BOOKER FEST Sep 4-6, 2026
BOOKER FEST
Bay Saint Louis, MS – Labor Day is a cultural celebration of the end of summer, and it’s also BOOKER FEST at 100 Men Hall. The Hall hosts its 7th annual BOOKER FEST on Labor Day weekend (Sep 4-6, 2026) and this year promises to be the funkiest fest ever, so save the date, get your Hall passes, and start counting down because there are 65 days till Booker Fest. Early bird tickets available now until August 10, 2026.
The Rumble Water Seed
Lost Bayou Ramblers
Joe Krown Trio
Maggie Koerner
Chris Vincent
St. Rose de Lima Gospel Choir
Booker Fest is Bay Saint Louis’ own music festival that happens every year during Labor Day weekend with top musicians and performers, food, libations and this year ends Los Bayou Ramblers and free jambalaya made by real Cajuns! Tickets are available for each day or for the entire weekend. Hall Pass entry to all Booker Fest shows – Friday, Saturday and Sunday - $110. Early bird special is $95 until August 10, 2026!
James Carroll Booker III (December 17, 1939 – November 8, 1983) was a New Orleans rhythm and blues keyboardist born in New Orleans, LA and raised by an aunt in Bay St Louis where he attended St. Rose de Lima and learned classical piano. Booker's unique style combined rhythm and blues with jazz standards.
"To know the feeling of rejoicing in sorrow is nothing strange to me." ~James Carroll Booker III
BOOKER FEST
Labor Day Weekend in Bay Saint Louis is BOOKER FEST weekend and this year we’re getting funky to honor Booker's musical genius, music brought to you by Alligator Mike Promotions:
Chris Vincent - Friday, September 4, 2026 @ 6PM
Chris Vincent is an award winning singer/songwriter and slide guitarist based out of the city he often refers to as his muse, New Orleans. With deep roots originating in Delta blues guitar, Vincent's instantly recognizable solo slide guitar
style draws from elements including, big band jazz, bebop, early electric blues and Western swing to deliver songs that delve deep into the universal complexities of love, loss, redemption, resilience and the human spirit.
The Rumble – Friday, September 4, 2026 @ 7PM
The Rumble was formed in 2021 and has since been nominated two times for a Grammy. They are a dynamic band dedicated to preserving and evolving New Orleans’ rich musical heritage. Fronted by Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. of the Young Eagles Black Masking Indian tribe, the band seamlessly blends past, present, and future elements of New Orleans culture into their sound. Their songs draw from Mardi Gras Indian funk, brass band traditions, jazz, and hip-hop, creating a vibrant and modern take on iconic styles pioneered by groups like The Meters, Wild Magnolias, and Neville Brothers.
St. Rose de Lima Gospel Choir – Saturday, September 5, 2026 @ 2PM
Considered the best Southern Gospel choir in the region, the St. Rose de Lima choir was already a Bay Saint Louis institution when James Booker played there. Several members sang when Booker played piano in the choir. The choir has been featured in the gospel tent at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Maggie Koerner - Saturday, September 5, 2026 @ 3:30PM
Maggie Koerner migrated to New Orleans from her native Shreveport after building a YouTube presence with her original songs, sung in her masterful voice. After hanging around with the likes of The Revivalists and working on her own material while developing a live audience following, she released a pair of albums, “Quarter Life” in 2011, and “Neutral Ground” in 2013. She was then tapped by the powerhouse funk and jazz jam band Galactic to front the band as lead singer. After a little over a year on the road with Galactic, recording with the likes of Mavis Staples and Macy Gray, Koerner returned to New Orleans to front her own band and return to songwriting. She can be seen at clubs and festivals; in 2022 she released “Bartholomew Sessions” which includes sparkling tunes such as “Be Somebody (Who Loves.)” In 2025, she released her fourth album, UPSTATE.
Joe Krown Trio – Saturday, September 5, 2026 @ 5:15PM
Krown is a resident of New Orleans with a home in Pass Christian. He is a New Orleans-styled piano and Hammond B-3 player. He has played the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage every year since 2001 and the French Quarter Festival every year since 1998. From September 1996 to June 2001, Joe held the Traditional Piano Night slot at the Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans, which was once occupied by James Booker. After the untimely passing of the legendary great Allen Toussaint in November 2015, Joe was selected to fill the maestro's chair by playing piano with Toussaint's band backing up greats like Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Neville, Irma Thomas, Dr. John and more at the 2016 New Orleans Jazz Fest, Hollywood Bowl, Midsummer swing at Lincoln Center and more. He has played the WWOZ Piano Night every year since 1996 to current and has been the producer of Piano Night since 2017. He has led a trio with Walter Wolfman Washington since 2007. Krown has toured with Mavis Staples, Allen Toussaint, North Mississippi All-Stars, Charlie Musselwhite and many more and toured in over 50 countries as either a member of the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, Clarence Gatemouth Brown Band or as the featured artist.
