UPDATE: This event has been postponed from September 26 to October 17. The event will still take place at the Three Keys at the Ace Hotel, 600 Carondelet St, New Orleans, from 5 – 6:30 p.m.
New Orleans is known for its incredible music, especially the iconic Preservation Hall. The Preservation Hall Foundation established the Legacy Program in 2015 to recognize outstanding musicians in New Orleans. At the second annual Legacy Program Awards Ceremony, the Preservation Hall Foundation will recognize Lars Edegran, Orange Kellin and Lester Caliste as Master Practitioners who have contributed immensely to local jazz and culture.
Lars Edegran plays the piano, guitar and banjo. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Edegran followed his musical passion to New Orleans in 1965. On his first day in the Big Easy, he attended Preservation Hall and was welcomed with open arms. He has played periodically with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band for the last forty years.
Orange Kellin, also from Sweden, moved to the United States seeking artistic freedom and jazz music. In 2010, he formed the New Orleans Deluxe Orchestra, an eight-piece group that resurrects music from the early 1900s with an emphasis on New Orleans jazz.
Lester Caliste is Preservation Hall’s trombonist who has been playing jazz since a young age, when he was asked to play at parades and funerals. Caliste recognizes the distinctiveness of New Orleans jazz music because “it embodies the spirit of the New Orleans people.”
The Legacy Program Awards Ceremony is free and open to the public. It will take place on Wednesday, September 5 at 5:00 p.m. at Three Keys.
