gospel traditions. His father, George A. Brooks, performed with the Masonic Kings, his brother Mark is a world-renowned bassist, while his sister Juanita tou... Read more

Duke Heitger performs and records around the world as a traditional jazz trumpeter, but at home in New Orleans, he reigns as one of the longest tenured riverboat bandleaders, appearing regularly on the Steamboat Natchez with his band, the Steamboat Stompers. An Ohio native... Read more

Joshua “Jams” Marotta is a New Orleans based drummer focusing on traditional New Orleans jazz and brass band music. Jams was raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, and is forever grateful to the city of New Orleans, its amazing people and culture, and the musicians here who have g... Read more

A well established jazz trumpeter and vocalist specializing in traditional New Orleans jazz and South Louisiana music. Together with a variety of seasoned professional musicians, he plays all the classical "trad jazz" songs that have become synonymous with the city of New O... Read more

Whether you're looking for a big, swinging band or a small, jazzy ensemble, or mid-size variety and dance group, our eclectic library of music will keep your event jumpin' and jivin' or rockin' and rollin'. Good, quality musicians can play all types of music. That's Swingar... Read more

Brice Miller wears many hats in the New Orleans music landscape, most notably as a trumpeter and vocalist in several popular jazz bands, and also as a music educator and entrepreneur. The Grammy-nominated Miller was born in the Crescent City into a musical family; his fathe... Read more

John Rankin is a guitarist extraordinaire, educator, raconteur, and local personality who embodies the spirit of New Orleans in every performance. He has been described as a New Orleans hybrid of Leo Kottke and Chet Atkins, but his expansive style covers many genres. A vers... Read more

Herlin Riley is the drummer’s drummer, the go-to rhythm master who keeps the beat for Wynton Marsalis, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Ahmad Jamal, Harry Connick, Jr., and a host of other jazz greats as well as with his own combos. His impeccable chops on the kit and ... Read more