Tribute to New Orleans Heritage Music

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The Big Easy Experience

Uncle Shoehorn’s Big Easy brings the magic of New Orleans to your venue or event. For 25 years Uncle Shoehorn has paid homage to the indelible mark made by New Orleans heritage music, boosting any and all material that is heavy on the “groove”.

A Big Easy show delivers infectious and irresistible grooves from New Orleans legends like:

The Funky Meters
Neville Brothers
Dr. John
Professor Longhair
Allen Toussaint
Jon Cleary
Henry Butler

Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Galactic
Huey “Piano” Smith
Louis Prima
Fats Domino
Walter “Wolfman” Washington

Trombone Shorty
Rebirth Brass Band
Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers
Clarence “Frogman” Henry
Jellyroll Morton
Tuba Skinny
and many more!

Uncle Shoehorn also proudly BOOSTS grooves from other sources – wherever the groove is strong. This includes:

Soul and R&B Classics

from artists like James Brown, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, The Commodores, Billy Preston, Sam & Dave, Sly & The Family Stone, Etta James, the “Blue Eyed Soul” of Van Morrison, and many others.

Roots, Rock, Rhythm & Blues

from artists like BB King, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Magic Sam, Little Walter, Lowell George, Ry Cooder, Delbert McClinton, Butterfield Blues Band, Big Bill Broonzy, Chuck Berry and many others.

Big Easy Style “Voodoo Dead”

The only band to have created funky-fried horn arrangements for several sets worth of Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band material, bringing a GROOVE-INFUSED twist to make the Deadheads shake their bones! Big Easy “Dead” Parties always fill the room with happy hippie heads!

What the People Say

Reviews & Testimonials

Jonny Rosch

During 50 years as a full-time musician, I have seen it all. The great ones, the lucky ones, the gimmicky ones, the posers, the frauds and the truly talented. In the end, one thing separates the real pros from those just going through the motions on stage: AUTHENTICITY. It’s the highest compliment I can bestow on my peers because, whereas taste in music is subjective, authenticity is not. To get up on stage as a front man, like Tony Vee does, and assemble a band of superlative, adroit, and like-minded musicians is hard enough. To make it gel and at the same time make it seriously musical, without leaving out the fun (or the funk) is something that few bands can pull off. See this powerhouse of a band for yourself. Go for the show, stay for the party. Authentically fun!

Jonny Rosch

Original Blues Brothers Band | Bo Diddley | Joe Walsh

Don Oriolo

What’s in a name? When I first heard of this band named “Uncle Shoehorn”, I didn’t know what to expect! But when I heard hundreds of people raving about them, I had to hear them for myself and managed to make it to one of their performances. A band with a full horn section and I could tell by looking at them, they were the real deal – especially as they launched into their first number. I have to admit, as a person who’s worked with the biggest names in the music business, these guys were right there! NOLA Funk & Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Classic Soul, all with “A-1” vocals – they’re the real deal. Take it from me, “Uncle Shoehorn” will be a name that’ll roll off your tongue like the Beatles or any other name that catches attention. If you get the chance to see them, don’t miss the opportunity. You’ll thank me!

Don Oriolo

Gold Record Music Producer, Felix the Cat Artist, Owner of Blue Arrow Farm

Bobby Pereira

Uncle Shoehorn’s Big Easy and the New Yorleans Horns always brings enormous energy and a crowd to match. Great selection of material from all the favorites of New Orleans rich tapestry of musical culture. Never an empty seat when they bring their party to the Cove Castle and I highly recommend them to any venue that wants to draw out the strong constituency of music fans who love the New Orleans sound.

Bobby Pereira

Owner of Cove Castle on Greenwood Lake

The Rockland News

Uncle Shoehorn’s Big Easy with its full band including a 4-piece horn section is led by the incomparable Tony Vee who blends his funky New Orleans sound into traditional Grateful Dead yielding a unique and enjoyable take on the music.

