The Big Easy in Buffalo

The Big Easy in Buffalo at Music is Art!
2023-09-09 11:00 - 23:45 (America/Halifax) | Riverfest Park
Music is Art and The Big Easy in Buffalo go back a long way, and once again our director Tod is programming some bands at the festival. We’ll be on two stages on Saturday September 9 for this FREE festival:
PATIO STAGE (Riverworks Side):
12:30 – The Beard & the Bird
1:15 – In Crowd
2:00 – Elliott Scozzaro Trio
WHARF STAGE (River Fest Park Side):
7:15 – Kody & Herren
8:15 – Ten Cent Howl
9:15 – Yellow Jack
10:15 – Captain Tom & the Hooligans
That’s just part of the 200 bands, 120 DJs, dancers, artists, photographers, and assorted organized chaos that is the MiA Fest, so make a day (and night) of it and explore, but don’t forget to stop by our stages for some great bands!

John Papa Gros Solo Piano Show - The Big Easy in Buffalo NOLA Series
2023-08-25 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Halifax) | Bittersweet Piano Lounge, 391 Washington St Buffalo, Ny, Buffalo, NY, 14203-2106, US
The Big Easy in Buffalo presents JOHN PAPA GROS performing a special solo piano show.
Doors at 7, show at 8.
$20 advance (plus fee)
Just 60 seats available – this one will sell out so get your tickets now! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/john-papa-gros-solo-piano-show-tickets-686629646757
“John “Papa” Gros is a bedrock New Orleans artist, a keyboardist, singer and songwriter who draws on funk, rhythm & blues and Americana songcraft; he also knows his way around the Mardi Gras music repertoire about as well as anyone.” – Keith Spera The New Orleans Advocate
“I’m walking in the same path [as Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, and Art Neville,]” explains Gros. “I’ve been following them my whole life. Now, they’re no longer in front of me. They’ve gotten off the path but the path is still very clear.”
Since 2007 The Big Easy in Buffalo has brought New Orleans and Louisiana music and culture to the Western New York region several times a year for free and low cost live performance, as well as music education and mentoring for local musicians, students, and the community. Through The Big Easy in Buffalo thousands of students, dozens of local bands, and countless audience members in Western New York have been exposed to this unique American culture.
The Big Easy in Buffalo is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature, Erie County, buffalo.fm, Dick & Jenny’s, Duende, and National Fuel Gas Co.

Sunny Side - The Big Easy in Buffalo NOLA Series
2023-08-12 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Halifax) | Duende at Silo City, 85 Silo City Row, Buffalo, NY, 14203, US
Sunny Side – The Big Easy in Buffalo NOLA Series
Saturday, August 12
Show 7pm – 10pm
Duende at Silo City
Free (but please tip the band)
New Orleans Trad Jazz band Sunny Side returns to Buffalo! We’ll be inside, upstairs, and yes there will be room to dance.
Sunny Side, a jazz band based out of New Orleans, is heavily influenced by the music of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Fats Waller, and many other early jazz legends. During the 2020/2021 quarantine, Sunny Side provided a ‘Jazz in Coliseum Square Park’ series in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans hosting a variety of live music including themselves. Many locals expressed much gratitude for the music during the challenging time. Sunny Side is planning their third national tour for August 2023, stopping in cities and towns between New Orleans, New York, and Michigan while debuting their brand new album “The Felicity Sessions” coming out soon!
Since 2007 The Big Easy in Buffalo has brought New Orleans and Louisiana music and culture to the Western New York region several times a year for free and low cost live performance, as well as music education and mentoring for local musicians, students, and the community. Through The Big Easy in Buffalo thousands of students, dozens of local bands, and countless audience members in Western New York have been exposed to this unique American culture.
The Big Easy in Buffalo is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature, Erie County, buffalo.fm, Dick & Jenny’s, Duende, and National Fuel Gas Co.

