There was little doubt that JoJo Hermann and his Mojo Mardi Gras Band would provide a fitting celebration of Fat Tuesday. However, when the bar was emptied early for fear of safety from looming tornadoes, it did raise the question of just what was in store for the eerie night. A short while later, the audience, comprised mostly of those overzealous Widespread Panic fans who stumble out to see any incarnation of the group’s members, was cleared to re-enter and primed to cut loose.

JoJo’s Mardi Gras Band has always been constructed from a talented core of musicians, yet has weathered a few changes along the way. The current line-up found guitarist Bill Elder taking turns at lead vocals and emceeing as he does with The Dynamites. Founding bassist Johnny Few entertained with a flair for the dramatic, dancing around on his bass like an exotic dancer working a pole. Standing strong beside the exuberant bassist was The Dynamites’ Jonathan Jackson on the saxophone who brought over some funk from their soul review.  Midway through the show Jackson was joined by Max Abrams (who played in the Mardi Gras Band’s initial line up) for an extra dose of sax. Kevin “Big Kev” Mabin was diehard behind the kit, and provided the space needed for all of the horns, guitar and keys to ride. Paired with Few, the rhythm section brought it all together on numbers like “Big Chief” and “Red Beans.”

The underlying intent of the Mojo Mardi Gras Band is to celebrate the music of New Orleans, and they certainly tap the spirit of the Crescent City. Whether it was the over the top rambunctious nature of songs like “Ain’t Got No Hair” and “Oop Poo Pa Doo” or the tip of the hat to Professor Longhair with “Tipitina,” the attitude was right on the money. Unfortunately the group only tours around the Mardi Gras season and Widespread Panic’s downtime, so they seem destined to remain a fine cover band that provides a mobile Fat Tuesday party.