Article Contributed by The Royal Potato Family
Published on February 11, 2026
Acclaimed New Orleans ensemble Nolatet has announced the release of its third album, Somethin’ To Relax With, via RPF Records/Royal Potato Family on April 3. The group reunites the legendary Crescent City rhythm section of bassist James Singleton and drummer Johnny Vidacovich alongside two of the city’s most highly regarded and fearless improvisers: vibraphonist and percussionist Mike Dillon and pianist Brian Haas. The quartet’s first new music since 2018’s No Revenge Necessary, Somethin’ To Relax With was recorded live at LowDown in Tulsa over two sold-out shows in 2025. The album’s first single and title track, “Somethin’ To Relax With,” is out today (Listen/Share).
“In the past, we’ve always worked out new material live, onstage, in front of the audience. Even after we’ve played a new composition a few times, we always treat this music as rough sketches, no matter how composed it might be,” says Singleton. “Our specialty is collective improvisation, and as a band we gravitate more toward creative, improvised music than sticking to charts. So when it came time to record these songs, we made the decision to do it live in front of an audience.”
“Every member of Nolatet is a composer, so the inspiration to record a new album was all the new pieces we had been writing,” says Haas. “The first two albums were made at Esplanade Studios in New Orleans and have a specific live studio sound. This third album was recorded live, and I think the kinetic energy of an audience makes for a more energetic and riskier album. The reason for recording at LowDown in Tulsa was Johnny Vidacovich. Tulsa loves weird music and unique musicians with a voice of their own. JFJO was born in Tulsa, and individuals like Leon Russell, JJ Cale, and The Gap Band originated there as well. When I called Johnny at the end of 2024 to ask him where he wanted to record the new album, he said, ‘Let’s go record it live at that cool little club in Tulsa where everyone is so nice.'”
Previously praised by JazzTimes for their “mix of quirky melodies, classically informed harmonies, gentle grooves, and punk-rock moxie” and hailed by DownBeat as “innovative in its improvisations and graceful in its execution,” Nolatet once again rises to such accolades across six new compositions, including “Switchback,” “Doc Richter To You,” and “Black Pencil,” balancing an earthy jazz finesse with swaggering syncopation and harmonic imagination.
Johnny Vidacovich and James Singleton have been New Orleans’ best rhythm section since 1977, serving as the backbone of Astral Project and supporting artists ranging from James Booker to Professor Longhair to Dizzy Gillespie and Jon Cleary. Mike Dillon and Brian Haas — who initially looked to Singleton and Vidacovich as heroes before sharing stages with them — have played co-bills and sat in with each other’s bands on the same touring circuit for over 20 years, ranging from Punkadelick to Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and numerous points in between.
After years of collaboration, the four musicians formed Nolatet in 2016. The band released Dogs and No Revenge Necessary prior to Somethin’ To Relax With. All three recordings feature original material influenced by the diverse lives and perceptions of the four members. While traditional jazz is the backbone and starting point for Nolatet’s language, each member’s individuality allows innovation to remain constant. Sketches for compositions serve as the starting point, and the music develops through improvisation.
“Musically speaking, Nolatet is limitless,” says Dillon. “We have one of the all-time great New Orleans rhythm sections in Johnny V. and James. Like any great rhythm section, they make you find parts of yourself that you never knew existed. With that as our foundation, there’s no telling how far the music can expand with each performance.”
Track Listing:
1. Switchback
2. Somethin’ To Relax With
3. Doc Richter To You
4. Black Pencil
5. Cluster
6. Surely Hazard
Upcoming Shows:
2/19 – New Orleans, LA – The Maple Leaf
4/8 – Chicago, IL – Garcia’s Chicago
4/10 – St. Louis, MO – Pop’s Blue Moon
4/11 – Kansas City, MO – Greenwood Social Hall
4/16 – Denver, CO – Dazzle (two shows: 6:30 & 9:30pm)
4/29 – New Orleans, LA – Cafe Istanbul