The Rumble feat. Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr, Olmsted Dub System
2023-08-02 19:00 (America/Halifax) | The Cave, 71 Military, Buffalo, NY, 14207, US
The Rumble feat. Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. plus Olmsted Dub System – The Big Easy in Buffalo NOLA Series
Wednesday, August 2
The Cave
Doors 6pm, Show 7pm
$10 advance, $15 day-of
https://www.showclix.com/event/the-rumbl-823
On Mardi Gras morning, your eyes may feast on the intricate and elaborate beadwork of the Indians as they dance down the street, but the first thing you’ll hear when they make their way toward you is the back line, known as “the rumble”. Featuring six Grammy-nominated musicians, The Rumble is more than just a band – it’s an opportunity to be immersed in a wholly unique facet of New Orleans culture. Composed of Second Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. of the Golden Eagles, trumpeter Aurélien Barnes, trombonist José Maize Jr., bassist TJ Norris, guitarist Ari Teitel, keyboardist Andriu Yanovski, and drummer Trenton O’Neal, the group fuses iconic New Orleans funk in the vein of The Meters and The Neville Brothers – but updated, modern and vibrant befitting the next generation – with electrifying brass and the singular visual splendor of the Black Masking carnival tradition. Their live show is a symphony of rich color and propulsive sound, with each member sharing vocal duties and engaging the audience in the classic Mardi Gras Indian-style call-and-response chanting. The group pays homage to trailblazers like Wild Magnolias and Golden Eagles, both of which featured the vocal stylings of Boudreaux’s father, Monk Boudreaux. The Rumble continues the fight to preserve the legacies and traditions of the community for the next generation while bringing new layers of depth to their live performance. The Rumble provides audiences with not only a top-tier musical event, but a chance to participate in a culture that, while deeply rooted in centuries-old tradition, is thriving and evolving through the active work of this next generation of bold and passionate culture-bearers.
Olmsted Dub System, led by George Olmsted, features the finest lineup of professional musicians in the Buffalo area. George is the glue, and his band is the glitter – providing roots, reggae, and dub vibes.
Since 2007 The Big Easy in Buffalo has brought New Orleans and Louisiana music and culture to the Western New York region several times a year for free and low cost live performance, as well as music education and mentoring for local musicians, students, and the community. Through The Big Easy in Buffalo thousands of students, dozens of local bands, and countless audience members in Western New York have been exposed to this unique American culture.
The Big Easy in Buffalo is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature, Erie County, buffalo.fm, Dick & Jenny’s, Sportsmens Tavern, and National Fuel Gas Co.

John Papa Gros Band w. Randle & the Late Night Scandals - The Big Easy in Buffalo NOLA Series
2023-03-04 20:00 (America/New_York) | The Cave, 71 Military, Buffalo, NY, 14207, US
John Papa Gros Band w. Randle & the Late Night Scandals – The Big Easy in Buffalo NOLA series
Sportsmen’s Tavern
March 4, 7pm doors, 8pm show
$20
https://embed.showclix.com/event/john-papa-gros-band-323
“John “Papa” Gros is a bedrock New Orleans artist, a keyboardist, singer and songwriter who draws on funk, rhythm & blues and Americana songcraft; he also knows his way around the Mardi Gras music repertoire about as well as anyone.” – Keith Spera The New Orleans Advocate
Between 2000 and 2013, Gros led Papa Grows Funk, a highly revered group that mixed hard-hitting funk grooves with often unpredictable jazz spontaneity. The band released six critically-acclaimed studio albums, including Needle in the Groove, which was co-produced by New Orleans legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Allen Toussaint. The group’s weekly gigs at the world-famous Maple Leaf became a staple for both locals and tourists alike, eventually leading to Gros touring in far off countries like Japan and Brazil.
After Papa Grows Funk dissolved, Gros briefly returned to sideman work, playing organ for a series of all-star tributes to Dr. John and the Neville Brothers. The 2014 Dr. John tribute, The Music Mojo of Dr. John, was later released as a critically-acclaimed live album that featured Gros playing with Bruce Springsteen, Mavis Staples, Jason Isbell, and John Fogerty. More importantly for Gros, those tribute concerts allowed him to play alongside his two biggest influences: the Doctor and Art Neville, both of whom passed in 2019.
In 2016, Gros returned to the spotlight yet again with his second solo album River’s On Fire, the much anticipated follow up to his 2004 debut Day’s End. Co-produced by Gros and Tracy Freeman (Harry Connick Jr, Rebirth Brass Band, Bonerama), the album’s fiery funk rock showed how Gros had matured as both a songwriter and bandleader. It firmly established Gros’ identity as a solo force. In 2020 Gros released Central City, his third solo album. The album is a collection of classic New Orleans songs, both new and old, filtered through his decades of dedication to his craft. The album features Gros’ feel good originals alongside his takes on beloved songs by Allen Toussaint, Lloyd Price, and John Prine. Joining Gros on the album are a who’s who in the keepers of the New Orleans tradition, including singer Ivan Neville (Dumpstaphunk), drummer Herlin Riley (Wynton Marsalis), banjoist Don Vappie, guitarist Brian Stoltz (Neville Brothers), trumpeter Mark Braud (Harry Connick Jr.), trombonist Mark Mullins (Bonerama), clarinetist Tim Laughlin, and his former boss George Porter Jr. (Meters). Together, they perfectly exploit the similarities between New Orleans jazz and early rock ‘n’ roll on songs such as “Yeah Yeah Yeah” and “Personality.”
“I’m walking in the same path [as Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, and Art Neville,]” explains Gros. “I’ve been following them my whole life. Now, they’re no longer in front of me. They’ve gotten off the path but the path is still very clear.”
Randle & the Late Night Scandals steadily increased their loyal fanbase & have become one of the must-see bands in the Western New York region. With an aggressively modern sound that blends traditional blues, soul, funk, and rock & roll, this Buffalo, NY-based band refuses to settle into any single genre, preferring a continuous evolution of original music. The Scandals have shared the stage with many national acts including Living Colour,The Gin Blossoms, Los Lonely Boys, Gord Downie, Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds, and members of Rusted Root, proving they can please just about any audience. Randle & the Late Night Scandals has played at such legendary venues as the Town Ballroom, Sportsmens Tavern & the Hard Rock Café.
Since 2007 The Big Easy in Buffalo has brought New Orleans and Louisiana music and culture to the Western New York region several times a year for free and low cost live performance, as well as music education and mentoring for local musicians, students, and the community. Through The Big Easy in Buffalo thousands of students, dozens of local bands, and countless audience members in Western New York have been exposed to this unique American culture.
The Big Easy in Buffalo is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature, Erie County, buffalo.fm, Dick & Jenny’s, National Fuel Gas Co., and Sportsmen’s Tavern.

