Bill Kreutzmann Surprise Sit-In Part Of New Orleans Visit

Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann’s trip to New Orleans has gotten off to a high-flying start as not only did Billy perform two nights of Dead Feat over the weekend, but he also sat-in with an unsuspecting band who were playing a Dead cover at a NOLA club when the drummer walked in.

Kreutzmann detailed what happened next in a Facebook post:

Today was one of those days when I was reminded of just how much of a joy and a privilege it is to make music with people. I walked into a bar in New Orleans and heard a band in the empty back room playing “Scarlet Begonias.” I couldn’t help myself. I just had to play it with them. The drummer handed me his sticks and I jammed it out with the young bassist and guitarist. Afterwards, they freaked out about how much fun it was and they asked me my name. When I told them who I was…well…it was a pretty special moment. But it was before then –when I first got behind their drums and played my first beat with these strangers…young kids trying on a song that I had the honor of playing around the world…that the joy in my eyes lit up. Thank you, New Orleans. Never change.

The shocking sit-in took place at The Howlin’ Wolf, where Kreutzmann joined Wes Williams Band for “Scarlet” as per Live For Live Music’s report. Kreutzmann had finished a pair of Dead Feat shows at the club the two nights prior. Dead Feat found Kreutzmann performing with the likes of Billy Iuso, Anders Osborne, Fred Tackett, Paul Barerre, Tony Leone, John Gros and Carl Dufrene.

A pair of fan-shot videos from Saturday’s Dead Feat show have surfaced thanks to Nunu Zomot:

[Franklin’s Tower]

[I Know You Rider]

You may recall that Kreutzmann recently surprised a San Francisco busker by joining in on an impromptu drum jam under similar circumstances. Next up for Billy K. is a pair of Voodoo Dead performances this weekend.