The live music options in New Orleans this week include an arena-filling country music traditionalist and a minifestival of Cajun and zydeco music.
CODY JOHNSON
FRIDAY, SMOOTHIE KING CENTER
A Texan who rode bulls at rodeos and worked in a prison, Cody Johnson is at the vanguard of the latest wave of cowboy country music traditionalists. He cites Texas icons George Strait and Willie Nelson as major influences. Starting in 2006, he self-released six albums before signing with Warner Music Nashville for his seventh, 2019’s “Ain’t Nothin’ To It.” His 2021 project “Human: The Double Album” yielded his first No. 1 country hit, “Til You Can’t,” in 2021. On his latest release, last year’s “Leather,” he collaborates with Jelly Roll on “Whiskey Bent” and Brooks & Dunn on “Long Live Country Music.” He brings his "Leather Tour" to the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Friday with special guests Chris Janson and Drake Milligan. The arena will be full; at press time, only a few face-value tickets remained, and resale tickets were going for $135 and up.
Jourdan Thibodeaux, left, plays fiddle.
LOUISIANA CAJUN-ZYDECO FESTIVAL
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, GEORGE & JOYCE WEIN JAZZ & HERITAGE CENTER
The annual Cajun-Zydeco Festival is one of numerous events produced by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the nonprofit that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. This year’s edition takes place inside and outside at the George & Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, the foundation’s headquarters at 1225 N. Rampart St. It’s a hybrid ticketed/free event. On Friday evening, tickets are $10 to hear Sheryl Cormier & the Cajun Sounds at 7 p.m., followed by fiddler and social media star Jourdan Thibodeaux at 8:30 p.m. Admission to Saturday’s much longer program is free. On Saturday, doors open at 2 p.m. Waylon Thibodeaux kicks off the show at 3 p.m., followed by Rosie Ledet at 4:30 p.m., Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. at 6 p.m. and closer Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie at 7:30 p.m.
New Orleans band the Hawtsies.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SHOWS
THURSDAY
Andre Bohren alternates drums and piano. On Thursday at Chickie Wah Wah, he presides over a piano night starting at 7 p.m. Cover charge is $5 plus fees.
Mahmoud Chouki is a Moroccan-born, New Orleans-based master of many stringed instruments, including the acoustic guitar and the traditional oud. He blends the traditional music of his homeland with Western music and the music of New Orleans. He’ll play sets at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Thursday at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro on Frenchmen Street ($30).
Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band keeps the dancers moving for the weekly Zydeco Night at Rock ‘N’ Bowl ($15).
FRIDAY
Local quartet the Hawtsies takes its cues from vintage rock ‘n’ roll, writing and recording tidy songs with clean guitar lines, sax and piano. The band celebrates its brand new debut album, “Nine Lives,” with special guest keyboardist David Torkanowsky — who performs on the album as well — at 9 p.m. Friday at Chickie Wah Wah (Hawtsies guitarist/vocalist Rob Hudak is a co-owner of the club). Tickets are $20 advance, $25 door, plus fees.
Dr. Michael White, one of New Orleans' foremost traditional jazz clarinetists who plays the classics and composes new music, leads his Original Liberty Jazz Band at Snug Harbor. That band features trumpeter/vocalist Gregg Stafford, pianist Steve Pistorius, bassist Tyler Thompson and drummer Jerry Anderson. They’ll do shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($35).
Gov’t Majik, the “dirty South Afro-beat Arkestra,” funks up the Maple Leaf Bar at 10 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 door).
The summerlong “Free Fridays” series of no-cover shows at Tipitina’s continues with the air-tight funk/party band Flow Tribe and opener Marina Orchestra. Doors open at 8 p.m.; the show starts at 9 p.m.
SATURDAY
The popular Atlanta-based Orchestra Noir synthesizes elements of classical, jazz, blues, hip-hop and R&B in a celebration of Black cultural contributions in a show dubbed “Y2K Meets 90’s Vibe, Vol. II.” After selling out the Orpheum Theater last year, Orchestra Noir returns on Saturday.
At Chickie Wah Wah, sousaphonist Kirk Joseph’s “Musical Odydysey, Vol. 2: Brass Band Master Class” features his Dirty Dozen bandmate, saxophonist Roger Lewis, plus trombonist “Big” Sam Williams, Preservation Hall drummer Walter Harris and more at 9 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 door, plus fees).
Blues-based guitarist Eric Johanson plugs in at the Maple Leaf at 8 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 door). After Johanson, keyboardist John “Papa” Gros, who maintained a long weekly Oak Street residency at the Maple Leaf with Papa Grows Funk, goes “Back to Oak” with his own band at 10 p.m. ($20 advance).
Experience the Afrobeat orchestra Kamasi at the Broadside ($15).
The late Topsy Chapman founded Solid Harmony to swing out on music influenced in part by her time with the New Orleans vaudeville-inspired musical “One Mo’ Time.” Her daughters Yolanda Robinson and Jolynda “Kiki” Chapman are now the core of Solid Harmony. Hear them at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor ($30).
The horn-heavy Boogie Men play “all the hits” at Rock ‘N’ Bowl ($10).
SUNDAY
The forward-looking jazz bassist Amina Scott anchors a quintet at Snug Harbor for shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sunday ($25).
The legendary Cyril Neville continues his weekly residency at Chickie Wah Wah with an 8 p.m. set ($20 advance, $25 door, plus fees).
Blues-based harmonica player and accordionist Johnny Sansone leads his band on the Broadside’s indoor stage starting at 7 p.m. ($15).
MONDAY
For years, singer Charmaine Neville held down a weekly Monday night residency at Snug Harbor on Frenchmen Street. She now does a bimonthly gig at Snug. This Monday at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., she’ll be joined by longtime pianist and musical director Amasa Miller, guitarist Detroit Brooks, bassist Donald Ramsey and drummer Herman LeBeaux ($25).
TUESDAY
Blues guitarist, singer and actor Chris Thomas King makes one of his semi-regular appearances at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($25).
WEDNESDAY
No Strings Attached presents “Orchestral Rendition of Dr. Dre: 2001” at the Fillmore, in which an orchestra, accompanied by rappers, performs Dr. Dre’s album “Dr. Dre: 2001” in its entirety, along with other selections from the architect of West Coast hip-hop. Tickets start at $45.
Trumpeter John Gray substitutes for trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis to lead the Uptown Jazz Orchestra at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor ($35).