NEW ORLEANS, LA — With no doubt, New Orleans needed Mardi Gras. This two year long pandemic has taken its toll on us all, in some way or another. However, considering 99% of folk (via my first-person observations) wore no protective mask, now the BIG QUESTION:
Will Mardi Gras 2022 prove to be a super spreader (Covid19 epicenter pt.2) or will cases remain flat, thus, Mardi Gras 2022 serves as the end of the Covid pandemic?
I say we have a 2-3 week window to get some definitive answers. Whatcha think?
Dear New Orleans Musicians and Cultural Performers, it’s true, Musicians [have continually been] left out [wage growths]…
I had a very honest conversation regarding the State of New Orleans’ cultural economy and its being flatlined for easily the last 20+ years. See a snippet below, along with a link to the story.
From the article: One important New Orleans sector not benefiting from the tight labor market, however, is musical performers.
The price of hiring one of New Orleans top high school bands, for example, has hardly changed in at least a decade, said Brice Miller, founder of The New Orleans Music Company, which is a booking agent for musicians.
He said one of the better known high school marching bands will charge about $2,300 to perform in a parade, though other schools might charge less than half that.
“No organization is saying, we’re going to up your pay because of inflation or pandemic losses, they’re looking for the cheapest entertainment,” said Miller.
He said that is true also for the professional musicians who play gigs on Frenchmen Street, where the booking rates for bands like his Twisted Dixie ensemble still typically are comprised of a $5 door charge, 20% of the bar, plus tips.
“The impacts of inflation on the live venue and entertainment business are being passed down to the performers, who are considered the bottom of the food chain instead of the caviar,” said Miller.
Dr. Brice Miller is a classically trained jazz trumpeter. He is one of the most requested trumpeters for wedding ceremonies and also serves as a wedding MC, Host and DJ. RESERVE YOUR DATE TODAY!
Dr. Brice Miller + The New Orleans Music Company provides the most unique Wedding Day Experiences. We’re booking dates daily. Let’s Do This! 💃🏾❤️🕺🏾
🛻 Lil’ Whoodie DJ Truck + bubbles and beer. This is how we do it! We’re in a league of our own!!! • The New Orleans Music Company🎶
NEW ORLEANS, LA – Let the good times (potentially) roll! Although Covid19 OMICRON variant is ravaging the US, here is the hyper-optimistic 2022 Mardi Gras parade schedule for the New Orleans metro area. Keeping health and safety as a priority for our musicians and performers, The New Orleans Music Company will be providing entertainment services for private events ONLY. Contact us if you’d like to book entertainment or cultural services during the Mardi Gras season. Now, here’s the (tentative) 2022 New Orleans Mardi Gras schedule.
Société Des Champs Elysée, Marigny (Walking parade only) @ 8 p.m.
Sunday, January 30, 2022
Krewe of Nefertiti, New Orleans East @ 1 p.m.
Saturday, February 5, 2022
Krewe of Chewbacchus, Marigny @ 7 p.m.
Friday, February 11, 2022
Krewe Bohème, Marigny – French Quarter @ 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 12, 2022
Krewe du Vieux, French Quarter @ 6:30 p.m.
Krewe Delusion, French Quarter @ follows Krewe du Vieux
Friday, February 18, 2022
Krewe of Cork, French Quarter @ 3 p.m.
Oshun, Uptown @ 6 p.m.
Cleopatra, Uptown@ 6 p.m.
Alla, Uptown @ 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Pontchartrain, Uptown @ 1 p.m.
Choctaw, Uptown @ follows Pontchartrainin
Freret, Uptown @ follows Choctaw
Sparta, Uptown @ 5:30 p.m.
Pygmalion, Uptown @ follows Sparta
Sunday, February 20, 2022
Femme Fatale, Uptown @ 11 a.m.
Carrollton, Uptown @ 12 p.m.
King Arthur, Uptown @ follows Carrollton
Barkus, French Quarter @ 2 p.m.
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Culinary Queens of New Orleans, Westbank @ 6 p.m.
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Druids, Uptown @ 6:15 p.m.
