Leo Nocentelli

Guitarist Leo Nocentelli reigns as one of the founding fathers of funk. He is the recipient of a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominee for his work as co-founder and lead guitarist for The Meters, the legendary New Orleans band whose 1970s hits like "Cissy Strut" and "Fire On The Bayou" built a foundation for a large swath of American pop music, and are among the most sampled classic songs in music history today.

Beyond his award-winning work with The Meters, Leo has recorded and performed professionally since his teens with top local and international artists such as Allen Toussaint, Etta James, Dr. John, Jimmy Buffett, Patti Labelle, Otis Redding, Earl King, and Motown greats like The Supremes, Temptations, and Spinners. 

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As a composer, Nocentelli has contributed to numerous records and soundtracks, including "White Men Can't Jump," "Blaze," and "Heartbreakers," as well as appeared on Saturday Night Live.

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Tonight, he presents his own touring band.