The jazz sounds of Storyville filled the New Orleans Jazz Museum when it held its annual Improvisations Gala presented by the Herb Alpert Foundation on Dec. 6.
themed “Storyville: House of the Rising Sun.”
The decor evoked the time period: Element and Omega Production Resources used hues of reds, including burgundy, blacks with gold accents, and chandeliers to evoke a late 19th-early, 20th-century ambiance. Adding even more visual panache were the live projection mappings by Monica Rose Kelly and illuminations by Tech Lagniappe and Stephen Montalvo, as well as “characters” from that time in designs by Magdalene Paris, RicRACK, Polo Silk and Deandre Beverly.
Entertainment at this gala is always top-notch: Bobby Rush, presented by Land of Dreams; Dee Dee Bridgewater; Kermit Ruffins; James Andrews & the Crescent City All-Stars; Tuba Skinny; Tyler’s Revisited with David Torkanowsky and Herlin Riley; Detroit Brooks & the New Orleans Ladies, featuring Rechell Cook; Dane Ruffins; Naydja CoJoe and Sharon Martin; Mahogany Jazz Hall presents Mahogany Hall Allstars with pop-up burlesque by Trixie Minx; Treme Lafitte Brass Band; LPO Ensemble with Dominican Strings of Gocessa; the NOCCA Jazz Ensemble; Audrey LeCrone Trio; Törngren Quartet of Sweden, and scores of other incredible talents, including the N’awlins Baby Dolls, Mahogany Blue Baby Dolls, the Pussyfooters and Van Ella Bordella.
Event Co-Chairs were Valery Landry, James Moore and Dr. Emma Levenson, and Claus Sadlier.
Fun Fact: In addition to ticket sales, partygoers could participate in a silent auction and a “Treasure Chest” raffle.
