News
Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival
September 2023 - The Gia Maione Prima Foundation is proud to sponsor the annual Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival on the “Green” which is located in the center of the Morristown, New Jersey. The festival will take place on September 22nd and 23rd. Louis Prima Jr. will headline the expanded 2023 program. Additional performing artists include Downtown Charlie Brown Blues Band, Ty Stephens and Debra Devi, The Commodores, Gotham City Latin Jazz Septet, Grammy-nominated Richard Baratta, Hot Sardines and blues guitarist Ana Popovic. scoring.
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Click here to learn more about the Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival
New Orleans Arts and Cultural Host Committee -
Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp
June 2023 - GMPF is proud to renew its partnership to support the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp which will take place from June 19th through July 8, 2023 at Loyola University. The three week camp offers intense music education classes in brass, piano, electric & upright bass, drums, strings, vocals, music composition swing and second line dance along with large and small ensembles, big band, music theory and hip-hop. The jazz education program also focuses on life skills which include developing leadership, character building, teamwork and problem solving.
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Click here to learn more about the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp
June 2023 - As part of a multi-year commitment, the GMPF supports a six-week summer session for students along with a two-week intensive in-person workshop for beginner to advanced students of ages 12 through 18. These summer programs enable students from underserved communities and low-income families to enhance knowledge of fundamentals in the art of jazz performance. Highlights include masterclasses, band ensembles, mentoring and jam sessions with professional musicians, history and culture, composition and film scoring.
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Click here to learn more about JAZZ HOUSE KiDS Summer Programs
June 2023 - Scholarships sponsored by the GMP Foundation were awarded to two outstanding senior students, John Harjes and Shaelyn Mezera of Toms River High School, alma mater of Gia Maione Prima. Both students exemplified an outstanding academic record and involvement in performing arts.
May 2023 - GMPF has partnered with the Trombone Shorty Foundation to sponsor the 10th Annual Shorty Fest. The partnership has been valuable in providing music education, outreach initiatives and shared passion for providing opportunities for future generations of New Orleans musicians. The festival is headlined by Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, and the musical lineup also features performances by Galactic feat. Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, Tank and the Bangas, The Havana Experience and students from the Trombone Shorty Academy. In addition to the indoor celebration, Shorty Fest will include a free outdoor “Cultural Block Party” featuring performances by local brass bands, high school marching bands and Mardi Gras Indians. A Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place at the outdoor block party where Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews will be inducted in The Walk of Fame. This distinction is given to musicians who have earned their place in New Orleans’s revered music history. Past Walk of Fame honorees have included Fats Domino, Dr. John and The Nevelle Brothers.
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Click here to read Press Release regarding 2023 Shorty Fest
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Northshore Community Foundation
April 2023 - GMPF has partnered with the Northshore Community Foundation in supporting the Dick Knight Award. The Sixth Annual Award was granted to Rob Carlise with Child Advocacy Services for recognition of more than 25 years of nonprofit service to the Northshore community. Mr. Carlise’s steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to the mission of Child Advocacy Services represents the spirit in which Dick Knight lived his life.
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New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Gala
April 2023 - The Gia Maione Prima Foundation is proud to sponsor the 23rd Annual Jazz & Heritage Gala. Proceeds will support the Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music which provides free-of-charge lessons taught by finest musicians and educators. The program reaches more than 300 school-aged students with music instruction and opportunity. It is the Foundation’s longest standing education program and has expanded to include a beginner’s program and vocal workshops. The school holds classes three days a week at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz and Heritage Center which is a state-of-the-art facility with several classrooms, a recording space and a performance hall.
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Click here to read the Press Release for the 2023 Jazz and Heritage Foundation Gala
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Click here to read about the 2023 Jazz and Heritage Foundation Gala
Brookdale Public Radio, 90.5 – The Night
January 2023 - The Gia Maione Prima Foundation announced its support to Brookdale Public Radio, 90.5 The Night. The radio station offers a unique voice on the dial, with artists from a variety of backgrounds that combine Great New Rock with Classic Rock, Soul, Blues, Folk and World Sounds into a flow of music that stands apart from any other radio or satellite station. 90.5 The Night is the leading source for information on the local arts and music scene as well as community events.
January 2023 - TAs part of a multi-year partnership with Horns to Havana and the Trombone Shorty Foundation, the GMPF gladly supported the instrument donation program that sent eight new instruments to music students attending the Guillermo Tomas Music Conservatory of Havana. As part of the cross-cultural musical trip, eight young New Orleans students travelled to Cuba to learn, collaborate, and perform with students at the Guillermo Tomas Music Conservatory. This powerful international exchange for students cultivated not only social and musical connections but also help these students learn the musical commonalities between New Orleans funk and Havana jazz. The mission of this partnership is to support music education, curriculum development, jazz teaching and instrument donation program to underserved students.
