Jazz Market Grand Opening

Exciting News for Jazz Enthusiasts -- 

Tonight marked the grand opening of Jazz Market at 1436 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. corner Martin Luther King boulevard. It is NOJO's (New Orleans Jazz Orchestra) first building project.   NOJO is founded in 2002 by trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader Irvin Mayfield.   NOJO is the first and only performing arts institution committed solely to the development of an industry for Jazz in the city that created the music.  The New Orleans Jazz Market will feature music education experiences for all ages, a New Orleans Jazz Archive, tributes to current and past Jazz Masters, and perfomances by Irvin Mayfield, NOJO and other renowned musicians.  The space also includes a coffee shop, bar and digital learning center.

Source:https://www.worknola.com/new-orleans-jazz-orchestra/marketing-associate-new-orleans-jazz-market-0

When we'd just moved to St. Charles Avenue, I remember some friends advising us to go anywhere northeast towards the business center and the French Quarter or southeast towards the Garden District, but never southwest where it is risky and dangerous especially at night time.  News about shootings  add to these apprehensions.  

Recently though, it is heartwarming that this seemingly neglected neighborhood in the southwest is now a venue for  music and art activities, and new businesses.  We roamed around and found new art galleries, a food museum, new restaurants and new grocery stores in the vicinity.  It is also reassuring what Councilwoman Ms. Latoya Cantrell said, “One thing we will see on the boulevard is a nightlife, and we have to be prepared for it, that’s my job.”

Okay, let's go back to the Jazz Market.  The place was full of  guests and musicians, politicians and people like us who are happy for this development.

Here's part of Irvin Mayfield's speech:

Performance of Ms. Dee Dee Bridgewater and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra:

Below are pictures of the  distinguished guests.

Here are the some of the details of the events as posted by nojocms:

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING IRVIN MAYFIELD AND THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ ORCHESTRA (NOJO) CELEBRATE GRAND OPENING OF

THE PEOPLES HEALTH NEW ORLEANS JAZZ MARKET

Official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Kicks Off Weekend of Activities, Month of Events

Posted by: nojocms

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING IRVIN MAYFIELD AND THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ ORCHESTRA (NOJO) CELEBRATE GRAND OPENING OF

THE PEOPLES HEALTH NEW ORLEANS JAZZ MARKET

Official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Kicks Off Weekend of Activities, Month of Events

NEW ORLEANS (March 26, 2015) – The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) celebrated the grand opening of the Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market (PHNOJM) with a weekend of festivities, beginning Thursday, April 2^nd with the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on its new facility, which provides music education and community events, live performances by Irvin Mayfield, NOJO and other renowned musicians, and a developing New Orleans Jazz Archive.

WHAT: Grand Opening of the Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market

Celebration kicks off a weekend of festivities and month of events

WHEN: Thursday, April 2, 2015 ( 7p.m.-10 p.m.)

7 p.m.: Grand Opening celebration hosted by Councilmember LaToya Cantrell and NOJO Board Chairman Ron Forman; Event will feature musical performances by NOJO’s Artistic Director Irvin Mayfield with Honorary NOJO Board Chair and legendary vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater; Speakers will include Nick Karl of Peoples Health, Margaret Anadu of Goldman Sachs’ Urban Investment Group, Ommeed Sathe of Prudential Financial Inc., Mikki Shepard of the Apollo Theater, and leaders from the PHNOJM’s other key partnerships.

10 p.m.:  After Party at Bolden Bar in the PHNOJM featuring Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters.

WHERE: Grand opening festivities begin (7 p.m.); Official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony (8 p.m.) at The Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market (1436 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, New Orleans)

Event After-Party (10 p.m.):  Bolden Bar in the PHNOJM

The People Health New Orleans Jazz Market (PHNOJM) is located at the intersection of Oretha Castle Haley and Martin Luther King Boulevards in Central City, in the former Gators Department Store building, which once housed the historic Dryades Market.

About the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO)

NOJO creates Jazz to enhance life, transform place, and elevate spirit through the tenets of truth, love and beauty.  Founded in 2002 by trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader Irvin Mayfield, NOJO is the first and only performing arts institution committed solely to the development of an industry for Jazz in the city that created the music.  For more information, please visit www.thenojo.com.

Source:http://thenojo.com/content/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=52&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01returnid=44

Please read also:

http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com/home/8476555-172/jazz-market-on-to-offer

With all these developments, we are definitely glad we decided to move here in New Orleans!  Plus ... this gives me double happiness:  A new Filipino kamayan style restaurant will also open in the near future.