The 11th annual NOLA River Festival is back at the New Orleans Jazz Museum on Saturday, JUNE 10th, 2023.

This year’s theme is MISSISSIPPI DELTA BLUES, one of the earliest forms of blues originated in the Mississippi Delta.

The festival is free and open to the public as well as streaming on Facebook.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 

The New Orleans Jazz Museum remains dedicated to growing our capacity for a wholistic exploration of the Mississippi River’s impact on the culture in the Crescent City, Greater New Orleans area, and Gulf South region. Through NOLA River Festival, we examine and celebrate its influences on our community culturally, economically and environmentally through music, food and educational programs.

NEW ORLEANS, LA (June 6, 2023) – Today, Preservation Hall announced trumpeter, vocalist and bandleader Wendell Brunious has been named Musical Director. In his new role, Brunious will work closely with Creative Director Ben Jaffe to oversee the musical repertoire performed at the internationally renowned French Quarter venue. Brunious will also serve as the musical ambassador for the Preservation Hall Foundation, assisting in educational programming and community engagement efforts. As Musical Director, he will maintain his fruitful relationships with the more than 60-member musical collective and act as both the venue and foundation’s ambassador to the music world. Brunious has a longstanding mutual respect with his musical peers and will continue to serve as a mentor to the younger members of the Preservation Hall community.

“It is with great respect and passion that I accept this important position. Preservation Hall is the most important venue in the world for Traditional Jazz and I feel very privileged to have been asked to be its first Musical Director,” Brunious stated. “I look forward to working closely with Ben Jaffe and the Preservation Hall Foundation, making sure that the integrity and highest quality of this art form is around for many generations to come.”

While Preservation Hall refrains from holding auditions for new musicians, it preserves and perpetuates the Traditional New Orleans Jazz music performed within its walls by selecting only the most skilled musicians with generational talent and deep relationships with the musical collective. Brunious and Jaffe will work hand in hand to identify new talent to play regularly at Preservation Hall and subsequently guide them. In addition to serving as a bridge from the roots of Preservation Hall to the newest members of the collective, Brunious will simultaneously continue his decades-long tenure as a stalwart bandleader at the Saint Peter Street site.

Brunious boasts a towering musical family tree primarily flowered with trumpets. He is the son of trumpet master John “Picket” (or “Picky”) Brunious Sr., the Juilliard-educated pianist and trumpeter, gifted composer and arranger for artists such as Billy Eckstein and Cab Calloway and Nazimova “Chinee” Santiago, the niece of guitarist and banjoist Willie Santiago. Hailing from New Orleans’ 7th ward, Brunious first picked up a trumpet at 11 years old, began playing at Preservation Hall at 23 and was only 28 when he took over as a bandleader for 91-year-old Kid Thomas Valentine. He was the youngest musician to ever lead a Preservation Hall band and his older brother, John, also held the role of bandleader.

”Mr. Brunious reflects an incredibly valuable family history and possesses both tangible and intangible qualities that make him entirely unique as a musician and elder statesperson. His dedication and lifetime commitment to his craft, in addition to his personal story, are both beautiful and singular. I have the highest regard and respect for Mr. Brunious as a musician’s musician,” said Jaffe, the son of the famed venue’s co-founders Allan and Sandra Jaffe. “He is a son of this sacred tradition and a library of information and knowledge. We are all fortunate to have Mr. Brunious fulfilling such an important role.”

Brunious credits some of his early development to having worked with the Olympia Brass Band under the direction of his cousin, bandleader and saxophonist Harold Dejan. He crossed paths with the famed banjoist Danny Barker while in college at Southern University and apprenticed alongside many great New Orleans musicians, including guitarist Justin Adams, with whom he launched the first jazz brunch at Commander's Palace restaurant in the mid-1970s. Extremely knowledgeable in the music’s tradition and history, Brunious enjoys sprinkling his conversation with advisory quotes from his father and other artists who have crossed his musical path through his extensive career.

In addition to traveling the world to play Traditional New Orleans Jazz with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, recording seven albums under his own name and countless features on other recordings, over the years Brunious has worked with a long list of esteemed artists including the Tuxedo Brass Band, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Wynton Marsalis, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Bob Haggard, Harry Connick, Jr., Sammy Rimington, Gladys Knight & and the Pips, Louis Nelson and more.

