Benny Amón & The New Orleans Pearls

Drummer and bandleader Benny Amón brings the authentic sounds of New Orleans jazz to the Bay Area with his ensemble The New Orleans Pearls. A specialist in traditional jazz and swing, Amón honed his craft during a transformative decade (2011-2021) living and performing in the Crescent City itself, playing regularly at Preservation Hall, Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, and aboard the Steamboat Natchez.

Amón's music breathes new life into the classic, swingin' sounds of New Orleans jazz. His performances draw from the traditions of masters like Baby Dodds, with his own colorful and alert drumming style that drives the infectious energy of the music. The band's repertoire spans from ragtime stomps to spirited renditions of jazz standards, performed with the kind of heated intensity that recalls the dance halls of 1950s and '60s New Orleans.

A cultural ambassador who has toured internationally—from Japan to Brazil, Europe to major U.S. festivals including Jazz Fest and Monterey—Amón is also a Teaching Artist with the Preservation Hall Foundation and Jazz at Lincoln Center. His 2019 album New Orleans Pearls showcased his ability to lead spirited septets through both rarely-revived classics like "Oriental Strut" and reimagined standards, recorded with the warm acoustics that evoke authentic New Orleans venues.

Back in the Bay Area, Amón leads multiple ensembles, each with its own focus—from New Orleans traditional jazz to tributes to Ahmad Jamal. With The New Orleans Pearls, expect an evening of pure musical joy rooted in the deepest jazz traditions, delivered with the authenticity that comes from years of immersion in the music's birthplace.