Keep The Music Free Benefit Concert in Armstrong Park

Keep The Music Free Benefit Concert in Armstrong Park
All-Star Lineup Rallies for Jazz in the Park

New Orleans, November 1, 2012 -- The People United for Armstrong Park (PUfAP) is thrilled to announce the culmination of the second Jazz in the Park season with the KEEP THE MUSIC FREE benefit show.  The festivities kick off at 5PM on November 8, 2012, with MyNameIsJohnMichael, and continue with a lineup that reflects a wide range of New Orleans music talent, innovation, and history.

The KEEP THE MUSIC FREE concert will bring the following luminaries to the Jazz in the Park stage:

Irma Thomas

Kermit Ruffins

George Porter, Jr.

Bill Summers

Renard Poche

James Andrews

Michael "Soulman" Baptiste

Shannon Powell

Derrick Moss & Edward Lee, Jr.

This lineup came together thanks to the fall season of Jazz in the Park itself, and the many artists who support PUfAP's mission to continue the revitalization of Armstrong Park and the neighborhood it calls home, the Treme.

"What the People United for Armstrong Park are doing with Jazz in the Park is wonderful, and it must continue," stated Bill Summers. "This is real community building, with the hope of changing lives while offering people a night out and a great time."

While the stellar roster of KEEP THE MUSIC FREE is the ultimate draw, this is the last chance for folks to get their Jazz in the Park fix until the spring.  There also will be a second-line and stilt-walkers and dancers, the latter courtesy of Zulu Connection, who specialize in the beautiful and mesmerizing dances of Africa and the Caribbean.

Jazz in the Park got its start in the spring of 2012, with seven free concerts that featured the likes of Kermit Ruffins, James Andrews, Glen David Andrews, David and Russell Batiste, Allen Toussaint, Leo Nocentelli and The Meters Experience, Bo Dollis and The Wild Magnolias.  The fall series has continued this newly established tradition of incredible music and entertainment in a family-friendly, neighborhood-oriented setting with Big Sam's Funky Nation, The Renard Poche Band, The Stooges Brass Band, Stephanie Jordan, The Treme Brass Band, Rockin' Dopsie, Jr., Jamal Batiste, The Soul Rebels Brass Band, John Boutte, Charmaine Neville, Russell Batiste & Jason Neville, and Corey Henry and Treme Funktet.  Treme Funktet's performance produced a spontaneous and explosive collaboration onstage with James Andrews and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews that was one of the season's highlights.

"Armstrong Park deserves a music series it can call its own, and now it does-Jazz in the Park," says co-founder and President of PUfAP, Emanuel Lain, Jr.  "We're proud to put this together and give it to the people of Treme and the whole of New Orleans, every week, and we want to-we have to-keep it going in the spring."

Tickets cost $20, and all proceeds go towards funding the return of the free Jazz in the Park concert series next spring.  Tickets may be obtained via http://armstrongpark.org/, at the park itself during the 11/1 show (Los Hombres Calientes / Leroy Jones), or may be purchased day-of-show.

"The park, Rampart Street, and the Treme should be considered destinations of choice by both New Orleanians and our city's visitors.  Jazz in the Park is one means by which to accomplish that, and we're on our way," says PUfAP co-founder, Ben Harwood.  "We need the help of our friends and fans to make this vision a reality."

# # #

About PUfAP: The People United for Armstrong Park is a volunteer-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that led the community effort to re-open Armstrong Park.  Our primary work focuses on coordinating and collaborating with individuals and institutions to catalyze Armstrong Park into a premier hub for the city's cultural economy.  We aim to connect individuals in the community to their culture and history by establishing the park as a nurturing, living environment for the arts, and provide opportunities to ensure their success and accomplishments in their chosen craft.  Please visit http://www.pufap.org/ for more information.