Music of New Orleans

Music of New Orleans
Jazz Was Just the Beginning

When WWL TV’s Eric Paulsen asked Fats Domino if he got to meet the Beatles when they were in New Orleans in 1964, he famously replied, “No, they got to meet me.” While amusing, his statement was actually true. The Fab Four, like most rockers, were inspired and influenced by “The Fat Man,” and requested the meeting themselves.

New Orleans may be famous as the birthplace of jazz, but our role in the evolution of music is much more recent than that. Everybody knows New Orleans gave the world Louis Armstrong, but this city was also the force behind Buddy Bolden, King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Prima, Sidney Bechet, Mahalia Jackson, Pete Fountain, Danny Barker, Dave Bartholomew, Harold Battiste, James Booker, Ernie K. Doe, Frankie Ford, Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, the Dixie Cups, the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, the Meters, Harry Connick, Jr., Terence Blanchard, the entire Marsalis family, Lil Wayne, Mannie Fresh, Master P, and Big Freedia…and we’re just getting started. You never NOLA who the city will inspire next.

Go to: A Day of Music Itinerary

Bourbon Street and Beyond.

Some visitors make the mistake of looking for music only on Bourbon Street – don’t be one of them. More than 80 clubs all over the city offer live music. Follow the music to the clubs on Frenchmen Street, Uptown and the Arts/Warehouse District. Jazz, zydeco, swamp pop, blues, funk, R&B, country, rock, bounce…America’s music was born in New Orleans and it’s still growing up here. Come discover it.

Start Your Musical Adventure with the Clubs Listed Below.

• 

  Maison Bourbon Jazz Club

  A Vieux Carre Venue, the famous Maison Bourbon Jazz Club is one of only two jazz clubs still existing on Bourbon Street, where tourists flock to be entertained by accomplished jazz performers.
• 

  My Bar @635

  A Vieux Carre Venue, My Bar @635 offers genuine New Orleans music every night of the week, from jazz and blues to Cajun/Zydeco and R&B. Venture out back to enjoy My Bar's petite courtyard in between sets!
• 

  The Bombay Club

  This upscale, cozy club, decorated in a British gentlemen's tastes, boasts it all: great drinks, delicious food and nightly live music. Come relax and enjoy one of the Bombay Club's many specialty cocktails.
• 

  Crescent City Brewhouse

  New Orleans' first brewpub! Open since 1991, this venerated location is a great place to dine, drink Louisiana craft beer, and hear nightly live jazz.