A new documentary, What We Can Know About Edmond And Basile, directed by Sascha Just, explores the lives and legacies of 19th-century New Orleans composers Edmond Dédé and Basile Barès—two Creoles of Color whose contributions to classical music have largely gone unrecognized.

The film, which premiered at the New Orleans Film Festival in 2025, has been named the 2026 “Humanity Documentary of the Year” by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. In conjunction with the award, a special screening will take place Friday, March 27 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

The evening will include a screening of the film, a talk-back with the director, and a live performance by pianist Oscar Rossignoli, who is featured in the documentary. Rossignoli will perform selections from the composers’ rarely heard works, along with his own interpretations and improvisations.

Blending historical research with contemporary performance, the film traces efforts to revive the music of Dédé and Barès, whose works challenged racial barriers in their time but were later overlooked. It follows modern-day musicians and scholars—including Givonna Joseph and OperaCréole—as they bring these compositions back to the stage. The documentary also features interviews with descendants, historians, and cultural figures, offering a broader look at Creole history and identity in New Orleans.

Just, a Berlin-born, New York-based filmmaker, has previously directed documentaries on Ellis Marsalis Jr. and other subjects connected to New Orleans culture, with her work screening at festivals including DOC NYC and the St. Louis International Film Festival.

The March 27 event offers audiences an opportunity to engage with both the film and the music it seeks to recover, highlighting a chapter of New Orleans history that continues to resonate today. For more information and tickets, click here.