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Click here to learn more about the Musical Mission to Havana
January 2023 - The Gia Maione Prima Foundation gladly supported the fundraising concert for NJArts.net. The event was held at the Outpost in the Burbs in Montclair, New Jersey. The sold out concert featured singer-songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson and special guest Teddy Thompson. Proceeds from the concert helped to support NJArts.net continue to provide cultural vibrancy of New Jersey by covering all forms of art in NJ, including music, theater, film, comedy, dance, visual arts, family entertainment and literature.
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To learn more about NJArts.net and the fundraising concert – Click here to read news article
Photo credit to Michael Stahl
Photo credit to Michael Stahl
Photo credit to Michael Stahl
Photo credit to Michael Stahl
December 2022 - The Gia Maione Prima Foundation will sponsor the 2022 Tunes for Toys concert held on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Warren Easton High School. The event will include performances by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews along with The Soul Rebels, Trombone Shorty Academy students and Warren Easton High School Marching Band and Units. The event is hosted by Tonya Boyd-Cannon. Admission is free to the public in exchange for a new toy given to New Orleans youth at the Trombone Shorty Foundation’s “Toys from Troy” event held on December 17, 2022.
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Click here to learn more about Tunes for Toys on myneworleans.com
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Click here to learn more about Tunes for Toys on tromboneshortyfoundation.org
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Click here to read Press Release relating to Tunes for Toys
Count Basie Center for the Arts
October 2022 - As part of a multi-year grant to support the Count Basie Center for the Arts, the GMPF announced the sponsorship of the Louis Prima Jazz Brunch series. In conjunction with the sponsorship, performances by Grammy nominated artists that include NOCCA/ASCAP Prima Foundation Scholar Jeffery Miller will be held on October 15th and Tarriona Tank Ball of Tank and the Bangas will be held on November 13th. The concert series is part of Count Basie Center for the Arts’ goal to preserve a legacy in jazz by presenting performances that inspire new generations to connect with and appreciate this unique musical genre.
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Click here to learn more about the Louis Prima Jazz Brunch Series
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Click here to read the Press Release regarding Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball of Tank and the Bangas
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Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
August 2022 - The Gia Maione Prima Foundation has announced the renewal of a multi-year sponsorship with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) to support the Music for Life program. The sponsorship will enable the program to continue to serve over 100 under-served students annually in elementary, middle and high schools across the Greater New Orleans community. The Music for Life program is the premiere educational initiative by the LPO and is designed to offer students the opportunity to have access to individualized instruction with LPO musicians, develop life skills, and the ability to participate in collaborative concerts with their peers which is needed to foster social and academic success.
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Warren Easton Charter High School Foundation
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July 2022 - As part of a multi-year commitment, the GMPF proudly sponsored the 2022 Warren Easton High School Summer Camp. The five week summer program offered students music instruction in jazz, marching band and concert band. The students performed at Essence Festival Culture in New Orleans. Specialized instruction include Band Directors Asia Muhaimin, Johnny Fisher, NOCCA/Prima Foundation Scholar Glenn Hall of the Rebirth Brass Band, Scott Johnson, Raymond Ellison, Kirk Mathis and Charles Williams.
Count Basie Center for the Arts
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July 2022 - GMPF has partnered with Count Basie Center for the Arts and Red Bank’s Jazz Arts Project for a free, two week summer music camp for students interested in jazz music. The Louis and Gia Maione Prima Music Camp will take place during the weeks of July 11 and July 22, 2021. The summer program is available to 3rd through 7th grade students in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The program offers students a no-cost opportunity to experience hands-on instruction from professional musicians and music educators while collaborating with their peers which is key to fostering the program’s mission of social and academic success.
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Click here to learn more about the Louis and Gia Maione Prima Music Camp
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Click here to read the Press Release regarding the Louis and Gia Maione Prima Music Camp
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Click here to read Thank You from Students Attending Summer Camp
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June 2022 - A scholarship sponsored by the GMPF Foundation has been awarded to graduating senior Kiyara Piverger of St. Vincent Academy. Ms. Piverger has had a passion and talent for art since she was a young child. Her love for the arts has led her to choose a 5 year accredited program in Architecture at the Thomas Jefferson University.
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June 2022 - Scholarships sponsored by the GMP Foundation were awarded to two outstanding senior students, Hope Kobus and Sadie Dickman of Toms River High School, alma mater of Gia Maione Prima. Both students exemplified an outstanding academic record and involvement in music and theatre. Their collegiate studies will include a focus in areas of music and performing arts.
New Orleans Arts and Cultural Host Committee -
Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp
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June 2022 - As part of a multi-year partnership, GMPF will support the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp. The two week camp offers a jazz education program to assist the next generation of jazz artists. The curriculum also focuses developing leadership, character building, teamwork, problem solving skills, respect for culture along with raising self-esteem. The tuition free program allows students to select one primary instrument for instruction and the choice of study of music composition, swing dance or voice.
Send Me a Friend and The Phoenix
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May 2022 - The GMPF gladly supported the partnership of The Phoenix and Send Me a Friend. The collaboration will be celebrated with an evening of music, recovery and community with Anders Osborne. The partnership will use the power of music to help communities rise from the ashes of addiction. A behavioral health research study conducted by Tulane University’s School of Social Work found that musicians are 4 times as likely to face serious or moderate mental health concerns and almost 2 times as likely to screen positive for problematic alcohol and drug use than the general population. Lifeshops are designed to transform, educate and support musicians/creative professionals who face challenges while in recovery and transform a deadly misperception that portrays drug and/or alcohol use as having a positive impact on career, income, creativity and performance anxiety; a deadly misperception that needs to be corrected to save lives and careers.
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May 2022 - GMPF has partnered with the Trombone Shorty Foundation to sponsor the 2022 Shorty Fest. The event will feature performances by Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue along with Galactic featuring Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, Dumpstaphunk and the students of the Trombone Shorty Academy. An outdoor street festival will also feature live music by local brass bands, high school marching bands and Mardi Gras Indians. A Walk of Fame induction ceremony will honor legendary musicians Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and Cyril Neville. All proceeds support the Trombone Shorty Foundation whose mission is committed to helping empower and educate future generations of musicians.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation Gala
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April 2022 - Anthony J. Sylvester, Partner and Trustee to the Gia Maione Prima Foundation was named New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Cultural Champion at this year’s Jazz & Heritage Foundation Gala. The honorable award is given annually to an individual to recognize the commitment in supporting musical educational programs in the New Orleans community. Since 2014, the Gia Maione Prima Foundation has supported programs to help, preserve and encourage the musical legacy of Louisiana’s rich culture and heritage by providing opportunities to the next generation of NOLA jazz artists.
Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre
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March 2022 - The opening and reception of the “Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre” located in the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College, Toms River, New Jersey took place on March 19, 2022. The event was part of a multi-year partnership with Ocean County College Foundation, Ocean County College and Ocean County Vocation Technical School Performing Arts Academy that benefited the expansion of the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts in Gia Maione Prima’s hometown of Toms River. The endowment supports programing and celebrates the works of Louis Prima and Gia Maione Prima. The all-day celebration included a dance festival with PAA and OCC Dance ensembles and the Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company. The evening concluded with a performance by Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses.
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Click here to read about the Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre opening
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Click here to read news article re opening of the Gia Maione Foundation Studio Theatre
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Click here to read about the opening of the GMPF Studio Theatre opening on NJArts.net
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Click here to read about the opening of the GMPF Studio Theatre opening
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Click here to read about the opening of the Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre
Northshore Community Foundation
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March 2022 - The Northshore Community Foundation has announced this year’s recipient Kakki Taliancich of the Dick Knight Award. Ms. Taliancich was recognized for 35 years of dedication and commitment to the non-profit West St. Tammany YMCA. The Dick Knight Award recognizes individuals for their commitment and service to the nonprofit sector. The spirit of the award recognizes nonprofit staff who have significant tenure in service-based work and have a body of accomplishments that reflect that success. Previous winners include Rev. Steve Holzhalb of Christwood Retirement Center, Ola Magee of Regina Coeli Child Development Center, Dianne Baham of STARC and Myrna Jordan of Our Daily Bread Food Bank.
Click here to read Press Release
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Click here to read news article re Kakki Taliancich , Recipient of the Dick Knight Award
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Rick Whittington and Vanessa Murphree Donation
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February 2022 - The GMPF received a generous donation from long-time supporters and friends Rick Whittington and Vanessa Murphree. The gift was utilized to provide drum equipment to a talented young musician Darnell Simms.
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January 2022 - The GMP Foundation has announced that it will renew its sponsorship to NJArts.net, a non-profit that produces independent arts journalism. NJArts.net has become one of the most important media outlets for New Jersey’s arts activities.
Click here to read news article regarding organizations supported by the GMP Foundation