The Southern University Jazz Ensemble is gearing up for the release of two albums created under the guidance of the esteemed Alvin Batiste, who passed away in 2007 during that year’s Jazz Fest. The albums, titled Goes To Africa With Love and Live at The 1971 American College Jazz Festival, are set to become the first-ever commercial versions of these remarkable recordings, initially distributed as souvenirs exclusively at Southern University.

Alvin Batiste, a highly regarded figure in the New Orleans music scene and recipient of a “Best of The Beat” Lifetime Achievement Award in Music Education, led and mentored the college band in Baton Rouge. Both albums showcase Batiste’s original compositions, with Live at The 1971 American College Jazz Festival featuring notable covers of jazz classics by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Freddie Hubbard.

The meticulous remixing of Goes To Africa With Love from the original multi-track tapes adds to the excitement surrounding the album’s release. This 2-LP set offers a fresh listening experience and includes previously unreleased instrumental tracks.

Despite the rich musical heritage of New Orleans and the influence of the talented clarinetist/educator Batiste, the albums initially received little recognition. In fact, during the 1980s, copies of these albums could often be found languishing on thrift store shelves, highlighting their under-appreciated status. The Southern University albums, which Alvin Batiste offered to the world, were often dismissed as novelties and overlooked by those outside the immediate circle involved in their creation.

However, Now-Again Records is dedicated to spotlighting the power and beauty of the music created by young artists, even in challenging circumstances. 

The upcoming releases of the Southern University Jazz Ensemble’s albums provide an opportunity for listeners to immerse themselves in the captivating sounds of the band and experience the transformative nature of music. These long-awaited releases pay homage to Alvin Batiste’s vision and the incredible talent showcased by the young musicians he mentored.

Goes To Africa With Love and Live at The 1971 American College Jazz Festival are scheduled to be released on June 23 and July 7, respectively.