JACKSON, Wyo. — New Orleans has dished some of the world’s most celebrated music. It’s an undeniably uplifting vibe that permeates the soul. Funky drumbeats, greasy wailing saxophone, razor-sharp guitar playing, swampy organ swells and strutting bass lines are headed our way for a two night run with The New Orleans Suspects, Dec. 30 and New Year’s Eve at the Pink Garter Theatre.
To undertand what this quintet is all about, let’s start with where they’ve put in their stage time over the last couple of decades. These Suspects include former members of The Neville Brothers, The Radiators, The Dirty Dozen, Royal Southern Brotherhood, and a saxophonist who was James Brown’s horn director for twelve years. Though highly experienced individually, there’s no denying the chemistry born from the sum of these parts and a project that’s been together since 2009. This isn’t a rotating cast of pick-up musicians from the Crescent City—this is a unit with three studio albums and two live albums.
What’s on tap for these two nights? Monday evening will start with a Suspects set and finish with a unique Funk Masters Set including James Booker, The Meters, Galactic, Bobby Charles, and more. Local rockers Lonesome Gold will open the show.
New Year’s Eve will kick-off with a tribute to the legendary Dr. John leading up to midnight. The Suspects’ second set will be for all the party people that want to stay up late and enjoy the first couple hours of the New Year, in Big Easy style.
The New Orleans Suspects, 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Pink Garter Theatre. Tickets for Monday are $25/advance, $27/day-of-show. Tickets for New Year’s Eve are $48/advance, $53/day-of-show. PinkGarterTheatre.com.
