Music in the Garden is returning to NOMA this spring! Join the New Orleans musicians you love for intimate, socially distanced outdoor performances in NOMA’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden, assembled by internationally renowned multi-instrumentalist and composer Mahmoud Chouki. Choose the ‘Music Meal Box’ by Cafe NOMA for an exciting boxed dinner option to enjoy during each performance.

NOMA is excited to present the James Williams Band on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 for the final performance of the Spring series. Gates will open at 5:45 and the concert will begin promptly at 6:30 pm. 

This program was postponed from Friday, April 30 due to weather. 

Tickets are $20 General Admission | $17 NOMA Members JOIN NOW

Purchase Tickets

2-Course “Music Meal Box” curated by Café NOMA and Chef Chris Montero

Café NOMA will offer a food and drink option ready upon your arrival. All orders of the Music Meal Box for this concert must be placed by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 28. A bar by Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group will also sell select beverages during the performance. Outside food and drink will not be allowed in the sculpture garden during this program.

View the Menu and Place an Order

About James Williams

James Williams adores the music of Louis Armstrong, and has three primary outlets for his passion: the James Williams Band (aka the James Williams New Orleans Jazz Quintet), a high-class trumpet and vocal affair that uses upright bass; the New Orleans Swamp Donkeys Traditional Jass Band, a raucous traditional jazz and brass band that is backed by sousaphone/tuba; and he helps lead the New Orleans Classic Big Band, the hottest and coolest new big band in years to celebrate the music of Louis Armstrong and the golden age of big band music.

Mr. Williams tears up stages on vocals and trumpet in all three of the above bands, and he has performed recently at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Megève Jazz Festival, Monte Carlo Sporting Summer Fest, Red Cross Gala of Monaco, Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, French Quarter Festival, Ascona Jazz Festival, Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival, New Orleans Meets in Zofingen, NIPANY Festival, and more. He has also headlined at incredible clubs around the world as well, including Minton’s Playhouse, Ronnie Scott’s, The Blue Note, Brooklyn Bowl, The Hamilton, BB King’s, Duc Des Lombards, Cliff Bell’s, Tipitina’s, dba, The Spotted Cat, The Cutting Room, and more.

Safety Guidelines

NOMA is committed to the health and safety of our community. We require that all registrants to this event wear face masks as per CDC, state, and city guidelines. All staff and participants will be wearing face masks, with the exception of the on-stage musicians. There will be a minimum of 12 ft from the edge of the stage to the beginning of seating.

Per city guidelines, capacity will be limited to 150 people.

No social gathering will be permitted. Please maintain a safe distance of at least 6ft from those not in your party.

NOMA staff will be on site to monitor social distancing and assist with seating spacing. The amphitheater consists of grass berms, and we encourage attendees to bring their own outdoor chairs or blankets for this event.

If you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, please stay home and plan to attend a future concert. All refunds due to illness will be 100% refunded.

Ticket Limits

The purchase of Member tickets is limited by your membership level.

Individual: Limit 1

Friends & Family: Limit 2

Sustaining, Benefactors, Young Fellows, and Friends of the Sculpture Garden: Limit 4

Fellows and Circles: Limit 6

To upgrade your membership, please contact the membership office at membership@noma.org or (504) 658-4130.

Cancellation Policy

A rain cancellation will be determined by 1 pm the day of the event. In the event of a rain cancellation, tickets will be refunded.

Questions?

Contact us at education@noma.org or (504) 658-4100

Education and outreach initiatives at NOMA are supported in part by the Zemurray Foundation; the Lois and Lloyd Hawkins Jr. Foundation; The Helis Foundation; The Gayle and Tom Benson Foundation; The City of New Orleans; IBERIABANK; The Wagner Foundation; Janice Parmelee and Bill Hammack; the Diversifying Art Museum Leadership Initiative, funded by the Walton Family Foundation and the Ford Foundation; Sara and David Kelso; Patrick F. Taylor Foundation;  Dr. Scott S. Cowen; The RosaMary Foundation; The Azby Fund; the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, a Federal agency; The Collins C. Diboll Private Foundation; Burkenroad Foundation; Marian Dreux Van Horn Education Endowment; The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation;  Ruby K. Worner Trust through the PNC Charitable Trusts Grant Review Committee; The Harry T. Howard III Foundation; New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc.; Harvey and Marie Orth; The Bruce J. Heim Foundation; and Mrs. Bennett A. Molter, Jr. This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.