Dear Friends,

Thank you for joining us for New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. From Jelly Roll Morton to Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino all the way up to the revered Allen Toussaint – this performance is about the  music and musicians that make New Orleans great.

One of the things that stands out about NOJO is their ability to hold and honor tradition while moving the form forward. This isn’t music meant for the museum, nor is it precious. These are next generation musicians with the skill and grit it takes to stand out in a city known for its jazz.

With a 35-year history representing New Orleans jazz across the country and abroad, NOJO is now led by the charismatic Adonis Rose. A proud Crescent City native, Rose – who grew up in the scene, studied at Berklee and has played alongside Wynton Marsalis and Harry Connick, Jr. among others – imbues the ensemble with the swing and swagger of a New Orleans big band. He and his bandmates are laser focused on celebrating the music and culture of their beloved New Orleans. We have been, too: immersing those of you who attended the free Offstage events celebrating Maine’s Acadian connections to that unique place, and learning more about the birth of jazz and it’s African-American roots.

We all share in that magic, warming our spirits with a little New Orleans mojo. We can think of no better way to spend a February evening. Thank you again for coming out.

Enjoy,

Aimée M. Petrin
Executive & Artistic Director