2021 Jazz at Congo Square Lineup
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Sunday’s Lineup
1:00 PM - “A Call to the Ancestors” with Luther Gray & The Congo Square Preservation Society
1:30 PM - Mykia Jovan
2:25 PM - Vegas Cola Band
3:25 PM- Tonya Boyd-Cannon
4:20 PM- Kyle Roussel
5:10 M - Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra
6:15 PM - Stooges Brass Band
uptown jazz orchestra
In 2000, Grammy award-winning trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis formed the Uptown Music Theatre (UMT), a non-profit organization that empowers youth through educational programming and musical theatre training. Then in 2008, Marsalis formed its sister organization under the same 501c3 corporation, the Uptown Jazz Orchestra (UJO). The two organizations enjoy a symbiotic relationship – UJO musicians offer a rich talent pool from which to draw instructors for UMT and UMT musicians are likewise often guest performers for the UJO. Featuring up to 18 accomplished musicians, the Uptown Jazz Orchestra sets the global standard for celebrating jazz in its authentic musical form, inspiring the next generation of jazz musicians and promoting a culture of diversity, inclusion and accessibility in the arts.
downtown lesli brown - host
Downtown Lesli Brown of KMEZ 102.9 FM has developed a reputation of sorts as an exceptional voice in media. A renowned radio personality, media entertainer, and host-this industry mogul is continually adding to her laundry list of talents. This Louisiana native is a product of the overwhelming talent evolving from New Orleans, “The Big Easy,” where she pioneered as an on-air radio personality in 2001. Downtown Lesli Brown loves R&B music as she’s always been depicted to display characteristics of an old soul. Secondary to that her other passion is for hip-hop and live jazz bands. Her career in hosting stems from live events and citywide spectaculars like annual ‘Easter Jams,’ the ‘Essence Music Festival,’ and a slew of other major concerts, comedy shows, talent searches and motivational speaking. Lesli is well rounded in that she has had the privilege of tapping into television also. Leading with the ‘Gospel Explosion,’ ‘ONE212 TV,’ a variety of Television Commercials.
dj captain charles
While growing up in the 1960s in the Magnolia Projects, DJ Captain Charles says, “I heard music all day, every day.” But despite being immersed in music, including his mom’s favorites like Fats Domino and Professor Longhair, his successful career making local crowds dance to top R&B, soul, hip-hop, and New Orleans music came as a surprise to him. “I never planned to be a DJ,” he said, recalling that he originally intended to go into the military. “In 1981 and 1982, I was the MC and DJ in between sets for the Unique Pierre band,” he explains of his early career. During the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans, he performed on his own for the first time. He says, “You have to grow with your crowd.” And Captain Charles’ crowds have grown with him, following him from neighborhood lounges to residencies at major casinos and restaurants to the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. In a city that reveres local legends and stars, over thirty years he has impacted local music as significantly as traditional musical royalty such as Ellis Marsalis, Irma Thomas, and Walter “Wolfman” Washington.
tonya boyd-cannon
Global-recording, Jackson, MS born; New Orleans raised, Tonya Boyd-Cannon is a "witty and dope SOUL artist." Tonya’s rare contralto voice pushes the envelope on every song she sings! Boyd-Cannon’s delivery is sharp yet soulful and authentic. Boyd-Cannon’scombination of creative vocals and instrumentation is a fused creation that is unheard of! Boyd-Cannon got her professional start as a background vocalist for Jean Knight, best known for her 1970’s hit single, “Mr. Big Stuff". Boyd-Cannon took her career to the next level by competing in talent competitions. Her hard work paid off; making her a "Top 20" finalist on NBC’s Emmy-Award winning show, The Voice; where she was on Adam Levine's team.
Kyle roussell
Kyle Roussel is a dynamic example of a modern New Orleans musician forging his own path while collaborating with a variety of musical masters. A graduate of the famed New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and the University of New Orleans began playing the piano at age nine; studying classical music before moving on to perform in church and explore jazz in his teenage years. These days, Kyle is equally adept in the worlds of jazz, classical, funk, gospel, rhythm and blues, and rock- his diverse influences shaping his personal musical identity and providing inspiration at every turn. Kyle currently performs all around the US. One thing is clear to anyone who is paying attention: Kyle Roussel has only just begun to leave his mark on the world of music. Stay tuned.