Nyx, Uptown @ follows Druids
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Babylon, Uptown @ 5:30 p.m.
Chaos, Uptown @ follows Babylon
Muses, Uptown @ follows Chaos
Friday, February 25, 2022
Hermes, Uptown @ 5:30 p.m.
d’Etat, Uptown @ follows Hermes
Morpheus, Uptown @ follows Morpheus
Saturday, February 26, 2022
NOMTOC, Westbank @ 10:45 a.m.
Iris, Uptown @ 11 a.m.
Tucks, Uptown @ follows Iris
Endymion, Mid-City @ 4:15 p.m.
Sunday, February 27, 2022
Okeanos, Uptown @ 11 a.m.
Mid-City, Uptown @ follows Okeanos
Thoth, Uptown @ follows Mid-City
Bacchus, Uptown @ 5:15 p.m.
Athena, Metairie @ 5:30 p.m.
Lundi Gras – Monday, February 28, 2022
Proteus, Uptown @ 5: 15 p.m.
Orpheus, Uptown @ 6 p.m.
Mardi Gras – (Fat) Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Zulu, Uptown @ 9 a.m.
Rex, Uptown @ 10 a.m.
Elks Orleanians, Uptown @ follows Rex
Crescent City, Uptown @ follows Elks
Lagniappe – All On Mardi Gras Day
MARDI GRAS/ BLACK MASKING INDIANS: The history of this culture is primarily an oral one told through songs and chants much like the way stories of the past are told by African griots. Although there are numerous origin stories, there is agreement that aspects of the custom of Blacks “masking” (costuming) Indian began in the mid-19th century as a way to honor the Native Americans with whom slaves found refuge when they sought freedom.
On Mardi Gras Day, the Indians roam their neighborhoods, aiming to take claim of “being the prettiest” and challenging opposing tribes who confront them, using traditional chants, dances, drumming and crowd hyping. The Indians can only be found in Black neighborhoods, Uptown, Downtown, Westbank, Carrollton and Treme. Their routes are random and not officially associated with the city’s Mardi Gras festivities. Other indigenous cultural groups who roam the community on Mardi Gras Day include the Baby Dolls, Bones and Skulls, and various walking clubs. If you stumble across them, be respectful, maintain a safe distance and DO NOT take pictures or video without permission.
Dr. Brice Miller with Mahogany BabyDolls
Lagniappe – Do’s & Dont’s
Do bring your family, being, Mardi Gras is a family event. The Girls Gone Wild and Tit-Fest is purely a Bourbon Street, tourist driven activity!
Don’t expect the Girls Gone Wild and Tit-Fest to be the norm of your experience. As a matter of fact, just stay away from Bourbon Street!
Do enjoy the pageantry, creativity, beauty and passion that goes into making Mardi Gras the greatest free party in America. Be in the moment; put the cameras and phones away.
Don’t disrespect the locals by being obnoxious, drunken, thinking you have a right to jump in front people, walking through bands or being privileged. For locals, this is about family and traditions. They’ll kick your ass in a heartbeat!
Do support the live performers by tipping generously in the clubs, buying CD and products, joining their mailing list and taking pictures to share on social media.
Do enjoy yourself, be safe, MaskUp 😷, wash your hands frequently, don’t play politics when it comes to Covid19 because your choices impacts hundreds of other folk, utilize the entertainment services of The New Orleans Music Company and enjoy Mardi Gras in New Orleans!
The New Orleans Music Company is your source for all things entertainment and cultural performance and your resource for all things New Orleans. Our founder, Dr. Brice Miller is not only a Grammy-nominated jazz musician and producer, but also an award winning cultural anthropologist, ethnomusicologist and academic professional. He is one of the most knowledgeable people on Earth regarding New Orleans culture and traditions. He’s also a super cool awesome person and humanitarian.
TBT: ABSOLUTELY WOW! Digging through some family photo albums, I found this picture of me at Kohen Middle School (9th@Ward). True, I’ve been doing this; Band Student of the Month!
