NEW ORLEANS — The earliest written use of the term "jazz" was in a Los Angeles Times article in 1912, but long before that, it could already be heard on the streets of New Orleans.
Now, enthusiasts of the genre have traveled from across the globe to be part of our local history.
“New Orleans is like a mecca for jazz, right?” Director of Programs at the Jazz Education Network, Jesse Nolan said. “It's like returning home to the motherland. This music was born here. You know, this is the only place on Earth that had the cultural manifestation and the cultural environment.”
Every other year, the Jazz Education Network holds its annual conference in New Orleans. Nolan says this is more than a conference, it is a festival.
“We come together once a year to celebrate this music and to celebrate our community,” Nolan said.
For 4,000 experts, beginners, and enthusiasts, it will be a week of performing, learning, and networking. For the first time in 15 years, students will also have the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business.
“It's about keeping the flame burning, right? And the only way you can stoke that fire is by getting all the way down to the bottom. And that's youth,” Nolan said.
The four-day event started Wednesday at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, with a history lesson by locally based musician Jonathan Bloom.
“We’re super excited to brings musicians and music professionals from around the country, really around the world,” Greg Lambousy, Director of the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
But lectures and classes are just the beginning. Over the course of the week, there will be over 75 live performances from some of the biggest names in jazz.
“Famous artists like Wycliffe Gordon, and Bria Skonberg are here to inspire everybody,” Jazz Education Network Founding Member, Johnathan Hasse said. “Jazz is, in my opinion, the greatest music to come out of the United States.”
The conference will take place through Saturday. You can find the full schedule and registration information here.
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