New Orleans Swamp Donkeys

About this event

The Swamp Donkeys channel hot jazz from the Dixieland era, which was better known as “Jass” in the speakeasies of the 1920’s.

The all-star cast demonstrates deep reverence for the forms and sounds of the era while bringing youthful energy and modern sensibilities to their repertoire. The band is led by James Williams, who evokes the great Satchmo in his vocal styling, backed by the polyphonic sounds of the tuba, trombone, trumpet and banjo.

This viral video of The Game of Thrones theme song, performed by the Swamp Donkeys at the BB King Blues Club in 2014, has garnered over a million views.

Recently the winners of the Battle of the Bands at the 2016 French Quarter Fest (video here), adding to the list of prominent performances that have earned them international acclaim over the last year: Megève Jazz Festival, Monte Carlo Sporting Summer Fest, Red Cross Gala of Monaco, Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Ascona Jazz Festival, Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott’s, The Blue Note, The Hamilton, Ginny’s, BB King’s, Cliff Bell’s, dba, The Spotted Cat, Howlin’ Wolf, The Red Rooster, and The Cutting Room.

Featuring James Williams on trumpet and vocals, veteran heartthrob Jams Marotta on percussion, dazzling newcomers Miles Lyons on trombone and Edwin Brown on tuba, and very special guests Sam Friend on Banjo and Marcus Miller on Saxophone.

“Young devotees whose balance of spunk and funk keeps the heart of traditional jazz beating.”

~The New Yorker~

The Swamp Donkeys, featured on this upcoming season on NCIS: New Orleans, will bring the spirit of New Orleans and take England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland by storm this July. If you’ve ever set foot on Frenchman Street after dark, you know what I’m talking about; that foot-stomping, hip-shaking, musical vitality that seems to emanate from the cobblestone streets of the Crescent City.