Board President’s Welcome

successfully complete all aspects of the Catapult Fund training program will be awarded cash grants to support their businesses. Learn more at www.catapultfund.org

SYNC UP: ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY SEMINARS AND PANELS

Sync Up is a series of sessions focused on the educational and business development for the entertainment industry and takes place all year round. The conference debuted in 2008 as one of the Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s efforts to support the local music industry by connecting Louisiana’s independent artists with top professionals in music, film and digital media. Learn more at www.syncupnola.com

COMMUNITY OUTREACH TICKETS

Each year, more than 8,500 free tickets to Jazz Fest are distributed to those in our community who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to attend. This is an essential part to continue the tradition of keeping Jazz Fest a communityoriented event. Learn more at www.communityoutreachtickets.com

THE JOHNNY JACKSON, JR. GOSPEL IS ALIVE! CELEBRATION PRESENTED BY PEOPLES HEALTH

This celebration of Gospel music with national and regional gospel performers is a free concert that brings in senior citizens from around the New Orleans metro area and is truly inspirational. Past headliners have included Rance Allen, CeCe Winans, The Clark Sisters, Shirley Caesar and more! Learn more at www.gospelisalive.com

THE JAZZ & HERITAGE GALA

Each year the Foundation presents a fabulous event to benefit the Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music, a FREE after-school music education program for more than 300 children in the New Orleans metropolitan area. www.jazzandheritagegala.com

WELCOME

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Jazz & Heritage Festival Family,

It has been too long since we’ve gathered to enjoy the music, arts, cuisine and heritage that makes Louisiana unique. After two years of heartbreak and false starts we are finally here. It’s my great pleasure to welcome you to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell.

Since celebrating our 50th Festival two years ago, our lives have been in flux. Longing for normalcy as we navigated through a pandemic, we missed the things that made us feel like a community. Our nemesis Covid19, created challenges well beyond Festival cancellations and social disruptions, though. The impact on our local artisans and culture bearers were physical, economic and emotional.

As President of the Board of Directors of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage and Foundation, Inc., I’m proud to share with you the Foundation’s efforts to help our community during this difficult period and help you appreciate how your enjoyment of the rich culture, diversity and heritage at the Festival supports the community.

Though we were denied the opportunity to attend the traditional Festival, our community-based station WWOZ-FM 90.7 FM, partnered with the Jazz & Heritage Archive to co-produce three “Jazz Festing in Place” programs. This unprecedented partnership between two of the Foundation’s most successful assets created an experience that helped us pause from our daily routine and long for the return of the Festival.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation recognized the traumatic circumstances and through its prudent management of Foundation resources collaborated and partnered with like-minded organizations and individuals to do our part to heal the community. During this period the Foundation, in partnership with Music Rising, distributed $1.7 million to local musicians and music workers. In total, the Foundation distributed over $3.4 million to local musicians and music workers.

Our Heritage School of Music continues to develop innovative ways to educate and mentor over 200 children and young adults annually in the arts.

The Foundation’s Community Partnership Grants/Impact Grants distributed $1.5 million to various local groups during 2021 and 2022. These Grants support Music and Arts Education in the Schools and after school, organizations presenting Louisiana music and culture, film makers, recording artists and hundreds of organizations and individuals whose programs and projects reflect the Foundation’s mission.

On a more personal basis, in response to the heartbreak and health toll covid and other morbidities had on culture bearers, the Foundation distributed over $50,000 to defray funeral costs for those taken too soon from us.

We, the Foundation, are steadfast in our belief in this community and our obligation to make it better. Our mission is “To promote, preserve, perpetuate and encourage the music, arts, culture and heritage of communities in Louisiana through festivals, programs and other cultural, educational, civic and economic activities.”

The Foundation board recognizes the extraordinary work done by the Foundation’s staff to continue our mission with passion, empathy and creativity. Their commitment to the community we serve has helped make life a little bit easier and gave hope for a better future.

To Festival Productions and AEG, we thank you for your unwavering support, professionalism and efforts to get us where we are today. It has been challenging and exhausting but we know it is worthwhile. We thank the artists, vendors and hundreds of individuals who take part in our celebration of Louisiana culture.

And finally, we must recognize the loss of the creator and genius behind the Festival. George Wein passed away and will be forever remembered as the father of the Festival. He will be sadly missed.

Your attendance at Jazz Fest supports our year-round initiatives and I invite you to learn more about the Foundation’s work and programs by visiting www. jazzandheritage.org and subscribing to our newsletter.

On behalf of the Foundation Board of Directors and Staff, thank you and let’s get ready to party!

David Francis President, Board of Directors, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc.