Sponsorships
Take Me to the River (TMTTR)
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The Gia Maione Prima Foundation supported the educational initiative presented to the NJPAC Teacher Professional Development Day. Educators participated in a one-day initiative which took place at Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey. The program focuses on sharing and teaching the story of where American music came from through films and musical tours. TMTTR’s initiative is to empower communities by promoting tolerance and respect for all people and cultures, creating a deeper understanding and relevance of history and civil rights, showing how cross-cultural collaboration in music and the arts have impacted our society.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation
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The Gia Maione Prima Foundation is proud to sponsor the Class Got Brass program of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. The Class Got Brass contest will take place on March 23, 2024, in conjunction with the Congo Square Rhythms Festival. The program is to support music education in the schools while promoting the traditional brass band music of New Orleans. It is open to middle schools and high schools in Louisiana.
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Jazz Arts Project
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The Gia Maione Prima Foundation supported the Holiday Spirits Concert sponsored by Jazz Arts Project which was held at the Two River Theater in Red Bank, New Jersey. Jazz Arts Project is a non-profit with a mission to preserve, promote and perpetuate the American musical art form known as jazz. The concert featured 14-time Grammy winner Paquito D’Rivera along with Jazz Arts Academy students. The Jazz Arts Academy is a jazz studies program that provides students with a centralized jazz scene where they can supplement their school music program. The program offers expert musical mentoring with performance ensembles, improvisation training, special workshops and masterclasses with visiting artists.
OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Music Awards
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The Gia Maione Prima Foundation supported the OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Music Awards which took place on January 24, 2024. The Best of the Beat Awards was given to 48 local musicians for their performances and albums. Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to David R. Batiste, Sr., Don Marshall, Ricky Sebastian and Fred Johnson Jr. for their accomplishments. The Music Award winners included Jon Batiste who received Artist of the Year, Allen Toussaint Award Songwriter of the Year, Album of the Year for World Music Radio and Best R&B/Funk Artist and Best R&B Funk Album. Other recipients of varying awards were given to Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Victor Camp, Samantha Fish, John Boutte, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, The Soul Rebels, The Revivalists, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Terence Blanchard, Ivan Neville and Flagboy Giz.
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Click here to learn more about the Best of the Beat 2023 Award Winners
Bridge House/Grace House
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The Gia Maione Prima Foundation proudly sponsored the 2nd Annual Sober Fest. The alcohol-free music festival which was held at the Sugar Mill was created to promote the idea that recovery is not only attainable but enjoyable. The mission of the Bridge House/Grace is to provide gender sensitive treatment and support to men and women suffering with alcohol or drug addiction. Its programs offer group and individual substance abuse counseling, rehabilitation, and vocational training programs. Proceeds from the 2023 Sober Fest helped reach over 650 individuals this year.
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ASCAP Foundation Louis Prima Award
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In 2011, The ASCAP Foundation Louis Prima Award was established by Gia, wife of Louis and her friend and long-time counsel, Anthony J. Sylvester of Sherman Wells Sylvester and Stamelman LLP to honor the legendary musician Louis Prima. Each December, The ASCAP Foundation hosts an invitation-only, VIP Awards ceremony in New York City hosted by ASCAP President and Chair, Paul Williams. The annual Award is given out to a graduating senior from NOCCA preferably in the jazz or big band genre. Each winner receives a scholarship to defer college expenses.
Winners of The ASCAP Foundation Louis Prima Award are as follows:​​​
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2023 Recipient Cooper Belletto (click here to read Cooper’s Biography)
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2021 Recipient Melvin Nimtz (click here to read Melvin’s Biography)
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2021 Recipient Nicholas Harrison (click here to read Nicholas' Biography)
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2020 Recipient Seth Collins (click here to read Seth’s Biography)
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2019 Recipient Psalm Fitch (click here to read Psalm’s Biography)
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2018 Recipient Diji Diallo (click here to read Diji’s Biography)
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2017 Recipient Saida Joshua Smith (click here to read Saida's Biography)
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2016 Recipient Brian Richburg, Jr. (click here to read Brian's Biography)
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2015 Recipient Madison Kerth (click here to read Madison's Bography)
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2014 Recipient John Michael Bradford (click here to read John's Biography)
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2013 Recipient Jeffery Miller (click here to read Jeffery's Biography)
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2012 Recipient Miles Berry (click here to read Miles' Biography)
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2011 Recipient Glenn Hall III (click here to read Glenn's Biography)
Will Friedwald, Glenn Hall III
Italian American Museum of Los Angeles
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November 2023 - Gia Maione Prima Foundation has partnered with Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA) to collaborate an exhibition, “Louis Prima – Rediscovering a Musical Icon.” The exhibition explores the life and legacy of Louis Prima. The exhibit examines his New Orleans background and his role in shaping two of the nation’s entertainment capitals – New York and Las Vegas. Through his hits, such as “Sing, Sing, Sing”, “Jump Jive an Wail” and “Angelina”, and many of his personal effects, memorabilia and rare images on display, visitors will be abled to discover this groundbreaking performer and true legend of the music world. Educational programming will be offered during the next 12 months.
