NM Jazz Festival on ABQ Civic Plaza Featuring Leyla McCalla; hONEyhoUSe; & Marcia Ball (A Free Event!)

A member of North Carolina’s Grammy winning old-time string band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, from 2010-2012, Leyla McCalla, a second generation Haitian American, grew up in New York where she trained as a classical cellist at New York University. She left “the Drops” to pursue a solo career and relocated to New Orleans where she has been soaking up the Creole traditions ever since. She has released three albums, including her recent release, The Capitalist Blues (2019) which is, as she describes it, her way of processing the current political environment. Produced by Jimmy Horn of the acclaimed New Orleans R&B band, King James and the Special Men, the album features the Special Men band and marks the first time McCalla has recorded her own material with a full band. A unique multi-award winning acoustic trio, hONEyhoUSe combines the talents of three very diverse and seasoned artists– R&B/ Gospel soulstress Hillary Smith; earthy Blues/Folk singer-songwriter Yvonne Perea; and the sweet- voiced Mandy Buchanan (who will be replaced for this show by Lyric Morrison). hONEyhoUSe seamlessly melds the lines of musical genres with their original creations embracing blues, soul, folk and Americana into a powerhouse force. They have released five albums, including a live recording, Raw Honey (2017) and their latest and fifth, Kick Up The Dust, which was released locally and nationally on Howlin’ Dog Records this past April. Texas-born, Louisiana-raised pianist, songwriter and vocalist Marcia Ball has enjoyed a fifty-year career, winning worldwide fame for her ability to ignite a full-scale roadhouse rhythm and blues party every time she takes the stage. Her rollicking Texas boogies, swampy New Orleans ballads, and groove-laden Gulf Coast blues have made her a one-of-a-kind favorite with music lovers all over the world. Her reputation as a profoundly soulful singer, boundlessly talented pianist and courageous, inventive songwriter continues to grow. Nominated for five Grammy awards, Ball won 10 Blues Music Awards and 10 Living Blues Awards. Living Blues wrote “her originals sound like timeless classics and southern soul masterpieces that no one else can imitate.” Named the official 2018 Texas State Musician, Ball just released her latest album, Shine Bright, which was called “daring, inspired, poignant and timely.” Free!