Alune Wade: A Family Affair

Alune Wade: A Family Affair celebrates the release of the new album by Senegalese bassist and composer Alune Wade in collaboration with the New Orleans-based Neighborhood Story Project.

Building on the acclaimed New African Orleans (2025), which drew widespread praise for its fluid dialogue between West African traditions, contemporary jazz, and Louisiana heritage, Family Affair has the feel of a reunion. Alune’s band brings together a remarkable constellation of musicians: artists from Benin, French Guiana, and Réunion Island are joined on stage by musicians (and poet Sunni Patterson) from New Orleans. Sunday, October 11th is a rare opportunity to witness this musical family live — a genuine cultural event, not just a concert, but a living, breathing fusion—Africa and the bayou, side by side, equal and electric.

Rooted in both memory and contemporary dialogue, the concert also celebrates the release of the bilingual art book, A Family Affair: Conversations Across the Atlantic (Breunlin and Wade, University of New Orleans Press 2026). Both the album and the book will be available for sale at the venue.

Band Line-Up

Alune Wade (Lead vocal and bass | Senegal)
Sunni Patterson (Vocals | New Orleans)
Tonya Boyd-Cannon (Vocals | New Orleans)
Alix Goffic (Drums | French Guiana)
Cedric Duchemann (Keyboard | Reunion Island)
Harry Ahonlonsou (Saxophone | Benin)
Corey Henry (Trombone | New Orleans)
Kirk Joseph (Sousaphone | New Orleans)
David McKissick (Trumpet | New Orleans)