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Click here to learn more about the Louis Prima – Rediscovering a Musical Icon
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Click here to read about the exhibition at the IAMLA
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Click the links below to read more about the exhibit on NBC4 Los Angeles
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Click the links below to read more about the exhibit on Average Socialite
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Click the links below to read more about the exhibit on HoopLA
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Click the links below to read more about the exhibit on MSN News
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Click the links below to read more about the exhibit on Newsbreak
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Click the links below to read more about the exhibit on Press Pass LA
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Save Our Brass Culture Foundation
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June 2023 - The GMP Foundation is proud to partner with Save our Brass to sponsor the first year of Save Our Brass summer camp. The four-week camp is geared for students who are interested in learning the cultural traditions of New Orleans and learn the history of brass music, and the impact on American music. They will also learn about the history of Mardi Gras Indians and the significance of their costumes. The camp is directed by Ersel and Jevon Bogan and will run from June 5th through June 20th.
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Belmar Piano Project
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May 2023 - GMPF is proud to support the Belmar Arts Piano 4 initiative which will install a weatherproof concert piano in Pyanoe Plaza located in Belmar, New Jersey in recognition of David Sancious, former keyboardist for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and his mother Stelma Sancious, an educator in Neptune and Belmar. David Sancious is the music legend who played keyboards on Springsteen’s first two albums, “Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ” and “The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle.” The public piano will provide opportunities to bring live music to Belmar year round and allow young musicians the opportunity to play and practice their skills.
New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic Foundation
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April 2023 - The Gia Maione Prima Foundation is proud to announce the sponsorship with New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic Foundation (NOMC). NOMC provides comprehensive and preventive health care, wellness, education, mental health and social services to local musicians, performing artists, cultural workers and traditional bearers. An upcoming art and music initiative called “INSTRUMENTHEAD: LIVE” will take place April 28 through May 7, 2023. All funds raised will go directly to support NOMC.
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Click here to learn about New Orleans Musicians Clinic Foundation
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Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College – Amanda Anne Platt and the Honeycutters
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May 2022 - The GMP Foundation sponsored the performance of Amanda Anne Platt and the Honeycutters at 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 on May 27, 2022. The event is part of a concert series and will include a songwriter workshop conducted by Amanda Anne Platt for students of the Grunin Performing Arts Academy.
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Click here to read news article regarding the performance by
Amanda Anne Platt and the Honeycutters
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Click here to read news article regarding the performance by
Amanda Anne Platt and the Honeycutters and Songwriting Workshop
South Orange Performing Arts Center
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May 2022 - Gia Maione Prima Foundation has announced that it will sponsor the performances of the gifted singer-songwriters and guitarists Anders Osborne and Jackie Greene through a donation to South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC). The show is scheduled for May 29, 2022 and will include an opening performance by Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters.
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Click here to learn more about the event
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Click here to read the Press Release to learn more about the performances
New Orleans Jazz Museum/Improvisations Gala
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April 2022 - The GMPF announced the sponsorship of the 2022 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. Gala. The event will be held on April 28, 2022 at the Sazerac House in New Orleans. Proceeds will support the Don Jamison Heritage School of Music which offers free lessons taught by the finest musicians and educators to more than 300 school-aged students. The Heritage School of Music is the Foundation’s longest standing education program.
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Click here to learn more about the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Gala
New Orleans Jazz Museum/Improvisations Gala
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December 2020 - The Gia Maione Prima Foundation gladly supported the 4th Annual Improvisations Gala. All proceeds from Improvisations will help to enhance exhibits, events, music and educational programming for the new generation of musicians and the Jazz Museum Education Center that will allow the Jazz Museum to globally promote jazz. The Gala featured some of the finest and national musical talents that included Trumpet Mafia, accompanied by N’Awlins D’awlins Baby Dolls, Original Wild Tchoupitoulas Indians led by Big Queen Mary K. Stevenson, George Porter, Jr., & Runnin Pardners, Charmaine Neville Band, Bo Dollis, Jr. & The Wild Magnolias, Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet, Gabrielle Cavassa Band, Jelani Bauman Band with Jesse McBride, Herlin Riley and Gregg Stafford, Majhmoud Chouki Band with Oscar Rossignoli and special guest Detroit Brooks and choreographed performances by the NOLA Chorus Girls.
