The New Orleans Jazz Museum hosted its annual Improvisations Gala on Saturday, December 4. The sprawling party stretched from a tented stage on the back lawn to performance spaces within the Old U.S. Mint and across multiple courtyards. A large illuminated windmill symbolic of the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris towered over guests in the Decatur Street Courtyard. Attendees were treated to an all-star lineup of acts, including an exclusive balcony concert at the Patron Party by Trumpet Mafia, accompanied by the N’awlins D’awlins Baby Dolls and the Original Wild Tchoupitoulas Indians led by Big Queen Mary K. Stevenson. The Patron Party also featured craft cocktails with Beam Suntory, a Beattie’s martini bar, along with hors d’ouevres, and champagne from an exclusive champagne sponsor, Frerejean Frères.
The full Improvisations Gala featured George Porter, Jr. & Runnin Pardners, Charmaine Neville Band, Bo Dollis, Jr. & The Wild Magnolias, Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet, Gabrielle Cavassa Band, Jelani Bauman Band with Jesse McBride, Herlin Riley and Gregg Stafford, Mahmoud Chouki Band with Oscar Rossignoli and special guest Detroit Brooks, and special choreographed performances by the NOLA Chorus Girls.
Photographer Kim Welsh captured the following scenes. For more information about the New Orleans Jazz Museum, visit here.
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- A large illuminated windmill evoking the Moulin Rouge in Paris greeted patrons at the 2021 Improvisations Gala in the Decatur Street Courtyard of the New Orleans Jazz Museum, photo by Kim Welsh.
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- The NOLA Chorus Girls.
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- Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet.
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- A grand marshal leads a second line parade in a courtyard of the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
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- The N’awlins D’awlins Baby Dolls.
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- George Porter Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners
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- Louisiana Jazz Museum Director Greg Lambousy, at center, with members of the N’awlins D’awlins Baby Dolls.
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- Mahmoud Chouki Band.
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- Gregg Stafford, Herlin Riley and band.
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- Bo Dollis Jr. and the Wild Magnolias
