Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra will host the second annual Jazz at Congo Square on Saturday August 20, and Sunday, August 21, at Congo Square in Armstrong Park. This free celebration of New Orleans music, culture and traditions will feature a variety of artists who have contributed to the city’s local scene and the international music community at large.
The festival will also feature local art and merchandise vendors, food from local restaurants, chefs and purveyors, and will offer space to nonprofit organizations who share a common mission of preserving New Orleans’ culture.
This year’s Jazz at Congo Square festivities will kick-off with a VIP Patron Party at Gallier Hall on Friday, August 19, from 6-8 p.m. with a private and exclusive performance by the Uptown Jazz Orchestra and Tonya Boyd-Cannon inside Gallier Hall. Special honorees will include Kidd Jordan, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and Germaine Bazzle. VIP tickets are $100 and may be purchased here.
Music performances at Congo Square are as follows:
Saturday, August 20
1:30–2:25 p.m. DJ Captain Charles
2:30–3:25 p.m. Congo Square Drum Circle
3:35–4:30 p.m. Doreen Ketchens
4:40–5:10 p.m. Spoken-word artists
5:15–6:15 p.m. Delfeayo Marsalis & Uptown Jazz Orchestra
6:20–7:20 p.m. Brass-a-holics
Sunday, August 21
1:30–2:25 p.m. DJ Spins
2:35–3 p.m. Uptown Music Theatre
3:05–3:30 p.m. Congo Square Drummers
3:40–4:10 p.m. Mariama Curry & African Dancers
4:20–5:15 p.m. Tonya Boyd-Cannon
5:20–6:20 p.m. Corey Henry & Treme Funktet
6:25–7:20 p.m. Where Y’at Brass Band
“In this past two years, musicians around the world have faced and conquered what seemed like insurmountable circumstances,” said founder Delfeayo Marsalis. “Now, we’re looking to the future, which means celebrating the past, embracing the present and focusing on building sustainable futures for New Orleans culture bearers. As we grow the festival and create new touch-points, we expect to create a movement that both honors Congo Square and supports the New Orleans talent pool.”
Uptown Jazz Orchestra (UJO) was formed in 2008 by Marsalis for the primary purpose of maintaining and creating jazz traditions such as blues expression, riff playing, spontaneous arrangements, and New Orleans polyphony (brass band second line style). Specializing in the music of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, the Dirty Dozen and Rebirth Brass Band, UJO has released two award-winning cd’s to critical acclaim. During the height of the pandemic, they expanded their reach by presenting first-class livestreams and witty video shorts that showcased the band’s tributes to Jazz Fest, Christmas and Mardi Gras. UJO consists of New Orleans’ most celebrated musicians including Roger Lewis, Herlin Riley, Roderick Paulin, Andrew Baham and Dr. Brice Miller.
Vendor opportunities are available for local creators, artists, restaurants and retail stores, with 10×10 spaces available. Visit here to inquire about vendor opportunities, or to sign up.