As I reflect on how blessed 2021 has been, although there was a ton of heavy shit I was navigating, this picture from my youth reminds me that I’ve been fortunate to ALWAYS be me, working hard, and winning. The prizes and accolades of yesterday bring of sense of pride, the struggles of the now showcases our resilience, but the end game, the victory, is chasing what never comes… TOMORROW, because indeed, tomorrow is TODAY. I’m BLESSED for the moments, the NOW.
Motivation Monday: Being Deeply Immersed in Blessings + Happiness. 2021 threw some curves and the devil be busy, but I’ve been blessed to manifest my plans, dreams and talents into joyful realities. Excited to kick some brASS in 2022!
You gotta believe in you, believe in your dreams, believe in your abilities, believe in your goals and objectives. People are gonna talk about you regardless and those same people will give you every reason to doubt yourself, as a comfort of their own self-doubt and insecurities. There’s no need to share your visions nor explain your reasons to those whom aren’t investing in you winning. And most importantly, there’s no benefit to clinging on to people, relationships or aggregations that you no longer align with; people change and there’s nothing wrong with change, it’s inevitable. Don’t lose your blessings, trying to appease others. Bet on YOU! If you believe you gonna win, keep working until you’ve won.
💍Congrats to MK and Matt. We had a blast performing their wedding ceremony and parading them through the streets of the French Quarter!
We’re not only New Orleans’ premiere musician-owned entertainment services provider, but we also turn our clients ideas into creative events. You dream it, we theme it. Let’s Go!
Dr. Brice Miller is the epitome of New Orleans culture! His family has been entrenched in the culture as both performers and creators for generations. His cultural knowledge is undeniable. It is for these reasons, The New Orleans Music Company is the preeminent entertainment and cultural services provider.
So, if you want the best for your wedding day or private event, just know, The New Orleans Music Company is the SOUL and SOUNDS of New Orleans!
And yes, not only is Dr. Brice Miller New Orleans’ Cultural Ambassador and Grammy Nominated trumpeter, he’s also an handsome Grand Marshal🎶
Ecirb Müller’s Twisted Dixie, a Party Band from New Orleans, is a high end Traditional Jazz/Dance band that plays their unique style of “twisted” Jazz from the American Song Book, by mixing contemporary grooves with traditional songs, plus Cocktail Music, Motown, R&B, Soul, Funk, Rock, Oldies, Top 40/Pop, and Variety songs. This band is perfect for Weddings, Wedding Receptions, Wedding rehearsal parties, Engagement parties, private events, and corporate events.
They are the ultimate party band and will have you and your guest dancing and laughing and partying nonstop! No other band in New Orleans represents the SOUL and SOUNDS of the Crescent City like Ecirb Müller’s Twisted Dixie!
(Sample) SongList 2022:
All of Me
When You’re Smiling
You Are My Sunshine
Baby Got Back
Leave The Door Open
Isn’t
She Lovely
Heard It Through The Great Vine
You’ll Never Find
Stand By Me
On The Sunny-Side of The Street
My Blue Heaven
What A Wonderful World
St. James Infirmary
Basin Street Blues
Truth Hurts
Diamonds and Pearls
Kiss
Silk Sonic
Heartbreak Hotel
Butter Beans
You Are The One
Tallest Man in The World/The Garden
That’s Life
You Are My Sunshine
Ain’t No Stopping Us Now
All I Do Is Win
All Night Long
Brick House
Brown Eyed Girl
24K
Mardi Gras In New Orleans
I Found A New Baby
Easy (Commodores)
I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Back That Ass Up
Get Low
Uptown Funk
Line Dancing Marathon**
It Ain’t Over Till’ It’s Over
Georgia On My Mind
Get Down Tonight
Happy
I Will Survive
Exactly Like You
Do Whatcha Wanna
Friends and Strangers
Fly Me To The Moon
Ain’t Mis’ Behaving
Mercy, Mercy Me
Lady Be Good
Blackbird Special (Dirty Dozen)
Hello Dolly
The Dummy Song
Grazing The Grass
In A Sentimental Mood
I Found A New Baby
Mack The Knife
I’m So New Orleans
Mustang Sally
My Funny Valentine’s
My Girl
No Woman, No Cry
Got To Give It
Sexual Healing
This Is How We Do It
Let Your Mind Be Free
Do It Fluid
Feel Like Funking It Up
I Ate Up The Apple Tree
Bye Bye Blackbird
Second Line
Down By The Riverside
Saints Go Marching In
Do Whatcha Wanna
**NOTE: Also provide Classic New Orleans Ceremony Music as a duo, trio or quartet, featuring Dr. Brice Miller🎺
Ecirb Müller’s Twisted Dixie is not some new band with no direction. Prior to the Covid19 pandemic, they were the #1 Live Band on New Orleans’ famed Frenchmen Street, selling out Spotted Cat and Café Negril weekly, plus being the most requested local band for weddings, conventions, conferences and private events. Both their song list and their sound have been perfected over hundreds of gigs, and the result is a tight, fun, grooving band of veteran musicians, with lots of versatility.
