Big Sam’s Funky Nation Releases New Single ‘Mardi Gras In New Orleans’

Big Sam’s Funky Nation released a new single, “Mardi Gras In New Orleans.” The track arrives just ahead of Mardi Gras, which takes place in February.

With the COVID-19 pandemic raging, the beloved New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration may look a little different in 2021. That notion is what got Big Sam’s Funky Nation frontman and trombonist Sammie Williams thinking.

“I was sitting at home right before Christmas thinking about Mardi Gras and how different or nonexistent it would be in 2021 and it just hit me to write a Mardi Gras song!” Williams told Offbeat Magazine. “We know the classics that have been around forever and hopefully this song will be right up there with those. I wanted everyone to experience Mardi Gras through the song. Although I can’t touch on everything, you hear and feel the vibe of the holiday all throughout.”

The track features Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph on backing vocals, Derwin Perkins on guitar, Drew Baham on trumpet, Utopia Francois on alto sax, Calvin Johnson on tenor sax, Jerry Henderson on bass and Big Chief Shaka Zulu on percussion.

Stream “Mardi Gras In New Orleans” below: