Jazz & Heritage Concert Series: Steve Masakowski Family & Friends
We're live from the final night of the 2025 Traditional and Contemporary Jazz Concert Series, produced by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and presented by Goldfarb Financial! Tonight, Steve Masakowski Family & Friends perform.
events.jazzandheritage.org
About Steve Masakowski Family & Friends:
Steve Masakowski Family & Friends is a distinguished ensemble that highlights the exceptional musical talents of the Masakowski family, deeply rooted in New Orleans. Led by Steve Masakowski, a renowned guitarist and composer recognized for pioneering techniques and a significant influence on the jazz scene, the band embodies the cultural richness of their city. As a professor at the University of New Orleans, Steve has mentored numerous budding musicians while maintaining an active performance and recording career. His children, Sasha and Martin Masakowski, contribute their unique talents to the group. Sasha, a celebrated vocalist and composer, integrates jazz, pop, and electronic influences, earning international acclaim for her innovative style. Meanwhile, Martin, a skilled bassist, is known for his versatile playing that spans from traditional jazz to avant-garde, making him a key figure in both local and global music scenes. Together, the Masakowski Family Band delivers vibrant, cohesive performances that honor New Orleans' musical traditions while pushing artistic boundaries, captivating audiences with their sophisticated modern jazz and groove music. Their work is a testament to their creativity, deep familial bond, and enduring passion for jazz.
Jazz & Heritage Concert Series: Panorama Brass Band
We're live from the fourth and final weekend of the 2025 Traditional and Contemporary Jazz Concert Series, produced by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and presented by Goldfarb Financial! Tonight, Panorama Brass Band performs.
events.jazzandheritage.org
About Panorama Brass Band:
The Panorama Brass Band of New Orleans has been infusing a vibrant New Orleans party spirit into a diverse array of musical settings since the mid-1990s. Born out of the Panorama Jazz Band, which was initially formed by clarinetist Ben Schenck in 1995 to play at a friend's wedding, the band evolved into a seven-member ensemble featuring clarinet, alto saxophone, trombone, accordion, banjo, tuba, and drums by 2006. While they began with a focus on New Orleans Traditional Jazz, the band quickly embraced a wide range of global influences such as Jewish klezmer, Creole biguines, and Balkans folk music, occasionally nodding to local legends like Jellyroll Morton and Louis Armstrong. In 1997, Panorama extended its reach by creating a separate marching outfit, the Panorama Brass Band, primarily active during New Orleans' Carnival season. As an official brass band for krewes like the Krewe of Red Beans and Krewe du Jieux, they bring lively performances to parades like the Krewe of Muses and Knights of Babylon. In addition to their parade appearances, the Panorama Brass Band continues to captivate audiences at nightclubs, weddings, funerals, and various private events, both locally and internationally.
New Orleans Beatles: The Walrus at WWOZ
New Orleans Beatles: The Walrus at WWOZ
Soul Brass Band at WWOZ
Soul Brass Band is joining WWOZ live on our Jax Brewery balcony, overlooking the French Quarter!
The WWOZ Brass Pass is the best way to see Jazz Fest in New Orleans and support WWOZ at the same time! It’s your transferable ticket to ALL eight days of the festival. Get yours now at wwoz.org/brasspass. 🎶😎
Jason Stewart Quintet featuring Donald Vega: Jazz & Heritage Concert Series
We're live from the third weekend of the 2025 Traditional and Contemporary Jazz Concert Series, produced by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and presented by Goldfarb Financial! Tonight, the Jason Stewart Quintet featuring Donald Vega performs.
events.jazzandheritage.org
About Jason Stewart Quintet f/Donald Vega:
Jason Stewart, a prominent bassist from New Orleans, began playing double bass at 17 and was introduced to Black American Music at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, studying under renowned trumpeter Clyde Kerr Jr. and bassist Bill Huntington. In the 1990s, he built his early career in New Orleans before moving to New York City in 2000. Studying from 2007 to 2013 with master bassist Ron Carter, Stewart earned an Artist Diploma from the Juilliard School. He is best known for his long-term collaboration with the Ellis Marsalis trio, quartet, and quintet from 2007 to 2020, and his performances with other notable musicians like the Marsalis family, Steve Masakowski, and Terence Blanchard. Stewart was a fixture at Snug Harbor, playing with Ellis Marsalis until his passing in 2020. He currently resides in New Orleans and continues to perform with artists such as Jason Marsalis, Delfeayo Marsalis and many others!
