The Big Easy in Buffalo announces 2019 summer series

5 shows featuring Louisiana artists at Larkinville, Colored Musicians Club & more

The Big Easy in Buffalo announced its summer series of five concerts featuring Louisiana musicians at five different venues, with four of the five being free to the public.

The shows are:

•Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs, June 27 at Buffalo Iron Works ($12 advance/$15 at door) – brass/funk/hip hop/jazz/rock with the singer/trumpet player most recently seen on Buffalo stages with Galactic and now back with his own band;

•Marc Stone, July 9 at Flying Bison Brewing Co. (free, donations accepted for artist) – solo blues slide guitar and vocals as part of “Food Truck Tuesdays” and Flying Bison’s “Pints for Nonprofits” program;

•C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band, July 10 at “The Big Easy in Buffalo Night at Larkinville” (free) – Zydeco legend and son of the Clifton Chenier – the man who brought zydeco the world – was last seen locally headlining the 2018 Mardi Gras Jam, joined by local trad jazz up-and-comers Kidd Kyle & The Big Deal;

•Tom McDermott, July 19 at the Historic Colored Musicians Club (free, donations accepted for artist) – solo piano ranging in styles from New Orleans jazz to Brazilian choro to St. Louis rag and more; and

•ZoüKeys, Aug. 16 at Buffalo Distilling Co. (free, donations accepted for artists) – New Orleans piano master Josh Paxton is joined by Celtic prog-rock and folk singer/bouzouki player Beth Patterson for an eclectic evening of multiple styles and musicianship.

In addition, The Big Easy in Buffalo unveiled its new website, www.thebigeasyinbuffalo.org. Details on all the shows can be found there, and at www.facebook.com/TheBigEasyInBuffalo.

“I’m incredibly excited to bring some of the very best players in so many genres of Louisiana music to Buffalo with a mix of legends, current top-tier musicians, and the next generation of greats all represented,” Artistic/Executive Director Tod A. Kniazuk said. “I’m also proud that we can bring this amazing and important music into the community and make it accessible for all.”

To that end, The Big Easy in Buffalo is a participant in the “Arts Access” program, which provides free tickets and transportation to income-eligible individuals and families. More information can be found at www.arts-access.com.

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 live performance, as well as music education and professional development for local musicians, students and the community. Through The Big Easy in Buffalo, thousands of students, dozens of local bands, and numerous audience members in Western New York have been exposed to this unique American culture.