Bayou Bar will celebrate the release of a new live EP, Peter Harris presents: Cryptic, Live at the Bayou Bar, Vol. 1, with a special reception and performance on Wednesday, March 19.

Released by Green Shed Records, the four-track EP documents a live session at the iconic New Orleans venue. The recording features bassist and producer Peter Harris alongside pianist Nicholas Payton, saxophonist Ricardo Pascal and drummer Jamison Ross, performing compositions by James Black, Steve Masakowski, Thelonious Monk and Payton. The release marks the first installment in a planned series highlighting live performances captured at Bayou Bar.

“This album is a conversation between four seasoned musicians who know how to listen,” Harris said in a statement. “I want the listener to hear us exploring ideas in real time, without a safety net. We aren’t chasing perfection; it’s raw, it’s unpredictable, and that’s where the reward lives.”

The evening begins with a free reception and meet-and-greet from 7–8 p.m., featuring complimentary snacks and a cash bar. Harris and the EP’s featured musicians will then perform two live sets at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The event takes place at 2031 St. Charles Avenue. The reception is free and open to the public with advance registration requested via Eventbrite. Reserved seating for the live performance sets is $35 and available through OpenTable, though walk-ins are welcome.

Cryptic, Live at the Bayou Bar, Vol. 1 is available digitally on Bandcamp, with CDs available at Bayou Bar and Louisiana Music Factory.