Shotgun Jazz Band

Shotgun Jazz Band had its humble beginnings as the street-performing duo of Marla and John Dixon and now perform as a seven-piece ensemble. Instead of meticulously recreating the approach of a specific band or era, Shotgun has simply kept true to a few guiding principles: bluesy, no-nonsense melodies, old New Orleans-style ensemble playing, a stomping rhythm section, and the abiding belief that New Orleans Jazz is essentially party music and as such, playing and listening to it should be fun. Also, it doesn't hurt to have one of New Orleans' strongest vocalists, Marla Dixon, leading the charge. With these basic tenets in mind, the band has developed a style that's immediate in its influences, yet uniquely their own.