One of the most popular musical forces to ever emerge from New Orleans, pianist and vocalist Dr. John (aka Mac Rebennack) has been dealing out a rich mix of sounds indigenous to the Louisiana bayou since the late '60s.

A talented session musician dating back to the '50s, Dr. John appeared on a number of singles by artists like Professor Longhair and Joe Tex before getting the chance to lay down his own tracks. His early recordings Gris-Gris and Gumbo pack a dark, mystical voodoo punch more interesting and enduring than much of the psychedelic rock being released during the era.

Dr. John had his greatest chart success with the more straight-forward funk albums he made with legendary New Orleans producer Allen Toussaint and backing band the Meters. "Right Place, Wrong Time" and "Such a Night" still get some classic-rock radio airplay, but he remains more of a cult figure. His collections of jazz and New Orleans standards have proven Dr. John to be one of the most important torchbearer for roots music in the world today.

While his 2006 Blue Note album Mercernary paid compelling tribute to singer-songwriter Johnny Mercer, the songwriter's subsequent efforts The City That Care Forgot and Tribal continued a more political stance he has taken over the past few years to address the nearly criminal neglect of New Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina. For his latest album (and first on the resurgent Nonesuch Records label), the pianist collaborated with noted fan Dan Auerbach of popular blues-rock outfit The Black Keys. With Auerbach lending a hand with writing the songs in addition to producing and playing guitar, Locked Down features some of the grittiest grooves the good Doctor has delivered in many years. Backed by his fiery Lower 911 Band, Dr. John comes to Yoshi's in Oakland for three nights of Big Easy sounds starting on Mardi Gras Tuesday.

Dr. John and the Lower 911
Tuesday-Thursday, Feb. 12-14, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. $35
Yoshi's in Oakland