One Book One New Orleans and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra presented the world premiere of their first collaboration on November 23, 2019. NOJO Artistic Director Adonis Rose composed an original jazz suite based on OBONO’s 2019 selection, Vengeance by Zachary Lazar, which debuted as part of the Words & Music literary festival. Prior to the performance, attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception at the New Orleans Jazz Market.
In keeping with OBONO’s mission to create free, high-quality public programming focused on the one book it selects each year for its citywide reading and literacy initiatives, this festival event was free and open to the public.
OBONO Executive Director Megan Holt presented Vera Warren-Williams with the James-DeSalvo Award. Named for Words & Music’s founders, the annual award goes to an individual who has uplifted literacy in New Orleans.
Major sponsors included the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, Pelican Publishing, the Peauxdunque Writers Alliance, The New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network and Reese & Company Real Estate.
Words & Music is produced by One Book One New Orleans, a nonprofit dedicated to community literacy and reading. All proceeds from the festival support OBONO’s mission to provide literacy resources and yearlong free public programming.
Event at a Glance
What: “NOJO Performs Vengeance” at the Words & Music Literary Festival benefiting One Book One New Orleans
When: Saturday, November 23, 2019
Where: New Orleans Jazz Market
Alii Williams, OBONO Executive Director Megan Holt, Honoree Vera Warren-Williams and Garry Williams
Ashton M. Jackson, Antoinette de Alteriis and Solange Jazayeri
