NEW ORLEANS (11/30/2021) - Please join the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) as it hosts its 1st Annual Big Beat Gala on Saturday, December 4th, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. The Queen of Bounce music, Big Freedia, will serve as the host for the evening, with a culminating tribute performance to Allen Toussaint from the Grammy award-winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.

The Big Beat Gala is co-chaired by renowned author Walter Isaacson, LaVerne Toombs, former Executive Director of the New Orleans Black Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Adonis Rose, NOJO's Artistic Director.

"It is an incredible honor to serve as a co-chair along with Walter Isaacson in support of this amazing event. The Big Beat Gala is sure to be a fun night all while raising funds to support NOJO's mission of continuing and preserving the legacy of Jazz music and providing opportunities to spread New Orleans' unique musical culture further," said LaVerne Toombs.

New Orleans Jazz Orchestra is excited to reopen its New Orleans Jazz Market after 18-months of being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, welcoming music lovers back into their space. NOJO will continue to provide space for unique performances, events, and more, as well as employing over 20 musicians for performance this Fall. Funds raised from the Gala will directly benefit the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra programs, its musicians, and programs for students in 2021 and beyond.

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For more information about The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, visit www.thenojo.com, follow @nolanojo on all social media platforms and contact at amshabandareh@gmail.com.

New Orleans Jazz Orchestra will require all guests who attend performances to provide a valid, complete Covid-19 vaccination card OR proof of a negative PCR Covid-19 test (performed within the previous 72 hours) prior to entry into the venue, until further notice. Masking of all attendees are encouraged.