About Us

The NOLA Jazz Band’s “gutsy and heartfelt” blues & jazz stylings has earned them a nationwide fan base.

The band varies from it’s full 7 piece band, to it’s smaller combos – all lead by band leader and jazz clarinet player/vocalist Jeff Kane.  The band has played for many Festivals and music hot spots around the Midwest and Central Iowa including:  Iowa City Jazz Festival, Bix Beiderbecke Festival, World Food & Music Festival, River Music Experience, Des Moines Art Festival, Jazz in July, Ingersoll Live, Galena Music Festival, and Botanical Center Music in The Gardens to name a few.  In addition, the band has ongoing residency at NOCE, New Northwestern, and Louies Wine Dive in Des Moines and NOIR in Ames.  The band also plays regularly at many other corporate and private events.

The band has produced three “live” CD’s and has played with some of the biggest movers and shakers in the Blues, Swing, and Jazz scenes including: Benny Bennack III, Bria Skonberg, Evan Christopher, Marla Dixon and Shotgun Jazz Band, Paul Mehling and Hot Club of San Francisco, Davina & the Vagabonds, and many others.

Band members have also played in Europe and at well-known clubs in New Orleans and New York City.

NOLA Iterations

The NOLA Jazz Band is available in multiple configurations to meet the needs of any event or venue. From a compact and talented jazz duo to a full on 7-piece combo, NOLA can fit the bill.

NOLA Duo

NOLA
Duo

Clarinet and piano provide a full instrumental jazz experience in a compact package. Perfect for small parties, intimate venues, and more.

NOLA
Trio

Clarinet, piano, and either vocal, bass, or drums depending on your needs. An excellent option for smaller events and venues.

NOLA
Quartet

Clarinet, piano, bass, and either vocal or drums provide you a powerful jazz quartet to fill any room with great music.

NOLA 7-Piece Band

NOLA
7-piece Band

The full-band experience with an expert 7-piece jazz combo, with keyboard, bass, drums, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, and vocals. An impressive group that will entertain large groups, festivals, concert venues and more.

Meet the Band

  • Jeff Kane - Clarinet

    JEFF KANE

    Clarinet, Vocals, Bandleader

    Bio

  • Abbie Sawyer

    ABBIE SAWYER

    Vocals

    Bio

  • Lauren Vilmain - Vocals

    LAUREN VILMAIN

    Vocals

    Bio

  • SCOTT DAVIS

    SCOTT DAVIS

    Cornet

    Bio

  • Anthony Williams - Trombone

    ANTHONY WILLIAMS

    Trombone

    Bio

  • Jamie Poulsen - Piano

    JAMIE POULSEN

    Piano

    Bio

  • Chris Walsh - Bass

    CHRIS WALSH

    Bass

    Bio

  • Bob Brown - Drums

    BOB BROWN

    Drums

    Bio

  • You never know...

    You never know...

    NOLA Jazz Band features many local, regional, and national musicians… you know know who might show up on stage!

NOLA Performances

Festivals & Celebrations

  • Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival

  • Iowa City Jazz Festival

  • Cajun Festival

  • Des Moines Jazz Festival

  • World Food & Music Festival 

  • 80/35 Music Festival

  • Galena Arts Festival

  • Des Moines Arts Festival

  • CJC Jazz Festival

  • Ankeny Summerfest

  • NordicFest – Decorah, Iowa

  • Orange City Music Series

  • City of DeSoto Fun Days

  • Clear Lake Jazz Festival

  • City of West Des Moines Illumini Festival – Jamie Hurd Amphitheater

  • Levitt Amphitheater Music Series

  • Jazz In July

  • Ingersoll Live

  • Des Moines Botanical Center – Music in the Gardens Series

  • Iowa Arboretum – Music Series

  • Thomas Jefferson Gardens – Music Series

  • Des Moines Water Works Park – Beer Garden Music Series

  • Lauridsen Amphitheater – Music Under The Stars

  • Porchfest – Des Moines

Corporate & Other Events

  • Salsbury House – Annual Gala

  • Homes of Oakridge - Annual Fundraiser

  • Evelyn Davis Center - Annual Fundraiser

  • EMC Insurance – International Meeting at World Food Prize Hall of Lauriates

  • Wakonda Country Club – 100th Anniversary Celebration

  • University of Iowa – Hydro Science and Engineering Celebration Hancher Auditorium

  • IBEW – Annual Meeting & Celebration

  • Affiliates Management Company – CFO Retirement Party, and Board of Directors Celebration

  • Dark Sky Foundation – Homeless Vets Fundraiser

  • Arts Midwest Retreat

  • TechStars

  • Iowa Insurance Accelerator

  • Kentucky Derby Party

  • Big Grove Brewery – Mardi Gras Celebration

  • Deerfield Retirement Community – Annual Celebration

  • Wesley Acres – Annual Celebration

  • Independence Villages – Birthday Celebration

  • Quad City Arts – Annual Gala

  • Des Moines Area Religious Council

  • Plymouth Church Music Series

  • St James Lutheran Church – Annual Celebration

  • Private Weddings (numerous)

  • River Music Experience – Davenport, Iowa  

    Residencies (Past & Present):

  • NOCE Jazz Club

  • The New Northwestern

  • NOIR Ames

  • Louies Wine Dive

  • The Cave

  • Des Moines Social Club

  • XBK Live

  • Latin King Restaurant