Taylor Hicks to Perform in Down on the Bayou III Tonight!

DOZENS OF NEW ORLEANS MOST BELOVED MUSICIANS
JOIN TOGETHER TO JAM FOR CHARITY

New Orleans, LA - On Thursday, May 5, 2011, kicking off the second weekend of the 42^nd New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival , a collection of internationally renowned artists will take the stage for the 3^rd annual DOWN ON THE BAYOU III event to benefit the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic and Assistance Foundation. The concert will take place at the legendary Howlin’ Wolf venue and tickets are available exclusively through their website at www.howlin-wolf.com. The cost per person is $99.00 and all proceeds will go directly to the charity to help fund multiple programs and affordable health care for New Orleans music community.

The improvisational super jam was founded by Down on the Bayou musical director John “JoJo” Hermann and his Mardi Gras band. The assortment of confirmed artists range from legendary guitarist Walter “Wolfman” Washington, trombone powerhouse Big Sam Williams, The Wild Magnolias to the Soul Queen of New Orleans Irma Thomas, and represent the myriad of styles being featured at the fairgrounds all weekend. The evening will showcase the musical culture and heritage of New Orleans and will include jazz, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, blues, R&B, rock, funk, folk and more. All of the musicians who will appear on stage are donating their time and world-class talent to support the event. The benefit is scheduled to begin at 9:00pm and will continue throughout the night until 6am to accommodate all of the participating artists and special guests. “I’ve spent many years studying the style and artistry of some of New Orleans legendary performers such as Mac Rebennack (Dr. John), Professor Longhair and others,” recalls JoJo Hermann “and I couldn’t think of a better way to pay tribute to them than to support the city that inspired them and the organization that provides for so many that are following in their footsteps”.

Confirmed artists include the following: Dave Anderson, Marcia Ball, Russell Batiste, Bonerama, Monk Boudreaux, Jimmy Carpenter, Tom Chute, Jack Cruz, Benjy Davis, members of Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Big Chief Bo Dollis, Dave Easley, Sherman Ewing, John “Papa” Gros, Tony Hall, Col. Bruce Hampton, Taylor Hicks, Billy Iuso and Restless Natives, JoJo’s Mardi Gras Band, Matt Jones, DJ Logic, John Magnie*, Delfeayo Marsalis, Steve Molitz, Deacon John Moore, Ivan Neville, Christine Ohlman, Anders Osborne, Pimps of Joytime, Alfred “Uganda” Roberts, Khris Royal, Kermit Ruffins, Paul Sanchez, Reggie Scanlon, 7 Walkers featuring Matt Hubbard, Bill Kreutzmann, Papa Mali and George Porter, Jr., Irma Thomas, Johnny Vidacovich, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Raymond Webber, Wild Magnolias, Big Sam Williams, 101 Runners PLUS VERY SPECIAL GUESTS….

It was with great sadness, we saw the passing of Herman "Roscoe" Ernest on March 6th of this year. Dr. John's "diesel funk" drummer for over 30 years, Mr. Ernest was loved and respected by all who knew him. In her husband's memory, Joyce Ernest established a fund at the New Orleans Musicians Assistance Foundation and in less than 2 months, that fund has evolved into The NOMAF Herman Ernest Memorial Interfaith Health Screening Initiative. A portion of this show's proceeds will go to this initiative, with the knowledge that earlier detection of cancer will save lives. It is our honor to dedicate Down on the Bayou III to Mr. Herman “Roscoe” Ernest III.

The mission of the New Orleans Musicians Assistance Foundation is to keep music alive by sustaining New Orleans musicians and tradition bearers in body, mind and spirit. We do this through providing access to health and social services through the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic, regardless of musicians’ ability to pay, and by fostering cultural opportunities that advocate for and support this effort. For more information, please visit www.NOMAF.org.