This story has been updated to correct the name of the drummer.

The atmosphere in the Michigan Theater was downright swampy Wednesday night, thanks to 2 of the Louisiana bayou’s most famously funky acts, Dr. John and the Neville Brothers.

Dr. John performing live at the Michigan Theater as part of Mardi Gras Mambo.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Dr. John, dressed in an electric blue suit, performed first, backed by his band, the Lower 911. The blues-funk pianist brought the crowd to its feet with his 1960s pop hit “Right Place, Wrong Time,” and was a delight on the droll “How Come My Dog Don’t Bark (When You Come Around)?” and Johnny Mercer’s “Save the Bones for Henry Jones.” I've always admired how John can play 2 keyboards simultaneously, and that growl of a voice of his can’t be mistaken for anyone else. He’s an American original. Aaron Neville joined John for “Please Send Me Someone To Love,” one of the set's highlights.

After a quick intermission, the show continued with the Neville Brothers. Besides Aaron, the group last night also included keyboardist/vocalist Art Neville and Charles Neville on saxophones.

The Neville Brothers — in front, from left, Aaron, Charles and Art — performing live at the Michigan Theater as part of Mardi Gras Mambo.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Perhaps as a nod to Mardi Gras, or maybe in tribute to New Orleans’ Super Bowl winning football team, a rousing version of “When the Saints Go Marching In” really cranked up the heat part way through the set. The song offered band members ample time in the solo spotlight, and no one blows the sax like the amazing Charles Neville, illustrated not only on “Saints,” but also on the appropriately named instrumental “Charlie.” Drummer Willie Green also contributed an impressive drum solo during “Big Chief.”

With Aaron Neville, it’s all about that multi-octave tenor that tops out in a quavering falsetto, and he didn’t disappoint Wednesday, particularly on Bill Withers’ great “Ain’t No Sunshine,” Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” and Neville’s own 1966 hit, “Tell It Like it Is.” I didn’t think it was possible to pack any more emotion into a song — that is, until he launched into the soaring set-closer, “Amazing Grace/One Love.” It was a near-religious experience, and the perfect way to end the night.

Roger LeLievre is a free-lance writer who covers music for AnnArbor.com.