Main Contact:
Gretchen Hirt
Gambel Communication
504-324-4242
Gretchen@gambelpr.com

New Orleans- New Orleans is a town rich in musical history and has long influenced musical styles throughout the nation. In celebration of New Orleans' jazz heritage, the New Orleans Steamboat Company is thrilled to announce its second Steamboat Stomp traditional jazz festival, taking place Friday, November 14 - Sunday, November 16, 2014 , in New Orleans. The three - day program will feature some of the world's finest musici ans performing New Orleans - style jazz on one of the last authentic steamboats still operating in the United States.

"The Steamboat Stomp emphasizes the historical and cultural significance of jazz on the Mississippi River through a weekend of live perform ances in traditional venues," said Duke Heitger, Band leader of Duke Heitger & the Steamboat Stompers . " The event is a time to appreciate our jazz roots with great local music and recognize the importance of riverboat culture in bringing jazz music to the world."

Designed for jazz enthusiasts, the Steamboat Stomp events kick off in the French Quarter with an opening seminar benefitting The Historic New Orleans Collection . Captain Clarke Hawley, former steamboat captain and first master of the NATCHEZ , will take the audience through the history of jazz on the steamboats of the Mississippi River . The concert for opening night will also feature live performances by Banu Gibson, Yerba Buena Stompers and Don Vappie & Evan Chr istopher Band "Jazz a la Creole" at the Royal Sonesta Hotel.

Saturday afternoon festivities aboard the Steamboat NATCHEZ will be integrated in to the NATCHEZ's two regularly scheduled day - time cruises followed by a festive evening concert reception. The day time cruise s will board at 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM, featuring two stages of simultaneous music and three musical acts on each cruise - Steve Pistorius Quartet, B anu Gibson and Du ke Heitger's Steamboat Stompers on the first cruise; and Steve Pistorius Quartet, Yerba Buena Stompers and Dukes of Dixieland on the second cruise.

The Saturday night reception will feature Banu Gibson, Yerba Bu ena Stompers, Dukes of Dixieland and Tim Laughlin Trio. Attendees will be able to purchase New Orleans' style food served by the Steamboat's renowned chef and local beverages . Steamboat Stomp will close out on Sunday with a traditional gospel jazz brunch f eaturing the Tim Laughlin Trio with Solid Harmony, and the Yerba Buena Stompers as well as New Orleans classic dishes such as cheese grits , house - cured ham , Creole shrimp & pasta salad, beignets and more.

Registration for Steamboat Stomp is now open through www.neworleanssteamboat.com/SteamboatStomp/reserve2014.html.

Weekend packages are available for $225 . Patron - level and sponsor packages are also available starting at $300. Tickets to individual events can be purchased on the site or by phone. For information on sponsorship opportunities, please email Duke Heitger at dukeheit@bellsouth.net .

The New Orleans Steamboat Company was founded by Wilbur and Bill Dow after the rebuilding of the Toulouse Street Wharf in the French Quarter in 1974. Less than one year later, the 1600 passenger Steamboat NATCHEZ was christened. New Orleans Steamboat Company is well recognized and regarded for its contribution to the New Orleans cultural landscape and tourism industry. Since 1975, the Steamboat NATCHEZ has sailed daily offering Mississippi River cruises featuring live jazz, wonderful New Orleans cuisine and the best view in town! Ta ke a cruise and experience part of our American Heritage. The New Orleans Steamboat Company also owns Gray Line Tours. For more information, please call 504 - 586 - 8777 or visit www.neworleanssteamboatcompany.com

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