Grand Opening of the Old U.S. Mint Performance Hall
The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park is pleased to announce the Grand Opening of the Old U.S. Mint Performance Hall on November 12, 2011 from 1:30 - 5:00 p.m. The Performance Hall, located on the third floor of the Old U.S. Mint, is the result of an innovative partnership between the National Park Service and the Louisiana State Museum to bring a world class music venue home to the birthplace of jazz. The New Orleans Jazz NHP will sponsor educational jazz performances and other special events during the day and the Louisiana State Museum will hold events and performances primarily during evening hours.
The afternoon's events will begin at 1:00 p.m. outside the Mint with a performance by the TreméBrass Band. The band will then lead the procession inside to the new state of the art performance venue for more music. At 3:00 p.m., an all-star cast of musicians including Wendell Brunious and Wendell Eugene will perform with participants from the parks' Music for All Ages program. Trombonist Wendell Eugene's first gig was with Avery "Kid" Howard in 1938 and he has also performed with Oscar "Papa" Celestin, George Lewis, and the Onward Brass Band. Trumpeter Wendell Brunious was born into a New Orleans musical family. Wendell's father, John Brunious, played trumpet and piano, and arranged for Billy Eckstein and Cab Calloway. Wendell´s uncle, Willie Santiago, was one of the first guitar players recorded, and at one time worked with the legendary Buddy Bolden. Other surprise guest artists may show up to commemorate the milestone event in the fabulous new performance space.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park is managed by the National Park Service and tells the story of the people and places that helped shape the birth and development of jazz in New Orleans. The park also features a visitor center located at 916 North Peters Street in the French Market, open Tuesday-Sunday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. as well as a visitor contact station on the first floor of the Old U.S. Mint. New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park recently opened Historic Perseverance Hall No. 4 in Louis Armstrong Park for its Saturday "Music For All Ages" brass band program 11:00 a.m. to Noon. It is open to the public to sit in and play or just listen. Perseverance Hall No. 4 is open Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and offers an exhibit on the history and origins of jazz and is located in the heart of Historic Tremé. Call 504-589-4841 for more information.
Seeking Satch 2011!
Click below to check out some videos of our young SEEKING SATCH winners
performing with Jason Marsalis, Wendell Brunious, Shamarr Allen,
Jason Stewart and Thomas Gerdiken and talking about the legend
of Louis Armstrong on 8/7/2011 at the New Orleans Jazz NHP as part
of SATCHMO SUMMERFEST.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uoNTVEh8gU (Introductions and reflections
on Louis Armstrong)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfTIvZgXR_I (Strutting with Some BBQ)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7h5q3C-UDA (Mack the Knife)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JfTMt3cIi4 (Saints go Marching In)
