Soul Sessions with Erica Falls and friends at Dew-Drop Inn – New Orleans Live Music Photography

Erica Falls and friends Soul Sessions at the Dew-Drop Inn was an awesome show in a one of a kind place. The Dew-Drop Inn was host to so many iconic Black musicians in the 50's and 60's, offering a space for the burgeoning genre of Rock 'n Roll. Ray Charles, Little Richard, Irma Thomas, Fats Domino, and other legends spent lots of time there. It offered artists a place to play, live, record, enjoy the restaurant and night club, and also had a barbershop. It was operating for many many years as a hotel and so much more. It was featured in the "Negro Motorist Green Book" as a safe place for Blacks that were traveling. It was renovated to bring it back to life after Hurricane Katrina closed it completely after operating in one form or another since 1939. It was renovated in 2023, preserving so much history and you walk into a space that takes you back in time to the days of the lounge nightclub.

I was so glad Chris Adkins, amazing guitarist and friend, filled me about this fun show happening. I was glad I got to catch the second set of after a run of 4 other performances that afternoon into evening. I wish I had gotten to see the whole show, but I could only be in one place at a time unfortunately. The level of respect I have for these musicians is off the charts - especially as they maintain insane Jazzfest schedules that keep them running all over town for almost 2 weeks. My schedule was light compared to theirs but it wore me out nonetheless. I'll be more prepared next year with lots of exercise, training, and drinking a lot more water so I can try to keep up with them.

The lineup that night was Erica Falls, Chris Adkins, Nicholas Payton, Nikki Glaspie, Lyrics Born, Raymond Weber, Nate Edgar, and Andriu Yanovski. I was there for Erica Falls, Nicholas Payton, Lyrics Born, Raymond Weber, Nate Edgar, and Chris Adkins. I hated missing seeing the legendary drummer Nikki play again (she ROCKED it at the Zildjian Drum Jam!) and the epic key player Andriu (seeing him play at a few shows during my visit blew me away!).

Without further ado here are some of my favorite photos from that show. Remember to "bring all your fine friends and go to the Dew- Drop Inn!" I will certainly be back...maybe without the camera but I know I'd want it with all the vintage details in that place - go check it out if you get the chance! Truly an amazing place - if only the walls could talk...