The quintet features acclaimed pianist Donald Vega, a refined jazz ensemble that masterfully combines tradition with innovation, crafting a captivating sound that enchants audiences. Led by bassist and composer Jason Stewart, the quintet is known for its dynamic performances and intricate compositions that highlight Stewart's command of rhythm and melody. With each member bringing unique talents, the inclusion of Vega adds depth and emotion, enhancing the ensemble's artistry. Vega has a distinguished career, having performed with jazz greats like Ron Carter. Together, the quintet and Vega offer a fresh jazz perspective through original compositions and creative interpretations, captivating both seasoned jazz enthusiasts and new listene
The Pfister Sisters: Jazz & Heritage Concert Series
We're live from the third weekend of the 2025 Traditional and Contemporary Jazz Concert Series, produced by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and presented by Goldfarb Financial! Tonight, The Pfister Sisters perform.
events.jazzandheritage.org
About The Pfister Sisters:
The Pfister Sisters honor the legacy of the Boswell Sisters with their innovative vocal jazz harmonies, establishing themselves as a beloved tradition in New Orleans. Since 1979, Holley Bendtsen, Yvette Voelker, Karen Stoehr, and pianist Amasa Miller have been captivating audiences around the world with the essence of New Orleans' traditional jazz. They’ve shared the stage with iconic artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Irma Thomas, and Maxine Andrews of the Andrews Sisters. Their extensive touring spans the United States and Europe, with performances in renowned venues like Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Ascona Jazz Festival, and Angola State Penitentiary. The Pfister Sisters even made a memorable guest appearance as themselves in an episode of HBO's "Treme." Known as festival favorites, their vibrant performances, including Holley Bendtsen's "Down at the Jazzfest," continue to enchant audiences both locally and globally.
Jason Marsalis at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center
We're live from the second weekend of the 2025 Traditional and Contemporary Jazz Concert Series, produced by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and presented by Goldfarb Financial! Tonight, Jason Marsalis presents the rare works of his father, Ellis Marsalis.
events.jazzandheritage.org
About Jason Marsalis:
From a young age, Jason Marsalis demonstrated the talent and ambition to become an exceptional musician. As the youngest son of pianist and music educator Ellis Marsalis and his wife Dolores, Jason is part of New Orleans' esteemed first family of jazz, alongside his renowned brothers Wynton, Branford, and Delfeayo. Jason's musical journey began at age three with a toy drum set, and by six, he was taking lessons from the legendary James Black. Throughout his childhood, he performed with his family and rapidly became a seasoned drummer.
After studying at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, Jason joined Marcus Roberts' trio in 1995 while pursuing further education at Loyola University. Over the years, Jason has played with numerous acclaimed musicians and formed the Latin-jazz group Los Hombres Calientes. Around 2000, he shifted focus to the vibraphone and began leading his own band, further showcasing his versatile musicianship.
Despite challenges, including Hurricane Katrina, Jason continued to thrive, expanding his reach across various musical styles. His contributions to jazz were recognized when the Marsalis family received the NEA Jazz Masters award in 2009. Jason's later work included collaborations with artists like Bela Fleck and recordings such as "In a World of Mallets," which achieved significant acclaim. As a composer and performer, Jason Marsalis remains devoted to evolving his craft and enriching the jazz genre with innovative and passionate performances.
Mikhala "Jazz Muffin" Iversen at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center
We're live from the second weekend of the 2025 Traditional and Contemporary Jazz Concert Series, produced by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and presented by Goldfarb Financial! events.jazzandheritage.org
About Mikhala “Jazz Muffin” Iversen:
Mikhala "Jazz Muffin" Iversen calls New Orleans home and is an international recording artist hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, whose upbringing in a lively jazz environment influenced her musical path. Surrounded by jazz legends like Josephine Baker, Nina Simone, and Louis Armstrong during her childhood, Mikhala was inspired by her mother, a jazz singer, and her father, a jazz-loving journalist. Deeply connected to the legacy of Billie Holiday, Mikhala finds her repertoire rooted in Holiday's early work with Lester Young, embracing the power and beauty of jazz music. Through her performances, she aims to keep the essence of "Lady Day" alive, honoring Holiday's legacy by sharing the emotive and enduring songs that have shaped the jazz world.
Victor Campbell
Victor Campbell is continuing the 2025 Traditional and Contemporary Jazz Concert Series with a sold out performance at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center tonight! events.jazzandheritage.org
About Victor Campbell:
Victor Campbell, an exceptionally talented pianist from Camagüey, Cuba, is renowned for his engaging style that blends virtuosity, whimsy, charisma, and technical skill. Starting piano at age five, he trained at Cuba’s National School of the Arts and has performed globally. His first visit to New Orleans in 2012, through an exchange program with the Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp, was transformative, leading him to relocate to the city in 2019. Since then, Victor has passionately studied various New Orleans musical styles, seamlessly integrating them into his performances, which can range from blues solos to Cuban timba montunos and classical pieces. Esteemed pianist Chucho Valdés has predicted that Victor will revolutionize Cuban jazz piano.
Kumasi at WWOZ
Kumasi Afrobeat Orchestra is joining us live in the studio this morning!
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