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Click here to learn more about the NO Jazz Museum/Improvisations Gala
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NJArts.net
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December 2020 - The GMP Foundation has been recognized as a “Founding Supporter” of NJArts.net, a non-profit that provides news coverage for all forms of art in New Jersey. NJArts.net has become one of the most important media outlets for New Jersey’s arts activities.
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The NOCCA Institute – Home for the Holidays
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December 2020 - GMPF is proud to sponsor the 16th Annual Home for the Holidays. The virtual event is an annual fundraising concert in support of the Daniel Price Memorial Fund for Aspiring Artists at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA). The Daniel Price Memorial Fund is part of The NOCCA Institute's Student Success program that provides the region's talented students year-long support for arts training supplies, private music lessons, school organized audition travel, college dual enrollment fees, attendance at scholarship-accruing pre-college intensive arts programs across the county, broadband connectivity and emergency food support.
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Horns to Havana
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October 2020 - Gia Maione Prima Foundation proudly announces a multi-year partnership with New York City-based Horns to Havana with support from New Orleans-based Trombone Shorty Foundation. The collaboration kicked-off when Trombone Shorty Foundation’s Executive Director Bill Taylor traveled to Cuba with the Horns to Havana team to participate in an instrument donation program that sent eight new horns to music students in one of the partner schools of Horns to Havana, Conservatorio Amadeo Roldán, a leading music school in Cuba that is based in Havana, the country’s capital. 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 read the November/December 2020 Newsletter
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Click here to read the September/October 2020 Newsletter
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Click here to read the May/June 2019 newsletter
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Click here to read the March/April 2019 newsletter
Click here to read the press release
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Click here to read more about Horns for Havana on Nola.com
Trombone Shorty Foundation – Virtual Shorty Fest
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September 2020 - GGMPF has partnered with the Trombone Shorty Foundation to sponsor the 2020 virtual Shorty Fest. The virtual event featured historic performances by Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue along with Galactic, Anders Osborne, Tank and the Bangas, The Soul Rebels, plus students of the Trombone Shorty Academy. All proceeds support the Trombone Shorty Foundation’s educational programs that include traditional jazz music education, instruction, mentorship and performance designed to provide opportunities for the next generation of NOLA jazz artists.
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Click here to learn about the Trombone Shorty Foundation
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Click here to read about Virtual Shorty Fest
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New Orleans Arts and Cultural Host Committee/Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp
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August 2020 - Gia Maione Prima Foundation proudly announces a multi-year partnership with the New Orleans Arts and Cultural Host Committee to 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 along with developing leadership, teamwork, problem solving skills, good citizenship, 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. A money management workshop is also offered to all students.
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Louisiana Museum Foundation/New Orleans Jazz Museum
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June 2020 - GMPF is proud to sponsor the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s Education Outreach Program. The program will provide needed resources to support music education programs that will afford online learning opportunities to students and share unique music and culture to future generations.
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Click here to read Press Release regarding the Cultural Exchange Program
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Click here to read Press Release regarding the Cultural Exchange Program
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA)
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May 2020 - The inaugural Gia Maione Prima Foundation Visual Arts Award was presented to Sully Howard, graduating senior of NOCCA. NOCCA is a regional, pre-professional arts training center that offers students intensive instruction in culinary arts, dance, media arts: filmmaking & audio production, music (classical, jazz, vocal), theatre arts, visual arts and creative writing. Additional scholarships were awarded to Ian Kansas and Kiara Robinson Taylor, Penelope Stryjewski and RiKailah Mathieu, graduating seniors in the musical theatre and visual art departments.
WWOZ – Jazz Festing in Place: An On-Air Festival
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April 2020 - GMP Foundation proudly supports “Jazz Festing In Place: An On-Air Festival” for 8 days during the originally scheduled JazzFest. They will be highlighting some of the best performances in the history of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. WWOZ will air the rarely heard “Fire Benefit” from 1974 featuring Professor Longhair, the Wild Magnolias and Dr. John. The 8-day broadcast will include performances by Fats Domino, The Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas, Preservation Hall Jazz band, Trombone Shorty and other artists
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Click here to read about Jazz Festing in Place
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Click here to read about Jazz Festing In Place Archival Audio
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation/Jazz Heritage Music Relief Fund
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April 2020 - The GMP Foundation proudly supported The Jazz & Heritage Music Relief Fund by providing an emergency grant to assist Louisiana musicians whose livelihoods have been adversely impacted by COVID-19.
