Dragon Smoke + Strange Hotels

Dragon Smoke is a band born out of the beloved New Orleans Jazz Fest tradition known as the “Superjam”—a concept built on throwing together musicians who don’t normally share a stage and seeing what magic unfolds. Featuring the dual vocal power of Neville and Lindell alongside the powerhouse Galactic rhythm section, the group knew almost immediately that they had stumbled onto something special. Dragon Smoke has played every Jazz Fest since its inception in 2003, when the band first came together at the famed Dragon’s Den—the legendary venue that gave the group its name.

The music is a potent brew: Lindell’s blue-eyed soul weaving through Neville’s funk and R&B, all riding on top of Galactic’s deep, infectious groove. Outside of a handful of trips to the West Coast, Dragon Smoke has been a strictly New Orleans affair, which only adds to the mystique. With every member a bandleader in their own right, getting everyone in the same room is a rare occurrence—but when it happens, the energy is undeniable. These guys are genuinely having FUN up there. The interplay between the members is so seamless and electric, you’d swear Dragon Smoke had been touring together for decades.

Now, the band is looking toward the future, with plans to write and record an album and take the show on the road beyond New Orleans and the Bay Area. So keep your eyes open for the Smoke—because if you see smoke, you know you’re about to see fire.

Featuring an opening set by Strange Hotels. Doors open at 6pm