The Rockland News

Newspaper Serving Rockland County NY and Surrounding Areas

Where the Good Times Roll Next

Join the Groove Krewe at these Upcoming Events

Tony Vee Hosts Meadow Blues Jam

Uncle Shoehorn’s Tony Vee is joined by the incomparable James Wormworth and Mike Merritt of the Conan O’Brien Basic Cable Band to open the stage to blues players who want to come and jam the blues. Backline provided. Bring your instrument and join the jam!

6:30PM start time

MOre info

TeeVee Allstars NEW Blues Invitational WSG: Jerry Vivino

The TeeVee Allstars is proud to return to the Upper Barn at the Blue Arrow Farm for the fourth year of NEW Blues Invitationals hosting acclaimed BLUES Music Luminaries backed by a house band of heavy hitters.

Special Invited Guest for this first installment of 2026 is the legendary Jerry Vivino.

Alumnus of Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show Band and Conan O’Brien’s Basic Cable Band, Jerry’s lent his horn to the likes of James Brown, Bruce Springsteen, Son Seals, Dr. John, Donald Fagen, Branford Marsalis, Paul Shaffer, Frankie Valli and too many others to list.

Doors at six, music at 7:30. Full bar and menu.

MORE INFO

Uncle Shoehorn’s Grateful Dead Invitational

Shoehorn’ returns to the wonderful Blue Arrow Farm Upper Barn Stage to host the Grateful Dead Invitational featuring special guest players from top Grateful Dead tribute bands around the tri-state area.

Special invited guest to be announced soon!

Doors at 7PM

Uncle Shoehorn’s Eleventh Annual Mardi Gras Ball at Blue Arrow Farm

Back for an eleventh year, this EPIC Mardi Gras Ball returns, bigger and badder than ever!
Music BEGINS right at 5PM when doors open with Very Special Guest DAVE KEYES playing stride piano faves from Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint and other NOLA Piano Gods.

Two sets of Uncle Shoehorn’s Big Easy & New Yorleans Horns begin at 6pm. Including special appearance by Dave Keyes and other special guests

GIANT SECOND LINE PARADE | Mardi Gras Parade Floats | Beads, Masques, and tons of Bourbon Street Swag | Bourbon Street Decor and Lights Show | Beer, Wine and Cocktails at three full bars – heated Pavilion

Blue Arrow Kitchen produces Chef Antwanne’s recipes for Red Beans & Rice, Andouille & Chicken Jambalaya, Bourbon Shrimp and other non-New Orleans menu items.

Music from 7 to 10PM

TICKETS

Tony Vee Hosts Meadow Blues Jam February

Uncle Shoehorn’s Tony Vee is joined by the incomparable James Wormworth and Mike Merritt of the Conan O’Brien Basic Cable Band to open the stage to blues players who want to come and jam the blues. Backline provided. Bring your instrument and join the jam!

6:30PM start time

MOre info

Shoehorn Inaugurates the new WHISKEY WOLF Tavern in Hewitt

The former Lakeshore Inn on Upper Greenwood Lake (Hewitt NJ) was the scene for several Shoehorn Mardi Gras Balls back in the day. But the place has new ownership and has been completely renovated. This place is AWESOME! Come out and help us inaugurate what we hope to be a long-term relationship with the new management. Let’s show ’em what a SHOEHORN party is all about and how awesome the Groove Krewe is as a customer base.

9:00PM to Midnite

more info COMING SOON

Clips of Grooves “Boosted” by Uncle Shoehorn’s Big Easy

Tootie Ma is a Big Fine Thing – Respectfully boosted from Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Right Place Wrong Time – Lovingly boosted from Dr. John the Night Tripper

Mardi Gras in New Orleans – Boosted from the consummate New Orleans piano man, Professor Longhair

Loose Like That – Boosted with the deepest respect and admiration from Tuba Skinny

Dyna-Mite – Boosted from an unbelievably funky NOLA music merchant, Jon Cleary

I’ll Go Crazy – Boosted with reverence for the Godfather of Soul, James Brown

Fiyo on the Bayou – Boosted with gratitude from the Neville Brothers

Grits Ain’t Groceries – Borrowed from the very groovy Little Milton

Feel Like a Stranger – Boosted with good intentions from the Grateful Dead

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Uncle Shoehorn’s 11th Annual Mardi Gras Bash

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