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February 2020 - Gia Maione Prima Foundation (GMPF) agreed to a multi-year grant to support Max’s Kansas City Project. The Max’s Kansas Project embraces the philosophy of Mickey Ruskin, the creator of Max’s Kansas City and was established in his memory in 2001 by Ruskin’s widow, Yvonne Sewall. Mickey Ruskin was a true patron of the arts who proved a refuge, a home-away-from-home for everybody who was anybody in the arts, many of whom are now famous. The grant is designated to support the Emergency Relief and Resource Fund in the category of jazz musicians, vocalists and/or artists and the Fearless Youth program designed to introduce creative arts as an outlet to meet the challenges of life in constructive ways. GMPF grants were offered to Henry Jones, independent film maker and animator and teen awards to Nathalie Bennett and Mack Williams.
Getting Funky in Havana
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January 2020 - Gia Maione Prima Foundation has partnered with New York City based Horns to Havana to support a five-day cultural exchange program, “Getting Funky in Havana.” The trip will feature a concert series of leading New Orleans bands who will join forces with Cuba’s top musical talent. The initiative will create immersive cultural experiences with Cuban artists, musicians and other creatives. The project program will include a visit to Amadeo Roldan Music Conservatory to donate instruments to Cuban students and community projects. The cultural exchange program is heavily focused on supporting the Cuban people as well as the young New Orleans musicians from the Trombone Shorty Foundation.
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Click here to read Press Release regarding the Cultural Exchange Program
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Click here to read about Getting Funky in Havana Cultural program
Click here to read about Getting Funky in Havana Cultural program on Nola.com
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Click here to read about Getting Funky in Havana Cultural program on Plenglish.com
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Click here to read about Getting Funky in Havana Cultural program on Billboard.com
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Click here to view a segment on WWLTV.com about Getting Funk in Havana
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Click here to read about Getting Funky in Havana Cultural Program article
The First Tee of Greater New Orleans
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Gia Maione Prima Foundation proudly announces a multi-year partnership with First Tee of Greater New Orleans. The First Tee curriculum is based on the Nine Core Values which are essential to young people to make positive choices and overcome challenges while learning the lifelong sport of golf. The grant will support the transportation needs of students from diverse ethnic backgrounds and the expansion of the summer camp programs. The partnership will have a profound impact to reach low-income, underserved youth by building a bridge for these youth to attend programming that they would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience.
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Click here to read Press Release regarding the partnership
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Tunes for Toys
The GMPF has agreed to sponsor the 2019 “Tunes for Toys” Concert. The sponsorship supports the fundraiser produced by Trombone Shorty Foundation. The Trombone Shorty Foundation provides music education, mentoring and new instruments of young New Orleans musicians. The holiday charity concert will take place on December 19 at Tipitina’s. Trombone Shorty will perform and the price of admission is a new toy which will later be donated to the children of New Orleans.
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Click here to learn more about the 2019 "Tunes for Toys" Concert
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Click here to learn more about the 2018 "Tunes for Toys" Concert
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Click here to learn more about the 2017 "Tunes for Toys" Concert
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Click here to learn more about the 2016 "Tunes for Toys" Concert
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Click here to learn more about the 2015 "Tunes for Toys" Concert
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State Theatre New Jersey
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Gia Maione Prima Foundation is proudly sponsoring the Blue Note Records 80th Anniversary Tour at the State Theatre New Jersey. Blue Note Records is widely considered to be one of the most important jazz record labels in the world. The tour is scheduled for November 6, 2019 and will celebrate Blue Note Records 80th Anniversary. The show will present three diverse artists, pianist James Francies, saxophonist James Carter with his Organ Trio and vocalist Kandace Springs as well as a special performance by Jeffery Miller, scholarship winner of the 2013 ASCAP Foundation Louis Prima Award.
