New Orleans Jazz Museum Exhibit
A new exhibition opening on April 16 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum will highlight early piano music that shaped jazz in the Crescent City.
Titled The First Piano Professors and the Lost Music of Early New Orleans and presented by Anne Atkinson, the exhibit examines composers and compositions that helped shape the foundations of jazz.
Rediscovering a Musical Legacy
New Orleans is widely recognized as the birthplace of jazz, but the musical traditions that made jazz possible have gone overlooked. Before recording technology existed, 19th century composers in the city were publishing piano works that blended African, Afro-Caribbean, Creole, and European influences. This compositions carried a rhythmic innovation and qualities that would later define jazz.
However, much of this music has remained unheard or unknown. Preserved primarily as sheet music, many of these works were never recorded and rarely performed in contemporary times. This exhibit aims to change this by brining back early sounds to public consciousness.
Moving from Archive to Audience
Central to the exhibition is a private archive that compiles over 30 years of work by pianist and curator John Davis. The collection includes rare first-edition scores that give insight into New Orleans' pre-jazz musical landscape.
For the first time, many of those compositions are being recorded, allowing visitors to not only view original material but hear the music, too. The newly commissioned recordings is a core part of the exhibition, reconnecting audiences with works that have been silent for over a century.
An Immersive Experience
The exhibition combines historical artifacts with a contemporary presentation. Visitors can expect to see original sheet music, instruments, images and publishing materials, set within an immersive sound environment and designed in collaboration with the museum's curatorial team.
Beyond the exhibit, the project includes a series of public programs such as concerts, lectures, and educational events. These initiatives are created to deepen understanding of early New Orleans music and its impact.
Museum and Visiting Information
The New Orleans Jazz Museum, located in the historic Old U.S. Mint, is dedicated to preserving and exploring the city's musical heritage. Through exhibitions, performances, and educational efforts, the museum traces the evolution of jazz from its origins to its current influence globally.
Admission to the museum follows Louisiana State Museum guidelines, with general ticketed entry and free admission opportunities available for certain groups on select days. The museum is open every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult tickets are $11 while $9 for students, senior citizens, and active military, tickets. Children age 6 and under can visit for free. Discounted pricing is available for groups of 15 people or more with reservation, and school groups can visit for free, with reservation. Visitors can purchase tickets online.
A New Insight to Jazz History
The First Piano Professors and the Lost Music of Early New Orleans offers a deeper understanding of how jazz originated. By highlighting composers and traditions that proceeded the genre, the exhibit expands the narrative of New Orleans music.
