All good info above, I'll add the following for Nawlins:

Nola.com Music

Chickie Wah Wah

While staying on the well lighted and traveled streets in the French Quarter just about any club worth their salt will have good live bands. The good news is that you can hear the music from the street to help make up your mind as to go in or not.

When ya gonna be in Nawlins? As I am looking forward to dinner tomorrow night with Mario D. on the Gulf Coast.

have fun!