On the road again… Feels so good to be back on the road again!
Excited! Ecirb Müller’s Twisted Dixie performing a New Orleans style wedding on a rooftop in downtown Birmingham today; former University of Alabama student bringing a taste of the Big Easy to the Magic City!
Are you planning a wedding or event and can’t make it down to New Orleans? No worries, we can come to you! Have FUNky New Orleans Music, Will Travel!
As we continue to monitor the restoration of essential services and electricity in New Orleans and our immediate communities post-Hurricane Ida, we at The New Orleans Music Company is working hard to get the music and culture grooving for upcoming events. We’re also working with clients/events that were forced to cancel due to IDA. Our musicians and their families are safe and on the way to recovering and putting the pieces of their lives back together. But getting back to work, performing for events is essential.
As New Orleanians face continued loss and mourning, we recognize that events such as Hurricane Katrina, COVID-19, and Hurricane Ida can strengthen our resolve to preserve our culture and promote an equitable and prosperous future for all. As culture bearers, we are part of a population made of remarkable people, the heartbeat of the city and everything the world loves about New Orleans.
In all that we do at The New Orleans Music Company, our ultimate goal is to improve the lives by sharing the SOUL and SOUNDS of the city with the world. As the official cultural ambassadors of New Orleans, The New Orleans Music Company understands the importance music plays in our lives and can’t wait to bring some joy and happiness during these devastating times; 16 years after Hurricane Katrina brought so much ruin. But now, like then, we are resolved to celebrate all things New Orleans music and culture.
WE ARE BACK TO PERFORMING AND BOOKING EVENTS! HAVE MUSIC, WILL TRAVEL ALSO ✈️
If you have any specific questions regarding your upcoming event(s), send us an email. We’re also working with clients and venues to make any adjustments needed to allow events to still happen, in New Orleans! We’re going to get this, together. In the meantime, here are some ways you can support the musicians and culture bearers:
• Send them some financial support • Help pay for property damage • Give a gas card to pay for fuel back and forth to the city • Book them for an event or house concert • Give them a prepaid card for groceries • Offer to pay a bill due to loss gigs • Whatever you do, give directly to the person!
Ladies and Gentleman, here in the Upper Most Caribbean, there is a major hurricane in the gulf, heading towards the New Orleans region in a cone of uncertainty. We are taking all precautions and hunkering down.
Regarding events. All performances and events planned for this weekend are now canceled and/or postponed, including weddings. All events scheduled for this coming week with Nissan and Host Global are still scheduled as planned.
We will update clients on a case-for-case basis regarding any specific changes for your event. In the meantime, we encourage you’ll to be safe. The New Orleans Music Company is the SOUL and SOUNDS of New Orleans, but we can’t do that if we aren’t healthy. Like the covid virus, we can’t fool nor outsmart Mother Nature. Be safe.
If you are visiting New Orleans, the city is NOT under a mandatory evacuation, which means, the drinks are still flowing and there’s loud music blasting out the clubs on Bourbon Street. However, again, we encourage you to take precautions regarding your safety.
We are The New Orleans Music Company and we’ll see y’all on the other side of this storm.
The NEW ORLEANS MUSIC COMPANY 