NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Artistic Director and founder of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Irvin Mayfield is resigning. The announcement comes after allegations he misused funds from the New Orleans Public Library Foundation.
Mayfield released this statement to WGNO Tuesday morning:
“The last few months have been a trying and difficult period for many I care about deeply, for the city I love, and for myself personally.
What was meant to benefit our community and to be a positive move for the city has evolved into a sequence of unfortunate misunderstandings of intent and purpose.
For any role I have played in this directly or indirectly, I am truly sorry.
At this juncture in my life, I have made the decision to step down from my post as Artistic Director of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. Effective immediately, I will turn my focus to my first love – music.
To the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra which remains dear to me, I wish much success in the future.”
Mayfield founded the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra back in 2002.
He won a Grammy Award with the organization in 2010 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.
The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra board of directors released the below statement about Mayfield’s departure:
“The board of directors has accepted Irvin Mayfield’s resignation as a NOJO board member and as the artistic director of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. The board recognizes Mr. Mayfield’s accomplishments as the founder and visionary of what has become one of the great success stories for New Orleans music, the celebration of jazz, and the education of a new generation of musicians and artists. His efforts also helped to serve as a catalyst in the resurgence of Central City, one of the most important and vibrant neighborhoods in our city.
An artistic committee will support the organization while it is in transition. Jazz musician Wynton Marsalis and arts executive producer Mikki Shepard will serve as the committee’s co-chairs. Jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and architect, professor and NOJO board member Ken Schwartz will serve as committee members. Adonis Rose, who has performed with the NOJO for fourteen years, will serve as music director. The board is grateful to Irvin Mayfield for creating an award-winning, internationally acclaimed organization. We are pleased that the distinguished members of the artistic committee have agreed to assist us in sustaining the level of excellence that has been achieved at the Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market (PHNOJM), and we look forward to focusing our efforts on NOJO’s mission as we move forward.
NOJO president and chief executive officer, Ronald Markham, will continue to lead the operations of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and the Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market.
The board of directors has never wavered in its commitment to the celebration of jazz music,
to educational and artistic outreach and to the City of New Orleans, especially Central City. In addition to sold-out performances by the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and visiting performers, the Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market has surpassed even the most optimistic goals as a music, entertainment and educational venue, and in becoming the anchor for a revitalized neighborhood. Thousands of children, teens and adults have taken advantage of the Jazz Market’s expanding array of events and offerings, including music school recitals, music classes, family reading hours, virtual reality demonstrations, community concerts, graduations, summer technology accelerator programs, facility tours and other opportunities since its opening in April 2015.”