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Artiest/Band: Mitch Woods
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MoMojo Records is proud to announce the September 4th release of A Night in New Orleans, a new solo album from five-time Blues Music Award nominee Mitch Woods, the undisputed King of Boogie Woogie piano, recorded live at the Crescent City’s Snug Harbor nightclub.
Known for his electrifying performances with his band, Mitch takes a different path on this special recording – a milestone in his career - stripping everything down to the essentials: just Mitch, his piano and vocals.
Recorded live at the legendary Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro during the 2026 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, A Night in New Orleans captures the magic, energy, and soul of an evening in The Big Easy. A mixture of his own originals and personal favorite boogie-woogie classics, Mitch delivers a performance on A Night in New Orleans with the passion and infectious spirit that has made him a favorite of audiences around the world.
“It was a sultry night in the Crescent City,” recalls Mitch Woods in the album’s liner notes. “I just inhaled my bowl of Gumbo Ya Ya and BBQ’d Shrimp at Mr. B’s over on Royal and headed to Frenchmen Street, the epicenter of live music in The Big Easy. The town was crowded with throngs of music-loving folks who came from all over the world to soak up New Orleans’ musical heritage even during these days in between Jazzfest weekends.
“The line ran all the way down the block in front of Snug Harbor, New Orleans’ premier nightclub that has hosted so many greats over the years. I’ve seen many of the piano masters tickling the ivories here, including Allen Toussaint, Henry Butler and Dr. John. I have played Snug many times with my own band, handpicked from the best players in New Orleans. Tonight I was on my own, and it was my turn to light up the night ... one man, one piano, one voice and a house full of the most receptive of all my fans - New Orleans music lovers! It was going to be a great night.”
“New Orleans is one of my favorite places on earth, and Mitch is one of my favorite pianists,” says Debra Clark, MoMojo label manager. “The opportunity to be involved in a project that combined both was irresistible! We’re proud to represent Mitch on yet another remarkable release.”
Mitch Woods has been performing for over 50 years and is dedicated to keeping a genre of blues alive and vital that has been sorely ignored: jump blues and boogie woogie (which he has coined “Rock-A-Boogie”). His “Club 88” shows have become a must-see fixture on the Blues Cruise for many years. He has recorded with a host of his mentors and icons of the blues and R&B, including John Lee Hooker, James Cotton, The Fats Domino Band, Taj Mahal, Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, Ruthie Foster and many more.
In addition to his own touring, Mitch Woods recently completed a stint as the piano player in the legendary Van Morrison’s touring band in support of Van’s new blues album, Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge. That hook-up had its origins some years ago when Van and Mitch spoke about doing a blues album and playing smaller venues in the San Francisco Bay Area.
“Lo and behold, I got the call and helped form the band with some of my great local compadres - Anthony Paule (from the Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra) on guitar, Larry Vann (my long-time drummer) and backup vocals with the wonderful Omega Rae and Larry Batiste,“ Mitch remembers. “Van added his long-time associates - John Allair on organ, David Hayes on bass and Bobby Ruggiero on drums. We jammed in the studio at Studio D in Sausalito and crafted this wonderful album featuring Van's originals and some classic blues. Also, we were able to round up some special guests: Taj Mahal, Elvin Bishop and Buddy Guy. Van, Taj, and Elvin had played duets and trios with me on my CD, Friends Along The Way.
“A Night in New Orleans is not a produced studio recording; it is a raw telling of a night on the town,” adds Mitch. “Just like the streets of the Big Easy, it’s got its potholes, cracks and boozy funk - and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did that wonderful night!”
Close your eyes and you'll feel the warm New Orleans night air, hear the rhythm of the city, and experience the joy of live music at its finest. Pour yourself a tall one, settle in, and enjoy an unforgettable night with Mitch Woods.
Mitch Woods - A Night in New Orleans – MoMojo Records (MMJ/413) TRACK LISTING
- Rock That Boogie*
- <Spoken> Intro for Mojo Mambo
- Mojo Mambo*
- <Spoken> Toast to Jazzfest
- Choo Choo Ch’Boogie (Vaughn Horton, Milton Gabler, Denver Darling)
- <Spoken> Intro for Blue Monday
- Blue Monday (Dave Bartholomew)
- Jambalaya (On the Bayou) (Hank Williams)
- Amber Lee*
- <Spoken> Story of Rocket 88
- Rocket 88 (Jackie Brenston)
- <Spoken> Intro for Cryin’ for My Baby
- Cryin’ for My Baby*
- Nasty Boogie (Jack Dupree)
- Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu (Huey Smith)
- Broke*
- <Spoken> Gotta Have Another Toast
- Shake, Rattle and Roll (Charles Calhoun)
*Written by Mitch Woods - Mitchrich Music BMI
- Mitch Woods – Piano and vocals
- Recorded live April 29, 2026, at Snug Harbor, New Orleans; Produced by Mitch Woods
- Edited and mastered by David Farrell; audio recording by Nicholas Solnick
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