New Orleans Night Owls

Hal Smith's New Orleans Night Owls is a traditional jazz septet organized in 2021 by veteran drummer and historian Hal Smith to play New Orleans Revival-style ragtime and classic jazz. The band draws top traditional-jazz musicians from across the country and has recorded three albums, including Early Hours, Messin' Around, and the Rivermont Records release St. Louis Rag, which pairs classic rags with arrangements in the vein of Bunk Johnson and the St. Louis Ragtimers. They have performed at the Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival, the San Diego Jazz Fest, and the Redwood Coast Music Festival. The lineup features cornetist and vocalist T.J. Muller, trombonist Charlie Halloran, clarinetist Ryan Calloway, pianist Kris Tokarski, banjoist Bill Reinhart, and bassist Michael Gamble, with guests such as 94-year-old cornetist Bill Mason.