James Booker with James Singleton and Johnny Vidacovich at the Maple Leaf Bar, 1982 (Photograph by Michael P. Smith © The Historic New Orleans Collection, acc. no. 2007.0103.1.1203)

Ellis Marsalis Center for Music & Maple Leaf Bar Launch Concert Series

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The Ellis Marsalis Center for Music (EMCM), in partnership with the Maple Leaf Bar, is launching a new solo piano concert series honoring one of New Orleans’ most legendary musicians. Booker & Beyond – The Professor Tim Piano Series: Celebrating New Orleans Piano Traditions debuts Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at EMCM, with performances continuing every third Tuesday of the month at EMCM and on Thursdays at the Maple Leaf Bar.

The series celebrates the life and influence of James Carroll Booker — the New Orleans piano genius whose genre-bending style continues to inspire musicians around the world. Known for blending jazz, classical, blues, and gospel with dazzling improvisation, Booker’s singular sound earned him the nickname “The Black Liberace” and the moniker “Spiders on the Keys” for his speed and dexterity. He passed away in 1983, but his legacy remains woven into the fabric of New Orleans music.

The project was made possible by a generous bequest from Tim Allspach, affectionately known as “Professor Tim.” A devoted supporter of New Orleans music, Allspach was an educator, musician, and beloved figure at the Maple Leaf Bar, where his love of music and community never wavered. His endowment ensures that the city’s iconic piano traditions will continue to thrive for generations.

“James Booker was more than a genius. He was my teacher, my mentor, and my friend,” said EMCM co-founder Harry Connick, Jr. “He opened my eyes to what the piano could really do, and he shaped the way I play to this day. Booker’s sound was pure New Orleans — soulful, wild, full of heart — and his influence is still heard in the way folks play today. Thanks to Tim’s vision and generosity, Booker’s legacy won’t just be remembered. It’ll live on in the creativity of today’s pianists.”

The Booker & Beyond series will feature solo performances by some of New Orleans’ most celebrated and forward-thinking pianists, each embodying the city’s deep and diverse musical spirit.

Ellis Marsalis Center for Music Lineup:

  • Oct. 21, 2025 – Josh Paxton

  • Nov. 18, 2025 – Kyle Roussel

  • Dec. 16, 2025 – Joe Krown

  • Jan. 20, 2026 – Keiko Komaki

  • Feb. 24, 2026 – Paul Longstreth

  • Mar. 17, 2026 – Lilli Lewis

  • Apr. 21, 2026 – Luciano Leães

  • May 19, 2026 – Andre Bohren

  • Jun. 16, 2026 – Darrell Lavigne

Maple Leaf Bar Lineup:

  • Oct. 2, 2025 – Jeremy Habegger

  • Oct. 9, 2025 – Yoshitaka Tsuji

  • Oct. 16, 2025 – CR Gruver

  • Oct. 23, 2025 – Kyle Roussel

  • Oct. 30, 2025 – Lilli Lewis

  • Nov. 6, 2025 – Joe Krown

  • Nov. 13, 2025 – Adam Rogers

  • Nov. 20, 2025 – HanNa PK

“We are deeply appreciative of the kind and visionary gift from Professor Tim,” said EMCM Executive Director Lisa Dabney in a press release. “This series not only preserves the piano heritage that defines New Orleans, but it makes it possible for new audiences and young musicians to experience and learn from it.”

The Maple Leaf Bar, where Professor Tim spent countless nights enjoying live performances, will continue its Thursday evening piano tradition under the Booker & Beyond banner, linking the beloved Uptown venue to EMCM’s mission of cultural preservation.

“Beyond entertainment, Booker & Beyond is a testament to the enduring impact of one man’s vision to nurture, celebrate, and protect an essential element of New Orleans’ cultural identity,” said Maple Leaf Bar’s Doug Trager.

Tickets for the debut season of Booker & Beyond: The Professor Tim Piano Series are available now at ellismarsaliscenter.org/booker-and-beyond and mapleleafbar.com/calendar.