mykia jovan
Mykia Jovan is a vocalist and songwriter from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her distinctive voice often draws comparison to the timeless greats Billie Holiday and Erykah Badu, while her original compositions and live performances have established her as a singular voice in the modern progressive soul scene. Mykia was recently nominated for Best Emerging Artist in New Orleans, her debut album named a Top 50 album of the year, and had her single '16 Shots' included on Spotify's official State of Jazz playlist. She was a featured performer at the 2018 Essence Festival along with a star-studded lineup that included Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige, and H.E.R. Following up on the Essence Fest buzz, Mykia completed her first multi-city headline tour performing in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York. In 2019, she featured at the Internationally acclaimed Jazz & the City Festival in Salzburg, Austria.
vegas cola band
The singer-songwriter has captivated crowds in the Crescent City for well over 20 years. Throughout her career she’s lent her vocal and songwriting skills to several local New Orleans musicians, including Dave Bartholomew, Russell Batiste, James Andrews, Donald Harrison, Kermit Ruffins, Troy Andrews, Big Sam’s Funky Nation and many more. As a Treme local she formalized her vocal education skills at the University of New Orleans during the day and cut her teeth on the then-neglected streets of her hometown, gigging relentlessly on Bourbon and Frenchmen Streets by night. Following the aftermath of Katrina’s destruction, Cola was temporarily displaced, but eventually returned to New Orleans with a renewed perseverance for pursuing her passion.
Sunni Patterson
New Orleans Native and Visionary, Sunni Patterson, is an internationally acclaimed Poet, Performer, Workshop Facilitator, Certified Spiritual Life Coach/Consultant, and an Initiated Priestess and Minister. She began her career as a full-time high school Teacher, and much of her life since has been devoted to serving as a Cultural Worker and Activist. Armed with an engaging story and voice, Sunni deliberately uses art, poetry, and praise (Ancestral remembrance) to encourage dialogue, connectivity, spiritual awareness, and healing. She has had the privilege of studying under great Scholars and Teachers, allowing her to become a diligent student in the Healing and Spiritual Arts. Her Artistry and Gift has allowed her to grace a plethora of stages and platforms. Whether speaking at TEDWomen, featuring on Grammy award winning Hip-Hop albums, officiating a wedding, or cooking up breakfast for families in the Community, you can rest assured, Sunni’s way and words bring us all to a place of recollection, remembrance, and hope. Sunni is a 2020/2021 John O’Neal Cultural Arts Fellow. She currently serves as a Resident Artist for both the City of New Orleans’ Claiborne Corridor Cultural Initiative and Junebug Productions. She is also co-founder, along with Scientist and Atmospheric Chemist, Cherelle Blazer, of Environmental Arts and Public Health Organization, Breath is Lyfe.
Luther Gray and the Congo Square Preservation Society
Luther has been active in the New Orleans arts community since 1984. He co-founded the Congo Square Foundation in 1989, which was renamed the Congo Square Preservation Society in 2011. The Society has been instrumental in the resurrection of drumming and cultural activities in Congo Square. In 1993, the Congo Square Foundation was successful in placing Congo Square on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1997 the Foundation led the effort to erect the Congo Square historic marker. In addition, he with a team of drum makers including Douglas Redd carved three Bamboula drums from a one hundred year old cypress tree that are now on display at the new Louisiana State Museum of History in Baton Rouge. The Congo Square Preservation Society sponsors weekly Sunday drum circles in Congo Square that date back to 1988. In 2013, the Congo Square Preservation society launched the Congo Square Living Classroom Fieldtrip which consists of a on-site tour of the Armstrong Park Sculpture Garden followed by the Congo Square Drum & Dance Workshop
stooges brass band
The Stooges Brass Band has earned their rank as one of the elite brass bands in New Orleans. The band consistently provides a welcome blast of true New Orleans spirit engaging audiences with their innovative blend of traditional New Orleans brass sounds, contemporary jazz and hip-hop beats. Emerging onto the scene in 1996, the Stooges Brass Band has gained notoriety as a full-blown musical party immersing the crowd in a cut-loose vibe that is contemporary yet deeply rooted in the culturally rich musical legacy of New Orleans. The band has shared the stage with: Ozomatli, Black Star (Mos Def & Talib Kweli), Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Shemekia Copeland, Pedrito Martinez Group, Galactic, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave, Big Sam's Funky Nation, The Funky Meters, and Jessica Simpson, among others. The band is undeniably one of the hardest working bands out of New Orleans, and their dedication to their craft has made an impact. The Stooges Brass Band victoriously battled for the title of "Red Bull Street Kings: Best Brass Band" (the subject of the documentary Brass Bands of New Orleans: Red Bull Street Kings).