The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) will resume performances at the New Orleans Jazz Market in Central City on August 11 at 7 p.m. Adonis Rose will join NOJO for a performance that will serve as the official launch the orchestra’s new concert series which will include their new record release, Petite Fleur. Later that evening, Blaq Rhapsody will kick off the Wednesday Night Jam at 9 p.m. Rose, who serves as NOJO’s artistic director, will also announce details about the Fall Gala on Saturday, December 4, with special guest Big Freedia.
The reopening comes 16 months after the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of the Jazz Market, located at 1436 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. In preparation for the reopening, The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra is working with a new board of directors to advance the mission and vision of the organization. New board members include Michael Hecht, Dr. Thomas LaVeist, Winston Burns, Cassie Worley, Jamar McKneeley, Kathleen Turner and other longtime community leaders.
“We are excited about opening the Jazz Market and welcoming our supporters to our fall concert series,” said Adonis Rose. “The community has been supportive of our organization through the pandemic and we can’t wait to perform for our audience again! Our stellar season will launch with New Orleans’s own first lady of jazz, Ms. Germaine Bazzle, who is coming out of retirement to do her first ever concert with NOJO at the Jazz Market. We are also very excited about our partnerships with the Tupac Foundation, French Consulate, WWNO Radio and Jazz Ascona.”
The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) embarks on its 20-year anniversary in 2022 as a home for local and international jazz artists in the city, attracting thousands of music lovers for two decades. The organization won a Grammy Award in 2009 and continues to create opportunities for musicians and artists, while cultivating an inspiring environment for young musicians. The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and advancing New Orleans music and culture throughout local and global communities by providing access to unparalleled performances.
“The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra prides itself in working with the community to offer services to local nonprofits and musicians as well as educational opportunities for area youth and families, ” said Latoya Bullard-Franklin, NOJO board chair. “As a daughter of New Orleans, it is my honor to reintroduce you to this wonderful organization, as it continues to reaffirm its legacy of extraordinary excellence in the community.”
In addition to Bazzle and Big Freedia, the upcoming concert series will feature Cyrille Aimee and Tarriona “Tank” Ball. Reopening also means there are opportunities for community collaborations and new partnerships. The New Orleans Jazz Market will also have availability for special events starting August 11 and will be hosting monthly open houses to share the venue space with organizations and companies looking to support the space through bookings.
For more information about The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, visit thenojo.com, follow @nolanojo on all social media platforms or contact [email protected]. For tickets to the opening night performance, visit here.
