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MEDIA CONTACT: Jeanmarie Murphy

504-558-1785 jmurphy@theehrhardtgroup.com

THE PEOPLES HEALTH NEW ORLEANS JAZZ MARKET CELEBRATES RIBBON CUTTING AND KICKS OFF GRAND OPENING MONTH.

April will feature concerts, NOJO Gala, daytime programming, festival appearances, and new bar concept

NEW ORLEANS (April 3, 2015) – Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) kicked off the grand opening of their new building project, the Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market (PHNOJM), with a ribbon-cutting celebration last night. Councilmember LaToya Cantrell, NOJO Board Chairman Ron Forman and NOJO President and CEO Ronald Markham hosted the event, which featured an awe-inspiring performance by Mayfield with Grammy and Tony Award-winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, who is also Honorary Chairperson of NOJO’s Board of Directors.

“The Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market is a monument to the greatest achievement that New Orleans has ever accomplished – the creation of Jazz. This building has been a dream of mine since founding NOJO in 2002, and it is beyond exciting to see that dream become a reality,” explained NOJO Artistic Director Irvin Mayfield.

“This is an exciting time for NOJO, Central City and the Greater New Orleans region. We are thrilled to be a part of such a magnificent effort,” added NOJO President and CEO Ronald Markham.

“Peoples Health was proud to lend our support and name to this historical resource which is preserving the past and advancing the future of Jazz,” remarked Nick Karl, AVP Sales and Marketing for Peoples Health.

Speakers included: Ron Forman, NOJO Board Chairman and President & CEO of Audubon Nature Institute; Nick Karl, Assistant Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Peoples Health; Margaret Anadu, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs’ Urban Investment Group; Ommeed Sathe, Vice President, Impact Investments, Prudential Financial, Inc.; Charles M. Brown, City Librarian & Executive Director of the New Orleans Public Library; James Bernazzani, President & Co-Founder of the Youth Rescue Initiative; Hunter G. Hill, Executive Vice President & New Orleans Market President for IBERIABANK; Sakari Morrison, General Manager of Policy, Government & Public Affairs for Chevron Gulf of Mexico; Jeffrey P. Hebert, Executive Director, New Orleans Redevelopment Authority and Chief Resilience Officer for the City of New Orleans; Neal Morris, Founder & CEO of Redmellon Restoration and Development; Jason Williams, Councilmember-At-Large, New Orleans City Council; Scott Hutcheson, The City of New Orleans’ Advisor to the Mayor for Cultural Economy; Barbara Lacen-Keller, “Mayor of Central City” & Director of Constituent Services for Councilmember-At-Large Stacy Head; Mikki Shepard, Executive Producer of The Apollo Theater; and Councilmember LaToya Cantrell, District B, New Orleans City Council.

The program featured several exciting announcements, including an upcoming international tour and album – Dee Dee’s Feathers – featuring Mayfield and NOJO with Bridgewater. Dee Dee’s Feathers will be released internationally on April 28th and in the United States on August 11th. The stage in the Market will be officially dedicated to Bridgewater this fall. Chevron’s Sakari Morrison announced a physical STEAM (Science – Technology – Engineering – Arts – Math) Zone in collaboration with NOJO at French Quarter Festival, as well as a digital STEAM Zone being developed for the PHNOJM currently. Mikki Shepard, Executive Producer for the Apollo Theater, announced an upcoming partnership between the famed Harlem theater and the Market, as well as an upcoming commission with Mayfield and performances featuring him as Apollo Artist-in-Residence; a reception celebrating that partnership will be hosted at the PHNOJM today from 5:00-7:00pm. Goldman Sachs’ impact investing business, the Urban Investment Group, provided approximately $10 million and was the lead capital provider of the project. Goldman Sachs, through approximately $290 million of impact investments in New Orleans has brought affordable housing, retail and fresh food to key neighborhoods and revitalizing commercial corridors

that have been vacant since Hurricane Katrina.

“We are pleased to continue our commitment to New Orleans’ redevelopment efforts through our investment in the Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market,” said Margaret Anadu, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs. “When thinking about neighborhood revitalization, we understand the importance of cultural centers that allow people to come together and unite as a community. This project will also serve as a catalyst for further revitalization on this historic commercial corridor while creating jobs and providing valuable cultural and educational programming.”

The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority awarded a loan in the amount of $800,000 through its Commercial Corridor Gap Financing Program. Prudential Financial, Inc. served as a bridge lender. The sale of Louisiana Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits and Louisiana Theater Musical and Theatrical Production Tax Credits provided equity. The Louisiana Office of Facility Planning and Control administered two legislative Capital Outlay appropriations. Community Development Capital provided acquisition financing.

