Lagniappe Events
Lagniappe~ a little something extra
New Orleans Jazz Celebration occassionally produces extra-special events in addition to our regularly scheduled celebrations!
Jazz Celebration Party and Brass Band Exhibit Debut featuring the Treme Brass Band!!
April 20, 2010
Jazz lovers from around New Orleans celebrated the creation of our new touring exhibit entitled “The Passing Parade: the Brass Band Tradition of New Orleans” and other new ways to bring America’s original art form, Jazz, to the world. On Tuesday, April 20, 2010 the Board of Directors of New Orleans Jazz Celebration, Inc. introduced the organization’s exhibit, new website and announced upcoming projects. This event was free and open to the public.
The Passing Parade exhibit is a multimedia and interactive display illustrating the rich history of this unique musical genre. Using colorful imagery drawn by illustrator and African American historian Chuck Siler, the history of New Orleans Brass Bands is told in conjunction with “informances” when possible, which use live brass band and study materials as educational tools. A touch screen display on one side of the exhibit offers a detailed history of brass bands with many archival photos, text and sound clips. The screen is surrounded by a beautifully designed display of second line sashes, corsages and umbrellas created by Mardi Indian matriarch Herrest Harrison.
The respected Treme Brass Band performed at this event as the general public viewed the exhibit.
This exhibit is made possible by support from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival & Foundation, Inc. Additional support comes from a grant by the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation.
The Danny Barker Centennial Festival
January 2009
Danny Barker (1909-1994) was a tireless torch bearer of the unique culture of his home town. Barker's long career spans much of the history of Jazz; he had tap danced in infamous Storyville and later migrated to New York where he performed on more than 1000 recordings with such diverse artists as Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Cab Calloway, Charlie Parker, Lena Horne and his talented wife Blue Lu Barker. Danny's work with young talent in the creation of the Fairview Baptist Church Band was pivotal in the brass band revival of New Orleans in the 1980s that still flourishes today. His story telling abilities were legendary.
New Orleans Jazz Celebration is proud to have collaborated with the French Market, Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, the Palm Court Jazz Café, the UNO Jazz Studies Program and the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park in presenting a series of events honouring the legendary musician, storyteller and educator Danny Barker, born 1909. All activities took place January 13 to the 18th, 2009. Beginning on his actual birthday, January 13th, an awards ceremony was presented at the Palm Court hosted by Danny's daughter Sylvia and featuring Danny's cousin and former band mate Lucien Barbarian's Jazz band. Next were educational informances on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday by guitarist & story teller Carl LeBlanc doing a tribute to Danny in the New Orleans public schools.
The grand finale was two days of live performances on stages around the French Market on Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th, featuring bands including Leroy Jones' New Orleans Finest, the Dirty Dozen, Lionel Ferbos' Louisiana Shakers, Charmaine Neville's Griot Trio, Herlin Riley, Detroit and Juanita Brooks, Carl LeBlanc, Don Vappie and many more. There was also a "Danny's Jazz Walking Tour" which started at the French Market at 3 each day with certified tour guide and NOJC Board member Susan Wayman. The Snug Harbor also presented master drummer and Danny Barker alumni Herlin Riley on the night of the 17th, and banjoist Detroit Brooks on the night of the 18th, paying tribute to Danny with former members of his bands.
Art of Jazz
November 29th & 30th, 2008
In a salute to the Prospect.1 New Orleans Biennial, NOJC produced an event at the historic French Market that showcased the Crescent City’s contribution to the world of art - Jazz- in combination with other art forms for two days of cultural creativity. Dance, musical theater, poetry and even the visual arts were presented during live jazz performances.
Performances included: Martin Krusche & the Magnetic Ear with poet Moose Jackson, the Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet with storyteller Donald Lewis, and Astral Project with dancer Jessica Burke, just to name a few!
Tribute Performance to Benazir Bhutto
January 5th & 6th, 2008
The assassination of two-time Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Thursday December 27, 2007 shook the international community all the way to New Orleans, where there is a large Pakistani community. In respect for the beloved leader, the French Market and New Orleans Jazz Celebration presented two tribute performances of Indian and Jazz music variations by world renowned tablas player Badal Roy and saxophonist Tim Green. The performances were in the French Market's Dutch Alley Performance Tent at St Phillip Street from 2:00 to 4:00pm January 5 and 6, 2008. These were truly amazing performances, free of charge and open to everyone, paying tribute to a very special life and embracing reconciliation through music.
Jazz Feasts
Throughout 1996
Jazz Feasts gave both locals and visitors to greater New Orleans lively lunch hour community concerts in shopping centers, parks and other public areas. Always free, these concerts presented a variety of jazz styles with support from Freeport McMoran, Downtown Development District, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and the Arts Council of New Orleans. Outlets included The New Orleans Centre, Lakeside Shopping Center, Rivertown and Lafayette Square.