The UNO School of the Arts is adapting, as needed, to COVID change and the popular Jazz at the Sandbar shows will go on. Beginning Wednesday, October 7 at 7 p.m., and following Wednesday evenings through November 11, performers will have their shows livestreamed from the campus Sandbar.

This year marks a special start for the series, beginning with a performance by the Ellis Marsalis Quintet. Ellis Marsalis, the first Chairman of the Jazz Studies Program at the University of New Orleans, established “Jazz at the Sandbar” in 1990.  As the late Ellis, who passed away in April, had always kicked off the Fall series, his band will be starting off this season in honor of him on that first Wednesday of October as Ellis always had for the past 16 years.

Jamison Ross Quartet will perform October 14, Peter Harris Trio is scheduled for October 21, Hot Strings of New Orleans play October 28, and November 11 will be a student combo showcase. The lineup for November 4 is still TBD.

Produced by the New Orleans Jazz Celebration, Jazz at the Sandbar is held in conjunction with the UNO Jazz Studies Program, creating a performance series Downbeat Magazine calls “One of the best things going in America.”  UNO representatives stated in a press release, “Due to the pandemic, this season will be a bit different from our usual series. Performers will be local, respected jazz stars and their bands, however, they will not be performing in front of the usual live audience at the Sandbar, instead the shows will be streamed through SOTA’s Facebook page with limited student participation.” 

“Jazz @ the Sandbar” is presented by the UNO Jazz Studies Program with support from the New Orleans Theatre Association, the New Orleans Jazz Celebration and WWNO FM. 

To listen to the free livestream, visit the Facebook page here.