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Sunny Side

Sunny Side is a New Orleans-based jazz band inspired by early jazz greats like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, and Fats Waller. The band takes its name from the 1930 jazz standard “On the Sunny Side of the Street” by Fats Waller and Jimmy McHugh—a fitting tribute to the joyful spirit they bring to every performance.

Formed in 2019, Sunny Side consists of seasoned musicians who have been playing together in various New Orleans jazz projects since 2017. They deliver a New Orleans-style jazz experience featuring rich 3-part harmonies, a driving rhythm section, and a dynamic vocalist and dancer who brings the music to life. Their shows are immersive and high-energy—audiences are encouraged to dance, sing along, and soak in the joyful atmosphere that defines their hometown.

In August of 2025, Sunny Side completed their fifth national tour, performing 20 shows in 16 cities, with stops in Tennessee, Ohio, New York, Maryland, and several other states. Their performances span a variety of venues, from intimate jazz listening rooms to lively swing dance halls.

Sunny Side is also preparing to release their fourth album, “The Marigny Sessions,” recorded at Marigny Studios in New Orleans. The album captures the group’s signature blend of vintage charm and vibrant, contemporary influences.

During the 2020–2021 quarantine, the band started a Jazz in Coliseum Square Park series in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District, providing free live music during a time of isolation and uncertainty. Featuring acts like Preservation Hall Brass Band, Handmade Moments, Amigos do Samba, and Sunny Side themselves, the series became a cherished community event. It continues monthly, keeping the spirit of live local music alive.

Since 2020, Sunny Side has also become a top choice for private events and weddings, earning The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” award in 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025—an honor awarded to the top 5% of wedding bands nationwide.

Awards

Winner of "Best of Weddings" Award in 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025, an honor awarded to the top 5% of wedding bands nationwide.

Gear

Full PA Sound system with mixer, mics, cables, stands.

Drumset, Trumpet, Alto Sax, Clarinet, Trombone, Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, and Accoustic Guitar

Johnny Mercer: Sunny Side Up

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
September 19, 2011

Few voices do a better job of capturing post-war American optimism than Johnny Mercer's. His relaxed, upbeat and folksy style captured the nation's “new dawn" mentality perfectly. His songs between 1942 and 1947 have a Hollywood sensibility, and they effortlessly grab your heart. It's a happy voice that sounds like a one-armed bandit chugging out jackpot coins. A box set that captures his evolution perfectly—from too-cute by half phrase-turner to West Coast pop-swinger—is Johnny Mercer (Mosaic Select). Even though Mercer ...
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Last Full Album Review

https://syncopatedtimes.com/sunny-side-the-felicity-sessions/