In 2007, NEA Jazz Master and GRAMMY Award-winning trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis formed the Uptown Jazz Orchestra (UJO) for the purpose of keeping important jazz music traditions alive, such as riff-playing, spontaneous group improvisations, and collective New Orleans instrumental polyphony. At the time, Marsalis realized that the New Orleans music community was lacking the infusion of young homegrown talent outside of the great brass band tradition and chose to form an orchestra that could present traditional, classic, and modern compositions with authenticity. Since that time, UJO has grown into one of the premier large ensembles in the world, releasing three albums to critical acclaim and touring locally, nationally, and internationally.

GENRE: New Orleans Jazz

WHAT TO EXPECT: A night of soul with a NOLA heartbeat: brass blazing, rhythms swinging, and joy flowing from the first note!

Sponsored by Ray Liaw & Joseph Gregory