Bonerama

New Orleans Comes to the Jersey Shore: Bonerama Brings Brass-Fueled Funk, Soul, and Big Easy Energy to Legacy Concerts on the Beach in Somers Point

There are concerts, there are summer traditions, and then there are those rare nights when music, community, history, and location align perfectly to create something unforgettable.

On Friday, June 19, one of New Jersey’s most celebrated summer concert series welcomes one of the most distinctive live acts in American music when Bonerama takes the stage at William Morrow Beach in Somers Point as part of the 33rd Annual Legacy Concerts on the Beach.

Set against the backdrop of Great Egg Harbor Bay, the free performance promises to bring the spirit of New Orleans directly to the Jersey Shore, transforming a picturesque waterfront into a high-energy celebration of funk, soul, brass, rock, rhythm and pure musical joy.

For more than three decades, Legacy Concerts on the Beach has become one of New Jersey’s defining summer traditions. Hosted every Friday evening from June through September, the series has evolved from a beloved local gathering into a nationally recognized cultural event that continues to attract music fans from throughout the region and beyond.

Its reputation has reached extraordinary heights in recent years. The concert series earned national recognition by being voted the Best Outdoor Concert Series in America for three consecutive years, cementing Somers Point’s status as one of the country’s premier destinations for free live music.

Yet despite the national accolades, the magic remains remarkably simple.

A beach. A sunset. A stage. A community.

And on June 19, a band unlike any other.

Bonerama has spent more than two decades redefining what a brass band can be. Emerging from the rich musical traditions of New Orleans, the group has built an international following by combining the city’s legendary brass heritage with elements of funk, rock, R&B, jazz, blues, and improvisational music.

The result is a sound that is impossible to categorize yet instantly recognizable.

At the center of Bonerama’s identity is an innovative approach that places trombones front and center. While most contemporary bands rely on guitars to drive melody and power, Bonerama turns convention upside down, using multiple trombones to create an explosive wall of sound that feels both classic and entirely modern.

Their performances deliver the swagger of a rock show, the groove of a funk band, the improvisational freedom of jazz, and the celebratory spirit of a New Orleans street parade.

It is music designed not merely to be heard but experienced.

Audiences quickly discover that standing still during a Bonerama performance is nearly impossible.

The rhythms pull listeners forward. The horns command attention. The energy becomes contagious.

Whether performing original compositions or reimagining familiar songs through their unmistakable brass-heavy lens, Bonerama creates concerts that feel less like traditional performances and more like community celebrations.

That spirit makes the group a perfect fit for the Legacy Concerts on the Beach series.

Throughout its history, the Somers Point tradition has embraced artists who understand the communal power of live music. The series consistently brings together nationally recognized performers and enthusiastic audiences in an environment that prioritizes connection over spectacle.

Unlike many modern concert experiences dominated by massive screens, expensive ticket packages, and layers of separation between performer and audience, Legacy Concerts on the Beach remains refreshingly authentic.

Music takes center stage.

Families arrive early carrying beach chairs and blankets. Friends gather along Bay Avenue. Visitors explore Somers Point’s restaurants, shops, and waterfront attractions before settling into place for another memorable evening. Children dance in the sand while longtime music fans compare stories from previous seasons. As the sun begins to lower over Great Egg Harbor Bay, anticipation builds across the shoreline.

Then the music begins.

It is an experience that reflects everything that makes New Jersey’s summer culture special.

For generations, the Shore has served as a gathering place where music, community, and coastal beauty intersect. From legendary boardwalk venues to iconic clubs and outdoor festivals, live music has long been woven into the fabric of New Jersey’s identity.

The Legacy Concerts on the Beach continue that tradition while creating something uniquely their own.

The series traces its roots to the legacy of Tony Mart’s, the legendary Somers Point nightclub that helped shape South Jersey’s music culture for nearly four decades. Tony Mart’s hosted some of the most influential artists of its era and established Somers Point as a destination for live entertainment long before many neighboring communities developed similar reputations.

Today, that spirit lives on through the concert series.

Each season serves as both a celebration of musical excellence and a tribute to the community’s enduring relationship with live performance.

The 2026 lineup reflects that commitment in spectacular fashion.

Following opening night featuring Grammy-winning producer and drummer Tom Hambridge, Bonerama arrives as one of the season’s most anticipated performances. The months ahead continue with a diverse roster that spans rock, blues, soul, Americana, roots music, tribute performances, and Jersey Shore favorites, ensuring that every Friday offers something unique.

Yet there is something especially fitting about welcoming a New Orleans institution to the shores of Somers Point.

Both communities understand the power of music.

Both celebrate cultural traditions through live performance.

Both recognize that great music has the ability to bring people together across generations, backgrounds, and experiences.

Bonerama embodies that philosophy with every note they play.

Their concerts are celebrations of musical freedom, creativity, and collective joy. They honor the traditions of New Orleans while constantly pushing boundaries and exploring new territory. They respect history without becoming trapped by it.

In many ways, that same balance defines Legacy Concerts on the Beach itself.

The series honors its roots while continuing to evolve. It preserves traditions while welcoming new audiences. It remains deeply connected to its local community while attracting national attention.

As June 19 approaches, anticipation continues to build throughout South Jersey and beyond.

Music lovers know they are not simply attending another concert.

They are participating in one of New Jersey’s most beloved cultural traditions.

They are experiencing one of America’s most acclaimed outdoor concert series.

And they are witnessing a band that has spent decades proving that some of the most powerful music in the world can emerge from a collection of brass instruments, boundless creativity, and an unwavering commitment to bringing people together.

When the first notes ring out across William Morrow Beach and the sun begins to set over the bay, Bonerama will bring a piece of New Orleans to Somers Point.

For one summer evening, the sounds of the Big Easy will meet the spirit of the Jersey Shore.

And once again, Legacy Concerts on the Beach will demonstrate why this remarkable series continues to stand among the very best outdoor music experiences in America.