The Jazz Education Network, a well-known organization dedicated to building the jazz arts community by advancing education, promoting performance, and developing new audiences, is holding their annual conference at the Hyatt Regency in downtown New Orleans.
Though the event is only open to registrants, the city is teeming with jazz educators and performers many of whom will be playing in clubs and at concerts all over town including at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro and SideBar. Check the links for the full schedules.
Full disclosure, my high school-aged nephew, trumpeter Benjamin Chaddha is in town and will be performing at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint on Wednesday at 1:30 PM with his jazz camp band. It is free and open to the public and also includes local students from the Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp.
Among local acts performing at the conference are the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and the Ricky Sebastian Quintet featuring guitarist Steve Masakowski, bassist Brian Quezergue, saxophonist Derek Douget and pianist Oscar Rossignoli. Nationally and internationally known artists like bassist Victor Wooten, trumpeter Bria Skonberg, and guitarist Gabriel Espinosa are also featured.
World-renowned saxophonist Dave Liebman, who will be performing on Friday night at the conference, also has two public shows scheduled. He will be appearing at the SideBar on Thursday night with the drummer Adam Nussbaum. Though the two have played a lot together, this will be their first time performing as a duo.
On Saturday night, Liebman will headline two shows at Snug Harbor where he will perform with local luminaries Steve Masakowski, James Singleton, and Johnny Vidacovich.
The Jazz Education Network conference returns to New Orleans in 2024.
