Style and Swank Reimagined at The Jazz Playhouse

Just as jazz is continuing to evolve, so is The Jazz Playhouse inside the renowned Royal Sonesta New Orleans. Beyond hosting some of the world’s most legendary musicians, like Stevie Wonder, who play alongside the modern jazz acts that regularly wow and entertain guests, The Jazz Playhouse is honing in on music styles that both contributed to and are inspired by classic jazz.

Guests are invited to the heart of the French Quarter for a journey through this beloved genre with an immersive experience that appeals to all five senses in an upscale, distinctive and playful atmosphere at the reimagined Playhouse. Take in the sights, treat your taste buds to delicious craft cocktails and scrumptious small plates and allow your ears to enjoy the impeccable live talent at every nightly show.

Beginning with NOLA Funk Week in early February 2017, the reimagined jazz club hosted seven premier entertainers in seven days, featuring New Orleans-centric artists like George Porter Jr., Flow Tribe, Little Freddie King and the recent winners of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, Tank and the Bangas.

The fun continued during the 34th Annual French Quarter Fest, as The Jazz Playhouse served as an official festival stage for the eighth consecutive year. A star-studded lineup of George and Gerald French, the Ashlin Parker Quartet, the Ricardo Pascal Orchestra, Luther Kent and more took to the stage during the largest free music festival in the South.

Next up, The Jazz Playhouse will host a special Tribute to Prince by Glen David Andrews on Friday, April 21. Joined by guitarist Dan Cardillo, one of the foremost Prince tribute guitarists in the business, and the Hyperphlyy cousins of Poplarville, Mississippi, guests will be treated to world-renowned talent, topped off with musical direction and choreography by Barney Kilpatrick, who worked closely with Prince during his tenure at Warner Bros. Records.

But the magic doesn’t stop there. During the Tribute to Prince, The Jazz Playhouse mixology team will pay homage to the late artist with a special cocktail named after one of his biggest hits, The Raspberry Beret. The drink is a sweet refreshing concoction of muddled blackberry, mint and lime, blended with St. Remy VSOP brandy and, of course, raspberry.

If you can’t make it, don’t sweat it! Wrapping up the month, the Playhouse will offer a stellar lineup during the renowned New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Each night of the two-weekend-long celebration, The Jazz Playhouse will set the mood for its patrons with performances by Delfeayo Marsalis, the Brass-A-Holics, Michael Watson & The Alchemy and many more.

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We invite you to also indulge in our specialized craft cocktails, highlighting esteemed jazz legends: the Jelly-Roll Morton, for jazz’s first arranger, Ferdinand Jelly Roll Morton; the Billie ‘Lady-Day’ Holiday, for the game-changing and captivating jazz singer, Billie Holiday; and Satchmo, for the man who needs no introduction, Louis Armstrong.

Make a night of it at The Jazz Playhouse and try our signature bites, like the crawfish cheesecake, jumbo shrimp remoulade and Louisiana crab cakes. Don’t forget to top it off with our decadent bread pudding in whiskey sauce or the fried PB&J dolled up with vanilla bean ice cream.

Shows begin nightly at 8 p.m. with no cover charge, though preferred seating is available to give you the full VIP experience. For more information or to reserve a seat, visit The Jazz Playhouse’s website or Facebook. There are more exciting events to come, and you never know who might grace the stage on any given night at The Jazz Playhouse!