Woodwinds: David Bode (alto sax); Lori LaPatka (alto sax); Ari Kohn (tenor sax, flute); Byron Asher (tenor sax); Thad Scott (bari sax)
Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Michael Joseph Christie; Kasey Ball; Matt Venora; Matt Perronne; Ricio Fruge
Trombone: Peter Gustafson; Evan Oberla; Greg Hicks; Ethan Santos; Jimmy Williams (tuba)
Rhythm Section: Daniel Meinecke (piano & keyboards); Ethan Stern (organ); Eric Merchant (guitar); Calvin Morin-Martin (acoustic & electric bass); Ronan Cowan (drums); Xavier Molina (percussion)
Vocals: Jenna Winston
Announcer: Allen Gale

David Bode, a New Orleans-born and -based saxophonist, composer, and arranger, is set to release his first live album as a leader, Live at the 2026 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. “Just a year after my studio debut, I am so excited to share the set from our performance at JazzFest” says Bode. “After many years of playing at the festival as a sideman or band member, it was very meaningful to see my name in ‘The Cubes’ and on the billboard on the stage for the first time. I could not be more thankful to all the amazing musicians who joined me that day,” says Bode. The ensemble on the record is a 22-piece big band that includes some of New Orleans’ finest musicians. “It was so much fun bringing this band and these arrangements to the crowd at the WWOZ Jazz Tent,” says Bode. “We had a great time and really fed off the good vibes the people were giving us.”

The songs from the day’s show reflect Bode’s varied musical history. He puts his spin on modern jazz songs Happy People by Kenny Garrett, Monkey Puzzle by James Black, Lush Life by Billy Strayhorn, and Syeeda’s Song Flute by John Coltrane. He also includes some of his favorite rock and pop songs with arrangements of Jeff Buckley’s Lover, You Should’ve Come Over; Radiohead’s Airbag; and The Beatles’ Don’t Let Me Down and Dear Prudence. He rounds out the set with his original composition Cold Train Funk, a song he describes as “equally inspired by John Coltrane, The Meters, and Johann Sebastian Bach.”

The album was produced by two-time Grammy award winner Peer Munck, and released by MunckMix, which has been releasing live albums from major music festivals across the US since 2003. It arrives just one year after Bode’s studio debut Good Hang, which was supported by a grant from the Threadhead Cultural Foundation. “I am so grateful to the Threadhead Cultural Foundation for their support for my first record as it helped me establish myself as a bandleader and helped my big band play at JazzFest,” states Bode. “I have some big ideas for the future of this band,” expounds Bode, “so I hope people enjoy this moment in time from JazzFest and keep their ears open for what’s next.”

davidbodemusic.com

Release Date: Friday, September 25th 2026 on 1718 Records LLC