This installment of the Culture of New Orleans Series will highlight the unique musical contributions of Black New Orleans throughout its 300 year history. The program will have a discussion of the city’s important cultural traditions, as well as feature a concert of root forms from African and classical music, as well as their influence on several unique local styles, like Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Gospel, Funk, Mardi Gras Indian chants and brass bands. 

The concert will feature an array of the city’s most authentic musical performers and cultural practitioners, including Deacon John, Dr. Michael White, Opera Creole, Luther Gray, Cynthia Girtley and the Hot 8 Brass Band. 

The program, hosted and sponsored by Dr. White, the Keller Endowed Chair in the Humanities at Xavier University, is free and open to the public. 

Culture of New Orleans Series Xavier’s Culture of New Orleans series was founded in 2001. Its purpose is to present various aspects of authentic New Orleans culture, featuring community practitioners, scholars and participants. Since its founding, the series has presented over two dozen programs, which have always been free and open to the public. Each event is designed to be a unique experience that is both informative and entertaining.