Whether you’re planning a romantic wedding, a chic cocktail hour, or a high-end corporate soirée, the right guitarist can elevate your event with style and soul. New Orleans is home to a rich musical culture, and its local talent includes some truly exceptional guitarists who bring versatility, elegance, and professionalism to every performance.
We’ve spotlighted nine of the most talented guitarists in the New Orleans area—each offering something special to make your next event unforgettable.
Anders Osborne
Anders Osborne is a Swedish-born guitarist, singer, and songwriter who has been based in New Orleans for about forty years, becoming a prominent figure in the local music scene. He is known for his work across various genres, including rock, blues, and Americana, and for his powerful live performances. He has received numerous accolades in the New Orleans area, such as OffBeat’s Best Guitarist and Gambit Weekly’s Entertainer of the Year.
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Paul Sanchez
Paul Sanchez is a New Orleans-based songwriter, performer, and multi-instrumentalist who is renowned for his work as a solo artist, with the band Cowboy Mouth, and as a songwriter for such artists as Darius Rucker, John Boutte, and Irma Thomas
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Seva Venet
Seva Venet is a traditional banjoist and guitarist who channels the spirit of Django Reinhardt and Danny Barker in his traditional jazz stylings. Venet was raised in Los Angeles, and learned musical craftsmanship from his father, a songwriter and producer, and his uncle Nik, a legendary record producer. Venet was a professional musician and teacher in Southern California throughout the 1990s, but his love affair with the banjo – and the traditional jazz of New Orleans – drew him to the Crescent City at the turn of the century. He began playing with Tuba Fats, Shannon Powell, and Greg Stafford, at second lines, festivals, and clubs.
Sean Huddleston
Add a beautiful, elegant touch to your wedding ceremony with live nylon guitar by Sean Huddleston. Based in Lafayette, Louisiana and serving Lafayette, New Orleans, and the surrounding areas, Sean is a classically trained guitarist with years of experience performing in weddings, proposals, and private events. With a reputation for professionalism, clear communication, and exceptional musicianship, Sean is easy to work with and makes the music one less thing to worry about.
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Jimmy Robinson
Jimmy Robinson has been recording and touring for over 40 years. He has received critical and audience praise for his unique virtuoso approach to the guitar, and his rich compositional skill.
Jimmy learned to play guitar in garage bands, later formed the fusion/prog group Woodenhead, studied classical guitar and composition at Loyola University in New Orleans and The Eastman School Of Music in New York. He combined these elements with his electric experience to forge the solo acoustic style that he now tours with. He has three solo albums to his credit, Vibrating Strings, Guitarworks and Three.
Billy Iuso
New Orleans Based Guitarist / Singer / Songwriter — Billy Iuso (pronounced Eye-You-Sew) is a New York native who formed the funky, psychedelic guitar-fronted, jam funk pioneers Brides of Jesus in the early ‘90s. They quickly developed a strong following in the Wetlands scene alongside Warren Haynes, Blues Traveler and the Spin Doctors. As the Brides’ popularity continued to soar they shared bills with Widespread Panic and the Dave Matthews Band. While touring and collaborating with a host of key members of the jam band community Billy explored the roots of the bands that influenced him most, including Little Feat, whose music turned him on to the Meters. Eventually, he opened for the Funky Meters at shows across the country. It wasn’t long before George Porter Jr. and Art Neville were encouraging him to relocate to New Orleans permanently, which he did in 1996. BOJ disbanded in 2001
Layla Musselwhite
Layla Musselwhite is a New Orleans-based singer songwriter and slide guitarist who draws on a rich musical legacy via her father, blues legend Charlie Musselwhite. Charlie is Layla’s guitar teacher, instructing her in the deepest rhythms of the roots of the blues. Layla grew up on the road steeped in the music of the greatest artists of our time including Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, & John Lee Hooker. While her original music spans blues, soul, folk, and country, the touchstone is always the same – a deep understanding and respect for the rhythms and melodies at the heart of the blues.
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Carl LeBlanc
Carl LeBlanc is an American guitarist and banjo player. LeBlanc is most striking for his work in both avant-garde and traditional jazz—being the only musician to have worked and recorded with both famed Afro-futurist keyboardist/bandleader Sun Ra and Preservation Hall.
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Phil deGruy
Born in New Orleans in 1955, Phil deGruy (pronounced “degree”) has steadfastly remained in Louisiana his entire life, despite the constant humidity wreaking havoc on his Guitarp’s seventeen strings at every gig. Even now, he seldom ventures from his home town (Phil says New Orleans has two speeds: stop… and mildew). Luckily, it’s home to a vibrant jazz scene that’s not just limited to Dixieland.
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Final Thoughts
From classical elegance to soulful blues and modern acoustic charm, these nine New Orleans based guitarists bring a wide range of sounds to the table. Whether you’re planning a black-tie event or a cozy backyard celebration, their artistry and professionalism can transform your event into something unforgettable.
📩 Need help booking the perfect guitarist for your private event? Reach out to us anytime at dreamteam@booklive.com—we’re here to help make your celebration truly special.