Terence Higgins

Terence Higgins was born in New Orleans in 1970 and was raised on the west bank of New Orleans in the suburb of Algiers. He was introduced to the drums at a very young age by his great-grandfather, and he has been playing ever since. In high school, he was one of two students chosen from the state of Louisiana to perform in the McDonald's All-American Band; after high school he enrolled in music studies at Southern University, and after a few years, he decided to pursue a career in the music business. Specializing in New Orleans grooves and keeping in touch with the Crescent City's second line tradition and early New Orleans funk and R&B, he draws his influences from the legends of New Orleans drumming such as: Baby Dodds, Earl Palmer, Smokey Johnson, Charles "Hungry" Williams, Zigaboo, and Idris Mohammad to name a few.

Terence's professional career has taken him all over the world and his unsurpassed, versatile and diverse skill set on the drums have allowed him to play with an eclectic group of musicians in all genres of music. Terence credits George Porter Jr. of the Meters for taking him under his wing and introducing him to the vast repertoire of New Orleans music. In addition to playing with George, Terence has performed with artists like Dr. John, Earl King, Snooks Eaglin, Johnny Adams, Fats Domino, the Dirty Dozen Brass band, and many other artists. In recent years, Terence has toured the world with John Scofield Piety Street Band, The Warren Haynes Band, Tab Benoit, Ani DiFranco, as well the popular Last Waltz tribute tour and star-studded and nationally televised tributes to Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson as well as his own band Swampgrease and other personal recording projects, as well as the producer of several worldwide-distributed Drum Loop Libraries for artist and producers. Terence is a two-time Grammy award-winning drummer in collaboration with Jon Cleary’s Go-Go Juice CD for Best Regional, and Aaron Neville/Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s Stompin Ground from the celebrated film Take Me To The River New Orleans for the Best American Roots Performance. He is also the Founder of the Louisiana Drumline Camp that teaches and mentors young drummers from across Louisiana.

Growing up in New Orleans has exposed him to some of the greatest music and culture the world has to offer; Terence is no exception, as the next generation and Terence’s significant musical output continues the legacy of the musical heritage of the city of New Orleans.

Wil Blades

No less a jazz organ authority than the legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith has called Wil Blades “the future,” anointing him the heir apparent to “carry on the legend [and] the legacy of the organ, of the B-3.” Over the past twenty years, Blades has grown to be one of the most in-demand Hammond organ players, achieving international recognition. In 2017, Blades won Downbeat Magazine’s “Rising Star” critic’s poll for organ, after being nominated every year since 2006. Blades has performed and recorded with a who’s who of Jazz, Funk and Blues greats including John Lee Hooker, John Scofield, Nicholas Payton, Terrace Martin, Idris Muhammad, Melvin Sparks, Bernard Purdie, Joe Louis Walker, Donald Harrison Jr, Karl Denson, Charlie Hunter, Jason Marsalis, Adam Deitch, Stanton Moore and many more

Lyle Divinsky

Lyle Divinsky is one of those unlikely success stories. Raised in the small but mighty music scene of Portland, Maine, he then cut his teeth underground playing in the New York City subways for 5 years before his self-released album, Uneven Floors, launched him into ears around the globe - reaching #2 on the UK Soul Charts within weeks + radio play in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Soon after, he joined the Colorado funk powerhouse, The Motet, which took him to some of the biggest and most historic stages and festivals in the country including Red Rocks, Madison Square Garden, the legendary Tipitina’s in New Orleans, The Fillmore in San Francisco and so many more. After 5 years, 2 studio albums, 2 live albums, and over 500 shows, he’s returned to his roots, re-launching his solo career, and has been releasing a song per month all of 2023.

His voice, presence, and songwriting having truly taken him from Subways to Stadiums.

Ari Teitel

Ari Teitel is a multiple GRAMMY-nominated musician, producer, singer and songwriter based in New Orleans. The former member of Mardi Gras Indian Funk band Cha Wa earned two nominations for Best Regional Roots Music Album during his tenure with the group, for which he served as musical director, songwriter, producer, and guitarist. Teitel most recently earned a GRAMMY nomination with his project The Rumble Ft. Chief Joseph Boudreaux with his fellow former Cha Wa bandmates. Celebrated for his fluency in funk, jazz, blues, soul, r&b, gospel, rock, and more, Teitel has performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, JazzAscona in Switzerland, Ottawa Jazz Festival and Cupa Dupa in New Zealand. He has worked with Iggy Pop, PJ Morton, David Shaw, Ivan Neville, Nigel Hall, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Mononeon, and many more.

Kevin Scott

After 15 years on the Atlanta music scene, bassist Kevin Scott is expanding his musical and geographic reach while currently residing in NYC. In the last few years, he has toured and recorded with Govt. Mule, Warren Haynes, Jimmy Herring and John McLaughlin’s “Meeting of the Spirits,” Wayne Krantz, FORQ, Donny McCaslin, and Wednesday Night Titans. Kevin’s creative spirit and instinctual, groove-driven playing have made him a must-have on many exciting and unique projects. Although his itinerary has him travelling more than ever with no signs of slowing, he remains a musical pillar in Atlanta, where he has been a member of multiple bands including Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics and King Baby, and hosts the long-standing Monday night jam session at 529; an improvised, no-holds barred weekly steel cage match.

Don’t miss this extra-special funky party featuring some of the deepest musicians on the scene today!

Terence Higgins’ Funky Party

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Doors: 7:30PM

Show: 8:00PM

Tickets: $35 Advance / $40 Door

Café Istanbul

2372 St. Claude Avenue

New Orleans, LA

The Fine Print:

By purchasing a ticket to this event, the buyer agrees to be filmed, videotaped and/or otherwise recorded for possible inclusion in webcast, digital download, DVD and/or CD release, and/or any other exploitation of the event without limitation or compensation of any kind, and agrees to allow organizers to use his/her image and/or likeness without limitation or compensation of any kind.

ALL SALES ARE FINAL. LINEUP SUBJECT TO CHANGE. WRISTBANDS WILL NOT BE REPLACED ONCE ISSUED. NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.

By purchasing this ticket, you confirm to the maximum extent permitted by law that (1) you understand and voluntarily assume all risks associated with attending this performance, including but not limited to COVID-19, and (2) you covenant not to sue Café Istanbul Nightfest, Poolside Presents, Terence Higgins’ Funky Party or any related persons or entities in connection with any such risks.

For a list of all nighttime shows happening during the Café Istanbul Nightfest, please click here: 2024 Café Istanbul Nightfest

The 2024 Café Istanbul Nightfest is sponsored by DEADSHOWZ, the most powerful Gratefukl Dead concert reference app available for both iOS and Android