The New Orleans Jazz Museum has announced an expansion of its Jazz International initiative with a new collaboration in Taiwan. From October 11-17, representatives from the museum will visit Taipei at the invitation of Taiwan’s Minister of Culture. This visit aims to build upon existing relationships and forge new partnerships with a variety of Taiwanese cultural institutions, including the Taichung Jazz Festival, music organizations, record labels and jazz clubs.

The delegation will also engage with the Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development, festival organizers, university jazz departments, museums, the tourism office and the U.S. Embassy. This international exchange is part of the broader mission of Jazz International, a program designed to promote global partnerships, intercultural exchanges, and support New Orleans’ cultural economy.

A key highlight of this partnership will be a special performance by Vincent Hsu & Soy La Ley Afro-Cuban Jazz Band at the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s Improvisation Gala on December 7th. Sponsored by the Herb Alpert Foundation, this event underscores the ongoing collaboration between the museum, Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston. In addition to the gala, Hsu will lead a Latin Jazz drumming workshop at the museum on December 6th, followed by a performance at Snug Harbor.

The Jazz International initiative, spearheaded by the New Orleans Jazz Museum, plays a crucial role in showcasing the city’s rich jazz heritage to the world. The program’s strategies include international music missions, educational programming, traveling exhibits, historical research, and the museum’s Gallatin Street Records label. Each partnership is tailored to meet the needs and goals of its collaborators, fostering deep cultural ties and economic opportunities for New Orleans.

Executive Director of the New Orleans Jazz Museum, Greg Lambousy, emphasized the importance of Jazz International in boosting both the city’s cultural and economic presence on the global stage. “Musicians are employed, the city and state are being recognized, and we are raising awareness with potential tourists,” Lambousy said. He also highlighted that Louisiana’s Lt. Governor, Billy Nungesser, has declared 2024 as the “Year of Music.” Lambousy added, “What better time to educate the global community about the importance of jazz and its far-reaching effects, as well as all that Louisiana has to offer.”

Previous Jazz International partnerships have taken New Orleans musicians and culture bearers to destinations such as France, Hong Kong, and the Dominican Republic. Esteemed artists including Herlin Riley, Dr. Michael White, James Andrews, and Gregg Stafford have been among those to share New Orleans’ unique jazz legacy with global audiences. The initiative also features the New Orleans Jazz Ambassadors, a program that allows local music students to perform internationally, further serving as cultural ambassadors for the city.