Miami, FL – December 9, 2011 – The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and Larry Rosen, together with presenting sponsor TotalBank, presented JAZZ ROOTS: A Larry Rosen Jazz Series – DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS in the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall of the Adrienne Arsht Center..The program will celebrate the Crescent City’s unique musical and cultural contributions, featuring an extraordinary line up of the best artistic talent New Orleans has to offer.

Grammy- and Billboard- Award winning trumpeter/composer/bandleader IRVIN MAYFIELD brought the essence, spirit, and soul of the bayou and its distinctive jazz sounds to Miami when he leads his Grammy Award-winning NEW ORLEANS JAZZ ORCHESTRA (NOJO) in its Arsht Center debut. A spirited, swinging world-class band steeped in the tradition of New Orleans style jazz, blues, and spirituals, the 20-piece orchestra was awarded a 2010 Grammy for Best Large Jazz Ensemble for its critically-acclaimed recording Book One. Throughout the evening the NOJO and a New Orleans’ favorite — trumpet virtuoso KERMIT RUFFINS — offered a lively exploration of jazz, from its beginnings in New Orleans to its current popularity throughout the world.

Special guest MARCIA BALL – who is featured in Clint Eastwood’s documentary film Piano Blues – is a keyboard master known for her foot-stomping, soul-stirring music; slice-of-life lyrics; and melodic, storytelling vocals. Performed her signature Louisiana-Texas style of music, which includes elements of zydeco, swamp blues, Louisiana blues and boogie woogie. The evening kicked off in grand style with a true taste of Carnival revelry, featuring New Orleans’ renowned BIG CHIEF MONK BOUDREAUX AND THE GOLDEN EAGLES MARDI GRAS INDIANS who appeared in full dress, sharing their cultural heritage and indigenous sounds and bringing Miami a sizzling Mardi Gras party.

Irvin Mayfield & John Richard