The New Orleans jazz tradition is as strong as ever, but many of today’s rising jazz stars are not as traditional as you may think. Many aren’t following the established path from brass band to NOCCA to UNO to Lincoln Center, and are venturing into diverse arenas, from avant-garde to smooth. The artists featured in this article represent a cross section of the emerging talent shaping an increasingly vibrant and eclectic jazz scene in New Orleans.

Clarence Johnson III

Thi...