Alune Wade: A Family Affair

Alune Wade: A Family Affaircelebrates the release of the new album by Senegalese bassist and composer Alune Wade in collaboration with the Neighborhood Story Project.Building on the acclaimedNew African Orleans(2025), which drew widespread praise for its fluid dialogue between West African traditions, contemporary jazz, and Louisiana heritage,Family Affairhas the feel of a reunion. Alune’s band brings together a remarkable constellation of musicians: artists from Benin, French Guiana, and Réunion Island are joined on stage by musicians and poet Sunni Patterson from New Orleans. Sunday, October 11th is a rare opportunity to witness this musical family live — a genuine cultural event, not just a concert, but a living, breathing fusion—Africa and the bayou, side by side, equal and electric.Rooted in both memory and contemporary dialogue, the concert also celebrates the release of the bilingual art book,A Family Affair: Conversations Across the Atlantic(Breunlin and Wade, University of New Orleans Press 2026).Both the album and the book will be available for sale at the venue.Band Line-UpAlune Wade (Lead vocal and bass| Senegal)Sunni Patterson (Vocals| New Orleans)Tonya Boyd-Cannon (Vocals| New Orleans)Alix Goffic (Drums | French Guiana)Cedric Duchemann (Keyboard| Reunion Island)Harry Ahonlonsou (Saxophone| Benin)Corey Henry (Trombone| New Orleans)Kirk Joseph (Sousaphone| New Orleans)David McKissick (Trumpet| New Orleans)Opening the show: Max Moran is a Louisiana born musician and composer who has become a first-call bassist across several genres in New Orleans’ thriving music scene. Known for his versatility on electric bass, upright bass, and synthesizer, Moran provides a solid, soulful foundation to a number of classic and progressive bands. Performing since the age of thirteen, Max Moran spent over ten years as the bassist of jazz master Donald Harrison and has also shared the stage with artists such as Davell Crawford, Leo Nocentelli (The Meters), Bernie Worrell (Parliament/ Funkadelic), and Grammy nominees Christian Scott and Jamison Ross.Moran also co-leads the award winning Bridge Trio along with drummer, Joe Dyson and pianist, Conun Pappas. The Bridge Trio has performed at prestigious venues such as The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, has released two self-produced albums, and has received awards from National Public Radio.