George Porter Jr. at Jazz Fest 2013. Photo by Earl Perry.

Jamie’s Big Ass Party to offer stacked New Orleans music lineup, tons of crawfish

Friends and music fans will celebrate the life of Jamie Galloway when Jamie’s Big Ass Party returns to the Maple Leaf Bar for its fifth annual edition on Sunday, March 26. The annual block party and crawfish boil will once again be a fundraiser for the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic.

George Porter Jr., Honey Island Swamp Band, Papa Mali, Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes, Dave Jordan & The NIA, SOUL Brass Band, Billy Iuso & The Restless Natives, Flow Tribe and the New Orleans Suspects are among the acts who will perform at the gathering, which will also feature over 2,000 pounds of crawfish from Seither’s Seafood. Music will kick off at 3pm and go until 10pm.

Launched in 2013, Jamie’s Big Ass Party is a celebration of the life of musician and chef Jamie Galloway, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 41. A beloved member of the New Orleans music community, Galloway played alongside Dave Jordan in the band Juice, providing harmonica, percussion and vocals. Throughout his career as a chef he worked at some of the city’s most respected establishments, including Commander’s Palace, Jacques Imo’s and Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse.

“Last year’s boil raised almost $15,000. I don’t want to lose another musician brother because he couldn’t afford to see a doctor or to get treated. Healthcare for local performers is critical, and we want to make sure the NOMC’s offerings remain available. That’s why I do this every year – for Jamie and for the clinic” says Jordan, who also organizes the event every year.

In addition to the music and crawfish, Jamie’s Big Ass Party will feature a raffle for two round-trip flights on Southwest Airlines, Jazz Fest tickets, gift cards, artwork and more. Proceeds from the raffle and ticket sales will go to the New Orleans Musician’s’ Clinic, a non-profit clinic that provides occupational and comprehensive health services for New Orleans musicians, performers, cultural workers and tradition bearers.

“We are so proud of this yearly community effort to support our mission to keep New Orleans alive. This day is not to be missed if you can help it” says Bethany Bultman, co-founder and president of the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic & Assistance Foundation.

Tickets for Jamie’s Big Ass Party are now on sale.

UPDATE: The official schedule for Jamie’s Big Ass Party is now out.

Oak St. Stage
3:00-3:45- SOUL Brass Band
3:45-4:30- Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes
4:45-5:30- Flow Tribe
5:45-6:45- New Orleans Suspects w/Reggie Scanlon
7-8:00- Honey Island Swamp Band


Maple Leaf Stage
4:15-5:15- BIlly Iuso & Restless Natives
5:30-6:15- Hill Country Hounds
6:30-7:15-Jason Ricci & the Bad Kind
7:45-8:45- Dave Jordan & the NIA
9-10:00- George Porter, Papa Mali and friends


Crawfish will drop at 3:30, 5:30 & 7:30.