Swinging with
the Cool School

Swinging with the Cool School was created by NEA Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis in 2006 as music therapy at Children’s Hospital after Hurricane Katrina and has since reached over 7,500 kids nationwide. Cool School introduces students to blues, swing, and classic American song forms in an up-close, immersive setting.

By showcasing the emotional depth of instrumental music, UJO helps young people foster a deeper, more personal connection to sound. Join us in developing the next generation of New Orleans musicians and bringing this transformative experience to more young minds!

"Having the kids stomping on C Jam Blues was great." Jordan Peota, Music Teacher - Leah Chase School
“It was fabulous!” Stephanie Silverman, Kindergarten Teacher - The Willow
“There is no substitute for seeing live music … You can't replace that kind of inspiration - seeing live performance was literally what led me to become a musician … It was excellent!” Nathaniel Money, Elementary Music Teacher - Bricolage Academy

2025 Swinging with the Cool School Events

Homer Plessy Treme
February 17, 2025: 10.10-11.10am
1423 Saint Philip Street,
New Orleans, LA 70116
Willow School
February 21, 2025: 2.45-3.30pm
7315 Willow Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
Bricolage Academy
February 24, 2025: 1.45-3.00pm
2426 Esplanade Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70119

2024 Swinging with the Cool School Events

Price Center East Ballroom
February 6, 2024
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92903
Soraya Center for Performing Arts
February 7, 2024
18111 Nordhoff St
Northridge, CA 91330
Boise Jazz Society
February 13, 2024
Morrison Center
Boise, Idaho
Eisenhower Elementary Charter School
February 20, 2024: 9.35 a.m. to 10.34 a.m.
3700 Tall Pines Dr., New Orleans, LA 70131
Willow School
February 27, 2024: 2.15-3.00p.m.
7315 Willow Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
St Katharine Drexel Preparatory School
May 1, 2024: 2.00-3.00pm
5116 Magazine St
New Orleans, LA 70115
International School of Louisiana
May 21, 2024: 2.00-3.00pm
Algiers Point
502 Olivier Street
New Orleans, LA 70114

Supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by the Arts Council of New Orleans. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment of the Arts.

Ellis Marsalis Center for Music
June 14, 2024: 10.00-11.00am
1901 Bartholomew St
New Orleans, LA 70117-5057

Leah Chase School
December 17, 2024: 1.15-2.30pm
2727 S Carrollton Ave,
New Orleans, LA 70118
Ben Franklin Middle School
December 18, 2024: 11.30-12.30pm
3649 Laurel St,
New Orleans, LA 70115
KIPP Believe Middle School
December 19, 2024: 10.00-11.00am
3815 St. Bernard Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70122

Alice M. Harte Charter School
June 18, 2024: 1.00-2.00pm
5300 Berkley Drive
New Orleans, LA 70131
Andrew H. Wilson Charter School
June 20, 2024: 11.00-12.00pm
3617 General Pershing St.
New Orleans, LA 70125

2023 Swinging with the Cool School Events

April 3, 2023
Martin Luther King Elementary School
1617 Fats Domino Ave., New Orleans, LA 70117

April 4, 2023
Bethune Elementary School
2401 Humanity St., New Orleans, LA 70122

November 9, 2023
KIPP: Morial Middle School
7701 Grant St., New Orleans, LA 70126

November 14, 2023
Warren Easton High School
3019 Canal St., New Orleans 70119

December 12, 2023
Belle Chasse Academy
100 Fifth St., Belle Chasse, LA 70037

December 19, 2023
NOCCA
2800 Chartres St.,
New Orleans, LA 70117

December 21, 2023
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School
1116 Jefferson Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70115