Active New Orleans Jazz/Funk bands

He's doing a documentary specifically on jazz/funk bands? There's a million jammy N.O. bands: The Meters, Galactic, Dumpstaphunk, Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove, Papa Grows Funk, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Astral Project, Shamar Allen's band, the Mardi Gras Indian bands, George Porter's band, etc.

(^not really into most of them)

Then there's the brass bands and the non-jammy jazz groups: Hot 8 Brass Band, Rebirth Brass Band, New Birth, Soul Rebels, Free Agents Brass Band, TBC Brass Band, Da Truth Brass Band, Leroy Jones, Bob French, John Boutte, Shannon Powell, etc.

its for teach for america, just need some NO background music that doesn't suck....
i've heard of a few of those, i'll check em out... thanks for the recommendations...
would be a nice opportunity for some exposure for a touring band, i'd think

New Orleans Brass Bands S/D

Also, I think Offbeat magazine out of New Orleans lists on their website links to bands--brass bands, jam bands, funk, old-school r'n'b etc.

This question was a little like asking if there are any arty indie-rock groups in Brooklyn.

The necessary answer is Corey Harris. After he graduated from college his first gig was with Teach for America in Napoleonville. He'd teach all week then spend the weekend in New Orleans busking, playing slide guitar and singing in Jackson Square.

Corey Harris S/D

According to AMG, Fish Ain't Bitin includes a brass band, Greens from the Garden gets into N.O. funk, and Vu-Du Menz plays off early jazz.

I'd imagine his TFA connection would make him more inclined to license his songs to your friend. You could also shoot for the stars and contact him to see if he'd be interested in contributing new work or scoring the film.

Corey lives in Charlottesville, Virginia now though

True. If you want background music Corey's an option but not if you want a local band as subject for the documentary.

You might be able to hook something up with Shamarr, he's got a new album coming out: http://shamarrallen.com/