For more information, please visit www.preservationhall.com. To reserve seats for a Wendell Brunious-led show at Preservation Hall, please visit www.preservationhall.com/calendar/.

Founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe, Preservation Hall sought to give a home to

traditional New Orleans music at a time when it was surviving primarily on neighborhood

streets. Integrated from its very inception during the Jim Crow South, the Hall was always a place for Black and white musicians to play together for Black and white audiences. It swiftly became a hallowed stage for musical luminaries -- from Sweet Emma, Percy and Willie Humphrey and George Lewis in the 1960’s to sixty of the city’s most cherished and noted musicians today.

In the past twenty years, by virtue of its credibility and Ben Jaffe’s creative vision,

Preservation Hall has hosted an array of musical guests from a variety of genres and nations including: Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, Airto Moreira, Alabama Shakes, Jimmy Buffett, My Morning Jacket, Del McCoury, Tom Waits, Gary Clark, Jr., Nathaniel Rateliff, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jupiter and Okwess and Flor de Toloache. The Hall, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Preservation Hall Foundation have preserved cherished tunes, traditions and treasures, while continuing to innovate, collaborate and evolve. For more information, please visit https://www.preservationhall.com/.

By Jasmine Browley

NEW ORLEANS (June 2, 2023) - It’s nearly impossible to think about ESSENCE and its marquee annual ESSENCE Festival Of Culture (EFOC) without images of New Orleans flashing in your mind. The three have been intrinsically linked for more than two decades, when in 1994, the first festival was hosted there to celebrate ESSENCE Magazine’s 25th anniversary. The location made sense, as both have honored the sacred culture of Blackness for generations.

Now, as we near the 29th year of ESSENCE Fest which will take place June 29-July 3, the event has evolved but one aspect has remained the same, New Orleans is still its forever home.

EFOC has kicked off a long-standing and deeply rooted kinship with the city of New Orleans that has only grown stronger over time. Last month, ESSENCE Ventures’ President & CEO Caroline Wanga delivered the keynote for Dillard University’s 2023 graduating class and was honored with a degree for her substantial work in private and public sectors.

On May 13, Wanga addressed the crowd of thousands and implored them to not only go after their dreams, but to revel in what they’d already accomplished.

“It’s not so much about what the power of your presence after today will do for the world,” Wanga said to the onlookers. “What’s more important is how powerful your absence will be.”

The honor was just one example of ESSENCE’s relationship with NOLA. EFOC, for example has played a pivotal economic role in the city, as evidenced by a November 2022 report conducted by Dillard University, an HBCU located in New Orleans. The report, prepared by Dorian Williams, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Business and Casey Schreiber, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Urban Studies & Public Policy at Dillard University, found that in last year alone, EFOC made a $327M impact, generated $120M in labor income, contributed about $49M in city, state & local taxes and added $189M in value added to GDP.

“It’s always been in New Orleans,” Wanga said in a 2022 interview with Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club.

“And I have to reinforce that because it’s not the ESSENCE Festival if it’s not in New Orleans,” explaining that the fest was temporarily relocated to Houston for one year, and virtual for another two years during the pandemic.

As she also points out, it is the largest festival in the country by per day attendance.

“We’re talking about half a million people for 27 years have live gathered in New Orleans—you can’t find another one that does that, that’s then just about us.”

EFOC returns this year, on an even bigger scale as it celebrates the 50th year of hip-hop, with a full lineup of musical pioneers to lead the performance showcase over the course of the 3-day event. There will also be 1 million square feet of Hip-Hop nostalgia at the convention center this year.

“{New Orleans} and ESSENCE were born together,” Wanga said. “The cultural currency the city has is what makes the festival dope—it will always be held there.”

Editor's Note: Economic Impact of 2022 Essence Festival of Culture; Prepared for Louisiana Economic Development, November 2022

Bay Saint Louis, MS (May 18, 2023) – The 100 Men Hall introduces its Second Sunday BLUES BRUNCH that will feature the best of blues music and the finest in dining all served in a historical setting. Sunday, June 11, from 11-1PM, the first installment of BLUES BRUNCH will feature blues guitar master Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory, with brunch for purchase by Chef Joe from Beachside. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Music, food, and cash/credit bar.

