New Orleans songstress Maggie Koerner returns to Jazz Fest.
“Music is profoundly impactful when the listener is ready to hear it and music has also always been a sign of the times. The lyrics we put out in the world need to make a difference in expanding human minds and hearts … especially now.” Human connection is the most important part of what I do,” ~ New Orleans songstress Maggie Koerner
Koerner, a product of Louisiana’s Catholic schools and a psychology major in college, feels morally and ethically obligated to make music matter. She taps into the field of theology and psychology to enhance her songwriting, and listeners can hear how religion versus science has shaped her awareness.
Koerner has enjoyed a burgeoning music career and has gained a vast amount of experience on the U.S. tour circuit with Widespread Panic, Gov’t Mule and Charles Bradley. She returns for JazzFest Fridays at the Marigyn Opera House, with support from AJ Hayes starting April 28 and at Jazzfest Saturday April 29.
The Shreveport-born singer-songwriter has also spent time as the lead singer and front-woman for New Orleans’ funk-band Galactic and recently made her solo debut at SXSW.
In 2016, Koerner released Dig Down Deep, an EP produced by producer and singer-songwriter Fin Greenall (Fink, Amy Winehouse and John Legend) on Greenall’s R’COUP’D label. Koerner’s relationship with Greenall began after meeting a mutual contact in a treehouse in France. Koerner repeatedly emailed demos and finally caught Greenall’s attention with her EP track Cayute Woman.
The two eventually went on to work together in Berlin, Los Angeles and New Orleans. Koerner says, “Fink is one of my musical heroes and I always say, “Keep your heroes handsome because you do not always like the human underneath the musician. But in our case, in a kismet, universal intervention, Fink became my friend, co-writer, producer and has still remained a hero to me.”
Koerner’s music and stage performance is filled with high energy vocals and a steamy, sultry Cajun sensuality. Koerner says she connects to her femininity effortlessly. “On my mother’s side, I come from a pretty long line of strong Southern women. That energy is in my blood. But I really feel it all when I am spending a moment of quality time with other women. Whether it is a compliment to a passerby on the street, when I am with a group of my New Orleans ladies or while in D.C. at the Women’s March. I feel most in touch with my feminine power when I am with other women. We are strong together always.”
Koerner not only finds redemption in creating music but also in sharing laughter with others. In a recent tweet, Koerner jokes, “God grant me the tour manager to accept the challenges I can’t, the serenity to live with 4 men n a van &the wisdom to see the big picture.”
Although Koerner does not have any humorous road stories she cares to share, she says, “My pup, Tom, is on tour with us and is the funniest part of my life. But the guys playing with me, Micah, Andriu and Dillon, make my stomach hurt from laughing most days. Their energy is pure comedy and kindness.”
