October is for Jazz:
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. is coordinating a weekend of events to kick off October Jazz Awareness Month. There will be concerts, walking and bus tours, Jazz brunches at local restaurants and discussions.
Thursday, October 2th
At the Contemporary Arts Center, enjoy an evening of modern jazz with the Ullmann/Swell 4tet featuring woodwind virtuoso Gebhard Ullmann; trombonist Steve Swell, an alumnus of the Buddy Rich and Lionel Hampton groups; bassist Hill Greene (former musical director for Jimmy Scott and concert master for Cecil Taylor); and drummer Barry Altschul, who recorded with the group Circle in the 1970s and is regarded as one of the best percussionists in improvised music. Show starts at 8 pm. Tickets: $20 general admission, $18 for students and seniors, $15 for CAC members and Fans of the Fest.
The New Orleans National Jazz Historical Park visitors center (916 N. Peters St.) offers several free concerts, although the schedule is usually out in September.
Saturday, Oct. 6
Take The Cradle of Jazz Tour. a special bus tour of historic jazz sites, including birthplaces and stomping grounds of the first generation of New Orleans jazz musicians, led by jazz historian John McCusker. The tour departs from Snug Harbor (626 Frenchmen Street) at 10 a.m.; returns at noon. Tickets are $25 ($20 for Fans of the Fest); only 50 spaces are available. Call (504) 558-6100 to reserve.
Jazz concert at the French Market's Dumaine Street Stage, co-sponsored by the French Market Corporation and the Jazz & Heritage Foundation, 1-5 p.m. Free.
National Jazz Park concerts. Informative workshops from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the New Orleans National Jazz Historical Park visitors center (916 N. Peters St.). Free.
The New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra led by Lars Edegran, 2-3:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the New Orleans National Jazz Historical Park visitors center (916 N. Peters St.). Free.
If your going to Art for Arts' Sake see Jazz on Julia-traditional New Orleans jazz on Julia Street as part of Art for Arts' Sake, 6-9 p.m. Free.
Art for Arts' Sake After-Party The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz students and the New Orleans Jazz Vipers perform at the Contemporary Arts Center, 7 p.m. to midnight. Free for CAC members; $10 for non-members.
Sunday, Oct. 7
Jazz Brunches at French Quarter restaurants Panel Discussion: "Stories and Memories of Preservation Hall," featuring Ben Jaffe, Dodie Smith-Simmons and others, 3-4 p.m., Café Brasil (2100 Chartres St.). Free.
Nickel-A-Dance Concert featuring the Preservation Hall Hot Four, 4-7 p.m., Café Brasil (2100 Chartres St.). Free.
New Orleans Music Families: A Musical Tribute to Doc Paulin and his Family Band,Featuring the Paulin Brothers Brass Band, Dr. Michael White, Gregg Stafford, Joe Torregano and other guests, 8 p.m., Contemporary Arts Center (900 Camp St.). Tickets: $20 general admission, $18 for students and seniors, $15 for CAC members and Fans of the Fest.