Wild Magnolias

Ladies and Gentleman, the exotic and sensual delights that you're about to witness on this stage comes from the rich tradition of the Mardi Gras Indians. The Mardi Gras Indians is a concept that was born out of working class groups, secret clubs and spiritual societies- working people just like you and I who celebrated life and met challenges head-on with music and dance.

Going back to the Caribbean-and especially Trinidad- what you are about to see next is a combination of African, Creoles, Indian and Spanish roots.


The Wild Magnolias continue a rich tradition of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians. "Mardi Gras Indian" is a concept born out of working class groups, secret clubs and spiritual societies. Since their inception, the Mardi Gras Indians were working class African Americans who celebrated life and met challenges head-on with music and dance, while paying homage to their forefathers, many who were born into slavery. Initially, Mardi Gras Indians paraded (or Second Lined) on Mardi Gras Day as a tribute to Native Americans, who afforded runaway slaves a path of safety, as and unofficial stop on the "Underground Railroad" network. Eventually, this tribute became a "gumbo" of Culture, going back to the Caribbean, Trinidad and a combination of African, Creole, Spanish Roots and the Native American culture. All these influences are apparent as the Mardi Gras Indians Dancing, Chant and Sing.

Since adding music to their traditional chants (such as Iko Iko and Jack a Mo) in 1969, the Wild Magnolias have presented their own brand of Mardi Gras Indian Jazz Funk all over the world. They performed for the Queen in 1972, at Carnegie Hall in 1974, for President Bill Clinton in 1996, Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden in 2005, at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and made their 10th appearance in Japan in 2010.