UJO Programs

Uptown Music Theatre (2000)

Gives (especially African-American) students a sense of pride in accomplishment
Develops cognitive skills
Improves confidence and public speaking
Increases vocabulary and aptitude
Develops ability to work with and trust peers
Provides mentorship opportunities with seasoned professionals
Develops discipline and sharpens ability to focus
Develops problem-solving skills and anger management

Staged 16 original musicals with over 100 songs to introduce students to jazz, often within an educational and historical framework including:

Kidstown
New Tale of the Old West
Storyville (G-Rated)
Those Crazy 60s
Duke Ellington
Althea Gibson

Staged 14 musical productions (Broadway classics) including:

Annie
Fiddler on the Roof
Lion King
Schoolhouse Rock

Trained over 500 students

Implemented after-school programs at Lusher Charter (now named the Willow), Samuel L. Green Charter, Kipp Central City, & Arthur Ashe Elementary.

One current member and one alumni have performed on Broadway.

Alumni Donald Jones & Lloyd Dillon, jr attended Juilliard School of Drama

Recognized for outstanding production or ensemble work in all 11 years participating in the Jr. Theatre Festival (largest theatrical competition in the world). Competed against over 100 groups annually.

Alumni often return to volunteer/mentor younger students and assist in productions

Uptown Music Theatre has provided students with a safe environment, in which they are able to develop into adults, make new friends, and set examples of excellence for their peers.

Uptown Jazz Orchestra (2008)

UJO maintains traditions that are important to jazz performance such as:

Riff-playing
Spontaneous song arrangements
New Orleans-styled horn polyphony

A multi-generational outfit, UJO musicians work together to play diverse repertoire from early traditional to swing, bebop to modern jazz, brass band to classic r&b

Released 3 cds to critical acclaim.
Employs 30+ musicians annually.
Performed in S. Africa, Germany and throughout the U.S.

Swinging with the Cool School

(Soft introduction to jazz)

Developed in 2006 as a form of music therapy at Children’s Hospital in the wake of Hurricane Katrina aftermath
Reached over 6000 kids nationally
Teaches all students about the blues, swing, standard American song form
Allows (especially underserved) students access to mostly acoustic music in an intimate setting
Encourages students to develop a relationship with music outside of what they hear on the radio or in the mainstream media
Often introduces students to the wide emotional range of instrumental music

Uptown Jazz Youth Orchestra

(Currently inactive)

Provides direct mentorship opportunities as youth share the bandstand with professional musicians

Former alumni include:

Glenn Hall, jr.
John-Michael Bradford
Jeffery Miller
Brian Richburg
Duanne Waples

Students learn firsthand concept of teamwork, improvisational structures and performance nuances

Performed w the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (2011) From Symphony to Jazz

Jazz At Congo Square

Annual outdoor festival started in 2021

Generated revenue for performing New Orleans musicians, vendors and artists including:

Tonya Boyd-Cannon
Doreen Ketchens
Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet
Brass-A-holics
Congo Square Drum Circle

Maintains African performance, food, dance and social traditions

Keep New Orleans Music Alive