If you're looking for live music to play at your Mardi Gras party, check out our selection of jazz bands and soloists on The Bash. Scroll to the end to find our bangin' Mardi Gras playlist available to stream on Spotlify. READ MORE: Colorful Mardi Gras Zoom Backgrounds; Mardi Gras Party Ideas for 2025; Amazing Mardi Gras Entertainment Ideas Recorded on the Ric label, Al Johnson’s “Carnival Time” hit the streets of New Orleans for Mardi Gras of 1960. While it didn’t catch on at first, today it’s a standard. That’s Mac Rebennack (Dr. John) on the piano. A selection of music to get you in the mood for Mardi Gras and Carnival from the artists of New Orleans' premiere record label, Basin Street Records! Featuring Jon Cleary, Rebirth Brass Band, Dr. Michael White, Henry Butler, Los Hombres Calientes, Kermit Ruffins, Jason Marsalis, Irvin Mayfield and more. A good playlist is the heartbeat of your celebration, and we’ve compiled 70 songs to capture the spirit of Mardi Gras. From classic brass band bangers to soulful jazz and modern hits, these tunes will keep your party lively and your spirits high. 70 Songs For Your Mardi Gras Playlist. Traditional Mardi Gras Classics. Mardi Gras Mambo by The The Essence of Mardi Gras Music. Historical Roots: From Brass Bands to Today’s Hits; Mardi Gras music traces its origins to the lively streets of New Orleans, a melting pot of cultural influences. Brass bands, a cornerstone of Mardi Gras music, set the stage for a tradition of celebration that spans genres from jazz to R&B, zydeco, and beyond The Mardi Gras Indians started their journey in the late 1800s and pulled much of their influence from their Native American comrades. Whether they're Wild Tchoupitoulas or Wild Magnolia, the music of the Mardi Gras Indians represents strength and long-rooted tradition and is as vital a part of Mardi Gras music history as the music of brass bands. Now, we relay to yet another pair of local maestros, playing in tandem and ably keeping the pace. Harrison's nimble sax weaves in and out of the expert groove laid down by the good doctor's piano. Contrary to the idealized image of Mardi Gras in the public mind, Carnival time often requires a lot of time simply hanging out with your people. Mardi Gras traditions differ regionally: You’ll find jazz-tinged New Orleans-style parades in the bayou and Cajun-coated chicken runs down south. Celebrations vary, sure, but good music never does: It’s as integral to Louisiana’s culture as the holiday is. Mardi Gras Music. No single sound defines Mardi Gras. With the YouTube Music app, enjoy over 100 million songs at your fingertips, plus albums, playlists, remixes, music videos, live performances, covers, and hard-to-find music you can’t get anywhere else. NOLA Funk Fest celebrates the unique sounds of funk and Mardi Gras music. Plus, smaller festivals around New Orleans feature local bands and traditional brass music, creating a vibrant atmosphere you won't want to miss! What Role Do Lyrics Play in Mardi Gras Music? Imagine the pulse of a parade, where lyrics dance like confetti in the air. Get psyched for Fat Tuesday with over 2 hours of great Mardi Gras music. Celebrate with Classic Dixiland Jazz from NOLA! Fat Tuesday in the Big Easy. Second The traditions of Mardi Gras are a huge part of New Orleans' cultural identity. They've been evolving since the mid-1700s, and for the past century or so, the music of the Crescent City has As a result, jazz is not the most common music heard during the months leading up to and including Mardi Gras. The Zulu Club introduced second-line music to parades in the 1800s, and jazz, brass, rhythm and blues, and zydeco all played a role in the rise of Carnival sounds. One of my favorite lists to play is my set of Mardi Gras songs that I tend to turn up quite loudly and quite often – even ‘out-of-season’. Here, I compiled 12 of my favorite themed tunes in no particular order that includes a day-after Mardi Gras Day song. Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette will run from Friday, February 28 through March 4 (Mardi Gras Day). The festivities will kick off on Friday, February 28 with the Krewe Allons Kick-Off Parade, which will roll at 6:30 pm. Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette is the ending point for that parade and all the other weekend Lafayette parades. One of the most enduring songs of the Mardi Gras season is the 1954 version of Mardi Gras Mambo. It started as a country Western tune by Jody Levins and Lou Welsh. 4. "Hey Pocky A-Way" - The Meters. Speaking of the Meters, this is another thrilling tune often played during Mardi Gras celebrations. Recorded in 1974, "Hey Pocky A-Way" isn't just a Carnival-appropriate jam, but also an important funk standard. What kind of music is played at Mardi Gras? And while famous musicians like Louis Armstrong made jazz a popular part of Mardi Gras, it isn’t the most common genre heard during the season. Introduced to parades by the Zulu Club in the 1800s, second line music, along with brass music, rhythm and blues, and zydeco, became leading sounds of Carnival. The songs that are played on Mardi Gras floats are often traditional Louisiana songs or popular songs with a Louisiana twist. Here are some of the most popular songs that you might hear on a Mardi Gras float: “Iko Iko” – This traditional Mardi Gras song is often sung by float riders as they pass by spectators. The lyrics are simple but Mardi Gras Parade Music from New Orleans. VARIOUS ARTISTS. 16 SONGS • 1 HOUR AND 9 MINUTES • DEC 19 2013. Play. 1. Mardi Gras Parade. Emile Christian. 02:44. 2.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |