The Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues 2016-2017 Concert Series will open with the rockingest guys in rags. Here Come The Mummies will kickoff the five-show schedule with an October 7, 2016 performance at the Orpheum Theater.

Here Come The Mummies are no stranger to Sioux Falls. The band headlined the 2014 JazzFest and can be heard regularly on the 'Bob & Tom Show'. The eight-piece Nashville-based group brings a high-energy funk-rock stlye to the stage.

The series continues in November with Alicia Olatuja. The St. Louis native wowed everyone at the 2013 presidential inauguration with her solo during the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s performance of  'The Battle Hymn of the Republic'. She also performs as a soloist with the Juilliard Jazz ensemble, and has sung with various recording artists such as Christian McBride, Chaka Khan and Bebe Winans. She has recently released her solo debut album, Timeless.

In January, Shemekia Copeland comes to Sioux Falls. The vocalist has been described as a 'blues diva', and got her start at Harlem's legendary Cotton Club when she was just eight years old. She has released eight albums. Two (2000's Wicked and  2012's 33 1/3) were nominated for a GRAMMY. Copeland has eight Blues Music Awards to her credit.

Blind Boy Paxton and The Americans will play the Orpheum in March. The International Folk Music Award 'Artist of the Year' nominee sings and plays banjo, guitar, piano, fiddle, harmonica, Cajun accordion, and the bones (percussion). Paxton performed to a sold out audience for the Lead Belly Tribute at Carnegie Hall on February 4, 2016 along with the likes of Buddy Guy, Eric Burdon, Dom Flemons, Tom Paley, and other stars.

The series concludes in April with an appearance by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. This group out of New Orleans is in its 35th year. Their music is a blend of R&B, jazz, funk, Afro-Latino grooves, some Caribbean flavor, and even a Rihanna cover. Over the years, they've played at Bonnaroo and the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest. They've also toured with the Black Crowes and Widespread Panic, while Dizzy Gillespie, Elvis Costello, and Norah Jones have joined them in the studio.

Ticket prices vary by show. SFJB subscribers can log in here for ticket information. Individual tickets not a part of a subscription will be available for purchase, August 12, 2016.

In a press release, Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Executive Director Robert Joyce said:

Our series for 2016-2017 is our 18th year of bringing great live music into the community—and with artists such as these—we believe it will be some of our best shows to date. There’s a lot of power in the voices and instruments of these musicians—it should be a fantastic season!

The complete 2016-17 Concert Series:

  • October 7, 2016 – Here Come the Mummies
  • November 18, 2016 – Alicia Olatuja
  • January 27, 2017 - Shemekia Copeland
  • March 11, 2017 - Blind Boy Paxton and The Americans
  • April 21, 2017 – Dirty Dozen Brass Band

All shows start at 8:00 PM at the Orpheum Theater.


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