New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

Join Rangers from the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve to learn about the rich cultural history that makes New Orleans such a special place. 

Each talk is "Ranger's Choice." The topics will vary by day and by ranger.

This ranger talk takes place at 10:00 am at the National Park Service French Quarter visitor center - 419 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA.

Free.

No reservations required.

Join Rangers from the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve to learn about the rich cultural history that makes New Orleans such a special place. 

Each talk is "Ranger's Choice." The topics will vary by day and by ranger.

This ranger talk takes place at 10:00 am at the National Park Service French Quarter visitor center - 419 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA.

Free.

No reservations required.

in partnership with 

presents

Musician and published author Jonhette Downing’s Louisiana Roots Music for Children provides a culturally immersive presentation for children, school groups, play groups, and families about the rich musical heritage of the region from jazz to zydeco with interactive songs like “Who Got the Baby in the King Cake?,” “Today is Monday in Louisiana,” and “Give Me That Zydeco.” 

Johnette is the recipient of the 2017 Louisiana Writer Award. Her original Louisiana roots music is a joyful experience for children and parents alike, with plenty of opportunites for kids to two-steop and sing along. The author of twelve recordings and thirty books, she has performed on five continents. 

At the National Park Service French Quarter Visitor Center

As a virtuoso in classical, jazz, gospel, and R&B music, Jade Perdue’s performances have graced prestigious stages, including the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival, the French Quarter Festival, and the Creole Tomato Festival. She grew up in New Orleans, a city steeped in musical history, where she cultivated an eclectic musical palette. Her musical journey began in the heart of her community at Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries. Later, she honed her skills within the Edna Karr High School marching band. In high school, she participated in a music program called Musicollaborative, and a training camp led by the founders of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

This program is free and open to the public.

Ravee Treesaksesakoon was born in Bangkok in 1992. While in junior high school he was accepted into the school band and began playing French horn in the group’s first rehearsals. At the same time, he picked up his trumpet and started playing. Ravee got so good in playing the trumpet he participated in the Thailand International jazz conference in 2009. After which he decided to pursue a career as a trumpet player at the Mahidol University’s College of Music and graduated with a jazz degree. While he was a student, he took part in a variety of musical events, appearing in big bands and ensembles, including the Frankfurt Youth Symphony Orchestra. In 2011, he was a public personality and lead trumpeter in a huge band in Germany. He is currently involved in a variety of activities, including attending numerous jazz and music camps.

This program is free and open to the public.

 present a  

At the National Park Service French Quarter visitor center  

Join us for an interractive drum circle as we honor those who came before us. Play drums and learn about our cultural history and the legacy of Congo Square in New Orleans.

This drum circle is open to all ages. No experience required. 

This program is free and open to the public.

Tim Laughlin is a clarinetist of the highest caliber, an expert in the New Orleans traditional jazz idiom who keeps it fresh with a hefty roster of originals and fresh takes on the standards. Laughlin was 15 when he played his first gig on clarinet (on a Mardi Gras float, no less) and he soon began playing with a Who’s Who of Crescent City jazz masters: Connie Jones, Danny Barker, Al Hirt, and his close friend Pete Fountain.

Laughlin has released over a dozen solo albums and has written for and performed in several movies and television shows, including “Runaway Jury” and “Hurricane on the Bayou.”

This program is free and open to the public.

 present a 

with

At the National Park Service French Quarter visitor center 

Join us for an interractive drum & dance circle led by Mama Jamilah as we honor those who came before us. Play drums and learn about our cultural history and the legacy of Congo Square in New Orleans.

Ausettua AmorAmenkum is a cultural educator, professor of African and Hip-Hop dance at Tulane University, Big Queen of the Washitaw Nation Black Masking Indians, Director of Kumbuka African Drum & Dance Collective, and co-director of the Louisiana Correctional Institution for Women Drama Club and The Graduates, a performance group of formerly incarcerated women.

This drum circle is open to all ages. No experience required.

This program is free and open to the public.

At the National Park Service French Quarter Visitor Center 

The Arrowhead Jazz Band brings together National Park Service Rangers and local musicians to perform traditional New Orleans jazz, blues, gospel, and original compositions.

Join New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Rangers Jade Perdue (vocals/keyboards), Matt Hampsey (guitar), Kerry Lewis, Sr. (bass), and Hunter Miles Davis (drums), Intern Saskia Walker (vocals), Intern Tim Brown II (percussion), with special guest Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown  (trumpet) for an exploration of jazz music styles.

Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown brings his impeccable trumpet sounds to any gig he blesses. The veteran performer picked up the horn at the tender age of nine, and by 15 was touring the world. He performs with a number of combos, including Players Ella & Louis Tribute Band and fronting his own groups, including Kid Chocolate and Free P.O.C., at venues such as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation’s prestigious George and Joyce Wein Center. Brown has played with a host of luminaries ranging from Jill Scott to Dr. John to the Onward Brass Band, and has earned a shelf-load of accolades, including a Latin Billboard award and a 2010 Grammy for “Book One” with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. He also performed the trumpet off-stage for Delmond Lambreaux, a musician character in the hit HBO series “Treme.” He attended both the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and the University of New Orleans, and is a sought after teacher and dedicated music educator, most recently with the Trombone Shorty Foundation and Trombone Shorty Music Academy.

This program is free and open to the public.

Vocalist Saskia Walker moved to New Orleans in 2019 from her home town of Rome, Italy, to explore its vibrant musical landscape. She has since worked with many notable musicians in recording studios like Esplanade Studios, and live performances at the Spotted Cat, the Maple Leaf at d.b.a. on Frenchman Street.

This program is free and open to the public.