Cha Wa

Cha Wa is a New Orleans funk band formed in 2014 that fuses Mardi Gras Indian chants with brass-band horns, soul, and jazz-funk guitar. Its name is Indian slang for "here we come," and frontline singers perform in full beaded regalia. Albums including "Spyboy" (2018) and "My People" (2021) earned Grammy nominations for Best Regional Roots Album. Shows are high-energy second-line dance parties powered by sousaphone bass and rolling horns.