In the New Orleans program, the history of the traditional New Orleans jazz takes front stage. One the key figures here is musician and professor Dr. Michael White, who keeps old traditions alive and kicking with his clarinet. He plays with a trio along the lines of legend Jelly Roll Morton, with none less than New Orleans drummer Idris Muhammad and pianist Steve Pistorious. As a youngster, White, who teaches Spanish and Afro-American music at the New Orleans University, joined the older generation of musicians. White is recognized as a talented clarinet player and bandleader. In his shows, he combines refreshingly interpreted traditional jazz and music education, reviving history. He likes to surround himself with the best musicians in the business, like Papa Don Vappie, Wendell Brunious but also Wynton Marsalis, who is glad to lend a hand, as witnessed on the Village Vanguard recordings. In turn, White also made an appearance at Marsalis' concerts in the Lincoln Center, seeing as the two share the same passion for the original music from their native region.
