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 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!
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"Having the kids stomping on C Jam Blues was great." Jordan Peota, Music Teacher - Leah Chase School
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“It was fabulous!” Stephanie Silverman, Kindergarten Teacher - The Willow
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“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 92903Soraya Center for Performing Arts
February 7, 2024
18111 Nordhoff St
Northridge, CA 91330Boise 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.
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Ellis Marsalis Center for Music
June 14, 2024: 10.00-11.00am
1901 Bartholomew St
New Orleans, LA 70117-5057
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.
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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
Swinging with the Cool School Sponsors
Spring of 2023
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation
American Federation of Musicians (New Orleans Local) - Music Performance Trust Fund
Fall of 2023
New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund
American Federation of Musicians (New Orleans Local) - Music Performance Trust Fund
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
(Currently inactive)
Formed in 2020 to provide emergency aid to native New Orleans musicians and culture bearers.- Raised $135,000 from over 300 donors
- Issued 240 cash grants, including 124 musicians, 75 black masking Indians, and 41 cultural dancers
- Partnered with other musician relief organizations to deliver services to grantees