Shemekia Copeland and Soul Project
Blues Royalty Meets New Orleans Soul on the Atlantic City Boardwalk: Shemekia Copeland and Soul Project NOLA Headline a Summer Music Celebration
July 15 @ 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Summer at the Jersey Shore has always been defined by great music, ocean breezes, and the kind of community gatherings that bring generations together. Few events capture that spirit better than Atlantic City’s beloved Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk concert series, a free weekly celebration that transforms Kennedy Plaza into one of the most exciting live music destinations in New Jersey. On July 15, the series reaches another major milestone when one of the most acclaimed voices in modern blues joins forces with a legendary New Orleans funk institution for an unforgettable night on the Atlantic Ocean.
Five-time Grammy Award nominee Shemekia Copeland will headline the evening, bringing her powerful voice, fearless songwriting, and commanding stage presence to Atlantic City. Joining her will be Soul Project NOLA, the celebrated ensemble carrying forward the musical legacy of the late Walter “Wolfman” Washington, one of New Orleans’ most respected ambassadors of funk, soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz.
The result promises to be one of the most dynamic nights of the entire 2026 Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk season.
For more than a decade, Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk has evolved into one of the Shore’s signature summer traditions. Presented by Tony Mart Presents, the concert series has become a cornerstone of South Jersey’s live entertainment landscape, drawing thousands of music fans to Atlantic City’s historic oceanfront for free performances featuring nationally recognized artists alongside regional favorites.
Held every Wednesday evening from June through early September, the series has established a reputation for showcasing authentic American music rooted in blues, soul, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, funk, Americana, and New Orleans traditions. The setting itself contributes to the event’s appeal. Situated directly outside Boardwalk Hall at Kennedy Plaza, concertgoers experience world-class music while surrounded by the energy of the Atlantic City Boardwalk and the sights and sounds of the ocean.
That atmosphere reaches another level when artists whose music was born from the traditions of Chicago blues and New Orleans funk take center stage.
Shemekia Copeland arrives in Atlantic City as one of the most respected performers in contemporary blues music. Throughout her career, she has consistently expanded the boundaries of the genre while honoring the traditions that shaped it. The daughter of legendary Texas blues guitarist Johnny Copeland, she grew up immersed in music, developing a voice that combines emotional depth, technical brilliance, and remarkable storytelling ability.
What separates Copeland from many modern performers is her ability to connect blues music to contemporary life. Her songs often explore social issues, personal resilience, American culture, and the human condition without sacrificing the authenticity that has made blues one of the most enduring musical forms in history.
Her performances are known for their emotional intensity and remarkable versatility. In one moment, she can deliver a deeply personal ballad that silences an audience. Moments later, she can unleash a fiery blues anthem that inspires thousands to their feet.
Over the years, she has earned critical acclaim, multiple Grammy nominations, and recognition as one of the most important voices carrying blues music into the twenty-first century. Yet despite her international reputation, she remains firmly connected to the roots of the music, making her appearance at a free public concert on the Atlantic City Boardwalk especially significant.
For New Jersey music fans, opportunities to see artists of this caliber in an open community setting are increasingly rare.
Complementing Copeland’s blues mastery is the arrival of Soul Project NOLA, a group dedicated to preserving and celebrating the musical spirit of New Orleans. The band carries forward the influence of Walter “Wolfman” Washington, whose career helped define the city’s rich blend of funk, soul, jazz, blues, and rhythm and blues.
Washington was widely regarded as one of New Orleans’ greatest musical treasures. His ability to seamlessly blend genres reflected the city’s unique cultural identity, where musical traditions intersect and evolve naturally. Soul Project NOLA continues that legacy with performances that capture the infectious groove, emotional depth, and celebratory spirit that have made New Orleans music beloved around the world.
Their performances are less like conventional concerts and more like community celebrations. Horn sections burst with energy. Rhythms invite dancing. Vocals tell stories steeped in tradition while remaining vibrantly alive and contemporary.
The band’s appearance at Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk feels particularly appropriate because the series itself draws inspiration from the same festive traditions that have long defined New Orleans culture. The event’s name is more than branding; it reflects a commitment to bringing the joy, spontaneity, and communal spirit of Louisiana’s musical heritage to audiences along the Jersey Shore.
That vision traces directly back to the work of Tony Mart Presents and longtime promoter Carmen Marotta. Through decades of programming concerts throughout South Jersey, Marotta has built a reputation for bringing exceptional talent to community-centered events. His work continues the legacy of the historic Tony Mart nightclub in Somers Point, a venue that played a vital role in the development of live music culture throughout the region for decades.
Today, that legacy lives on through concerts that remain accessible to everyone. At a time when ticket prices for major touring acts continue to rise, Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk stands as a reminder that great live music should still be available to entire communities.
The July 15 concert embodies that philosophy perfectly.
Families can gather on the Boardwalk. Visitors can discover artists they may never have encountered otherwise. Dedicated blues and soul fans can experience nationally acclaimed performers in a uniquely intimate setting. Casual music lovers can enjoy an evening that costs nothing but delivers the quality and energy of a major festival performance.
Events like this also highlight Atlantic City’s continuing evolution as a cultural destination. While the city remains known worldwide for its casinos, resorts, and entertainment venues, free community events such as Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk showcase another side of Atlantic City’s identity. They demonstrate the city’s commitment to arts, culture, and public gathering spaces that bring residents and visitors together.
As summer unfolds across New Jersey, the July 15 installment of Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk stands out as one of the season’s most anticipated musical events. The combination of Shemekia Copeland’s powerful blues artistry and Soul Project NOLA’s infectious New Orleans grooves represents a rare opportunity to experience two deeply influential American musical traditions on one stage.
Against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, under the summer sky, and surrounded by the energy of one of New Jersey’s most iconic destinations, audiences will witness a celebration of blues, soul, funk, heritage, and community that perfectly captures the spirit of live music.
For one evening, Atlantic City will become a crossroads where Chicago blues meets New Orleans funk, where generations of musical traditions converge, and where the Boardwalk once again proves why it remains one of the most vibrant cultural gathering places in the Garden State.