“This town needs a Jazz Market accessible to all community members, visitors, local and visiting musicians, and music lovers," said Ommeed Sathe, Vice President, Impact Investments, Prudential Financial, Inc. ”We are glad to be part of the band that funded and built this space as part of Prudential's commitment to corporate social responsibility.”

Redmellon Restoration and Development was the development partner for the project. Landis Construction was the General Contractor, Kronberg Wall Architects designed the facility, and Kirkegaard Associates designed the hall’s acoustics. Major construction took less than a year to complete.

"This was a perfect project for Redmellon because it was challenging, socially worthwhile, and fun. We welcome the opportunity to partner with deserving non-profits, and you couldn't ask for a better partner than the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. Through an incredible team effort, we brought the project in on time and under budget. You just couldn't ask for more," remarked Neal Morris, Founder & CEO of Redmellon Restoration and Development.

In addition to the project’s development partners, NOJO owes gratitude to several capital campaign supporters. Peoples Health named both the Jazz Market and its elevator. The NOPLF and the Youth Rescue Initiative’s Illumination Center supported the developing digital Jazz Archive, which will open later this year. IBERIABANK’s name will be featured on the 340-seat performance hall in recognition of their support. Chevron provided funding for the installation of a digital Jazz STEAM (Science – Technology – Engineering – Arts – Math) Zone for the Market’s lobby, in addition to funding the education and practice space. Pamela and Warner Williams will receive naming rights for the Jazz Market’s stage, which will be officially dedicated to Bridgewater in the fall. The support of the Goldring Family Foundation is being recognized with naming rights for the upstairs lounge. Neal and Anne Morris of Redmellon participated as capital campaign supporters by donating a Steinway Model D for the performance space. The Helis Foundation supported the purchase of more than 25 original photographs from late photographer Herman Leonard, who was also an original NOJO board member. Local Hearst affiliate WDSU donated a restored 1951 Steinway for the Jazz Market’s lobby. Other vital supporters include The Patrick F. Taylor Foundation and The Keller Family Foundation. Current VIP seat patrons for the hall include Nate and Priscilla Gordon, Pamela and Warner Williams, Robert Bohne, and Charles and Susan Mayne.

The Bolden Bar in the Jazz Market, which opened in early March, hosted the event after-party featuring Walter "Wolfman" Washington and the Roadmasters. The bar opens every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening at 5:00pm, with live music nightly. The venue was named in honor of famed Central City resident and Jazz pioneer Buddy Bolden (1877-1931). Tonight will feature the Leroy Jones Quintet, and Saturday, April 4th, will feature Little Freddie King; each night is free and open to the public. Next weekend (April 9-11) will debut a new “Taste. Wear. See. Hear.” happy hour series; the bar will present cocktail, wine and restaurant tastings on Thursdays, fashion brands and designers on Fridays, and both visual art and book premieres on Saturdays. To see the weekly schedule, visit www.PHNOJM.org. The bar program was designed by respected sommelier and hospitality professional Sara Kavanaugh with bar manager Mark Reuther, in collaboration with Mayfield.

In addition to hosting concerts in the Jazz Market’s performance space, IBERIABANK Hall, the building will serve as a Jazz community center during the day. Senior citizen activities, in partnership with Peoples Health, began consistently earlier this month; visit http://peopleshealth.staywellsolutionsonline.com/HealthWellness/WellnessEvents/ for a list of upcoming events.

In partnership with the New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) and through the support of the NOPL Foundation (NOPLF) and the Youth Rescue Initiative’s Illumination Center, NOJO will begin weekly daytime programming today. Moving forward, the PHNOJM will open every Friday and Saturday from 10:00am until 4:00pm; the grand opening of daytime programming will

take place on April 17th and 18th. Fridays will be a time for guests to relax, meet, mingle, read and enjoy a curated record collection; Saturdays will focus on families, featuring solo ragtime pianists and creative, kid-friendly programming. The public is encouraged to stop by and enjoy the music, meet a friend or colleague, grab a cup of coffee, peruse the Jazz book collection being curated by NOPL, and register for a Jazz-themed library card. These weekly events are also free and open to the public. A developing digital archive of Jazz recordings, history and charts will debut at the Market later this year.

“The New Orleans Public Library welcomes this opportunity to expand its partnership with NOJO and the Jazz Market. This exciting new venue will extend the Library's reach into the community through access to its Jazz research, resources and artifacts. In time, we envision further library offerings being provided from this location, including the circulating and return of library materials,” explained Charles Brown, City Librarian & Executive Director of the New Orleans Public Library.

