The University of New Orleans Department of Music is the recipient of a $1,000 grant from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation to support the Jazz at the Sandbar series in the spring of 2012. The funding comes from the Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Community Partnerships Grants program.
Founded by Ellis Marsalis, the Jazz at the Sandbar program presents up to 16 concerts each year at UNO, pairing well-known jazz professionals with UNO student ensembles to give budding jazz artists the opportunity to learn professional etiquette as well as play with musical legends. Now in its 21st year, Jazz at the Sandbar offers regular, high-quality jazz concerts on campus and provides a lively meeting place for students, faculty and the New Orleans community. Jazz at the Sandbar is, in fact, the only regular provider of live jazz in the neighborhoods of Lakeview, Gentilly and New Orleans East. In the spring of 2012, Jazz at the Sandbar will return to its original home in The Cove, the newly renovated student dining and entertainment facility.
The Jazz & Heritage Foundation provides funding to local arts and educational groups for programs that reflect the foundation’s mission of promoting Louisiana’s musical culture.
“There are so many groups working hard to support the culture of our region, and we are privileged to be able to assist them in a direct and meaningful way,” said Don Marshall, the Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s executive director. “This is another great example of how the foundation uses the proceeds from Jazz Fest to benefit our community.”