Saxophonist & improviser Mars Williams, actively based out of Chicago & New York City since the late 70s, is perhaps best-known as a member of The Psychedelic Furs, but has proven his jazz bona fides with Peter Brötzmann and Ken Vandermark, Hamid Drake & Han Bennink. He was the musical director of the influential Chicago acid-jazz unit Liquid Soul as well as Hal Russell’s NRG Ensemble, to say nothing of his project xMarsX alongside Wayne Kramer from the legendary Detroit group MC5. His rock CV is also varied, including Akron New Wave band The Waitresses and work with Billy Idol, Ministry, Massacre, Billy Squier and many more.

He also leads the Albert Ayler tribute band Witches & Devils, and out of their holiday concerts grew this unique tradition, that of tangling the tunes of the late, great Albert Ayler with wide-ranging Wintertime Holiday favorites… Over each of the past many winters, Mars has toured the US and the globe presenting “An Albert Ayler Xmas” joined by top-flight casts of musical characters and friends from each city, and we have been fortunate to have this project come to New Orleans once before, and now triumphantly returning on Weds. Dec. 1st for one night only at the Broadside.

On this evening (one of approximately a dozen such concerts around the globe, each with a unique group of collaborators), Mars Williams will be playing woodwinds and assorted toys, joined by Helen Gillet on cello & FX, as well a mighty mélange of Texas stalwarts: Aaron Gonzalez on bass, Stefan Gonzalez on drums & vibes, Jonathan Horne on guitar, and Gaika James on trombone.

This will NOT be one to miss… Please consider purchasing advance tickets now for this capacity-capped event… Be there OR be somewhere decidedly-less-hip!