Despite the cancellation of yesterday’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, music-lovers lucked out on another dry evening of late night jazz festivities. Many made their way over to the legendary Tipitina’s to see The Motet perform with Pimps of Joytime. Fans were treated to an unstoppably energetic show that impressed the masses with the band’s newest additions Lyle Divinsky (lead vocals) and Drew Sayers (sax). Tanya Shylock, a regular Motet special guest, lent her powerful voice and mesmerizing stage presence for a few tunes, including a sexy cover of Parliament’s “Handcuffs.”

Fans who have yet to see The Motet with this new line-up will be pleased to find that its previous spirit has been not only carried over, but refreshed and revitalized. It can be hard to watch performances of a dearly beloved band during a large transition, but not in this case. When Gabe Mervine and Drew Sayers weren’t impressing the audience time after time with their powerful horn solos, it might have been guitarist Ryan Jalbert taking a turn amping up the crowd, or Joey Porter, the always impressive virutoso on the keys. Dave Watts is an always-smooth force to be reckoned with on the kit, with nothing but tasteful grooves that keep any crowd shakin’. Watts and bassist Garrett Sayers stay locked in together, clearly having played together for years and years. When Sayers takes a solo, watch as the crowd suddenly becomes quiet (and maybe even still) to listen with jaws dropped.

After weeks of Prince covers, their encore of “D.M.S.R.” (Dance, Music, Sex, Romance) was something new and much-appreciated out of Prince’s extensive catalog, and a strong way to close out the night. 

Thanks to photographer Jeremy Scott, you can relive some of the experiences in the photos and gallery below:

The Motet @ Tipitina’s 4/30/16 Setlist:
Damn!, The Truth, Own It, Rippin’, Ain’t No Way, Fool, Handcuffs, Brother Man > Know It Too Well, Danger, Fountain, Closed
Encore: DMSR