While Jazz Fest grabs all of the headlines, some of the best music happens late night in NOLA after or leading up to the two Jazz Fest weekends. The Maple Leaf is home to some serious jam sessions featuring a NOLA staple—drummer Johnny Vidacovich.

On Thursday, April 25th Vidacovich invited George Porter Jr. and Eric Krasno to jam for a pair of sets. While there was plenty of improved jams, Porter and Krasno treated the Maple Leaf to a cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Sugaree” to close the show.

Donnie Sundal and Tony Hall made an appearance in the second set to lend their vocals on a pair of songs.

Set 1
01. Watch The Mountains Grow
02. Improv
03. Intros
04. Kraz Tune?
05. Whole Lotta Fun>I Don’t Know>
06. Funkify Your Life>
07. Changes>
08. Stoop Down Baby
09. “Is It Jazzfest Yet?” Pace Yourself
10. Idolize

Set 2
01. Improv
02. Improv
03. I’ll Take You There*
04. If You Want Me To Stay$
05. Aint’ No Use
06. Come Together
07. Improv
08. Sugaree

* W/Donnie Sundal from Boukou Groove  on Vocals
$ W/Donnie and Tony Hall and Vocals

Thanks to Picklemic for the recording!