My main goal when writing and recording "River's On Fire" was to use as much of my musical background as I could in order to paint a more complete picture of who I am as a musician.

New Orleans is not a pop culture. We're an indigenous, Jazz, R&B, funk, roots culture. Our music, food and culture is alive and breathing today. And that's why people want to come to New Orleans, because they can't experience what we have in their own home town.

At Jazz Fest I will play with five to ten different groups, each of which has 20 to 30 songs to prepare for. That's where it comes back to your training and having faith and trust in the musicians you are playing with.

I think the New Orleans music scene is in a better place than I have ever seen it in my life. The musicians coming up are THAT good and THAT focused.

Wednesday, November 7, at the Rives Theatre in Martinsville, Virginia! Tickets at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3621146

It's the energy. The energy is created by the fans, the musicians, the restaurants, the clubs, the festival staff on down to the volunteers. We are all in it for the same reason, to promote what we feel is important about Louisiana culture. We musicians travel all...