Candy Dulfer + special guests: Nigel Hall and Eric “Benny” Bloom (Lettuce USA)
Fri 6 Mar
Candy Dulfer
After her international breakthrough with the worldwide number one hit Lily Was Here and guest appearances with Prince (“When I want sax, I call Candy”), her platinum debut album Saxuality followed (good for a Grammy nomination). We are now more than 2.5 million albums sold. She recently scored a number 1 hit in the USA with Convergency – together with Chic legend Nile Rodgers – from her highly acclaimed album We Never Stop. She has also toured extensively throughout the United States, Japan, and Europe.
Her constant drive for innovation has given Candy Dulfer an incredibly varied career. From successful recording artist (multiple number one hits in the US and Japan) to much sought-after guest musician, collaborating with legends such as Prince, Dave Stewart, Beyoncé, Van Morrison, Pink Floyd, Maceo Parker, and many others.
Anyone who has seen Dulfer on stage knows that, after all these years, live performance is still her great love. Together with her band—which has been a breeding ground for top Dutch talent for years—she brings the house down all over the world, from the famous Blue Note Clubs in Japan to the biggest festivals in Europe.
Nigel Hall
GRAMMY-winning soul powerhouse Nigel Hall is one of the most compelling voices in contemporary funk and R&B. A vocalist, keyboardist and sought-after collaborator, he channels the golden eras of soul, funk and rhythm & blues into a sound that feels both timeless and urgent. He is also a core member of the GRAMMY-nominated collective Lettuce, known for their explosive fusion of funk, jazz and hip-hop.
Raised in Washington, D.C., in a deeply musical family, Hall was drawn to the piano before the age of five. Immersed in his father’s vast record collection, he developed an early love for fusion, soul and classic R&B—foundations that still shape his artistry today.
Since relocating to New Orleans in 2013, Hall has become a vital presence in the city’s rich music scene. Rooted in sincerity, groove and emotional depth, his songs reflect who he is: authentic, passionate and deeply connected to the tradition he carries forward.
Eric “Benny” Bloom
Originally from Bristol, Rhode Island, Eric “Benny” Bloom is one of the most versatile trumpet players on today’s scene. Trained at William Paterson University, the New England Conservatory and the City College of New York, he blends deep jazz roots with a bold, genre-crossing sound.
Since joining the acclaimed funk collective Lettuce in 2011, Bloom has helped shape the band’s explosive energy and international success. After relocating to New Orleans in 2014, he quickly became a vital presence in the city’s music scene, performing with leading ensembles and developing his own projects. He earned a GRAMMY Award for his work on Jon Cleary’s Go-Go Juice and has recorded and performed with artists such as Dave Matthews Band, Dr. John, Chaka Khan, Solange, Meshell Ndegeocello, Kool & the Gang, Booker T and many others.
With powerful tone, precision and groove at the core of his playing, Bloom bridges tradition and innovation wherever he performs.
