Photo by Heath Robson

On Friday night Gov’t Mule headlined at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre in New Orleans. The group’s performance drew in a number of other musicians who were in town during JazzFest. Eric Krasno stepped out late during the second set for “Sco-Mule,” while NOLA native Brian Stoltz added guitar to the set-closing “Somebody’s Home.” Stoltz then returned along with fellow Crescent City resident Ivan Neville for the first encore, which was a take on “32-20 Blues.” Gov’t Mule then re-emerged as a quartet for a second encore, “Broke Down On The Brazos” from the band’s latest studio album, By A Thread.

Looking back to Thursday, Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes, Danny Louis and Jorgen Carlsson also appeared at the Down on the Bayou II benefit, which raised funds for the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic. Mule Drummer Matt Abts couldn’t make it so Russell Batiste Jr. sat in for him during a brief set.

In other Mule news beyond New Orleans, the group performed at the Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis on Saturday. Then the quartet welcomed Cody Dickinson to the stage during “32/20 Blues.”

The band is now off until an appearance at the Hangout Music Festival on May 15.