Water Seed – Saturday, September 5, 2026 @ 7PM
Water Seed is an American funk band based in New Orleans. Founded by drummer, composer, vocalist Lou Hill, the band has since established themselves as one of the most dynamic and innovative acts in the contemporary funk scene. Water Seed’s music is a fusion of classic funk, R&B, and jazz, with a contemporary edge that incorporates elements of hip-hop, electronic music, and rock. Their sound is characterized by tight, intricate grooves, soaring melodies, and powerful vocals, all driven by a relentless energy that never fails to get audiences up and dancing.
In addition to Hill, the core lineup of Water Seed includes keyboardist vocalist Jentleman Sharp, flutist vocalist Cinese Love, vocalist Rahim Glaspy and vocalist Ten. The band’s live shows are renowned for their high energy and infectious spirit, with each member bringing their own unique style and personality to the stage.
Los Bayou Ramblers – Sunday, September 6, 2026 @ 2PM
Lost Bayou Ramblers ‘ evolution as a Grammy winning Cajun band continues to excite, challenge, and redefine both genre expectations as well as cultural preconceptions. Produced by Korey Richey (LCD Soundsystem, Arcade Fire) their 8th album, KALENDA, gave the band the title of "one of the most vital voices in contemporary Louisiana, and was awarded a Grammy for Best Regional Roots album in 2018. The bands’ performance, produced by JACK WHITE, on the 2017 documentary series and record release, AMERICAN EPIC, solidifies Lost Bayou Ramblers’ international reputation as a traditional (while extremely progressive) Cajun band. “The Grammy winning group plays a revved-up version of Cajun music, shot through with punk energy and psychedelic fuzz” ~David Dye (World Café)
Rachel Dangermond, director of 100 Men Hall, credits the support of multiple sponsors for Booker Fest’s production, “The 100 Men Hall is grateful to our major sponsor, the McMullan/O’Connor Foundation, Silver Slipper Casino, Steve Bohlin, with additional sponsorships from Dirty Coast, Coldwell Banker - Alfonso Realty, Ann Madden Photography, SouthGroup Insurance as well as sponsorship from Cathead Distillery. Their support for the 100 Men Hall and live music, as well as cultural programming, is how we do it.”
James Booker was born James Carroll Booker III on December 17, 1939, in New Orleans, and was influenced by his church and Baptist minister parents and grandparents, who played piano. Booker was a child prodigy who loved classical music (especially Bach) and part of his amazing skill lay in an ability to blend a Rachmaninoff tune with a rolling blues piano riff. After his father became ill during Booker’s early childhood, he and his sister Betty Jean were sent to live with his aunt in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
This year's Booker Fest fine art poster features James Booker created by Adrienne Brown David with graphics by Ann Madden. Purchase your signed, limited edition (coming soon). To purchase your limited edition Booker Fest tee shirt (coming soon).
Screening Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 6PM (Lava Lounge from 5-7PM): a documentary directed by Lily Keber, Bayou Maharajah chronicles the life and music of this colorful, troubled figure, legendary in New Orleans but obscure elsewhere. The film features extensive performance and interview footage of Booker, who died in 1983 at age 44. “I’ve got some blues that contains old soul with new wrinkles,” the pianist says in a clip featured in the trailer, perhaps referencing the way his style seamlessly incorporated classical, jazz and gospel.
In his 20s, Booker worked with the touring bands of B.B. King and Aretha Franklin and in 1970, mysterious trouble led Booker to lose his left eye; afterwards he began to don an iconic eye patch. Attendees will be able to purchase Booker Fest merch, a signed limited edition posters, as well as Booker Fest eye patches created by artist Ann Madden at the Fest.
Throughout the weekend, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase food: Friday and Saturday food for purchase prepared by Chef Gene Coia, Sunday brunch features free Jambalaya from real live Cajuns. Cash/Credit bar throughout the event.
Tickets for each of the weekend events as well as a Hall Pass allowing entry to ALL events can be purchased online and available at Will Call throughout the weekend. Tickets and wristbands purchased at the door during the event will be priced higher and based on availability.
Booker Fest Schedule
Friday, September 4
6PM Chris Vincent
7PM The Rumble
(Chef Gene Coia)
$30 (or $110 Hall Pass/$95 Early Bird)
Saturday, September 5
2PM St Rose Gospel Choir
3:30 Maggie Koerner
5:15 Joe Krown Trio (Tribute to Booker)
7PM Water Seed
(Chef Gene Coia 4PM onward)
$75 (or $110 Hall Pass/Early Bird $95)
Sunday, September 6
2-4PM Los Bayou Ramblers
(free Cajun Jambalaya)
$30 (or $110 Hall Pass/Early Bird $95)
Booker Fest Weekend Hall Pass - $110
Booker Fest Weekend Early Bird Hall Pass - $95
A Hall Pass allows entry to ALL of the events -
$95 Early Bird
$110 after August 10th
All tickets will be at Will Call.