Alvin Youngblood Hart is one of the world’s foremost practitioners of country blues, and a faithful torchbearer for the 1960s and 1970s guitar rock. He was born in Oakland, California, in 1963, and spent part of his youth in Carroll County, Mississippi, where he was influenced by the Mississippi country blues performed by his relatives. Bluesman Taj Mahal once said about Hart: "The boy has got thunder in his hands."

Food for purchase by Beachside’s Chef Joe Castoro. Chef Joe, a graduate of the Florida Culinary Institute, developed a following for his famous burgers and grill delights at Bay Marina, which his parents own. After many years as a chef in fine-dining restaurants in south Florida, Chef Joe opened Beachside in Bay Saint Louis and quickly developed a following in this coastal town.

The historic 100 Men Hall is a 501c3 nonprofit organization (Hundred Members Debating Benevolent Association), supported by tax deductible donations. Additional information about the venue’s history and other activities can be found on the 100menhall.com or by emailing 100menhall@gmail.com.

Nayo Jones (pronounced Nīyō) was born in Chicago, Illinois into a family of musicians and was destined to be in show business. As an accomplished jazz musician and music educator, her father William “Doc” Jones groomed and nurtured her natural ability from a very young age. Nayo grew up listening to Jazz standards that proved to be a solid foundation and would later become a signature in her own show. Accomplished in her own right, Jones is also a classically trained flutist.

Currently, Nayo is based in New Orleans, LA where she performs regularly with her band “The Nayo Jones Experience.” In addition to her own show, Ms. Jones also tours alongside New Orleans iconic jazz trumpeter, Kermit Ruffins as a featured vocalist. She has also joined forces with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra lead by Adonis Rose. She has been featured on their album as well as in live performances.

Nayo’s vocal range has been compared to the likes of Natalie Cole, Nancy Wilson, and even Whitney Houston. She has been the opening act for legendary George Benson, Chris Botti, and more.

Nayo has been on stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, French Quarter Fest, and many other Louisiana festivals annually since 2012. She has consistently drawn rave reviews for her performances. Nayo and her band, “The Nayo Jones Experience” has a longstanding residency at the Carousel Lounge located in the historic Hotel Monteleone and The Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta Hotel.

Nayo’s body of work includes her first original album “My Name is Nayo Jones”, a “Holiday Collection”, a compilation project featuring her dad Doc Jones, and her EP simply titled “Nayo”. Jones is excited about her latest project, “The Nayo Jones Experience Live at the Kerr Cultural Center”, which is a live performance recorded at the Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale, AZ in celebration of International Jazz Day.

by Lloyd Dennis (10/20.2022) - Charles Elam's stage name is "Chucky C", and I guarantee that you will enjoy his multi faceted and extremely talented Thursday performances at Sweet Lorraine's Jazz Club. His qualifications as one of New Orleans's most talented and versatile saxophone artists are undeniable. He's played with everybody who's anybody in New Orleans R&B and Blues, touring the world in the process. To that, he adds flute and harmonica virtuosity and an amazing vocal range and song stylings. The depth and breadth of his repertoire reflect his vast musical experiences.

It's easy for me to guarantee that you will enjoy his show because, in spite of his elite abilities, he is about making sure that the people in his audience have a really great time.

You will be amazed by his horn play, laugh at his sometimes hilarious antics and sing along with your favorite songs. In addition, his respect for his art has him engaging equally serious and able sidemen. His standard crew includes the talented fingers of Keith Venette on piano and keyboards and the Hamilton brothers Anthony on bass and Shannon on the drumset and percussion. You can't get a tighter rhythm section than these brothers who've played together since childhood. It's a badass band, y'all.

A great weekday date night, or an opportunity to reserve space for friends or family to hang out or celebrate at 8 PM every Thursday, and yes dining is available. I'm in there at least once or twice a month.

"Lady Jazz!" 

with such supreme depth and understated soul." 

EXCELLENCE     INNOVATION     RESPONSIVENESS 

Metro Service Group, located in New Orleans, Louisiana is a multi-faceted corporation with specific expertise and certifications in the areas of Environmental Services, Construction/Demolition and Disaster Response and Recovery. Metro Service Group is a licensed Contractor, certified in Building Construction; Heavy Construction; Highway, Street and Bridge Construction; Municipal and Public Works Construction and Solid Waste Management.

Pick It Up New Orleans!