Presented by The Herb Alpert Foundation
2026
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5th•8 -11 PM
Winter Lights
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.
The unparalleled evening begins with a Preview Party from 7- 8 p.m. for Patrons and Sponsors, featuring the River Eckert Band, passed hors d’oeuvres and party fare 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, 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 on the Hilton Stage, presented by the Jazz Foundation of America.
Improv Gala attendees will be treated to an exciting closing show by The Soul Rebels, presented by Le Bon Temps Roule, with special appearances by Big Freedia, Fred Wesley, James Andrews, Corey Henry, and George Brown. 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, NOLA Lolas, and scores of other extraordinary New Orleans artists and performers.
Online Auction Open for Bidding
Register today for the New Orleans Jazz Museum Improvisations Gala Online Auction and be among the first to bid on an extraordinary collection of one-of-a-kind experiences.
Bidding runs through 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8. Discover incredible travel packages, unique experiences, original artwork, fine dining, jewelry, and so much more—all while supporting the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
New items will be added throughout the auction, so register early and check back often. You won't want to miss the exciting additions and exclusive opportunities!
Scottsdale Camel Back Resort
1 week stay in a Seville 2 Bedroom Villa
The Chloe
One-night Staycation
Krewe of Boo Parade
(2) Riding Memberships
Feeling Lucky?
Some fortunate Gala attendee may take home this stunning ladies 10 kt yellow gold brilliant-cut diamond tennis bracelet approximately 4 carats, valued at $4,500, courtesy of French Quarter neighbor Joey DiFatta. Each key is $50 and pre-Gala purchases made at https://bit.ly/2026improvgala before noon on December 1st come with a chance to win two Patron tickets to Improv 2028 — a $600 value!
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 Grubb | Valerie Landry |Stacey Messina
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Kim Abramson | Sally Asher | Debra Baltarshanski | 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
2026 Gala Entertainment Schedule
River Eckert Band
7:00PM-7:45PM
Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots
8:00PM-8:45PM
Cha Wa
Mikayla Braun Duo
Hilton Stage, 3rd Floor Performance Center
Time
Omega Stage, Barracks Street
Gallatin Stage, 2nd Floor Gallery
Second line
With the Treme Lafitte Brass Band, Big Queen Mary K. Stevenson & the Original Wild Tchoupitoulas, NOLA Chorus Girls, Kit Harris N'Awlins D'Awlins Baby Dolls, and NOLA Lolas
8:45PM-9:00PM
Taipei Jazz Orchestra of Taiwan
Presented by the Ministry of Culture, Republic of China Taiwan
9:00PM-9:45PM
Sally Baby's Silver Dollar
Masakowski Family Trio
Second line
With the Treme Lafitte Brass Band, Big Queen Mary K. Stevenson & the Original Wild Tchoupitoulas, NOLA Chorus Girls, Kit Harris N'Awlins D'Awlins Baby Dolls, and NOLA Lolas
9:45PM-10:00PM
The Danny Barker All-Stars
With Detroit Brooks, Mark Brooks,Freddie Lonzo, Herlin Riley, Greg Stafford and Dr. Michael White
10:00PM-11:00PM
The Soul Rebels
Presented by Le Bon Temps Roule, with special guests Big Freedia, Fred Wesley, James Andrews, Corey Henry, and George Brown
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.