Booker T. Jones

Booker T. Jones Brings Rock and Roll Royalty to Atlantic City as Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk Continues a Summer Tradition

The Jersey Shore has long been a destination where music and summer become inseparable. From legendary clubs and beachfront festivals to boardwalk performances and community concerts, live music remains one of the defining sounds of a New Jersey summer. Along the Atlantic City Boardwalk, that tradition takes center stage once again as Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk continues its celebrated 2026 season with one of its most anticipated performances of the year. On August 19, music fans will have the opportunity to witness a true American music icon when Booker T. Jones headlines an unforgettable evening at Kennedy Plaza, joined by Jersey Shore favorites the Billy Walton Band featuring the Plaid Salmon Horns.

As free summer concert series become increasingly rare across the country, Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk continues to stand out as one of New Jersey’s greatest live music success stories. Presented by Tony Mart Presents and veteran promoter Carmen Marotta, the series has evolved into one of the most beloved summer traditions on the Jersey Shore, attracting music lovers from throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and beyond.

Set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk, the concert series captures something that has always made New Jersey’s live music scene special: world-class performers sharing a stage with regional favorites in an environment that is accessible, welcoming, and deeply connected to the community.

The August 19 performance represents a perfect example of that philosophy.

Few artists in American music history possess a resume as extraordinary as Booker T. Jones. As the legendary leader of Booker T. & the MG’s, Jones helped create some of the most influential recordings ever produced. His unmistakable Hammond organ sound became one of the defining voices of soul music, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and American popular music itself.

For generations of listeners, the opening notes of “Green Onions” remain instantly recognizable. More than sixty years after its release, the instrumental classic continues to stand among the most celebrated recordings in music history. Yet Booker T.’s legacy extends far beyond a single song.

As a musician, songwriter, producer, arranger, and bandleader, Jones played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Stax Records during one of the most important periods in American music. His work helped establish Memphis as one of the nation’s great musical capitals while influencing countless artists across genres ranging from soul and blues to rock, country, jazz, and funk.

His impact can still be heard throughout contemporary music.

Booker T. & the MG’s served as the house band on many of the most iconic recordings ever made, helping create timeless hits alongside artists such as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, Albert King, and dozens of others whose recordings defined an era.

The band’s unique chemistry became legendary. Their ability to blend soul, blues, rhythm and blues, country influences, and rock and roll into a seamless musical language changed popular music forever.

Recognition followed naturally.

Booker T. & the MG’s were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, while Jones himself has received multiple Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award honoring his extraordinary contributions to music history. His influence stretches across generations, making him one of the most respected musicians ever to emerge from the American recording industry.

What makes Booker T. Jones particularly remarkable is his ability to remain artistically relevant throughout multiple decades. While many performers become tied to a specific era, Jones has continually evolved while maintaining the musical excellence that first established his reputation.

His solo work, collaborations, production projects, and live performances have introduced his artistry to entirely new audiences while preserving the timeless qualities that made him a legend.

When he arrives in Atlantic City this August, audiences will have the opportunity to experience a performer whose music helped shape the very foundation of modern American sound.

The setting could hardly be more appropriate.

Atlantic City has long embraced artists who represent the rich traditions of rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, rock, and American roots music. The city’s musical heritage stretches back generations, making it an ideal destination for a performer whose career embodies so much of that history.

Yet this concert is far more than a celebration of the past.

Opening the evening is one of New Jersey’s most respected and accomplished live acts, the Billy Walton Band featuring the Plaid Salmon Horns.

For years, Billy Walton has established himself as one of the Jersey Shore’s premier guitarists, performers, and songwriters. His music draws from the same traditions that helped shape artists like Booker T. Jones while simultaneously reflecting the unique energy and character of the modern Jersey Shore music scene.

Blending rock, blues, soul, rhythm and blues, and Americana influences, Walton has built a reputation as a dynamic live performer capable of delivering both technical brilliance and emotional authenticity.

His performances consistently demonstrate why the Jersey Shore remains one of America’s most important regional music communities. Audiences are drawn not only to Walton’s impressive guitar work but also to his ability to connect with listeners through powerful songwriting and passionate performances.

Adding even greater depth to the performance are the Plaid Salmon Horns, whose rich arrangements and energetic stage presence elevate the band’s sound into something truly special. Together, they create a powerful musical experience that perfectly complements the evening’s headlining performance.

The pairing of Booker T. Jones and the Billy Walton Band illustrates exactly why Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk has become such a successful series.

Rather than simply presenting concerts, the series creates meaningful musical conversations between generations, styles, and traditions. Legendary national artists share the spotlight with exceptional regional talent, allowing audiences to experience both the roots and future of American music during a single evening.

That approach reflects the broader vision behind Tony Mart Presents.

For decades, Carmen Marotta and his team have worked to create opportunities for audiences to experience high-quality live music in community-centered environments. The result has been a collection of events that not only entertain but also strengthen the cultural identity of the Jersey Shore.

Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk has become one of the most visible examples of that commitment.

Every Wednesday evening throughout the summer, Kennedy Plaza transforms into a gathering place where residents and visitors come together to celebrate music, community, and the unique spirit of Atlantic City. Families bring chairs, friends gather along the boardwalk, and visitors discover the city through one of its most powerful cultural assets: live music.

The atmosphere captures the spirit of New Orleans while remaining distinctly New Jersey.

Ocean breezes replace the Mississippi River. Boardwalk lights replace Bourbon Street. Yet the sense of celebration, spontaneity, and community remains remarkably similar.

As August 19 approaches, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be one of the standout performances of the entire 2026 season.

For longtime fans, it is an opportunity to see a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend perform in one of the most unique concert settings on the East Coast. For younger audiences, it is a chance to experience firsthand an artist whose influence can be heard throughout modern music. For supporters of local music, it offers another opportunity to celebrate one of the Jersey Shore’s finest performers in Billy Walton and his exceptional band.

Most importantly, it represents everything that makes New Jersey’s live music culture special.

World-class artists. Incredible local talent. An oceanfront setting. A vibrant community atmosphere. And a shared appreciation for the music that continues to bring people together generation after generation.

On August 19, Atlantic City’s boardwalk becomes the stage for a night where musical history, Jersey Shore tradition, and summer celebration all meet under the same sky. For music fans throughout the region, it promises to be one of the defining nights of the summer.