Snug Harbor: Living Room Jazz
SNUG HARBOR
626 Frenchmen Street
Faubourg Mariginy
New Orleans’ best-known jazz club is also a kind of living room for two of the city’s best-loved musical families: the Neville and Marsalis families. Charmaine Neville performs every Monday evening at Snug Harbor. Delfeayo Marsalis plays Wednesdays, while his Dad, jazz legend Ellis Marsalis, is on stage every Friday.
Jazz legend Ellis Marsalis is on stage every Friday at Snug Harbor. Photo from Wikipedia.
Allen Toussaint, John Wooton or the Dave Stryker Quartet make frequent appearances. as well. Piano Night and Horn-a-Copia Night always bring in great musicians to jam. The club seats 85, including the upstairs balcony – the perfect size to comfortably experience a jazz ensemble. Mirrors lining the club walls also help guests view the performers.
Now 33-years old, Snug Harbor was founded by Glenn Mebish in a renovated 1800’s storefront located in the Faubourg Marigny, adjacent to the French Quarter. Mebish later sold the club to George Brumat. Brumat’s love of jazz and his relationships with local musicians built the club into one of the most successful venues in New Orleans.
“Many times, tickets sell out as soon as the monthly schedule is announced,” says Jeff Broussard, Assistant General Manager. “There is no SRO, so I always advise our customers to grab tickets quickly if there’s a musician on the schedule that they’re really interested in.”
Charmaine Neville performs every Monday evening at Snug Harbor. Photo from Wikipedia.
Jeff Broussard, Assistant General Manager for Snug Harbor. Photo by Marla Norman.
“Jazz Fest in late April and early May is incredibly busy for us,” Broussard continues. “The Satchmo Fest, at the end of July is another busy time. And Bayou Bugaloo in May and the Creole Tomato Festival are big draws for us too.” Broussard shrugs his shoulders. “It’s always busy anymore. We’re very fortunate.”
Check the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau for a calendar of events and general information about festivals in the French Quarter as well as greater New Orleans.
The Snug Harbor Restaurant serves cajun specialties: Barbecue Shrimp, Blackened Fish and some of the city’s best hamburgers. Come early before the shows, which start at 8:00 p.m. and again at 10:00 p.m.
