My husband and I just returned from New Orleans where he really fell in love with the New Orleans style of blues. I’d love to get him some CD’s for his birthday next month - unfortunately I don’t remember a lot of the bands that we saw as we popped in and out of clubs so much. But any recommendations would be great, thanks!
I believe what you are looking for is actually referred to as Zydeco, Cajun music or Bayou music - not the blues. There are dozens of amazing practitioners, but **Clifton Chenier **is the most well-known…
If you are referring to New Orleans flavored pop-funk, look no further than The Meters.
As for jazz - well, New Orleands is jazz…
Without knowing more about what you actually heard, I’d suggest Mack Rebennack. Also known as Doctor John the Night Tripper. Or simply Doctor John.
The New Orleans native has played wide variety of music in his long career. Start with Doctor John’s Gumbo. Or Going Back to New Orleans. Not just blues, these records offer swamp pop, r&b & even a touch of classical.
ETA: Zydeco and/or Cajun are Louisiana Country Music–although modern Zydeco was born here in Houston. For Zydeco, do start with Clifton Chenier. Or anything that Arhoolie Records offers…
:smack: duh.
Does the music you’re looking for sound like this and this? If so, it’s thePreservation Hall Jazz Band you’re looking for!
My mother-in-law picked up this compilation albuma few years back and she loves it. It’s a nice sampling of New Orleans sounds, and the tracks may lead you to investigate individual artists separately. Bonus is that the album proceeds go to the local Habitat for Humanity.
After listening to everything posted it occured to me that the blues he really liked best is Delta Blues - there was a singer at a small club that really captured that sound. I found a Delta/Mississippi blues compilation that I think will work best.
However I now have many new sources for the New Orleans jazz/Zydeco/Dixieland music that I love thanks to you all! I appreciate your input!
Check out Professor Longhair. He’s more blues than cajun/zydeco but still has that New Orleans sound.
ETA: You might also take a look at Taj Mahal. He’s not from Louisiana but is well known for a blues that mixes a lot of different styles.
Coco Robicheaux is very good.
Nathan & The Zydeco Cha-Chas are another good zydeco band.
I’ve always heard the “King of the Delta Blues” was Muddy Waters. 
I also want to mention the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and the Neville Brothers, even though you’ve already said you’re more interested in the blues than the sounds of NOLA.
Look up Fat Possum Records. I saw a documentary about them and then tracked down as much of their artists’ music as I could find. It’s all good.
Some good Delta Blues musicians:
Muddy Waters
Robert Johnson
Son House
Sonny Boy Williamson I
Charlie Patton
Blind Lemon Jefferson
I’d recommend the complete recordings of Robert Johnson. Ya know–he’s the one that sold his soul at the crossroads.
Winnie is looking for blues of the type she and her husband heard in New Orleans. Not Delta blues, not New Orleans jazz, but New Orleans blues.
Henry Butler is a New Orleans pianist who plays both blues and jazz. The Game Has Just Begun is one of his more blues-oriented CDs.
Tab Benoit lives in Houma, Louisiana and performs every year at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. He has a “best of” CD here.
Henry Gray is a New Orleans blues pianist with a down-and-dirty style. His latest CD is Times Are Gettin’ Hard.
Marva Wright is a very popular New Orleans blues/R&B singer. Here is a post-Katrina CD of hers called After the Levees Broke.
Washboard Chaz is a singer/washboard player who has made a few CDs under his own name. Here is Hard Year Blues.
If you’re still having trouble figuring out what you’re looking for, I’d suggest calling Louisiana Music Factory and asking for advice. The people who run this record store in the French Quarter are experts on Louisiana Music and can probably steer you in the right direction.
John Lee Hooker!
Muddy Waters has already been mentioned.
That’s all I got to say.
Read post #7.
If you feel like traveling (figuretively) a couple hundred miles to the west, Stevie Ray Vaughn is my idea of a blues master. Does not fit the N’awlins school of blues, though.
WOW these are amazing suggestions, thank you all. I can’t wait to explore all of this and immerse ourselves in learning more about different types of southern blues…
Kermit Ruffins. (With or without the Barbecue Swingers.)
Ain’t nothing but a good time.
Peanuthead already mentioned him but if you’re looking for Delta Blues there’s nobody better than Son House.