Iconoclast singer-songwriter, indie music pioneer and social activist Ani DiFranco moved to New Orleans in 2003. A lover of the city and its music, she recruited local drummer Terence Higgins into her band. And Ivan Neville, Cyril Neville and horn players from Galactic, Bonerama and the Rebirth Brass Band have all contributed to DiFranco’s made-in-New Orleans recordings.

“I have a blast playing on Ani’s recordings,” Ivan Neville said. “She’s so creative and so urgent with what she says and...