New Orleans-based Bad Penny Pleasuremakers, Matt Bell and Joy Patterson, met on a blind date shortly after Hurricane Katrina and have been playing music and traveling together ever since. Their music is deeply rooted in, and influenced by, their New Orleans and Southern Louisiana community. The Bad Penny’s research and repertoire is focused on popular music from this region from the 1900’s through the 30’s and includes Hawaiian, Novelty, Ragtime, Early Jazz, Acoustic Blues and Country Blues. Combining these sounds and keeping the music alive vs preserved.

As a big band, the Bad Penny Pleasuremakers is a true collaboration of good friends and talented New Orleans-based musicians who just really love playing the good old good stuff-honoring the spirit while creating a new spark. We are predominantly a Washboard Stringband with reeds, keys and coronet added and the best part-all of us sing! We are: Matt Bell, Joy Patterson, Coleman Akin, Jonathan Greene, Joplin Parnell and Max Bien Kahn.