The Mardi Gras Cocktail Hour

In celebration of Fat Tuesday, we are publishing a new Mardi Gras playlist curated by Joe Grillo from Ambient DJs. Joe is a talented band leader, vocalist, sax player and DJ who has a keen fascination with the sounds of New Orleans. This passion is evidenced by the recent formation of his New Jersey-based group “The Gumbo Gumbas” that performs New Orleans classics as well as their own jazz and zydeco-influenced compositions. To connect with the Gumbo Gumbas and view their touring schedule, visit www.gumbogumbas.com

The play list that follows is a combination of classic old school Dixieland music and more modern Zydeco fare. Zydeco is backwoods Louisiana music that features accordion and washboard. It’s great music to dance to! The playlist contains several original songs by the Gumbo Gumbas off their just released debut album “Back to NOLA.” Immediately below the playlist you will find an embedded Spotify player where you can enjoy Joe’s playlist.

For a signature cocktail, we’ve selected a classic cocktail invented in New Orleans, the Sazerac. The Sazerac features rye whiskey, aromatic bitters, an absinthe rinse and a lemon twist. To learn how to mix a delicious Sazerac, check out this video by Nick Fisher from Cocktail Chemistry Lab at www.cocktailchemistrylab.com/home/sazerac

The Marti Gras Cocktail Hour Playlist

1. Back to NOLA - The Gumbo Gumbas

2. Iko Iko - Dr. John

3. Bourbon Street Parade - Al Hirt Band

4. Basin Street Blues - Pete Fountain

5. Froggie Moore Rag - Alex Welsh

6. Walkin’ the Dog - Edmond Hall

7. Clarinet Marmalade - Al Hirt

8. Hello, Dolly! - Louis Armstrong

9. Struttin’ with Some Barbecue - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

10. The Darktown Strutters’ Ball - Pete Fountain

11. Down in New Orleans - Dr. John

12. Mardi Gras Mambo - Zachary Richard

13. Zydeco La Louisanne - Buckwheat Zydeco

14. Fuggetabout It - The Gumbo Gumbas

15. Pretty Little Hen - The Gumbo Gumbas

16. Madame Pitre - Buckwheat Zydeco

17. Acting the Devil - Chris Ardoin & Double Clutchin’

18. Let the Good Times Roll - Buckwheat Zydeco

19. Gonna Take You Downtown - Beau Jocque and the Zydeco Hi-Rollers

20. Too Much Wine - Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas

21. Blueberry Hill - Louis Armstrong

22. My Parade - The Gumbo Gumbas

Listen on Spotify

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For a bonus New Orleans playlist, check out DJ Gregg Ambient’s set by clicking here

The delicious Sazerac from Verve’s Mardi Gras cocktail menu

For delicious classic cocktails, a visit to Verve in Somerville NJ is a must!