Presented by The Herb Alpert Foundation
2026
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5th•7 -11 PM
The Coolest Night in New Orleans
Join us for the 9th Annual Improvisations Gala, an unforgettable evening celebrating the music, culture, and creative spirit of New Orleans. Enjoy music across multiple stages, captivating performances, second-line parades, exceptional cuisine, signature cocktails, engaging exhibits, and more—all surrounded by dazzling lighting displays and immersive art installations.
Early Bird Special
The Early Bird Special is being offered on general admission tickets September 1-30 for $125 – a $25 savings!
Tickets are available now.
Early Bird general admission tickets will provide access to all performances, exhibits, food, and beverages. Patron tickets will also be available for $300, allowing admission to the one-hour Patron Party before gates open to all ticket holders.
Patron Party with the River Eckert Band
The evening begins with a special 7–8 p.m. Patron Party for Patrons & Sponsors, featuring the River Eckert Band, passed hors d’oeuvres, and a party buffet by Messina’s Catering & Events, craft cocktails, and more. From 8–11 p.m., Jazz Museum supporters will enjoy an extraordinary lineup of New Orleans and international talent, including Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots, Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, Cha Wa, Mahmoud Chouki, the Danny Barker All-Stars featuring Detroit Brooks, Mark Brooks, Freddie Lonzo, Herlin Riley, Greg Stafford, and Dr. Michael White, the Masakowski Family Trio, Taipei Jazz Orchestra of Taiwan, Mikayla Braun Duo, and the Treme-Lafitte Brass Band.
The evening culminates with The Soul Rebels, presented by Le Bon Temps Roule, with special appearances by James Andrews and Big Freedia. Throughout the evening, guests will also experience performances by the NOLA Chorus Girls, Kit Harris & N’Awlins D’Awlins Baby Dolls, Big Queen Mary K. Stevenson & The Original Wild Tchoupitoulas, Ritmeaux Krewe, and scores of other extraordinary New Orleans artists and performers.
Feeling Lucky?
Purchase a Treasure Chest Key sales for a ladies 10 kt yellow gold brilliant-cut diamond tennis bracelet approximately 4 ctw, valued at $4,500, courtesy of Joey DiFatta, and check-out the On-Line Auction with unique experiences, art, coveted items, and more, that runs November 7 through December 7.
Auction is LIVE November 7th.
Interested in Sponsorship?
Our dedication to the history of jazz continues through our programming, mentoring initiatives, and community outreach alongside the cataloging, preserving, and exhibiting of 25,000+ artifacts in the Museum's collection.
The Improvisations Gala is the greatest celebration of this mission. The annual Improvisations Gala takes place throughout the historic Museum complex, with all proceeds supporting the Museum's Education Center and programming. Your participation will directly benefit not only the Museum, but musicians, students, and educators, working together to share the history of Jazz and to secure its future growth and development.
We invite you to support the New Orleans Jazz Museum's 9th Annual Improvisations Gala, an inspirational and exciting evening of fabulous music, food, cocktails, and local culture. Gala sponsorships are available at multiple levels, so please review the following options and benefits to select a package that best suits your philanthropic mission and marketing objectives.
Take a Peek at Improv 2025
2026 SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Special thanks to The Herb Albert Foundation for their continued support as the Presenting Sponsor of the Improvisations Gala.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
ENTERTAINMENT & PRODUCTION SPONSORS
STAGE SPONSORS
VIP EXPERIENCE SPONSOR
CULINARY SPONSOR
SUSTAINING SPONSORS
BUDDY BOLDEN SPONSORS
SWEET EMMA SPONSORS
ELLIS MARSALIS SPONSORS
IN-KIND SPONSORS
MEDIA SPONSORS
MUSEUM PARTNERS
2026 IMPROVISATIONS GALA COMMITTEE
HONORARY CHAIRS
Herb Alpert | Jon Batiste | John Goodman | Lt. Gov, Billy Nungesser | Arthel Neville | Joe Donner
IMPROVISATIONS GALA CO-CHAIRS
Val Grub | Valerie Landry |Stacey Messina
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Kim Abramson | Sally Asher | DebraBaltarshanski | Kerri Becker | Eric Belin | Chip Blondeau | Peter Boylan | Detroit Brooks | Katherine Cecil | Camille Collins Black | Bo & Dana Cooper | George Corey | Eric Cyranski | Joey DiFatta | Therese Duke | Elizabeth Ellison-Frost | Kathleen Edmundson | Anise Fiello | Austin Fisher | Dino Gankendorff | Jeremy Gelwaks | Gina Giacona | Cathryn Giff | Priscilla Gordon | Ashley Hilsman | Donna Horowitz | Amy Kirk | Cynthia Krus | Cheryl Lemoine | James Moore | Julie Oreck | Arthurine Payton | David Piscola | Marvin Saborio | Claus Sadlier | Raynard Sanders | Jacqueline Simon | Sidney Torres | Julia Walker | Catherine Whitney
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Maurye Aycock | Cindy Badinger | Henry L. Bart | Joe Bikulege | Wendy Ladrig Bart | Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes | Margarita Bergen | Pam Davis Friedler | Laurie Guimont Guillaume | Dr. Thomas LaVeist | Casey Lipscomb | Diane Lyons | Stephanie Oswald | Dr. Eduardo E. Rodriguez | Kristian Sonnier | Vincent Sylvain | Jerry Reyes | Rex & Marty Leatherbury | Jonathan McHugh | Anne Atkinson | Tiffany Adler | Dickie Brennan | Monique Pyle | KC Guidry
IMPROVISATIONS GALA ORGANIZERS
Greg Lambousy | Sandra S. Dartus, CFEE
WHY IT MATTERS
The Improvisations Gala raises essential funds to support the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s educational programming, which includes our exhibitions and performances. By purchasing a ticket, you help preserve our city’s cultural legacy and sustain the future of New Orleans music.