The New Orleans Jazz Museum is delighted to partner with the French Consulate in New Orleans to realize two intersecting projects in Paris, both of which are set to take place around the annual Fête de la Musique celebration in June.
Conceived in 1982, Fête de la Musique is a citywide festival which takes over the Parisian streets inviting visitors and locals to witness and participate in a multitude of musical performances. These shows take place not only in clubs and professional music venues, but sidewalks, cafés and parks with impromptu stages erected all over Paris. It is a joyous celebration of all things musical, beginning in the morning and going late into the night.
This year, the New Orleans Jazz Museum is sending some of our most treasured musicians to join the festivities. The all-star band representing our city in Paris will be composed of Dr. Michael White, an accomplished clarinetist, bandleader, composer, jazz historian, and educator widely regarded as one of the leading authorities and culture-bearers of traditional New Orleans jazz music; Herlin Riley, a master jazz drummer and a key member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis; Gregg Stafford, one of the Crescent City’s most talented, deeply-rooted and musically committed trumpeters and vocalists; Detroit Brooks, famed session and touring guitarist of the local music scene, often considered the most recognizable face in the city; Mark Brooks, one of our premiere bassists; and Mahmoud Chouki, a string virtuoso who has received acclaim from audiences across the globe. Chouki has recently recorded an album on the Jazz Museum’s label, Gallatin Street Records. Together, they will perform in multiple venues throughout the city bringing entertainment as well as insight into New Orleans culture to the people of Paris.
As Greg Lambousy, the Jazz Museum’s director, explains: “During his visit to New Orleans last year, President Macron asked the Jazz Museum to send local artists to perform during Fête de la Musique in an effort to foster intercultural collaborations in the music and film industries as well as increasing tourism exchange between the two cities. The people of France have a unique interest in New Orleans culture; we are honored to be invited and to represent our city during this joyous event.”
In addition to their musical contribution during Fête de la Musique, the Jazz Museum will host a week-long language and culture tour of Paris from Jun. 19–23 entitled Un Siècle de Musique à Paris. This educational program will focus on examining a century of musical exchange between the United States and France through exploration of the ever-evolving Paris music scene. The program includes walking tours and lectures as well as exclusive access to some of the premiere cultural institutions. The registration for the course is open. If you’re interested in participating or want to learn more, you may contact the Jazz Museum for more information at bdamico@nolajazzmuseum.org.
The trip is part of the Museum’s Jazz International initiative dedicated to further development of partnerships across the globe, and currently spans multiple countries including Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Poland, Serbia, Brazil, Sierra Leon, Mexico, Hong Kong, Argentina, Morocco, Italy, Spain, Honduras, Panama, Ecuador, Romania and beyond.
The New Orleans Jazz Museum hosts concerts to promote Louisiana based musicians and our cultural heritage. Enjoy free concerts Tuesday through Thursday at 2pm in the air-conditioned comfort of the museum’s 3rd floor Performance Center. These free concerts promote and support our musicians and the musical heritage of New Orleans.
Additionally, from the Jazz Museum’s balcony, a concert series runs through the summer on Tuesdays from 5 to 6pm except during July. Bring your blanket or chair and a picnic to enjoy on the grounds with other music lovers.
