Home » Jazz Musicians » Sunny Side

Sunny Side

Sunny Side is a jazz band based out of New Orleans, Louisiana. They are heavily influenced by the music of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Fats Waller, and many other early jazz legends.  The band name ‘Sunny Side’  was influenced by the 1930 Fats Waller/Jimmy McHugh jazz standard ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’. The band was created in 2019, and is composed of musicians that have played together in various jazz projects around New Orleans since 2017.

Normally performing as a 7 piece, Sunny Side has an energetic vocalist and dancer, 3 part horn harmonies, and a tight rhythm section. The band’s authentic captivating performance and infectious energy embodies the spirit of what makes New Orleans such a treasured world renown city.

During the 2020/2021 quarantine, Sunny Side provided a ‘Jazz in Coliseum Square Park’ series in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans hosting a variety of live music including themselves. Many locals expressed much gratitude for the music during the challenging time.

In 2024, Sunny Side is planning their fourth national tour stopping at 16 cities and playing 19 shows traveling north to Ohio, New York, and several other states. Sunny Side has two full albums since 2020. Their most recent album “The Felicity Sessions” was recorded with vintage equipment in collaboration with Big Tone Records at Felicity Church uptown. They play regularly at public venues in and around New Orleans and also for weddings and private events.  In 2021 and 2023 Sunny Side won a “Best of Weddings” award going to the top 5% of wedding bands on TheKnot. During the 2020/2021 quarantine, Sunny Side provided a ‘Jazz in Coliseum Square Park’ series in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans hosting a variety of live music including themselves. Many locals expressed much gratitude for the music during the challenging time. They still play about once a month in Coliseum Square Park.

Gear

Full PA Sound system with mixer, mics, cables, stands.

Drumset, Trumpet, Alto Sax, Clarinet, Trombone, Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, and Accoustic Guitar


Tags

83

Recording

Johnny Mercer: Sunny Side Up

Johnny Mercer: Sunny Side Up

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Few voices do a better job of capturing post-war American optimism than Johnny Mercer's. His relaxed, upbeat and folksy style captured the nation's “new dawn" mentality perfectly. His songs between 1942 and 1947 have a Hollywood sensibility, and they effortlessly grab your heart. It's a happy voice that sounds like a one-armed bandit chugging out jackpot coins. A box set that captures his evolution perfectly—from too-cute by half phrase-turner to West Coast pop-swinger—is Johnny Mercer (Mosaic Select). Even though Mercer ...

Louis Armstrong
trumpet and vocals
Sidney Bechet
saxophone, soprano
Jabbo Smith
trumpet
Nat King Cole
piano and vocals
Louis Jordan
saxophone, alto
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
band / ensemble / orchestra

Concerts

Jul 25 Thu
Jul 28 Sun
Sunny Side
Bop Stop
Cleveland, OH

Videos

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.