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Click here to read more about Blue Records 80th Birthday Celebration
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Click here to read more about the Blue Records 80th Birthday Celebration
NJCU Alumni Jazz Big Band
Gia Maione Prima Foundation is sponsoring the 7th Annual NJCU Alumni Jazz Big Band Concert on Friday, September 6 at 6:00 p.m. on the J. Owen Grundy Pier, Exchange Place, in Jersey City. The free concert will be conducted by Professor Emeritus Richard Lowenthal and it will salute the 100th birthdays for Nat King Cole and Art Blakey, and will feature trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and vocalists Allan Harris and Antoinette Montague. The all-star big band includes drummer Rick DeRosa, sax players Mark Friedman, Bob Magnusson, Dave Noland, Dustyn Richardson, and John DiSanto; trumpeters Alex Norris, Nate Eklund and Vinnie Cutro; trombonists Rob Edwards, Mike Modero, and Conrad Zulauf; and faculty member Garry Dial on piano. The big band will also feature three students: bassist John Benitez, trombonist Juanga Lakunza, and trumpeter Alejandro Pizarro-Leon.
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Click here to learn more about the NJCU Alumni Jazz Big Band Concert
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Click here to read the press release regarding the 7th Annual NJCU Alumni Jazz Big Band Concert
Jazz House Kids
The GMPF renewed its partnership with Jazz House Kids. The renewed pledge will continue to support the Louis Prima and Gia Maione Prima Scholars Fund. The multi-year grant will provide tuition assistance to children from low-income families across New Jersey in jazz education and performance programs and its nationally recognized Jazz House Summer Workshop. The Scholars Fund was established to honor the life and legacy of Louis Prima and Gia Maione Prima and their commitment to music education. Jazz House Kids has gained a national reputation by helping students gain an “artistic edge” through music, mentoring, education and apprenticeship. Special programming is planned to celebrate Louis Prima’s 110th birthday at the 2020 Montclair Jazz Festival.
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Click Here to learn more about Jazz House Kids
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Summer Jazz Concerts at the College of Saint Elizabeth
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Gia Maione Prima Foundation is sponsoring the Summer Jazz Concerts at the College of Saint Elizabeth located in Morristown, New Jersey. The concert series will be held on Wednesdays during the month of July 2019 and will include performances by Louis Prima, Jr. and the Witnesses, Nicki Parrott Trio with Rossano Sportiello and Harry Allen, Danny Bacher and His All-Stars and The Bishop and His Abbotts featuring Rio Clemente, Flip Peters, Gene Perla and Bill Goodwin.
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Count Basie Center for the Arts
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Gia Maione Prima Foundation entered in an agreement with the Count Basie Center for the Arts. The agreement will benefit the $27 million expansion of the Count Basie Center to create a world-class creative campus for art education, culture and the performing arts. The endowment will also support Louis Prima Summer Jazz Camp and Louis Prima Concert series. In recognition of the partnership, the Second Space Lobby located in the Grunin Arts and Education Building will be named the “Prima Lobby” and will highlight the GMPF’s importance of American Jazz, American popular music, jazz performance and the fine arts.
Louisiana Museum Foundation/New Orleans Jazz Museum
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Gia Maione Prima Foundation has entered in an agreement with the Louisiana Museum Foundation for the New Orleans Jazz Museum to sponsor an exhibition, “The Wildest: Louis Prima Comes Home.” The exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of Louis Prima will open on May 1, 2019 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Artifacts highlighted in the exhibition include Louis Prima 1958 Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Vocal Group or Chorus for “That Old Black Magic.” Other items on display consist of instruments, stage wear, videos, music, photographs and Gold Records for the Jungle Book and Capitol Records Collectors Series. The free exhibit is open to the public and will run through May 15, 2020.
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Click here to read about the exhibition at the New Orleans Jazz Museum
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Click here for information about the opening of the exhibition,
The Wildest: Louis Prima Comes Home
Click here to read news about the opening of the exhibition,
The Wildest: Louis Prima Comes Home on bizneworleans.com
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Click here to read news about the opening of the exhibition,
The Wildest: Louis Prima Comes Home on theadvocate.com
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Click here to read news about the opening of the exhibition,
The Wildest: Louis Prima Comes Home on wwltv.com
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Click here to see WGNO’s interview with Lena Prima re the exhibition,
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
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Gia Maione Prima Foundation has agreed to entered in a multi-year sponsorship with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) to support Music For Life Program. Music for Life Program offers instrumental music education to low income students in underserved segment of the New Orleans population. The Program provides mentoring from orchestra musicians to develop life skills, musicianship and offers relationships with positive role models. All instruments and program costs are free to participating students.
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Click here to read the press release announcing the sponsorship
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Click here to read news about the sponsorship supporting Music for Life program
Louisiana SPCA
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In 2018, GMPF proudly announced a sponsorship with Louisiana SPCA which supports animal welfare in New Orleans. On November 7, 2018, trustee Kathryn Knight attended the Louisiana SPCA’s Dorothy Dorsett Brown Humanitarian Award Presentation.
