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New Orleans Jazz Celebration

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UNO Jazz Studies program celebrates the return of the Sandbar at the new Cove 

Originally built in 1973 as a student food and recreation center, the Cove quickly became the center of campus life. In 1990, UNO jazz studies director Ellis Marsalis turned The Cove into a living laboratory where UNO students performed with national and international jazz artists. The Cove was damaged during Hurricane Katrina and was demolished and rebuilt.

On Friday December 2nd, the grand opening of the new Cove reunited students, faculty and community members into a big celebration. 

The ribbon cutting was celebrated by Governor Bobby Jindal, University of Louisiana System President Dr. Randy Moffett, former Jazz Studies Director Dr. Ellis Marsalis, New Orleans Jazz Orchestra Artistic Director Irvin Mayfield, Norma Jane Sabiston of the UNO International Alumni Association Board of Directors and Student Government President John Mineo. Current and former UNO Jazz studies faculty Ellis Marsalis, Steve Masakowski, Ed Petersen, Irvin Mayfield, Brian Seeger & Sam Wisemen gave a great performance in the new stage to kick off the celebrations.

The new spring 2012 season of the Jazz at the Sandbar is expected to be held at the new Sandbar at the Cove during the months of March and April.

New Orleans Jazz Celebration is a nonprofit organization initiated by the Louisiana Music Commission in 1993 and incorporated as the New Orleans Jazz Centennial Celebration in 1994.  Our mission is to preserve, promote, and perpetuate jazz, America’s original art form, through educational outreach to audiences of all ages. NOJC’s outreach focuses on youth and offers a wide array of informative and entertaining activities designed to spread the rich history of jazz and move the art form forward.