The New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market, a non-profit organization on a mission to bring the most talented, accomplished and passionate jazz and blues musicians to the stage, announced today that it will relaunch at 1436 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard on Wednesday, October 1. The venue plans to feature award-winning jazz and blues musicians from across the globe. Music kicks off on October 1 with Grammy-winner and -nominated jazz guitarist and composer Bill Frisell (with his trio Thomas Morgan, Rudy Royston and Gregory Tardy). Multiple shows are scheduled weekly and will continue into the new year.

Several shows were announced and had to be cancelled or deferred because construction at the new venue prevented them from taking place.

The New Orleans Jazz Market was created as a home for the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO), which has experienced an abundance of turmoil since its contruction. The Market opened roughly 10 years ago in Central City. The property was originally constructed in 1848 as a part of one of the city’s market districts. The 14,000-square-foot space was constructed to serve as a hub for jazz, including a 370-seat auditorium for the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, a café, a classroom, and a digital archive. The creators of the project were trumpeter Irvin Mayfield and the then-executive director of NOJO, Ronald Markham. Both creators were on the board of the New Orleans Public Library Foundation, and were ultimately accused and convicted of funneling money from the Library Board for their own personal use. Obviously this caused a huge shake-up in the Jazz Market organization and the operations of the Market itself. The last several years became problematic for the Jazz Market, as the building deteriorated, with what appears to have been a lack of leadership in the remaining board of directors, many of whom ultimately resigned.

There is now a new group of directors for NOJO who raised money and approved renovations for the property, so it could be put into commerce as a regularly-operating jazz venue that will host local and national performers jazz and blues performers. The newly-christened New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market venue has been reconfigured inside and repaired throughout, with a stated seated capacity of 300.

Upcoming October show highlights will include the Bob James Quartet (October 2-3); The Yellowjackets (October 9-10); saxophonist, singer/songwriter Grace Kelly (October 11); guitar legend Larry Carlton (October 18); jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan (October 23-24); and vocalist Lisa Fisher (October 31).

The New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market revealed many interior enhancements with the October 1 reopening. The venue has been meticulously engineered to be a superior “listening room,” designed and built with superior acoustics and sound equipment. New enhancements include a full sound and lighting upgrade; four-top table and chair seating with beverage service; a newly-renovated bar; and an online automated TicketMaster ticketing system.

The new NOJO board commissioned Suzanne Bresette,  a veteran music industry consultant to become the venue’s interim manager.  Bresette comes to New Orleans after a successful career in the music industry—she was involved in the build-out and launch of Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and worked in New York for many years in venue consulting and strategy.

To view the upcoming music schedule and purchase tickets, visit www.jazzandbluesmarket.com/events.