Army Distaff Foundation, Inc.
GMPF and the Army Distaff Foundation, Inc. has entered into a partnership to assist veterans of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War in financial hardship as well as well as supporting the Gift of Music Programming.
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Positive Vibrations Foundation - Send Me A Friend
GMPF has partnered with Send Me A Friend (SMAF), a project of Positive Vibrations Foundation located in New Orleans. The program is designed for “creatives” seeking recovery from substance misuse. Their mission is to support newly-sober musicians and music industry professionals who are in early recovery. SMAF has developed a national network of over 1,500 volunteer “Friends” who are on-call and offer a helping hand and source of support by attending recovering musicians’ gigs. SMAF’s newest initiative is a series of monthly “lifeshops” designed to educate, support and serve musicians. The program was launched by New Orleans’ musician Anders Osborne and Bill Taylor to help musicians in work environments.
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Click Here to learn more about Send Me A Friend
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Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College
GMPF entered in a multi-year partnership with the Ocean County College Foundation, Ocean County College and Ocean County Vocation Technical School Performing Arts Academy. The partnership will benefit the expansion of the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts which is located on the OCC main campus in Toms River. The endowment will support programming and celebrate the works of the Louis Prima and Gia Maione Prima. In recognition of the partnership, the new theater will be named the Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre.
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Pictured left to right: Ken Malagiere (Executive Director of Ocean County College Foundation) Carl Van Thulin (Chair of the Ocean County College Board of Trustees) Heidi Sheridan (Dean of Arts & Humanities) Mark Wilson (Director of Cultural Affairs, Director of The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts) Anthony J. Sylvester (GMPF Trustee) Jon H. Larson, Ph.D. (President of Ocean County College) Jeremy Grunin (President of The Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation)
Pictured left to right: Ken Malagiere (Executive Director of Ocean County College Foundation) Carl Van Thulin (Chair of the Ocean County College Board of Trustees) Heidi Sheridan (Dean of Arts & Humanities) Mark Wilson (Director of Cultural Affairs, Director of The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts) Anthony J. Sylvester (GMPF Trustee) Jon H. Larson, Ph.D. (President of Ocean County College) Jeremy Grunin (President of The Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation)
Asbury Music Foundation
GMPF is proudly sponsoring the Asbury Park Music Foundation Youth Music Program. The program “Music Mondays” offers free concerts throughout the summer. The series of concerts offer diverse styles of music . The series is part of Asbury Park Music Foundation’s goal to unite the community, support local musicians and inspire under-served youth with life changing music education. In conjunction with the sponsorship, Louis Prima, Jr. and the Witnesses will be performing on Monday August 13, 2018.
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Click here to see the full schedule of "Music Mondays" concerts for this summer
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA)
On May 21, 2018, Trustee, Kathryn Knight attended the Scholarship Awards Ceremony at NOCCA. NOCCA is a regional, pre-professional arts training center that offers students intensive instruction in culinary arts, dance, media arts: filmmaking & audio production, music (classical, jazz, vocal), theatre arts, visual arts and creative writing. She presented the inaugural Gia Maione Prima Foundation Scholarship to two outstanding students, Madeleine Bourgeous and Trevon Sullen-Trotter. Both students have impressive academic records and are artistically talented students. Madeleine plans to continue her studies in Musical Theatre at Texas State University and Trevon will attend the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
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Click here to learn more about NOCCA Institute and Madeleine Bourgeois and Trevon Sullen-Trotter
2018 GRAMMY Camp
In December, 2017, the GMPF and the GRAMMY Foundation renewed their partnership to support the 2018 GRAMMY Camp – Jazz Session which takes place in New York City during GRAMMY week of January 23 through January 29, 2018. GRAMMY Band brings together the top high school jazz musicians in America to perform and record in a professional settings. The program goals are to encourage young people to pursue jazz as a discipline, provide students with the opportunity to learn from seasoned jazz musicians that include GRAMMY winners and nominees and prepare participants for a professional career in music. The selected students will be performing at premiere jazz venues and at official GRAMMY week functions alongside GRAMMY nominees, winners and other music professionals. They will also attend the GRAMMY Awards on January 28, 2018. MY Awards.