J#TET & FOLKFACES - The Big Easy in Buffalo Mardi Gras Jam
2023-02-24 19:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | DHU Strand Theatre, 540 Oliver St, North Tonawanda, NY, 14120, US
THE J#TET and FOLKFACES – playing separately and together! – The Big Easy in Buffalo Local Series
NEW DATE – Friday, February 24
DHU Strand Theatre
$10 (+fee) advance, $15 day-of
Doors 7pm, Show 8pm
ONLY 70 TICKETS AVAILABLE, get yours now!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-big-easy-in-buffalo-the-jaysharptet-and-folkfaces-tickets-472359127867
Jazz, Americana, and even some New Orleans favorites – It’s a Mardi Gras Jam! Each band will take the stage for their own set, then join together for a grand finale jam. Get your tickets, bring your favorite libations, and get ready to experience something completely different!
Based in Buffalo, New York, and founded by Jacob Jay and Dalton Sharp, the J#tet performs music with a focus on original compositions and arrangements. Inspired by the ensembles lead by the great Miles Davis, the group strives to make every performance a unique musical statement. Past performances include the Northwest Jazz Festival, the Queen City Jazz Festival, the Colored Musicians Club Jazz Festival, and Pausa Art House.
Folkfaces is New York state based roots music quartet. Folkfaces play a mix of original and traditional music. The group takes its influence from weird old American music. An energetic variety show and traveling music review. Exploring a wide range of genres including country blues, traditional jazz, rock and roll, honky tonk, western swing, bluegrass and oldtime, jugband music and more. The music is driven by songwriter and frontman, Tyler Westcott (Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Harmonica, Kazoo) who founded the band in 2011. The rest of the band has taken many forms over the years, but the current lineup includes multi-instrumentalist and fiddler Brendan Gosson, upright bass player, Patrick Jackson, and percussionist Dan Schwach on drumkit and washboard. Each of the band’s members come from different musical backgrounds, but find common ground in the rare and captivating sound of Folkfaces.
Since 2007 The Big Easy in Buffalo has brought New Orleans and Louisiana music and culture to the Western New York region several times a year for free and low cost live performance, as well as music education and mentoring for local musicians, students, and the community. Through The Big Easy in Buffalo thousands of students, dozens of local bands, and countless audience members in Western New York have been exposed to this unique American culture.
The Big Easy in Buffalo is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature, Erie County, Dick & Jenny’s, Sportsmens Tavern, and National Fuel Gas Co.

LeeRon Zydeco & The Buffalo Touch - Mardi Graski 202Tree!
2023-02-18 20:00 (America/New_York) | Sportsmens Tavern, 326 Amherst St, Buffalo, NY, 14207, US
Mardi Graski 2 – LeeRon Zydeco & The Buffalo Touch – The Big Easy in Buffalo Local Series
Sportsmen’s Tavern
Saturday, February 18, 2023
7pm Doors, 8pm Show
$15
https://www.showclix.com/event/mardi-graski-2-leeron-zydeco-the-buffalo-touch
Last year’s show sold out, so get your tickets now!
The Big Easy in Buffalo is celebrating Mardi Gras, Buffalo style with local legends LeeRon Zydeco and The Buffalo Touch polka band, playing separately AND together. Whether it’s a two-step or a polka, some blues or an oberek, get ready for MARDI GRASKI 2!
LEERON ZYDECO
Ron Davis aka LeeRon Zydeco is a professional musician with over fifty years of experience in recording and live performance. His credits include the Four Tops, Spencer Davis, Otis Rush, Bernard Purdie, Sean Costello, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. In 1991 he formed LeeRon Zydeco & the Hot Tamales. The band was the first in the Buffalo area to blend bluesy Cajun and Tex-Mex music into a roots sound. The group performs throughout the Eastern United States.
THE BUFFALO TOUCH
High energy, entertaining, a good time, and “plenty of dancing” is how to describe shows performed by The Buffalo Touch. This Award-Winning Polka Band performs music sure to put a smile on the face of everyone young and old alike. The Buffalo Touch has received three Grammy nominations for “Best Polka Album” and were the sole representatives of Western New York at the 45th, 46th, and 51st annual Grammy awards.
Since 2007 The Big Easy in Buffalo has brought New Orleans and Louisiana music and culture to the Western New York region several times a year for free and low cost live performance, as well as music education and mentoring for local musicians, students, and the community. Through The Big Easy in Buffalo thousands of students, dozens of local bands, and countless audience members in Western New York have been exposed to this unique American culture.
The Big Easy in Buffalo is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature, Erie County, buffalo.fm, Dick & Jenny’s, National Fuel Gas Co., and Sportsmen’s Tavern.
