Shannon Powell photographed by Liz Charky
The New Orleans Jazz Museum and the Jazz Foundation of America present a performance featuring Shannon Powell on Wednesday, September 21st at 2:00 PM CDT.
This program takes place inside our third-floor Performance Center, listening room. Admission is free and open to the public, seating is limited and offered first come, first serve. Learn more about our program admission policy.
Enjoy jazz music from home with the New Orleans Jazz Museum! Join the Jazz Museum online for our daily Live-Stream Concert Series, in which dynamic jazz musicians perform live from the Jazz Museum! Tune in at 2 pm on facebook.com/nolajazzmuseum/live to watch for free.
Shannon Powell is a highly sought after drummer and percussionist who has achieved international acclaim for his commanding technique and style, rooted in the characteristic funky drum beats of New Orleans. As a youth growing up in New Orleans' storied Faubourg Tremé, home to many of the city's jazz performers, Powell was surrounded by music. By age 6, Shannon Powell was playing drums regularly for his church, the First Garden Christ Church. It was a natural transition from the raw spiritualism and rhythms of his church to the driving grooves of traditional New Orleans jazz. Soon after, he began visiting and performing at the historic Preservation Hall alongside local legends such as Cié Frasier and Freddie Coleman.
From 1987 to 1992, Powell toured extensively with Harry Connick, Jr. and released two platinum albums with Connick including, We Are in Love, and Blue Light Red Light. He also recorded Lofty's Roach Souffle with Connick. During subsequent years, Powell has toured with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center, Marcus Roberts, Diana Krall, Dr. John, Earl King, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and John Scofield. Powell has also recorded with a long list of noteworthy artists, including Ellis Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Donald Harrison, Irvin Mayfield, Leroy Jones, Blind Boys of Alabama, Topsy Chapman, John Boutte, Kermit Ruffins, Tommy Ridgely, Charmaine Neville, Jeremy Davenport, Chuck Carbo, Johnny Adams, Lars Edegran, Russell Malone, Juanita Brooks, Henry Butler, Mighty Sam McClain, Barbara Shorts, George Porter, Jr., Snooks Eaglin, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
Currently, he is a bandleader and has recorded his own CD, Powell's Place, which showcases a mix of traditional and original jazz songs and also features Powell on vocals. Powell is considered a leading force on the traditional jazz circuit and also serves as an educator and clinician. He has been featured at workshops presented at universities and jazz festivals all over the world. Considered a living legend in New Orleans music, Shannon Powell is heralded as "The King of Treme”, the neighborhood where he grew up in New Orleans, which has given birth to countless musical inspirations and innovations.
Click here to learn more about Shannon Powell!