NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Organizers ask attendees to step back in time with Belle Noire, a musical tribute to the iconic Black songstresses from the dawn of early jazz to the height of the swing era, coming to Ashé Powerhouse Theater on Saturday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 10, at 3 p.m.
Created by New Orleans-born vocalist Kayla Lewis, this immersive theatrical concert is set to celebrates the sound, style and soul of legends like Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, Eartha Kitt and Dorothy Dandridge – not through imitation, but through bold, evocative reinterpretation. Blending vintage visuals, cinematic projections, elegant costuming, tap dance and live jazz, Belle Noire offers a cabaret-meets-theater experience that is at once nostalgic and strikingly contemporary. Lewis will be joined by NYC jazz luminary Dandy Wellington, along with a stellar cast of performers from both New York and New Orleans.
Tickets are available for purchase (with early bird tickets at $10 off available until July 15) at bellenoireshow.com, with 30% of proceeds benefiting New Orleans non-profit organizations Second Line Arts Collective (a jazz education nonprofit dedicated to mentoring and empowering young musicians) and the New Orleans Dance Collective (a vibrant program teaching tap to local youth and nurturing the next generation of dancers). Both organizations have played a vital role in shaping the aesthetic and values at the heart of this production.
“Belle Noire is a heartfelt tribute born from the bond my mother and I share over the golden age of Black female jazz legends,” said Lewis in a release about the show. “I’m excited to bring together some of the best performers – including many of my family members – to honor the women who shaped myself and many other black artists into who we are today.”
Beyond the glamour, Lewis shares that Belle Noire is deeply personal. The show began as a simple family project— a way to film Lewis performing classic songs and sharing them online for others to enjoy.
“We weren’t seeing much of this type of performance anywhere—not on YouTube, not online,” said Kayla’s mother, Leila Lewis. “Not just singers in pretty gowns, but theatrical, character-driven shows. So, we figured if we started it, maybe others would be inspired to follow.”
At the time, Lewis had begun stepping away from the structure of 9-to-5 life to pursue her creative path more intentionally – and, true to her introspective nature, she wasn’t in a rush to assemble collaborators. Belle Noire includes her father, veteran jazz bassist Kerry Lewis Sr., along with her brothers, uncles, and cousins. Her artistic cousin designed the evocative backdrops, while her dancer cousin delivers a featured solo.
“As a family, we create for the joy of it,” said Kayla. “We’ve been putting on music shows together for years—just to bring our vision to life and hear the kind of music we wish people still played.”
When New Orleans couldn’t provide the right tap dancers for the show’s vintage demands, Lewis reached out to a key figure from her past—celebrated dancer, choreographer, and director Mickey Davidson, her former dance teacher from the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp, who soon came on board. Davidson helped assemble a passionate team of New York-based performers and now serves as the show’s director, helping shape its theatrical core. The result is a richly layered, cross-generational collaboration anchored in tradition and brought to life with modern verve.
“We want audiences to feel the magic of those glamorous women who poured every ounce of soul into a song,” said Lewis. “This is more than a concert—it’s a tribute, a resurrection, and a love letter to those who came before us.”
Belle Noire also features an all-star ensemble of New Orleans jazz stalwarts, including Louis Ford, Ronell Johnson, Jamil Sharif and Mari Watanabe.
A complete list of Belle Noire performers include:
- Family Members:
- Kayla Lewis – Founder, Featured Vocalist, and Dancer.
- Gabrielle Lewis (Kayla’s cousin)- Featured Dancer.
- Kerry Lewis Jr. (Kayla’s Brother)- Bass, Keyboard, and Arranger.
- Kerry Lewis Sr. (Kayla’s Father) – Bass, Saxophone, Congas, Sound Engineering, and Composer.
- Korey Lewis, Sr. (Kayla’s Uncle) – Drums.
- Kyle Lewis (Kayla’s Youngest Brother)- Cello.
- Damien Gibson (Kayla’s Uncle) – Violin and Woodwinds.
- Alexis McQuarter (Kayla’s cousin) – Backdrop Illustrator.
- NYC Guest Performers/Creative Team Members:
- Sammy Coleman – Swing Choreographer and Featured Dancer.
- Adante Power – Featured Vocalist and Dancer.
- Dandy Wellington – Featured Vocalist.
- Darnell Williams – Featured Vocalist and Dancer.
- Mickey Davidson – Choreographer and Director.
- Brian Davis – Choreographer.
- Jazz Musicians:
- Louis Ford – Clarinet and Saxophone.
- Ronell Johnson – Trombone.
- Jamil Sharif – Trumpet.
- Mari Watanabe.- Piano.
- Non-Profit Partners:
- Second Line Arts Collective – Gregory Agid and Darrian Douglas
- New Orleans Dance Collective – Janet Andrews
For more information on Belle Noire: An Ode to Black Songstresses of Eras Past and to purchase tickets, visit bellenoireshow.com.
