Jaz Sawyer took the audience on a journey through the bayou and swamplands to Mardi Gras, as jazz musicians paid tribute to New Orleans at Yoshi’s in San Francisco.

Sawyer started turning up the volume leading up to New Orleans’ Fat Tuesday, which was officially celebrated on Feb. 21 this year, by hosting a three-part Mardi Gras series of parties on Feb. 18, Feb. 19 and Feb. 21.

Although Louisiana is the only state where Mardi Gras is a legal holiday, elaborate carnival festivities draw crowds in other parts of the United States during the Mardi Gras season as well.

It’s been seven years since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, leaving residents to rebuild their homes and find the creative spirit after the devastation.

Sawyer creates a major link between the Bay Area and the traditional African rhythms of Congo Square in New Orleans, keeping those traditions alive.

Sawyer has drummed for luminaries such as Abbey Lincoln, George Benson, Bobby Hutcherson, Mose Allison, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Dee Dee Bridgewater and M’lumbo.

He has also worked with New Orleans’ own Wynton Marsalis.

Playing a mix of originals and standards, Sawyer and his gang of musicians known as “High Society” took over the Yoshi’s restaurant for the event.

Mardi Gras would not be complete without the sound of horns, drums and jubilant voices. Trombonist Danny Grewen — who also co-hosted the event — and trumpeter Mike Olmos blew out the night with horns.

Olmos is a CSU East Bay alumnus who graduated in 2001with a degree in Jazz Studies, under the direction of Dave Eshelman.

“I was very fortunate to be part of a great program at CSUEB,” said Olmos.

Bassist Eugene Warren pumped out a spirited blend of the lush harmonies and boisterous blues sections, interweaving passages and sudden tempo shifts.

Maya Kronfield, pianist, poured her entire being into the keyboard, bringing a wonderful depth of soulful sounds and making it impossible for the band to be the same without her.

“She completes us,” expressed Sawyer.

These consummate musicians are at home wherever they go.

With Sawyer, it’s always a party for everyone, especially his students from Oakland School for the Arts.

Dizzy Gillespie’s “Night In Tunisia,” the one “Diz” standard, got the sizzling treatment from Sawyer’s youth students who were invited onstage.

With Tracy Fitzsimmons, 17, blowing it out on trumpet in a duet with Olmos, the audience was left mesmerized at how the youth held their ground with a seasoned adult.

The cool, calm, collective and confident 17-year-old Ayinde Webb heated up the drums, taking the show to another level, while 14-year-old Jasim Peralas, trombonist, represented an even newer generation of young jazz musicians.

As different generations of artists create their own versions of this celebration.