Fess & His Sons • The New Orleans Good Time Piano Show
Fess & His Sons present an evening devoted to the New Orleans R&B piano tradition. The show traces a musical lineage beginning with Professor Longhair’s Caribbean-influenced rhythms and extending through the work of Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, and James Booker. Expect an energetic blend of piano-driven R&B, soul, percussion, woodwinds, guitar, bass, and drums designed to get the audience dancing.
The ensemble features experienced performers from the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and broader Mid-Atlantic music scenes, including award-winning musicians and artists who have worked with performers such as Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Allen Toussaint, Cyril Neville, Eva Cassidy, and Sam Moore.
When: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Showtimes: 8:00–10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15; tickets are available through Eventbrite.
Lineup: Rahsaan “Wordslave” Eldridge on vocals and percussion; Jim Orr on piano; Dave Chappell on guitar; Jeff “Papa Lebas” Muller on bass; Matt Tebo on drums; and Seth Kibel on woodwinds.
Rahsaan “Wordslave” Eldridge: A singer, songwriter, poet, emcee, educator, and author, Eldridge co-leads Honest Lee Soul and formerly performed with the Kelly Bell Band. He is a three-time Maryland Music Award winner known for combining soul, energy, and humor.
Jim Orr: A four-decade veteran of the D.C.-area music scene, Orr founded The Persuaders in 1988 and has also played with Root Boy Slim, Fat Tuesday, and the Nadine Rae All Stars. His stage collaborators have included Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, The Radiators, and The Nighthawks.
Seth Kibel: A 28-time Wammie winner, Kibel is a prominent Mid-Atlantic woodwind player and bandleader. He performs with The Kleztet, Bay Jazz Project, Music Pilgrim Trio, and The Natty Beaux, and has worked with Daryl Davis, Sam Moore, Percy Sledge, The Coasters, and Johnnie Johnson.
Dave Chappell: A 21-time Wammie recipient, Chappell is known for the wide range of tones he draws from his Fender Telecaster. He has performed with musicians around the country and has appeared on numerous recordings as both a bandleader and sideman.
Jeff “Papa Lebas” Muller: Muller is a bassist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer who has performed with Allen Toussaint, Cyril Neville, Ernie K-Doe, and Eva Cassidy. His album *Naptown to NOLA* features contributions from Ivan Neville, George Porter Jr., Tommy Malone, Bill Summers, Ron Holloway, and others.
Matt Tebo: An in-demand DMV drummer, Tebo has performed in clubs and at festivals with Mike Mills, the Karl Straub Combo, the Shari Puorto Band, the Kevin Cordt Trio, and the Cyphers Band. His versatile playing is geared toward keeping the music moving and the dance floor active.
Run time: Approximately two hours.
Venue: Hank Dietle’s Tavern, 11010 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.