Acclaimed saxophonist Jason Mingledorff brings the rhythms and spirit of New Orleans to Alabama for a special South Arts Jazz Roads-sponsored statewide tour September 15th to 20th, 2025.
Jason Mingledorff is one of the most versatile and in-demand saxophonists playing in New Orleans’ eclectic, thriving music scene. While national audiences have enjoyed hearing Jason play with St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Clint Black, The New Mastersounds, The O’Jays and many others, it is Jason’s work with New Orleans’ most beloved artists (including Dr. John, Harry Connick, Jr., Papa Grows Funk, Galactic, Better Than Ezra, Jon Cleary and the New Orleans Nightcrawlers - with whom he won a Grammy in 2021) that has endeared him to fans throughout the world. His debut album, Start It!, was embraced by critics and nominated for Best Modern Jazz Album in the 2023 Offbeat Best of the Beat Music Awards.
Jason’s latest album, 2025’s The Journal Sessions, is his tribute to the many infectious, syncopated grooves that come from his home of thirty years - New Orleans. On the heels of this release, Jason was honored to receive the prestigious Jazz Roads Grant, which was established by the Atlanta-based non-profit South Arts to help bring jazz to areas that may have limited exposure to this great American artform. With the help of this grant, Jason will be taking his top-notch quintet throughout Alabama, where he grew up and went to college. Before moving to New Orleans in the 90s, Jason cut his teeth with the Million Dollar Band, the Tuscaloosa Horns, and the popular 90s band The Grounders.
The first stop on Jason’s upcoming tour is Monday, September 15th, at Huntingdon College, in the city he grew up, Montgomery, AL. On September 16th, he will be performing at the Troy Arts Council’s new music venue, The Studio at Johnson Center for the Arts. Jason then travels up to his alma mater, the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa for a concert in Moody Music Hall on September 17th.UA’s rival Auburn will host Jason’s quintet the next night at Piccolo 421. The last two dates of the tour (September 19th & 20th) will be held at Pogo Cocktail Lounge in Birmingham.
Joining Jason on this tour will be some of the Crescent City’s most respected veteran musicians. Guitarist Bert Cotton, also a native of Alabama, has been a prominent voice in the popular trombone funk/rock band Bonerama since their inception in 1998. Pianist Mike Lemmler has been the keyboardist of choice for legendary bass player George Porter, Jr. ever since his days with The Meters. Bassist Ed Wise was featured on Jason’s first album and teaches music with him at Loyola University of New Orleans. Doug Garrison is known for his work with some of the city’s most eclectic and experimental bands, including one of New Orleans’ most enduring rock bands, The Iguanas. With years of experience playing so many different styles of jazz (traditional, modern, groove, avant-garde) and other music styles (blues, soul, country, funk, Latin, rock), this collective can go anywhere musically Jason chooses. They look forward to spreading their music throughout the state of Alabama this fall.