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Click here to read the press release announcing the 2018 GRAMMY Camp
Click Here to learn more about the 2017 Grammy Jazz Tour
Click Here to learn more about GRAMMY In The Schools – GRAMMY Camp Jazz Session
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Click Here to read about GRAMMY In The Schools on Broadwayworld.com
Northshore Community Foundation
GMPF has partnered with the Northshore Community Foundation in supporting the Dick Knight Award. The spirit of the award is to recognize and reward a Northshore nonprofit staff for their diligence, commitment, resiliency, vision and excellence to the Louisiana region. On November 14, 2017, Dianne Baham, Executive Director of STARC of Louisiana was awarded the 2017 recipient of the Dick Knight Award.
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Click here to read the press release
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School Groove
The GMPF Foundation has agreed to sponsor WWOZ Program entitled School Groove (formerly known as “Cuttin Class”). Since 2013, WWOZ 90.7FM has produced a half-hour live radio program spotlighting Greater New Orleans’ school bands. School Grove serves as a platform to demonstrate the critical role of music education. Band directors explain how music education enables students to learn discipline, commitment and focus which strengthens a student’s overall academic performance.
May 2018 performance by Young Audiences Charter School in Gretna
May 2018 performance by Young Audiences Charter School in Gretna
Warren Easton Charter High School Foundation
April 2017 – The GMPF entered into a multi-year Agreement with Warren Easton Charter High School Foundation. Warren Easton Charter High School has been a leader in the field of music education. Some legends who attended Warren Easton included Louis Prima, Pete Foundation and Troy Andrews (Trombone Shorty). The sponsorship will benefit the Warren Easton Summer Music Camp. The camp offers summer music instruction, jazz, marching, choreography, concert band and percussion. Specialized instruction will include a NOCCA/Prima Foundation Scholar.
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Click Here to learn more Warren Easton Charter School
Click Here to learn more about Warren Easton's Summer Enrichment Camps
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Anthony J. Sylvester, Trustee presents check for sponsorship of the Warren Easton Summer Music Camp
Anthony J. Sylvester, Trustee presents check for sponsorship of the Warren Easton Summer Music Camp
New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Sounds of the City
The GMPF has agreed to sponsor New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s (NJPAC) free outdoor summer concert series, Sounds of the City. On August 10, 2017, GMPF will bring Louis Prima, Jr. and the Witnesses to NJPAC. The Horizon Foundation Sounds of the City has become the most recognizable entertainment brand among a diverse demographic. The concert series which brings the very best local, national and international performing artists kicks off on July 6th through August 31, 2017. Performances are consecutive Thursday evenings and are held in the Arts Center’s Chambers Plaza from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
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Saint Vincent Academy
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On October 24, 2016, Linda Consolazio presented the Gia Maione Prima Foundation Scholarship to Seniar Raines, student of St. Vincent Academy. Ms. Raines is an artistically talented student whose aspiration is to become a world class musician. She is a self-taught bassist and pianist and has attended the Rutgers Youth Jazz Ensemble at the Mason Gross School of Performing Arts at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey. This past summer she studied and performed with the NJPAC All Female Jazz Residence Ensemble in Newark, New Jersey.
Click Here to read the biography of Seniar Raines
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Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival
GMPF is sponsoring the Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival to be held on Saturday, August 20, 2016 on the Green located in the center of Morristown, New Jersey. This year’s festival will include performances by Louis Prima, Jr. and the Witnesses, George Gee Swing Orchestra, The Bucky Pizzarelli Quartet, Quinn Sullivan and Robert Randolph and the Family Band.
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Click Here to learn more about Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival
Morris Museum
GMPF is sponsoring the Morris Museum’s Arts Education programs for children. Morris Museum’s mission is to celebrate art, science and history by providing engaging exhibitions and education programs, all of which are designed to promote cultural interests. The Morris Museum serves nearly 400,000 individuals annually, over half of which are children. The Museum offers education programs for children that include guided gallery tours of exhibitions, hands-on workshops, summer enrichment programs, studio art classes and festivals and has developed pioneering programs to enrich the lives of children in underserved communities, as well as those with disabilities. In conjunction with the sponsorship of GMPF, Louis Prima, Jr. and the Witnesses will be performing on Thursday, August 18, 2016.
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Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
On January 21, 2016, the GMPF and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) entered into a Sponsorship Agreement to support Band Together: Tribute to Louis Prima and the LPO Opus Ball. The ambition of the Band Together program is to deepen New Orleans high school students’ understanding of their cultural heritage by fusing traditional orchestral elements with New Orleans musical history. Band Together will be held November 29, 2017. The Opus Ball is scheduled for March 18, 2017.
