One of the distinct privileges we have living here in New Orleans is being surrounded on a near-constant basis by incredible music. Known as the birthplace of jazz and the home to more than 65 festivals, New Orleans has a way of literally bringing people to their feet.
On that note, I hope you get the chance to attend the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which was founded more than 50 years ago as a celebration of New Orleans music, culture and food. Jazz Fest brings tens of thousands of people from around the world to our city every year, all hoping they can get a small taste of what we enjoy year-round.
Starting Friday, you can see some of our Grammy Award-winning faculty and stellar students bringing New Orleans sound to the stage. Dr. Jeff Albert, Jason Mingledorff, Matt Lemmler and Ed Wise – together with Loyola alumnus Brian Blade on drums - perform Friday with John Mahoney’s Big Band. Loyola student Zahria Sims can be spotted on the festival stage singing with Big Sam’s Funky Nation. The list goes on and on for two consecutive weekends, as the Wolf Pack shows the world how it’s done.
You’ll have a chance to see the Loyola Jazz Ensemble in action, or instructor Jason Mingledorff and the New Orleans Nightcrawlers, who won their first Grammy last year for Best Roots album. Don’t get me started on our amazing alumni, who range from Robert " Wayne" Maureau and his many bands, to Galactic and this year’s honorary degree recipient the great George Porter, Jr.
Hundreds – literally, hundreds – of Loyola students and alumni help to make up the incredible workforce that deploys New Orleans' top festivals. They hold jobs in festival management, artist relations, sound production, even transport. Many go on to become industry leaders, working for companies and festivals such as Sony, Buku, and Coachella.
As we return to full time festival season following a challenging two-year hiatus, it’s important to give credit where credit is due, and to celebrate the incredible talent we have here at Loyola and bring to the stage. Please join me in thanking all the workers, volunteers and performers who help make New Orleans – and Loyola – such an amazing place to live, work and play.
See you at the Fest,
Kern Maass
Dean of the College of Music and Media
