The Gov’t Mule / Allman Brothers Band guitarist’s latest project is an R&B-infused group featuring bassist Ron Johnson, Terence Higgins on drums, keyboardist Nigel Hall and Ruthie Foster on backing vocals. For the band’s May 12 New York City debut at the Beacon Theatre, Haynes & company will be joined by Stax Records legend William Bell. The singer is known for his trademark gravel-and-honey voice on hits like “Trying To Love Two” and his duet with Judy Clay called “Private Number” as well as co-writing “Born Under A Bad Sign” with Booker T. Jones.

The first ever Warren Haynes Band tour begins with an appearance at the Wanee Festival in Live Oak, Fla., April 15 followed by a quick trip to Australia for a couple of shows – April 23 in Sydney at Factory Theatre and April 24 at Melbourne’s Corner Hotel.

Returning to the U.S., the band plays The Mahalia Jackson Theatre in New Orleans May 5; the previously mentioned NYC Beacon Theatre show May 12 and Boston’s Orpheum Theatre May 13. Other U.S. stops include Philadelphia (May 14), Chicago (May 16), St. Louis (May 17) and Denver (May 24-25).

The band will play a few more U.S. festivals including Hangout Festival in Gulf Shores, Ala. (May 20), Mountain Jam VII at Hunter Mountain, N.Y. (June 3), Bonnaroo (June 11) and the High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy, Calif. (July 2), before heading to France for a show at The Olympia in Paris July 8 followed by the Cahors Blues Festival gig July 9.

The first album by the Warren Haynes Band, Man In Motion, will be released May 10 on Stax/Concord. For more information, visit WarrenHaynes.net.