The grand opening will continue throughout the month. On Friday, April 24th, NOJO will celebrate their fourth annual THE BIG BEAT Gala – the first to be hosted at the PHNOJM. The night will begin with a private dinner curated by Purloo Chef Ryan Hughes at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum and featuring a selection of hors d’oeuvres from famous local restaurants such as Galatoire’s, Restaurant R’evolution and Café Reconcile. After dinner, guests will enjoy a seated concert in IBERIABANK Hall at the Jazz Market; the performance will feature Mayfield, Bridgewater and the NOJO big band. Individual tickets are $350, and patron packages begin at $1,000; for more information, please contact Sarah Bell (sbell@theNOJO.com, 504-913-0575).

The first public, ticketed performance at the PHNOJM will be hosted on Saturday, April 25th; doors will open at 8:00pm, and the show will begin at 9:00pm. The night will feature a 90-minute performance by Mayfield and 18-piece NOJO. Ticket prices start at $35 and are available for purchase at www.theNOJO.com. Starting in the fall, Mayfield and NOJO will perform 8-10 big band concerts per year, while producing additional themed concerts for the community. The full fall season will be announced this summer.

Through the New Orleans Jazz Institute (NOJI), NOJO’s partnership with the University of New Orleans (UNO), the Jazz Market will host education initiatives geared toward youth development and Jazz appreciation. NOJI’s current year-round youth education programs will continue to be produced at UNO and local schools. However, an after-school component, youth and community big bands, master classes and workshops – as well as practice and performance opportunities – will be announced for the Market later this year. Additionally, the facility will serve as a welcome center for visiting and local Jazz enthusiasts; NOJO will produce Jazz 101 classes with musical demonstrations and discussions about the history and development of the music.

Other NOJO events in April include:

§ April 9-12: NOJO Residency at French Quarter Festival, Abita Beer Stage | Free & Open to the Public o April 9: Irvin Mayfield & NOJO present Jazz Tributes to Stevie Wonder, Grateful Dead, and the Beatles | 5:20-

6:45pm o April 10: Irvin Mayfield & NOJO present Jazz Tributes to Led Zeppelin, Queen, and Nirvana | 5:25-6:45pm o April 11: Irvin Mayfield & NOJO present Children's Songs | 12:35-1:50pm o April 12: Irvin Mayfield & NOJO present the New Orleans Songbook | 2:10-3:25pm

§ April 26: Irvin Mayfield, NOJO & special guest Dee Dee Bridgewater at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival | 1:45 - 2:55pm, Gentilly Stage

The Jazz Market is located in Central City at the intersection of Oretha Castle Haley and Martin Luther King Boulevards in the former Gators Department Store building, which once housed the historic Dryades Market.

About the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO)

NOJO creates Jazz to enhance life, transform place, and elevate spirit through the tenets of truth, love and beauty. Founded in 2002 by trumpeter, composer, arranger and bandleader Irvin Mayfield, NOJO is the first and only performing arts institution committed solely to the development of an Industry for Jazz in the city that created the music. For more information, please visit www.thenojo.com and www.PHNOJM.org.

About Peoples Health

Established in 1994, Peoples Health is a Medicare Advantage organization serving over 57,000 Medicare beneficiaries in southeast Louisiana. The physician-owned company has over 950 employees who help administer and provide a unique

approach to wellness, care coordination and support services for plan members. The company is a proud supporter of many social, cultural, athletic and health organizations and holds an accreditation by NCQA. Visit www.peopleshealth.com for more information.

About the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group (UIG)

Established in 2001, the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group (UIG) deploys capital to help transform distressed communities into sustainable and vibrant neighborhoods of choice and opportunity. UIG seeks double-bottom-line returns by providing flexible financing for community projects that respond to the needs of low- and moderate-income communities and support public sector priorities. Through its comprehensive platform, UIG has committed more than $3 billion of Goldman Sachs capital, catalyzing development across dozens of residential, mixed-use and commercial projects, and financing job creation and neighborhood revitalization strategies as well as social services, through the nation’s first social impact bonds.

About Prudential Financial , Inc.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader with more than $1 trillion of assets under management as of December 31, 2014, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit www.news.prudential.com.

About the New Orleans Jazz Insti tute (NOJI)

NOJI is a partnership between UNO and NOJO. NOJI links UNO’s strengths in Jazz education with NOJO’s professional and performance expertise and serves to promote creative excellence and best practices in Jazz composition, performance, scholarship, importation, exportation and education. NOJI hosts a medley of Jazz education and advancement initiatives, including year-round youth music education through the Irvin Mayfield School of Music, biannual Jazz commissions entitled “NOJI Masters Series,” and a discourse class discussing New Orleans culture at UNO.

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