The New Orleans-based band J & The Causeways will bring their message of self-empowerment and love, told through soul, rock and funk, to the Yampa Valley on Saturday.

The band will take to the Steamboat Square stage at 3:30 p.m. March 14 for a free concert at Steamboat Resort. Their performance will feature an energy-infused set shaped by the traditions and musical history of New Orleans.

Jordan Anderson, the band’s lead singer, said the group’s early momentum can be traced to a well-known New Orleans venue deeply connected to the city’s music history.

“There’s a very infamous spot in uptown New Orleans called the Maple Leaf,” Anderson said. “James Booker and Professor Longhair cut their teeth there and it’s been a major part of the NOLA music scene for a long time.”

Anderson explained that getting a show at the Maple Leaf is not always easy since the venue operates largely on relationships and reputation as opposed to traditional booking requests.

“You can’t just email this place to book,” he said. “You have to know someone or find an in somehow.”

For J & The Causeways, the opportunity came during a casual yet unusual conversation.

“I’m not a drinker, but I remember having seven whiskey shots with the booker at Maple Leaf and convincing him to let me try a weekly residency there,” Anderson said. “He said ‘Yes’ and I worked my ass off to write enough songs to fill that first show.”

That opportunity had a lasting impact on the band, as it forced them to rapidly expand the songs they could bring to audiences while also shaping their identity. The resulting response from listeners helped the band’s reputation grow as well.

“It helped grow our New Orleans fan base into a nationwide fan base,” Anderson said.

J & The Causeways’ sound is a blend of several styles. The band always aims to produce something that feels fresh and personal for fans.

“I would describe our sound as a modern, joyous soul and rock breath of fresh air,” Anderson said. “Soul, rock, funk and blues all tie into how we approach our music. We are just looking to make authentic music, no matter what genre lines it crosses into.”

The group’s lineup includes Anderson on piano, organ and lead vocals, Evan Hall on guitar, Scott Graves on drums, Evan Paydon on bass, Ari Kohn on saxophone and flute, and Harry Morter Jr. on trumpet. Each member contributes musically and during the creative process, which has provided a collective energy and foundation to the band’s sound.

Anderson said the group benefits from having musicians with different backgrounds who can comfortably drift between styles.

“Ari and Harry have a background in jazz so they are able to really help us expand to more beautiful sounds,” he said. “Scotty is also a rock ‘n’ roll drummer with a background in jazz, so he’s very tasteful on the songs without losing that power of a rock drummer.”

The band’s sound continues to evolve as members experiment with additional instruments and arrangements. Anderson explained that Kohn has recently begun incorporating flute into some songs, and Hall has started adding harmonica.

“Everyone has recently been learning to sing backup harmonies,” Anderson said. “We’re always trying to expand what we can do.”

Songwriting for the band usually begins with Anderson sketching out ideas at home before bringing them into rehearsal.

“Then I bring it to the rehearsal space and teach the guys what I have,” he said.

From there the songs continue to evolve through collaboration as the group figures out how each member can enrich Anderson’s original concept and determine what “the dynamics of the songs should be.”

“Then Ari and Harry will write horn parts to the demos and that really starts to show the song’s shape,” he said.

Live performances are also an important part of the process as the band tests new material on stage before finalizing arrangements in the studio.

“After playing them live a few times we can always tell which ones have more magic than others,” Anderson said.

Colorado crowds have become a key factor in determining if that magic is taking hold.

“We find that some places just create an environment to take in art in such a deep and meaningful way,” he said. “Colorado is definitely one of those places.”

One of the stops that has provided that exact sort of feedback is the Yampa Valley, and Anderson explained that Steamboat Springs has long been a favorite destination for the band.

“Steamboat is absolutely one of our favorite mountain towns,” Anderson said. “It’s a pleasure to get to play in such a beautiful city.”

The group’s performances in the mountains have also turned into small adventures, especially because they are more accustomed to performing at sea level than at higher altitudes.

“We are flatlanders down in NOLA so to get to hike the mountains, or ski and kayak, is a huge deal for us,” Anderson said.

The mountain environment can even influence how Anderson approaches a setlist.

“I always seem to tailor the setlist for a more mystic, anthemic show because you feel that in the air around you,” Anderson said. “The mountains seem so big and bombastic. I want our shows up here to reflect that.”

One song that Anderson feels captures that sentiment is “Highwater Symphonies,” which has become a favorite for the group during live performances and often gets crowds dancing.

Last year, J & The Causeways released the full-length studio album “Motions,” followed by a live album recorded at Tipitina’s in New Orleans and released in December. The group has already begun work on another album that Anderson hopes will be released later this year.

Anderson said his approach to writing music and lyrics has been shaped by artists including Alabama Shakes, Nathaniel Rateliff and St. Paul & The Broken Bones.

“No matter the genre I’m looking to have the true authentic soul of a song stand out,” he said. “We don’t like to write and perform songs that don’t move us personally. If it moves us then we will portray that on stage with authenticity.”

Ultimately, he hopes audiences walk away from the show with more than just a memorable performance.

“We hope people get a glimpse of something that moves them into believing that the same magic can come from them in their daily lives,” Anderson said. “Self-empowerment and self-love is what we are trying to get across.”

After their Colorado performances, the band will head to South America before traveling to Germany for the first time. The group will also return to New Orleans for Jazz Fest and is scheduled to appear later this year at Colorado’s Telluride Blues and Brews Festival.

For more information on J & The Causeways, visit JAndTheCauseways.com.