“There are many wonderful funk bands in the Big Easy, but what makes this combo special from the others is that the band demonstrates skilled musicianship, flattering arrangements, an easy camaraderie and deep grooves,” says Sydney Arzt. With Joe Krown on the Hammond B-3, Walter “Wolfman” Washington on guitar and vocals, and Russell Batiste Jr. on drums and background vocals, the trio started playing together in March 2007. The combination of the soulful vocals of Washington with the big sound of the Hammond B-3 and the masterful drumming skills of Batiste have helped develop the trio’s own unique sound. Arzt noted, “The opportunity to enjoy these fabulous musicians outside of the Big Easy is a rare treat.”

Krown moved to New Orleans in 1992 after honing his keyboard skills in the Northeast. Since then, he has built a strong reputation as first-call organist and pianist in the Crescent City. Known by many as Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown’s longtime sideman, Krown has forged his own path in recent years, exploring the realm of organ-fueled funk. He held the keyboard chair with Brown from 1992 until Brown’s passing in fall 2005. He has also performed with Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson, Johnny Adams, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker, Vassar Clemens, Marva Wright, The Platters, The Drifters, A.C. Reed, Big Time Sarah and Jo-El Sonnier.

Washington has been an icon on the New Orleans music scene for decades. His searing guitar work and soulful vocals have defined the Crescent City’s unique musical hybrid of rhythm and blues, funk and the blues since he formed his first band in the 1970s. Washington began his career during the fertile heyday of the 1950s rhythm and blues period that spawned dozens of No. 1 songs and made New Orleans the recording destination of choice for hit makers like Ray Charles and Little Richard. He certainly can howl the blues, hence his nickname, but his musical talents have always defined pure Crescent City soul. In later years, with the second rise of funk, Washington fully embraced that genre as well.

As a member of one of New Orleans’ legendary musical families, Batiste knows his way around a sound stage. He’s played multiple instruments, and has been at the drum kit since the age of 4.

Even before that, he recalls watching his daddy, David Batiste, of the city’s seminal funk band David Batiste and the Gladiators, jam with an endless array of the city’s most talented musicians. The younger Batiste joined the Funky Meters in 1989 and has recorded with Allan Toussaint, Robbie Robertson and Harry Connick Jr.; and performed on the last two Wild Magnolias Mardi Gras Indians’ CDs.

Tickets to this show are only $10. The Cove serves dinner nightly from 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Ruddertowne Beach Welcome Center or online at CoveDewey.com. Call 302-226-1680 for details.