The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc.

More exciting news from Colombia! Jazz & Heritage Archivist Rachel Lyons received an enthusiastic welcome from the US Embassy, Colombian Ministry of National Education, Colombia Challenge Your Knowledge, and the Petronio Álvarez Festival. Rachel actively engaged in the official program of the Petronio Alvarez Festival and participated in the U.S.-Colombia Summit: Partnerships for Inclusive International Education, which connected Colombian educational institutions with HBCUs. She presented on the founding and growth of the Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Festival, and Archive's role in keeping the past present. Her second presentation on Cultural Exchange highlighted the work of J&H Fellow Manuel Sevilla and archives as repositories of ancestral knowledge that spans generations. Rachel's contributions at the Petronio Alvarez Festival also supported the US Embassy's initiative to leverage our Archive's expertise in advising Colombian festival leaders on developing their own festival archive system. 🇺🇸 x 🇨🇴 : Read the feature in El Pais Cali, the leading regional newspaper! Link in the comments

With support from Expedia, this week distinguished Louisiana musicians Adonis Rose, Sean Ardoin, and Aurora Nealand Music joined the Jazz & Heritage team in Colombia and undertook a musical exploration and exchange in Cali to discover connections between New Orleans and Colombia! ⁠ The team collaborated with maestra Nidia Góngora, Colombian musical royalty and founder of Fundación Escuela Canalón, a tuition-free music youth music education program. The program, akin to our own New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's Heritage School of Music, is free of charge and conducts multiple weekly classes, supporting the mission to preserve cultural traditions by teaching music native to the students’ homeland. The students are trained in traditional Pacific instruments, and their performances underscore a commitment to maintaining their musical heritage! Góngora is known for founding Canalón de Timbiquí and contributing her voice to various music projects. Her work represents a blend of Colombian traditional music with global genres, earning her a Latin Grammy nomination in 2019. During the visit, the team witnessed how music fuels creativity and cultural pride among students in Góngora's program. This inspiring visit allowed them to see Nidia’s vision of inspiring and nurturing young talent while ensuring that the traditions of the Afro-Colombian community continue to thrive. In addition to their exploration of Cali, Adonis, Sean and Aurora experienced the Petronio Álvarez Festival, and collaborated with Colombian musicians Waides (Batambora), Professor Jorge Otero (Banda Armonias), and Georgia Uribe to record two songs that brought the musical traditions together. Sean, Adonis, and Gregorio also recorded a track to be released in the coming months. As Aurora Nealand said, we can't wait to see how the seeds grow from this exchange! 🇺🇸 x 🇨🇴

Today, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation mourns the passing of Luther Kent, a beloved performer at our Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival. Luther’s powerful voice and passion for the blues made him a standout on our stage, year after year. His presence will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, Luther.

Join us for an exciting Back-to-School open house showcasing music education programs from across the city! This event is free and open to the public. On August 17, 2024, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation in partnership with the New Orleans Music Education Collaborative and NOLA Public Schools, will host an open house, showcasing a diverse array of after-school music education programs for the youth. The event takes place at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center (1225 N. Rampart St.) and begins at 10am-1pm. Prospective students will have the opportunity to explore various music programs, learn more about their offerings, witness performances, and register for programs on the spot! The Back to School Jam brings together distinguished organizations like Make Music NOLA, Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, Trombone Shorty Foundation, Second Line Arts Collective, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Heritage School of Music, NOCCA, Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestras (GNOYO) and Roots of Music. Each organization will have their own space where they can interact with potential students and families in order to answer any questions about their programs. Don't miss this chance to discover the perfect program to nurture your child’s musical talents. This program is made possible with generous support from the Country Music Association Foundation. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/ggPNDUHv

This morning, American Commercial Barge Line presented a check for nearly $60,000 to support music education at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Heritage School of Music. For the past decade, ACBL has shown their dedication to music education by hosting an annual golf tournament. This event gathers employees, partners, and community members for a day of fun and friendly competition. Over the years, the golf tournament has raised significant funds, contributing to half a million dollars for the school’s mission to nurture young musical talent. This support helps ensure the legacy of New Orleans music is preserved for future generations.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is honored to receive the New Orleans Community Service Award from Cutting Edge Music Business Conference!

The Don "Moose" Jamison Heritage School of Music is our signature music education program at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. Students ages 8-18 are invited to apply now: https://lnkd.in/g4VwbJYf

It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of William “Bill” Rouselle, Jr., a cherished member of our New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation family. Bill first joined the Foundation board in 1978, served as Vice President from 1980-1984, and became President in 1985. He was also a longtime emcee at the annual Jazz Fest Gala. Bill left an unforgettable mark on our community and the festival we all love. His dedication to truth, equity, and New Orleans will forever inspire us. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this time. Rest in power, Bill. 📷 : Bill Rouselle at the Jazz Fest Gala in 2013, photographed by Bernie Saul.

The 2024 Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival is free and open to the public, but VIP Experience Passes are available to those looking for a premium festival experience, which includes a private lounge in historic Gallier Hall, festival seating, two complimentary bars, indoor bathrooms, and air conditioning.

The Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival returns to Lafayette Square Park in New Orleans for its 17th edition on October 11-13, 2024.