Led by acclaimed New Orleans jazz musician Delfeayo Marsalis, the Uptown Jazz Orchestra (UJO) was founded in 2008 as a multi-generational ensemble of the city’s finest musicians who, through repertory performances, strive to preserve and present the essence of big band and jazz traditions. New Orleans is considered the “Birthplace of Jazz” and these musicians are its finest ambassadors. The members of the orchestra draw from New Orleans’ incredibly rich and unique history and continued vibrancy of jazz.

The mission of UJO is to reach and extend jazz audiences in all communities without regard to economic class, sharing the importance of music and its history, and to motivate people of all ages to strive for excellence in everything they undertake. Through performances and clinics, UJO utilizes the power of the arts to equip and inspire the creative leaders of tomorrow.

The orchestra performs original compositions, blues and jazz standards that combine riff-playing, spontaneous arrangements, collective improvisation, and New Orleans second line groove. The remarkable level of musicianship and creativity presented continuously inspires audiences. Individually, the musicians of UJO have championed the jazz art form in locations throughout the world as well as in the recording studio.