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Click Here to learn more about the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Count Basie Theatre
The GMPF entered into a four year Agreement to support the Count Basie Theatre’s Bus-in program commencing 2016 through 2019. The Bus-in program targets and sponsors the attendance of students from Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The Theatre has a strong commitment to education and outreach initiatives as well as operating the Performing Arts Academy. The first year of the program will include a performance of Louis Prima Jr. and The Witnesses on May 18 and May 19, 2016 with a pre-show reception on May 19 to celebrate what would have been 75th birthday of Gia Prima.
​Hogan Jazz Archive of Tulane University
On September 10, 2015, the GMPF and Tulane University entered into an Agreement whereby Tulane University will maintain and preserve the Archives of Louis Prima. This collaboration was essentially designed to continue the legacy of Louis Prima and support and encourage an appreciation for American Jazz, American Popular Music and jazz performers. The University will permanently display significant items from the Archives in a room entitled the Louis Prima Room dedicated to Hogan Jazz Archive (a department of the Special Collections Division of the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library) located in Jones Hall. Furthermore, the Agreement allows for a Louis and Gia Maione Prima Music Fellow to be selected annually and Tulane University will host every two years a Louis Prima Memorial Concert, recital, conference, lecture or other musical event.
Click here to read the press release on the Tulane University website
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Louisiana State Museum
Gia Prima Trust entered into a Loan Agreement with the Louisiana State Museum where items from the Louis Prima archives were on display at the Old US Mint in an exhibit entitled “Keeping Time: Extraordinary Images from Louisiana Musical Past” in connection with SATCHMO Feast. The exhibit took place from July 30, 2014 through July 30, 2015.
Archives on display included Louis Prima’s trumpet. Gia Prima proudly displayed this beloved trumpet of her husband in her home during the decades following his death in 1978. Other archive items included sheet music of “Oh Marie” and photograph of Louis Prima.
Toms River High School South
On June 2, 2016, Anthony J. Sylvester attended the Scholarship Awards Ceremony at Toms River High School South, alma mater of Gia Maione Prima. He presented the inaugural Gia Maione Prima Foundation Scholarship to two outstanding students. The Gia Maione Prima Scholarship will be awarded annually through the Toms River South Alumni Association.
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Click Here if you would like to read the Toms River South Alumni Association media advisory
Jazz on the Bayou
In 2015, GMPF became a corporate sponsor of Jazz on the Bayou. This annual event benefits the Louisiana Easter Seals and STARC. The two day event is a fundraiser and backyard festival which features signature dishes from local restaurants, live and silent auctions and performances by the internationally acclaimed Ronnie Kole.
New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts
Gia Maione Prima was a singer and an artist who was devotee to the fine arts. The GMPF supports the advancement of cultural growth in the New Orleans community. In June 2015, the Gia Maione Prima Foundation supported the 2015 annual student exhibition scholarship/award of The New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts. The Award was given to an outstanding student who had shown outstanding accomplishment and dedication to fine arts.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc.
GMPF entered into a Gift Agreement with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Foundation, Inc. to support a state-of the-art education and community center called the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center. The 12,500-square-foot Center has seven classrooms dedicated to individual elements of music: piano, strings, bass percussion, brass, vocals and reeds along with a 200-seat performance hall. The Center will go a long way to preserve and protect the musical legacy of New Orleans in the Treme neighborhood, which has become the place most closely associated with New Orleans music and culture.
On July 31, 2014, the Jazz & Heritage Foundation announced that it will recognize the Prima Foundation’s donation by naming a room, the Louis Prima and Gia Maione Prima Foundation, Inc. Brass Instrument Room. Louis Prima, one of New Orleans’ most renowned and beloved jazz musicians has always believed in helping young people learn the joy of making music and in supporting his fellow musicians. This partnership with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation will have a lasting impact on music education in New Orleans.
Click here to learn more about the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center on Nola.com
Friends of the Dew Drop / JazzKids Music
In August 2015, the GMPF sponsored JazzKids Music Education Program. The program is being piloted at the historical Dew Drop Jazz Hall in Mandeville. The all-volunteer non-profit organization provides free education music programs for multiple St. Tammany Parish schools. The program includes field trips, assembly programs and masterclasses for local school classes and student civic groups. It enlists the services of some of the most critically admired jazz musicians in the New Orleans area.
Click here to read about the JazzKids Music Education Program on Nola.com
Click here to read about the JazzKids Music Education Program in the New Orleans Advocate
Click here to view a video of some Jazz Kids events held by the Dew Drop Hall
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