Live music options in New Orleans for the last week of May include a farewell concert from a beloved R&B/soul singer, a homecoming for an acclaimed folk singer, a Bob Dylan tribute and more.

MAZE FEATURING FRANKIE BEVERLY

SATURDAY, SMOOTHIE KING CENTER

New Orleans has enjoyed a decadeslong love affair with the music of Frankie Beverly and Maze. That affection was evidenced by how quickly tickets were snapped up for the "I Wanna Thank You Farewell Tour’s" Saturday stop at the Smoothie King Center, which will be open to its full capacity of 14,000 or so. At press time, only a handful of resale tickets remained, in the $200 price range. By contrast, thousands of tickets are available for Beverly’s June 14 concert at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., and his June 22 show at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis; those arenas aren’t even using their upper balconies. Joining Maze for the New Orleans show is the current incarnation of the O'Jays, featuring Eddie Levert, Walter Williams and Eric Nolan Grant, who are on a farewell tour of their own. The veteran R&B group the Whispers rounds out the bill for "One Last Time Live in New Orleans," as the show, which is being promoted by Urban Vibe Entertainment, is billed. Beverly is also slated to appear at this summer’s Essence Festival of Culture in the Caesars Superdome. But Saturday will apparently be his last stand-alone headlining concert in New Orleans.

Mary Gauthier

New Orleans-born folk singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier.

MARY GAUTHIER

FRIDAY, CHICKIE WAH WAH

Acclaimed folk singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier was born in New Orleans and soon placed in an orphanage. She was adopted, but ran away in her early teens as she struggled with a variety of issues, including substance abuse and her sexuality. After years in the throes of addiction, she finally got sober soon after opening an acclaimed restaurant, Dixie Kitchen, in Boston. But then, in her early 30s, she realized that her true calling was music. A songwriter’s songwriter, her compositions have been recorded by everyone from Tim McGraw to Dolly Parton to Boy George. She earned a Grammy nomination for her 2018 album “Rifles and Rosary Beads,” written in collaboration with combat veterans. In 2022, she released her 11th album, “Dark Enough to See the Stars.” “Love and grief are the dominant themes, joy and sorrow, the dominant emotions,” she’s said. “A happy sad record, moreover, a record about what it means to love.” Gauthier returns to the city of her birth for a performance at 8 p.m. Friday at Chickie Wah Wah. Advance tickets are $30; tickets at the door are $37.50 plus fees.

OTHER NOTEWORTHY SHOWS

THURSDAY

New Orleans vocalist Thais Clark often takes on the bawdy standards once sung by the likes of Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith. Her résumé includes being a cast member of “One Mo’ Time,” the musical set in vaudeville-era New Orleans. On Thursday, she and her band the Jazzsters celebrate her birthday with shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro on Frenchmen Street ($30).

At the Maple Leaf Bar, drummer extraordinaire Johnny Vidacovich teams up with bassist James Singleton and saxophonist Brad Walker at 8 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 door).

FRIDAY

The Broadside hosts a Bob Dylan tribute featuring Brian Stoltz, who played guitar on Dylan’s “Oh Mercy” album, plus Papa Mali, Susan Cowsill, Johnny Sansone, Alex McMurray, Billy Iuso, Jake Eckert, Layla Musselwhite, Aaron Wilkinson, Marc Paradis and more. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.

A sure sign summer is here: The annual summertime “Free Fridays” series of no-cover Friday night concerts at Tipitina’s kicks off this week. This first show is headlined by the Soul Brass Band — not to be confused with the Soul Rebels — and openers Le Trainiump. Doors open at 8 p.m.; the show starts at 9 p.m. And no tickets are needed.

Jazz drummer Jason Marsalis powers his Trio Excursions project, which includes saxophonist Ricardo Pascal and bassist Robin Sherman, for shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor ($35).

Veteran blues guitarist Little Freddie King plugs in from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at d.b.a. on Frenchmen Street ($10). Then, at 10 p.m., d.b.a. presents Cajun fiddler and Instagram star Jourdan Thibodeaux, one of the most buzzed-about southwest Louisiana acts at this year's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival ($10). 

SATURDAY

The 50th anniversary of Cajun band BeauSoleil continues with a 9 p.m. show at Chickie Wah Wah ($20 advance, $25 plus fees at the door).

World-class New Orleans drummer Herlin Riley anchors his quartet at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($40).

Fellow drummer Doug Belote leads the band for his own birthday throwdown at the Maple Leaf Bar at 10 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 door).

Dwayne Dopsie played accordion with the Rolling Stones on "Let It Bleed" during the 2024 Jazz Fest; he brings that accordion to d.b.a. on Frenchmen Street for a 10 p.m. show ($10).

Contraflow recreates classic arena rock hits from the 1980s at Rock ‘N’ Bowl ($10).

SUNDAY

The third annual Little Freddie King Blues Festival takes over the yard of BJ's Lounge in Bywater from 8 p.m. to midnight. 

Cyril Neville, the legendary vocalist and percussionist who was a pillar of both the Meters and the Neville Brothers, continues his weekly Sunday night residency at Chickie Wah Wah. Showtime is 8 p.m.; he generally performs two sets ($20 advance, $25 door).

The Grammy Award-winning New Orleans Nightcrawlers brass band fires up at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor ($30).

MONDAY

Modern jazz guitarist Steve Masakowski, his vocalist daughter Sasha Masakowski and bassist son Martin Masakowski join forces as the Masakowski Family Band at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

TUESDAY

Galactic drummer Stanton Moore shows off his jazz chops with a trio for shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor ($25).

WEDNESDAY

Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis swings out with the Uptown Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor ($40).

Email Keith Spera at [email protected].