THE MAIN SQUEEZE

For the 7th year in a row, CEG / NolaFunk – the NY-based event promoter that honors the musicians and spirit of New Orleans – will expand its annual Mardi Gras Ball in NYC with the first installment of the Nolafunk Mardi Gras Ball Tour, including stops in Philadelphia, Baltimore & DC. Each show will be led by New Orleans royalty, Kermit Ruffins and his band the BBQ Swingers. Raised in the 9th Ward and featured on the HBO series ‘Treme,’ this trumpet player, composer and “unabashed entertainer” (NY Times) embraces the true, swinging spirit of New Orleans. The tour also features the Stooges Brass Band (Feb 7-9), and the Main Squeeze (Feb 6-8.) Prior years of the Mardi Gras Ball have featured many of the premier artists from New Orleans including Dr. John, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Rebirth Brass Band, Anders Osborne, Jon Cleary, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, and many more. In addition to the headliners, the Mardi Gras Ball usually books up & comers at the time who move on to larger audiences. Prior years have included Marco Benevento, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds, the Soul Rebels and more. This year is no different with the inclusion of the Main Squeeze and the Stooges Brass Band. The Stooges Brass Band is one of the premier brass bands of New Orleans. Their blend of traditional New Orleans brass with contemporary urban beats has gained them attention from around the USA and the world. “The Stooges Brass Band puts on one of the most entertaining, audience-interactive shows of any band on the scene.”