Bon Bon Vivant plays Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m. at Churchill School in Baker City.

BAKER CITY — The sound of New Orleans will grace the stage at Churchill School with two concerts: Shamarr Allen on Aug. 3 and Bon Bon Vivant on Aug. 9.

This is Allen’s second time playing at the historic school — his first show was Sept. 23, 2023.

Mungowona will open the show on Aug. 3. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the music starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance at churchillbaker.com or $25 at the door.

Allen grew up listening to his dad play the saxophone, and he was surrounded by music in New Orleans.

With a solid foundation in reading music, Allen excelled in the music programs through elementary school, junior high and high school.

But he did choose the trumpet, rather than the sax.

He’s been performing for almost 30 years, getting his start playing at festivals when he was 14. His music is influenced by jazz, hip-hop, rock, funk rhythms, blues and country. He is the lead vocalist and trumpeter of his band “Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs” and has collaborated with artists such as Willie Nelson, Patti LaBelle, Galatic, Harrick Connick Jr. and Lenny Kravitz.

Radio concert

Bon Bon Vivant’s show on Aug. 9 is also the membership party for KBZR, the community radio station that goes live soon from Baker City.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the music begins at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Based in New Orleans, Bon Bon Vivant spends the summer in the Pacific Northwest to play festivals and venues. Their Baker City show is the farthest east they’ve been in Oregon.

Bon Bon Vivant includes Abigail Cosio (lead vocals/guitar), Jeremy Kelley (saxophone), Ellis Seiberling (trombone), Jason Jurzak (sousaphone/bass) and Deacon Marrquin (drums).

Both Cosio and Kelley grew up north of Los Angeles. She started writing songs at 15, and later met Kelley (who has played saxophone since he was 11) and formed a band.

In 2008, they decided to try New Orleans.

“We only planned to go for a year,” Cosio said.

They’re still there — aside from the summers they spend on the West Coast.

“Being part of that musical culture that is so rich is rewarding,” Kelley said of New Orleans.

Bon Bon Vivant formed in 2014. They describe their sound as Americana jazz and storytelling. The band has released a new single every month leading up to their new album that comes out this fall.