2025 Jazz & Heritage Gala Talent Announcement

Star-Studded Lineup Unites in Support of Music Education at the 2025 Jazz & Heritage Gala

The Gala Will Feature Iconic Performances by The Ohio Players, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Naydja CoJoe & The Lagniappe Section, and More at the Grand Start to Jazz Fest!

NEW ORLEANS (March 26, 2025) – The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is thrilled to announce a lineup of incredible performances for the 2025 Jazz & Heritage Gala – the official kick off celebration to this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell!  The celebrity-filled extravaganza happens Wednesday, April 23rd at Generations Hall in New Orleans. The Jazz & Heritage Patron Party presented by Delta Utilities begins at 6pm, followed by the Gala from 7pm to 10pm. The Gala plays a vital role in raising essential funds and awareness for music education initiatives within the Foundation’s programs, while also advocating for greater accessibility to music education in schools across New Orleans and Louisiana.

Acclaimed journalist and media personality, Lebron “LBJ” Joseph will co-emcee with multi-hyphenate Cole Williams of Jazz & Heritage radio station, WWOZ 90.7FM.  Mariachi Jalisco will open the gala with a spectacular showing during the patron party with traditional Mexican melodies that celebrates the cultural bond between New Orleans and Mexico.  The evening will feature an all-star lineup, blending captivating performances, passionate storytelling, and a strong sense of community. Talent on the Gala Ballroom Stage presented by the Gia Maione Prima Foundation includes The Ohio Players and Naydja CoJoe & the Lagniappe Section. The Gala Heritage Stage presented by Hancock Whitney features Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen and the Heritage School of Music All-Stars with Derek Douget, Andrew Baham, Grayson Brockcamp, Ricky Sebastian, Michael Pellera, and Tonya Boyd Cannon.  Throughout the night, DJ Raj Smoove will keep the energy high with a nonstop mix of music.

A live auction will be a highlight of the evening, giving guests the chance to bid on a carefully curated selection of exclusive items and experiences. From distinctive artwork and signed memorabilia to unforgettable vacations and VIP access to events, the auction showcases the culture and creativity of New Orleans and Louisiana. Proceeds from the auction will directly benefit the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s educational programs and community initiatives, enabling fest-goers to play a role in preserving and promoting the city’s heritage while enjoying an immersive experience.  The Gala also benefits the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s flagship education program, the Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music, which provides free music education to nearly 300 Louisiana students. 

Ticket packages include a Gala only pass or an eight-day pass to Jazz Fest that is transferable and allows for unlimited re-entry. 

Join us for an electrifying evening as we celebrate the start of Jazz Fest –  the world’s most famous cultural phenomenon.

Please visit jazzfestgala.com to purchase tickets or learn about sponsorship opportunities.

ABOUT THE HERITAGE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

The Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music proudly provides free-of-charge lessons taught by the finest musicians and educators the city has to offer, reaching more than 300 school-aged students with dynamic music instruction and opportunity. It is the Foundation’s longest standing educational program and has expanded to include a Beginners program, the vocal and audio production workshops. The school holds classes four days a week at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz and Heritage Center. The state-of-the-art facility has several classrooms, a recording space, and a performance hall.

ABOUT THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FOUNDATIONThe New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is the nonprofit organization that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell. The Foundation uses the proceeds from Jazz Fest, and other funds, for year-round programs in education, economic development and cultural enrichment. For more about the Foundation, please visit our website: www.jazzandheritage.org