NEW ORLEANS (press release) – On June 21, New Orleans native and multi-award winning musician & composer Jon Batiste will perform at the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the President of the French Republic in Paris, as part of the annual celebration “Fête de la Musique.”
During his historic visit to New Orleans last December, President Emmanuel Macron invited Louisiana to participate as the Guest of Honor in his 2023 Fête de la Musique Garden Party. This event will highlight the deep and historic ties between France and Louisiana as Jon Batiste will be playing with French-Lebanese award-winning trumpet player, composer and producer Ibrahim Maalouf, and world class New Orleans-based jazz legends Herlin Riley, Mitchell Player and Mahmoud Chouki.
Consul general of France in Louisiana Nathalie Beras stated : “We are thrilled that Louisiana has been invited by President Macron for this unique event. In the speech he gave during his visit last December, he expressed his desire to include the State in France’s future initiatives in favor of Francophonie, such as the forthcoming Cité Internationale de la Langue française in Villers-Cotterêts. This Fête de la Musique is a strong sign of our deep cooperation in many areas, including music, of course, and I’d like to thank Greg Lambousy, Executive Director of the New Orleans Jazz Museum, for his help putting together this exceptional group of New Orleans talent.”
New Orleans Jazz Museum Executive Director Greg Lambousy also declared : “We are so excited to send some of the best New Orleans musicians to Paris for the week of Fete de La Musique. President Macron has shined a special light on New Orleans and we are responding in kind. Music and cinema are intertwined. Jon Batiste will perform with iconic New Orleans musicians Herlin Riley, Mitchell Player and Gallatin Street Records artist, Mahmoud Choucki, helping to strengthen ties between the two cities in music and film production.”
This initiative is also supported by major donors including the George & Joyce Wein Foundation, Inc, James Hilsop Douglas and Randy Fertel.
The Fête de la Musique is a French annual music celebration that was launched in 1982 on the summer solstice (June 21). Festivities during which citizens and residents are invited to play music outside, in their neighborhoods or in public spaces and parks are now organized in many countries.
