Upcoming Events

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Animal Grossology

May 25 - Sep 3, 2012
Experience some of the slimiest, stinkiest and downright yuckiest creatures on… more

Architectural Tour…

May 25 - Jun 10, 2012
AIA New Orleans is excited to once again partner with DOCOMOMO - Louisiana to … more

Birdfoot Chamber…

May 25 - 26, 2012
The celebration of chamber music takes place at various locations in New… more

Birdfoot Festival

May 25 - 25, 2012
Loews New Orleans Hotel hosts the Birdfoot Festival on their Live from Loews… more

Book signing: The…

May 25 - 25, 2012
Elizabeth Goldsmith, a Boston University French professor, recently published a… more

Dario Robleto: The…

May 25 - Sep 16, 2012
This spring NOMA is pleased to present a solo exhibition of work by… more

Furnishing Louisiana,…

May 25 - Jun 17, 2012
Features more than 50 pieces of early Louisiana furniture tracing the emergence… more

Greek Festival

May 25 - 27, 2012
Every year descendents of one of the Western world's oldest cultures celebrate… more

Greek Festival 5K/1…

May 25 - 25, 2012
Run this fast flat course out and back from Greek Festival site (Robert E. Lee… more

K.D. Lang

May 25 - 25, 2012
k.d lang and the Siss Boom Bang performing music from their latest release,… more

Leah Chase: Portraits…

May 25 - Sep 23, 2012
New Orleans-raised artist Gustave Blache III celebrates New Orleans chef and… more

On The Air

May 25 - 27, 2012
On the Air! is a rollicking rendition of a live radio broadcast from 1945! … more

Shirley Valentine…

May 25 - 27, 2012
A one-woman show starring Ricky Graham Shirley is so appealing in her plight… more

Special Exhibit-…

May 25 - Jul 8, 2012
Turning Point is an exhibit focused on the pivotal Battle of Midway and the… more

The Big Gateaux Show

May 25 - 25, 2012
NOWFE flashes it's wild side and goes Head over Heels with Burlesque, Cake… more

Where Y' Art

May 25 - 25, 2012
Art Making Activity, Music by Banu Gibson, Comedic Gallery Tour by The New… more

3rd annual Big Easy…

May 26 - 26, 2012
The 3rd Annual Big Easy Comedy Festival returns to New Orleans bringing a night… more

Hidden Treasures:…

May 26 - 26, 2012
Come see a behind scenes tour of the Louisiana State Museum's John James… more

Sports & Leisure with…

May 26 - 26, 2012
Symphonic indie orchestra Sports & Leisure kicks off summer with Alexis … more

Treasures Bourbon…

May 27 - 27, 2012
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE … more

Animal Grossology

May 25 - Sep 3, 2012
Experience some of the slimiest, stinkiest and downright yuckiest creatures on… more

Interview with Jazz Trumpeter Irvin Mayfield

Irvin Mayfield

A Rising Jazz Legend Riffs on New Orleans' Culture, Music and Food

Thereare hundreds, perhaps thousands, of talented musicians in New Orleans, but few have stood out in the last decade as notably as Irvin Mayfield. The 33-year-old native is one of the most accomplished jazz trumpet players in the world with a Grammy and a Billboard Album of the Year to his credit.

But fame and worldwide travel haven't changed his perspective on his hometown one bit. He still plays at his namesake venue, Irvin Mayfield's Playhouse, every Wednesday he's in town, and speaks so highly of the city and its culture that he was named by the U.S. Government the Cultural Ambassador of New Orleans. His voice sparksup whenever a question gives him the chance to sing New Orleans' praises.

Here's Irvin Mayfield on...

How New Orleans Got Its Music
Youhave to recognize, it's a port city. Most of the valuable treasures, culturally, come from port cities. It's the entry and exit point for allthings. It's not the music, the food, the architecture; it's the people- the French, the Spanish, the Haitians, the Germans, the Italians. We have a cornucopia, I like to call it an embarrassment, of [cultural] riches.

Being the City's Cultural Ambassador
All of themusicians and artists of Louisiana are ambassadors. At the end of the day, their art speaks volumes and tells people why this is a great place.

Why Someone Should Visit
New Orleans is one of the quintessential American experiences. If you are an American and you haven't gone to New Orleans, you have missed out on one of the great cities. "When are we going to New Orleans?" should be the proper question.

Where to Go for Live Music
First, I would go down to Irvin Mayfield's Playhouse. We employ more musicians than any other venue in the city, and there's no cover charge. We've got so much there; that's where I would start.

Other Can't-Miss New Orleans Shows
LionelFerbos; he's 99. He plays every Saturday at the Palm Court Café. He's the oldest living performing jazz musician in the world. You get to listen to someone who listened with his own ears to Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and Fats Pichon.

There's this guy, Wynton Marsalis...he built this $200 million music empire
BranfordMarsalis...he was the leader of the Tonight Show Band. They also have abrother, Jason Marsalis, who's a talented musician and producer. Guess the person who taught them? Ellis Marsalis. He plays every Friday at 8 o'clock at Snug Harbor.

Why It's So Easy to Find Live Music Every Night of the Week
It'swhat we do; it's a part of our life. When we bury people, we celebrate with music. When people are born, we celebrate with music.... Music is atool that we use. We use it to rebuild. We use it to teach history.

A Perfect New Orleans Day
It'dbe a day like today. No clouds in the sky, a beautiful day, 78 degrees.Give me a freshly rolled cigar, an Armagnac kind of drink, a steak and some good music, and I'm good - and, of course, some beignets.

Parting Words

The only thing left to say is "welcome to New Orleans." We're ready for you.