Season 3 begins in the fall of 2007, as the neighborhood is shocked by police officers' response to a brass-band procession for a fallen musician. Meanwhile, Delmond and Albert experience different reactions to their new album; Toni finds a new ally in her ongoing crusade for justice; LaDonna is uncomfortable in her temporary lodgings; and in New York, Janette is reunited with Enrico Brulard.

Antoine’s students show interest and Annie’s demo hits the mark; Sonny and Linh show interest, but no marks are hit; L.P. Everett’s new case has smoke and fire; heat at the in-laws’ house forces LaDonna to move; Hidalgo discovers a new angle; Janette’s resistance slips; Albert learns he has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Janette, Aunt Mimi and Annie commit to new deals, with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Toni may have found the killer she seeks, but Terry is still looking for his; L.P. meets his victim’s family; Antoine plays his bone in Texas; Sonny plays his music closer to home.

Antoine does a good deed, and a homeowner suspects Nelson’s deeds may not be so good. Davis fails to sign “Sugar Boy” Crawford for his opera, but Delmond gets his father to sign up for assistance from New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic. L.P. learns that his headless skeleton wasn’t always so.

Antoine does the “Cupid Shuffle,” as Desiree’s mother’s house collapses. Annie’s visiting parents learn about her record deal. Albert’s kids learn about his lymphoma. Toni learns about Sofia’s boyfriend. Sofia gets stopped by Officer Billy Wilson, prompting Toni to appeal to NOPD captain Marcus Grayson. Janette has a reunion.

Sonny rushes, but still misses the boat. Fats Domino tickles Davis’ fancy and a few of the ivories. Antoine seeks reading help for Jennifer. Janette endures corporate hell. Toni and L.P. get a witness. Desiree gets a new ally.

It’s Carnival time: Toni finds Judge Gatling dispensing judicial orders and potables at Galatoire’s. Janette seeks counsel from Emeril Lagasse and deconstructs crawfish etouffée with Al Roker. Sonny falls on the wagon. As Nelson schmoozes, Annie sits in with the Neville Brothers at the Washington, D.C. Mardi Gras Ball.

Desautel's on the Avenue opens softly. Sonny pawns instruments to buy jewelry. LaDonna gets threats from a stranger and support from Albert. Sofia gets evicted for her own protection. Terry finds a case collapsing and his popularity declining. Desiree confronts Robinette.

Janette’s restaurant is the talk of the town, but the popularity of a signature dish has her chefs feeling the heat in the kitchen. Meanwhile, Colson’s strained relationship with the rest of the police department comes with a personal risk; Desiree confronts Nelson about his demolition contracts; Annie begins to tire of Davis’ sulky attitude; Albert meets the jazz center’s benefactors; and LaDonna finally finds out what’s behind all the threats she’s been getting.

Davis and Cheeky Blakk go “full ghetto” on Davis’ goodbye to the musician’s life. Tim Feeny reveals himself and his intentions to Janette when he finds out that she’s throwing an unauthorized benefit for Gigi’s. Delmond parts ways with the powers that be. Toni sees hope that Joey Abreu’s killer may be prosecuted.

Batiste helps a student in a sticky situation. Lambreaux teaches LaDonna the true meaning of "Mighty Kootie Fiyo." Hidalgo meets musician turned activist Davis McAlary. Sonny goes to "see a man about a horse," instead finds trouble. Manager Marvin Frey questions Annie's ambitions; she questions his intentions. Delmond gigs with the great Ellis Marsalis. No longer on the Avenue, Desautel is stumped about what to call her new restaurant. Colson asks to be transferred to a new district. Sofia votes yes to her mother's new living arrangement. Bernette bails out a friend. Obama is elected.

Lambreaux takes Davina on a tour of his old neighborhood. Violence in the streets finds its way into Batiste's classroom. Desautel learns the hard way what's in a name; Bernette learns all is not as it should be at Orleans Parish Prison when she meets the parents of a deceased inmate. Annie takes in a show at One Eyed Jacks; takes home the lead singer. Delmond turns down a gig to be close to home and family. Tensions at work translate to tensions at home for Colson and Bernette. Hidalgo takes McAlary on a dinner date to talk business; LaDonna has a dinner date of her own with Lambreaux.

Desautel brings in the New Year with Davis and Jacques; Davis embarks on a mission to bring music back to Rampart St. Batiste gets a taste of Hollywood South; Annie gets the message "loud and clear" from her manager Marvin Frey. Delmond is inspired to work on a new piece. Lambreaux goes for a night out and over does it. LaDonna takes Alcide and Randall to visit her momma in Baton Rouge. Bernette wants to proceed with a case against Orleans Parish Prison; Colson wants to tell all that he knows.

Batiste receives bad news in the band room; Bernette receives a surprise but helpful package; Lambreaux receives a blessing. Davis reaches a mid-life milestone; Delmond plays a song for his Daddy; Annie gives in to her manager. Colson pays a visit to his boys on their home turf; Hidalgo does some digging on McAlary's behalf. L.P. Everett returns to New Orleans and finds he has fans in unexpected places.

Davis gets a "job job;" Colson gets his transfer too little too late. Batiste runs into a couple of old Mardi Gras friends; LaDonna and the boys do Mardi Gras day; Bernette and Sofia salute Creighton and carry out their Mardi Gras tradition; LP Everett experiences his second Mardi Gras in a row. Annie butts heads with Marvin Frey in the studio. Hidalgo cashes out - but pays it forward.