Department of Culture, Recreation, & Tourism
NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Jazz Museum is proud to announce the opening of its new exhibit, Congo Square to the World: Early Jazz in New Orleans which is set to open on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The Museum`s latest exhibit focuses on the origins of jazz music and culture here in the very place the genre was born.
"As we celebrate the Year of Music in Louisiana, we cannot overlook the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans Jazz," says Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. "We are happy to present this new exhibit to visitors from all over the world as a way of celebrating its unique legacy."
The exhibit will chronicle the history and evolution of New Orleans jazz, exploring its diverse roots and varied trajectory, as well as highlighting the lives and legacies of key performers such as Buddy Bolden, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Lizzie Miles, and Jelly Roll Morton.
The exhibit will include interactive technology, listening stations, multimedia installations, immersive experiences, and built environments optimized to convey the story of early jazz and its ongoing evolution. Visitors will be able to view instruments, photographs, recordings, sheet music, and other historical artifacts from the museum`s 30,000-piece collection to truly appreciate the ingenuity and innovation of some of New Orleans` greatest musicians who have not only impacted the local music scene, but also the global music community.
"We hope that this new exhibit will serve to educate our visitors about the rich history of what is considered New Orleans` quintessential art form." says Greg Lambousy, Director of the New Orleans Jazz Museum. "We are excited to showcase some of the never-before-seen artifacts from the Museum`s extensive collection and engage the public to further explore our city`s music legacy."
Opening on Thursday, April 11, Congo Square to the World: Early Jazz in New Orleans will begin with a celebratory reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the second floor of the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
About the New Orleans Jazz Museum The New Orleans Jazz Museum`s mission is to celebrates jazz, in all its forms, by showcasing dynamic and interactive exhibits; developing multi-generational, educational programming; being a hub for music research; and hosting musical performances for local, national and global artists so museum visitors can fully explore America`s quintessential musical art form in the city where jazz was born. All of the museum`s programming is made possible by funds raised at its annual Improvisations Gala which is set to make its return December 7, 2024.