The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is synonymous with New Orleans—the brand “JazzFest” instantly recognizable by music lovers from across the country and around the world. But fewer folks know about the foundation that brings this iconic event to life. Founded in 1970, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation (NOJHF) has played a role in creating many of the Crescent City’s most distinctive events and traditions. The organization’s mission statement is clear: “The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. promotes, preserves, perpetuates, and encourages the music, culture, and heritage of communities in Louisiana through festivals, programs, and other cultural, educational, civic, and economic activities.” The three-pronged goal: to Teach, Build and Celebrate the culture of New Orleans.
Teach!
The Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music was launched in 1990 to provide free after-school music instruction to area kids. Today it is the NOJHF’s signature education program. In 2016 a free beginners’ music program was established to give children from all walks of life opportunities to study music. A year later, the NORD Vocal Workshops series was launched, increasing the reach and accessibility of music education throughout New Orleans. Additional programs such as Pro Audio Workshops, the Tom Dent Congo Square Lecture Series, and a partnership with the Quimper-based music organization Apreèm Jazz to facilitate cultural exchanges between young musicians in New Orleans and France.
Build!
During the last decade, The NOJHF has distributed more than $13.5 million in grants across Louisiana through the Community Partnership Grant program. These funds have expanded access to arts education into countless schools, artists’ communities, and art-based nonprofits around the state. The Foundation also provides business development and entrepreneurial support services, which are delivered via programs such as the Sync Up series and the Catapult Fund.
Celebrate!
Anyone who has experienced the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival knows that no greater celebration of New Orleans’ music, food, and art culture exists on the Crescent City’s annual calendar. But after the crowds go home, NOJHF continues working year-round. With a full calendar of concerts and teaching workshops, educational programs such as the NORD Vocal Workshop and Class Got Brass series, plus annual festivals including the Congo Square Rhythms Festival, Johnny Jackson Jr’s Gospel Is Alive! Celebration, Fiesta Latina and the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival, the NOJHF remains a lighthouse for education, community support, and cultural preservation that celebrates Louisiana culture and community all year round.
2026 Jazz & Heritage Gala Celebrates One Love!
This spring, you can help support all three goals by attending the 2026 Jazz & Heritage Gala, celebrating the theme From Kingston to Congo Square: One Love, One Music, One People! This traditional launch party assembles artists, musicians, and festival supporters together, to ring in the 2026 festival with an evening of captivating performances, cuisine, and dancing at Generations Hall. The gala serves as a tantalizing appetizer to the 2026 JazzFest (April 23–May 3), and offers chances to meet and mingle with musicians, artists, and supporters of the NOJHF who make it all possible. From funding Community Partnership Grants that support arts and culture programming, to underwriting free music lessons for children who attend the Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music, every dollar raised supports NOJHF’s initiatives to teach, build, and celebrate Louisiana culture.
So mark your calendars, and come out to eat, drink, dance, and celebrate our One Love for Louisiana culture. 7pm–10pm on Wednesday, April 22 at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Drive, New Orleans. For tickets, to bid on or donate an item to the Silent Auction, or learn about sponsorship options, click HERE.
Learn about more ways to fuel the foundation that fuels the fests at jazzandheritage.org.
