>> NOTE: THIS IS A 1:00AM SHOW STARTING LATE THURSDAY NIGHT <<

Wil Blades & Friends Feat. Members Of The Headhunters

Wil Blades – Hammond B-3

Donald Harrison Jr. – Sax

Mike Clark – Drums

Bill Summers – Percussion

Wil Blades

No less a jazz organ authority than the legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith has called Wil Blades “the future,” anointing him the heir apparent to “carry on the legend [and] the legacy of the organ, of the B-3.” Over the past fifteen years, Blades has grown to be one of the most in-demand organ players on the Bay Area scene. In addition to leading his own trio, he works regularly in duo situations with drummers Billy Martin (Medeski Martin and Wood) and Scott Amendola (Nels Cline Singers); and in trios led by guitarist Will Bernard and drummer Stanton Moore. He’s performed and recorded with a host of jazz and blues greats including John Scofield, Melvin Sparks, Idris Muhammad, Joe Louis Walker, Don Braden, Donald Harrison, Nicholas Payton, Karl Denson, Charlie Hunter, Jason Marsalis, Herlin Riley, and many others.Donald Harrison Jr:

Donald Harrison Jr.

Donald Harrison Jr. has combined a whirlwind career as a saxophonist with establishing cultural and educational traditions in his native New Orleans, Louisiana. Known for creating nouveau swing, a jazz style that combines R&B, funk, hip-hop, and African dance, Harrison tours all over the world and has many albums and honors to his name. Yet he finds time to be Big Chief of Congo Square Nation in New Orleans for Mardi Gras season as well as being cofounder and artistic director of Tipitina's Foundation Internship Program to help New Orleans youth, especially the disadvantaged, realize their musical dreams.

Mike Clark

Drum virtuoso and jazz musician Mike Clark gained worldwide recognition as one of America’s foremost jazz and funk drummers while playing with Herbie Hancock and The Headhunters in the early seventies. His incisive playing on Hancock’s “Actual Proof” garnered him an international cult following and influenced generations of drummers. His versatility led him to a two-year stint with Brand X, the British jazz/rock fusion band founded by Phil Collins. With them he recorded “Do They Hurt?” and “Product.” Mike is a co-leader with several other artists. “The Wolff and Clark Expedition 2,” with pianist Michael Wolff, was considered one of Downbeat's Top 25 releases in 2016. Along with Delbert Bump, he released "Retro Report," an organ trio CD, in April 2018. He continues to tour with the Headhunters.

Bill Summers

Percussionist Bill Summers has spent more than 30 years tracing the rhythmic links between Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas. In the 1970s, Summers was experimenting with ancient flutes when Herbie Hancock hired him for his legendary fusion group, the Headhunters. Later, Summers teamed up with Quincy Jones to create the score for Roots. As part of our series Musicians in Their Own Words, Summers describes how traditional rhythms can feel timeless, even when they come through an old TV set. Summers has been very busy in recent years. He and trumpeter Irvin Mayfield are the leaders of Los Hombres Calientes, a group formed in 1998 along with drummer Jason Marsalis. Their new CD, Carnival, explores the group's idea that New Orleans is the northernmost port of the Caribbean.

Tonight’s show features some of the heaviest heavyweights in musical history, and is a show you’re definitely not going to want to miss!

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Doors: 11:59PM

Show: 1:00AM (technically early on 5/6)

Tickets: $25 advance; $30 at the door

Café Istanbul

2372 St. Claude Avenue

New Orleans, LA

The Fine Print:

By purchasing a ticket to this event, the buyer agrees to be filmed, videotaped and/or otherwise recorded for possible inclusion in webcast, digital download, DVD and/or CD release, and/or any other exploitation of the event without limitation or compensation of any kind, and agrees to allow organizers to use his/her image and/or likeness without limitation or compensation of any kind.

ALL SALES ARE FINAL. LINEUP SUBJECT TO CHANGE. WRISTBANDS WILL NOT BE REPLACED ONCE ISSUED. NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.

By purchasing this ticket, you confirm to the maximum extent permitted by law that (1) you understand and voluntarily assume all risks associated with attending this performance, including but not limited to COVID-19, and (2) you covenant not to sue Café Istanbul Nightfest, Poolside Presents, Wil Blades & Friends or any related persons or entities in connection with any such risks.

For a list of other shows happening during the Café Istanbul Nightfest, click here: