It was a moveable musical feast when the New Orleans Jazz Museum held its seventh annual Improvisations Gala presented by The Herb Alpert Foundation. Held Dec. 7, performances took place over the Old U.S. Mint historic complex, with a line-up that included Cimafunk, Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, New Breed Bass Band, Amina Scott, the NOLA Jazz Museum Band with Detroit Brooks, Kristin Diable Band, Little Freddie King, Erica Falls, Britney Chauntae Band, Wanda Rouzan & A Taste of New Orleans, NOCCA Jazz Ensemble, international bands from Taiwan and Honduras, and local culture bearers and dance troupes.
A special tribute was given to Herb Alpert, who with the Herb Alpert Foundation has been the presenting sponsor of the gala for several years and recently provided a $5.3 million matching grant to kick off the museum’s capital campaign. Another tribute was for the late Eric Paulsen, who had served as the event emcee in previous years and was known as a dedicated music aficionado and supporter of musicians.
“The Improvisations Gala is more than just a celebration — it’s a reflection of the museum’s mission to inspire and uplift through music,” said Greg Lambousy, director of the New Orleans Jazz Museum. “The 2024 event brought together artists, patrons and culture bearers in a night of unforgettable performances and shared purpose, reinforcing how vital music and community are to the soul of New Orleans.”
All funds raised by the Improvisations Gala directly support the jazz museum’s educational programs and initiatives.
Event co-chairs were Dino Gankendorff, Valerie Landry and James Moore, with honorary co-chairs Herb Alpert, Jon Batiste, Bryan Batt, Randy Fertel, John Goodman, Wynton Marsalis, Arthel Neville, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Dan Pritzker.
Fun Fact: Celebrations aren’t new to the Old U.S. Mint, which is now the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Joseph Kennedy, the second superintendent at the New Orleans branch mint from 1839-1850, held a debutante ball there for his daughters Rose and Josephine – likely in the third-floor space that now houses the newly renovated Performance Center, which made its own debut at the gala.
