Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Brings Out Branford Marsalis, Warren Haynes & Alecia Chakour In New Orleans
Watch Haynes and Marsalis star on “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed,” “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?” and “Touch Of Grey” at The Fillmore.
By Scott Bernstein May 4, 2026 • 7:36 am PDT
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead returned to New Orleans on Saturday for their annual visit to the Crescent City coinciding with Jazz Fest. The five-piece was joined by saxophonist Branford Marsalis, guitarist Warren Haynes and vocalist Alecia Chakour for guest appearances over the course of the evening at The Fillmore.
The band consisting of namesake drummer Joe Russo, keyboardist Marco Benevento, bassist Dave Dreiwitz and guitarists Scott Metzger and Tom Hamilton opened the show with a bit of a jam that paved the way for blues standard “Good Morning, School Girl.” Hamilton then led the group through “Eyes Of The World” before Metzger fronted “New Minglewood Blues.” The vocal back-and-forth continued with “Shakedown Street” and “Good Lovin’.”
Next, Tedeschi Trucks Band's Alecia Chakour became the first guest of the night on Saturday in New Orleans. Chakour’s sixth JRAD appearance since 2016 began with the band’s second-ever cover of Ike & Tina Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High.” Alecia belted out the Phil Spector, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich co-written song while playing tambourine in a reprise of her February 2024 JRAD collaboration in Atlanta.
Chakour stuck around to guide Almost Dead through a set-closing “Georgia (On My Mind),” another song she sang with the quintet on February 10, 2024 in Atlanta. The 2024 version was a debut, followed by Benevento providing a solo rendition last February at the same Atlanta venue, The Eastern.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead was augmented by another old friend, Branford Marsalis, when they came back for the second set. The NOLA legend and frequent Grateful Dead collaborator previously teamed with JRAD at Newport Jazz in 2023, at Red Rocks in 2024 and at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas in 2025.
A spacey jam laid the groundwork for a horn-driven “Let It Grow” to get the frame underway. JRAD and Marsalis then lit into “Scarlet Begonias.” The five musicians smoothly modulated before launching into the Almost Dead debut “Spiral Dance” cover. The performance of the Keith Jarrett classic bled into “Cats Under The Stars,” which eventually segued into “I Know You Rider.”
Set two continued with a powerful “Throwing Stones.” JRAD and Marsalis moved back into “Cats Under The Stars” before Warren Haynes joined the fray for The Allman Brothers Band instrumental “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed.” A standalone “Viola Lee Blues” followed along with a cover of Derek & The Dominos’ “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?.” Warren Haynes and Branford Marsalis also contributed to the “Touch Of Grey” encore.
A livestream replay of the entire show is available for nugs subscribers. Watch JRAD team with Warren Haynes and Branford Marsalis in New Orleans below via video shot by Monica Hampton:
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| monihampton (See 89 videos) | |
| Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (See 443 videos) , Branford Marsalis (See 46 videos) and Warren Haynes (See 324 videos) |
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| monihampton (See 89 videos) | |
| Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (See 443 videos) and Branford Marsalis (See 46 videos) |
Photos by Adam McCullough
Setlist
Set One: Good Morning School Girl, Eyes Of The World, New Minglewood Blues, Shakedown Street, Good Lovin’, River Deep Mountain High*, Georgia (On My Mind)*
Set Two: Let It Grow**, Scarlet Begonias** > Spiral Dance** > Cats Under The Stars** > I Know You Rider**, Throwing Stones** > Cats Under The Stars** > In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed**^, Viola Lee Blues**^, Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?**^
Encore: Touch Of Grey**^
- * – with Alecia Chakour
- ** – with Branford Marsalis
- ^ – with Warren Haynes
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