The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation announced their fall 2021 concert series. Five performances will be held at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, 1225 N. Rampart, on Saturdays in November and December. Click the band name to reserve your ticket(s). The concerts will be livestreamed on the Facebook page and YouTube channel of the Jazz & Heritage Foundation.
November 6: Shake ‘Em Up Jazz Band
First assembled as a pickup band consisting of working jazz musicians to perform at Girls Rock New Orleans in 2016, the Shake ‘Em Up Jazz Band is an all-women group made up of six of New Orleans’s most in-demand musicians—Haruka Kikuchi, Chloe Feoranzo, Marla Dixon, Molly Reeves, Defne “Dizzy” Incirlioglu and Julie Schexnayder. In their three years of performing together, these six sensational women have released three studio albums and have toured extensively throughout the Americas and Europe
November 13: Shannon Powell Traditional All Star Jazz Band
New Orleans native Shannon Powell, known as the King of Tremé, learned to play the drums in his childhood church at the age of 6. Known for his commanding technique and style on percussion, he has performed all over the world and recorded with many notable jazz musicians, including Harry Connick Jr. with whom he recorded two platinum albums. Today, Powell is a bandleader and has recorded his own studio album, Powell’s Place.
November 20: Donald Harrison, Jr.
New Orleans born saxophonist Donald Harrison is a musician/composer who has performed with more than 200 jazz masters. He is credited with creating new styles of music, including quantum jazz and nouveau swing, a blend of modern jazz, hip hop, funk, and soul. Harrison has mentored a diverse range of artists, including Notorious B.I.G. and Esperanza Spaulding to name but a few.
December 4: New Orleans Jazz Vipers
Rhythm, swing, trumpets and trombones, and a variety of voices: The New Orleans Jazz Vipers’ unique sound comes from the absence of the drum kit, while their tenacious rhythm is driven soundly by the guitar and acoustic bass. Originating fifteen years ago in the streets of the French Quarter, the trad-jazz band has since become an institution of hot swing music on Frenchmen Street. In 2001 they became the first jazz band to play at the now world-renowned Spotted Cat Music Club on Frenchmen Street. The deep-rooted lineup of the Jazz Vipers have been members of countless popular bands such as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Bonerama, The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and The Duke Ellington Orchestra, to name just a few. They have been featured on the HBO series Treme performing their Grammy-nominated original tune “I Hope You’re Comin’ Back to New Orleans.”
December 11: Gabrielle Cavassa
Gabrielle Cavassa is a New Orleans-based vocalist-composer and the co-winner of the 2021 International Sarah Vaughn Jazz Vocal Competition. She is sought after for her distinctive voice and intimate expression. Cavassa’s music is inspired by artists such as Amy Winehouse and Slum Village as well as Italian opera. A genre bending vocalist, Cavassa released her self-titled debut album in 2020 with featured artists Braxton Cook and Ashlin Parker.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concerts begin promptly at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5. All proceeds from this concert series directly support the Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s efforts, including the Music Relief Fund.
More details can be found at jazzandheritage.org.
