The Wild Magnolias Mardi Gras Indians featuring:

Big Chief Roddy Lewis

Among the practitioners of New Orleans Mardi Gras' main line and "second line" there is
perhaps no more elaborate or culturally significant society than the secret society of
African Americans known as the Mardi Gras Indians.  The Wild Magnolias (Mardi Gras Indians)
continue the 100 year old tradition of paying homage to Native Americans who befriended
runaway slaves during the slave trade days of New Orleans. On Mardi Gras Day there are
over 300 Mardi Indians in full regalia with full percussion, while they sing traditional
chants and parade through the New Orleans neighborhoods in tribute to their Native
American counterparts.

Big Chief Bo Dollis has led the Wild Magnolias Mardi Gras Indians since 1956 and their
Mardi Gras Indian Band, the Wild Magnolias since 1969 by recording their first "45",
Handa Wanda. (Today along with Big Chief Roddy Lewis)  Since the 70's, "The Wild Mags" have
toured around the world (1972 command performance  and 1974 at Carnegie Hall...2006 Kennedy Center  and Central Park, New York, 2007 Bonarroo Festival), recorded versions of their traditional
chants i.e. Iko Iko, with full band and percusion of Mardi Gras Day, on several major labels; 
including Blue Note, Barclay and Polydor. 

The Wild Magnolias' own brand of Mardi Gras Indian Jazz  Funk sound is credited with directly influencing the (by) New Orleans' Dr. John, Aaron Neville  & the Neville Brothers and the Meters.   Additionally influencing artists as diverse as Joe Sample,  Widespread Panic, Robbie Robertson, Daniel Lanois, Bruce Hornsby and James Brown.

To see live performance video's click HERE

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