Don Paul & Rivers Answer Moons is a visionary New Orleans ensemble led by poet, author, and activist Don Paul. Blending spoken-word poetry with the deep grooves of jazz, funk, and roots music, the group brings together some of the Crescent City’s most accomplished musicians—including saxophone legend Roger Lewis (Dirty Dozen Brass Band), master drummer Herlin Riley, and sousaphonist Kirk Joseph. Their work is as much a celebration of Louisiana’s cultural spirit as it is a call to reflect, move, and imagine. The ensemble’s recent double album Louisiana Stories weaves vivid poetic narratives with lush, genre-crossing arrangements, earning praise for its originality and emotional depth.

On stage, Rivers Answer Moons delivers a powerful, immersive experience that fuses the energy of live jazz with the rhythm and resonance of spoken word. Their performances are both intimate and expansive—shaped by the city’s sonic traditions and elevated by Don Paul’s poetic voice. Whether performing at storied venues like the Marigny Opera House or in community spaces around New Orleans, the group offers audiences a rare and resonant fusion of music and message, rooted in rhythm, memory, and place.