Tipitina's

haven for established artists and up and coming musicians. Named after an enigmatic recording, "Tipitina," by Henry Roeland Byrd, a.k.a. Professor Longhair, the club has been through the ever-changing music business and has become an international music icon. Professor Longhair, in case you've never heard of him, is one of the most revered rhythm and blues musicians in the legacy of New Orleans music. Since the 1950s Longhair has influenced his musical peers and progeny in the Crescent City. Some of those peers include Dr. John, the Meters, the Neville Brothers, Allen Toussaint, and many others. His unique style was created by fusing rhumba rhythms with boogie-woogie, blues and southern R&B - a cool combination that's soothing and very danceable. New Orleans apartment-ites can easily find out who is playing by checking out the Tipitina's website, or giving them a call at 504-895-TIPS (8477).
The scene has been enlarged over the years to a two-story, 1,000 capacity music venue that unless noted, provides standing room only. The building itself honors past and present New Orleans music legends on the sidewalk beside the club where the names of noted artists are illuminated on the sidewalk. Noted current and prior performers are Dr. John, the Neville Brothers, the Meters, Cowboy Mouth, the Radiators, Galactic, and Better Than Ezra. Tipitina's has been fortunate over its history to host national artists too, including Wilco, Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, Lenny Kravitz, Bonnie Raitt, James Brown, Widespread Panic, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tim McGraw, Goo Goo Dolls, Parliament Funkadelic, and Robert Cray. Then there's Homegrown Night, which offers a forum for emerging talent on Tuesday nights. Bands can earn opening or headlining spots for other prime night performers based on attendance at their show.
Along with offering a great time in downtown New Orleans, Tipitina's provides all sorts of support to local high schools with fundraisers for musical instruments, an internship program for up and coming musicians, business development and job skills training for musicians, filmmakers, and other digital media professionals, and Sunday Music Workshops, where students can play with and learn from the best musicians in the city for free. This is all offered through Tipitina's Foundation, set up in honor of Longhair.
With admission sometimes free but usually $7-10, this space at the corner of Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas gives fans the wide range of musical fares. From well-known artists like George Clinton to local rising stars like the Soul Rebels Brass Band - rock, funk, blues, country, Cajun, reggae - you can hear it all here.