NEW ORLEANS (June 3, 2024) –  Kicking off Black Music Month, Tremé For Tremé, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, New Orleans African American Museum and the New Orleans Legacy Project partner to present the first-ever CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL SYMPHONIC BLACK MUSIC SERIES honoring and celebrating African American musical influences that comprised an essential part of our nation's treasured cultural heritage. Music Of A Movement (A Symphonic Black Music Anthology 1950s - 1970s) led with the baton of emerging young conductor Jonathan Taylor Rush. Wednesday June 19, 2024, 8PM at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. 

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For more information, visit www.lpomusic.com and treme4tremenola.org

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"It is only fitting to honor our ancestors and elders through music,” says Founder and President of Tremé for Tremé Cyril B. Saulny “Music was once our only form of communication. Music became the consciousness of our society, promoting both harmony and expression. Music is an art form. Music is a civil right. Music is a movement.”

 

The mission of your Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

is to transform people and communities through music

 

“This inaugural partnership sets an inspiring precedent, further increasing the importance to tell the stories of the cultural visionaries and giants through music,” says LPO Executive Director Anwar Nasir. “The LPO is proud to serve as stewards of our musical heritage, and we invite everyone to be part of this moving journey of remembrance and celebration.”

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MUSIC OF A MOVEMENT: A SYMPHONIC ANTHOLOGY

Music of a Movement: A Symphonic Black Music Anthology (1950s-1970s) is a celebration in recognition of Black Music Month, Juneteenth and the 60th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Music of a Movement’s soul-stirring program is curated by New Orleans native and three-time “Top 5” Billboard Chart topping artist Diedra "Deepa Soul Meredith", also featuring her in performance alongside her band, The Love Soul Orchestra under the musical direction of Donald Ramsey. Meredith is an alumna of St. Mary's Academy and Ramsey is an alum of St. Augustine High School. 

 

“For such a time as this, I am shoulder ready and humbled to usher this celebration forth in honor of my ancestors, and my elders who sacrificed and laid their lives on the line to move this country forward,” says The Love Soul Orchestra Founder Deepa Soul. “This will be a night honoring the ancestors and living legends of The New Orleans & Louisiana Resistance Movement, The New Orleans Four, and Iconic Artists of New Orleans. I can't wait to perform the symphonic masterpieces that were composed by, written by, or made famous by Black people during an era that denied them equal access and opportunities we enjoy today. I think everyone will leave the Mahalia Jackson Theatre feeling joyful with hope in their hearts.”

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Joining The Love Soul Orchestra are members of Nu Beginnings (Melaney Batiste, Jai Reed and Erica Falls), the George Brown Band Horns, and a host of cameo performances by top New Orleans vocalists and musicians. The George Brown Band Horns , vocals by Melaney Batiste, Jai Reed, and Erica Falls of Nu Beginnings, Kendrick Marshall on keys, Jermal Watson on Drums with special cameo performances by The New Orleans Mystics, Darius Deezle Harrison, Mikhala Wolsgaard-Iversen, Casme Carter, and spoken word from the people's poet Sunni Patterson.

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This historical and cultural Black music series was also created with the intention to commemorate the momentous milestones of freedom and equality: the 160th anniversary of the 1864 abolition of slavery, the 70th anniversary of Brown v Board overturning Plessy v Ferguson, and the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The four partnering organizations have come together like other leaders, artists and writers who emerged to shape the character and identity of this nation.

 

"Juneteenth celebrations mark a profound moment in the lives of Black Americans as we continue to build this country and redefine cultural life. The tremendous contributions of people of african descent to art, literature, culture and music are just beginning to be uncovered- this intergenerational music series uses the language that connects across age, race and social status and gives us an opportunity to celebrate, ideate and innovate as one community- it is an honor for the New Orleans African American Museum to be collaborate and be in solidarity." - Gia M. Hamilton Executive Director and Chief Curator New Orleans African American Museum (NOAAM)

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TICKETS

Tickets are on sale now and range from $50-85 for the first night and $65-150 for the second night. 

Student pricing is available for $10 with proof of Student ID.

 

For pricing and more information, visit www.lpomusic.com or contact Patron Services by calling 504-523-6530.

 

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ABOUT TREMÉ FOR TREMÉ

Tremé for Tremé is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and serves as an umbrella organization of Tremé residents, businesses, community-based non-profit organizations and community leaders with a long history of working in social services, community and economic development, and culture in the greater

Tremé neighborhood.

 

At the heart of efforts by T4T are four (4) simple goals: to maintain its indigenous population; keep the music and street culture of Tremé alive; foster community and sustainable economic development; and to do those things in the great spirit of joy and celebration which is native to New Orleans and began in Tremé. T4T's aim is to create a state referred to as resilient autonomy, which is a community that is self-directed and capable of constantly renewing itself in a healthy, sustainable way. The path to resilient autonomy is through neighborhood-based, place-based and asset-based community and economic development. We welcome anyone with a serious interest in the future of the Treme community and a willingness to create that future, especially those who live, work, play, or worship in the greater Tremé neighborhood.

 

 

ABOUT LOUISIANA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Steeped in history yet focused on innovation, the GRAMMY® Award-winning Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) is the only full-time collaboratively governed and operated orchestra in the United States. Under the leadership of Music Director, Matthew Kraemer, the LPO is rooted in a culturally diverse community with a two-hundred-year orchestral music tradition and sets the standard for orchestral programming and performance in Louisiana. For our sixty-seven musicians, achieving the highest level of artistry is integrally linked with a personal investment in our organization and our community.

 

 

 

ABOUT NEW ORLEANS AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM (NOAAM)

The New Orleans African American Museum of Art, History, and Culture was founded in 1996 under the guidance and extensive support of the City of New Orleans Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development. NOAAM is located in the Tremé section of New Orleans, a neighborhood that was home to the nation’s largest, most prosperous and politically progressive community of black people by the mid-1850s. Tremé is unique in its architecture, its streets are a gumbo of double shotgun houses, Creole cottages and townhouses. An excellent example of Creole architecture is the Meilleur-Goldthwaire House, a villa built in 1828 which makes up part of the NOAAM campus.

 

The New Orleans African American Museum is situated near the St. Augustine Church, one of the oldest African-American Catholic parishes in the nation, and two other museums that center black culture and contribution: the Backstreet Cultural Museum and Tremé’s Petit Jazz Museum.

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Visit: lpomusic.com and treme4tremenola.org to learn more.