The New Orleans Blues Project was formed in late 1997, when several of us began the process of developing ideas, dialogue, and solid working relationships with many local, regional and national arts and cultural organizations and community economic development organizations and other organizations in the public and private sector, in a holistic approach toward fostering greater economic opportunity for the creative/cultural sector of our region’s communities.

The New Orleans Blues Project incorporated as a private not-for-profit corporation with the State of Louisiana in November 2000. Request for 501 (c) 3 non-profit tax-exempt status has been filed with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and determination is pending.

Prior to October 2000, and receipt of a JCC Holding Company/ Harrah’s New Orleans Casino COPE (Community Opportunity Prosperity Empowerment) Grant for general operating funds, the New Orleans Blues Project’s operating budget consisted, quite literally, of a wing and a prayer. Thus, we feel our greatest accomplishment to date is our continued existence. Much of the credit for this accomplishment, however, must go to insightful members of the New Orleans area community - most notably Mayor Marc Morial and the New Orleans City Council and the City of New Orleans Economic Development Fund, Dillard University, JCC Holding Company / Harrah’s New Orleans Casino and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Inc. - all of whom we thank for having had the foresight to understand the vision, value and viabilty of the New Orleans Blues Project and our programs and initiatives.

And we especially want to thank all the many musicians that have supported The Blues Project , believed in us and urged us on ..... most notably Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters ~ Jack Cruz, Tom Worrell, Tom Fitzpatrick, Dave Woodard, Larry Cater, Lee Lee Alcorn, Pretty Tony Gambrell of both the Roadmasters and Cronk........ Deacon John, Marilyn Barbarin, Sharon Martin, Joe Francois, Rockie Charles, Everett Eglin, Tyrone Pollard and Richard “Tricky Dick” Dixon of Brother Tyrone and the Mindbenders....King Lloyd, harpman John Carey, as well as photojournalist Leni Sinclair and her daughter Celia Sinclair, attorneys Tom Smith and Chris Utley, Rachel at New Orleans’ Hard Rock Cafe. and last but certainly not least Hank Staples at the Maple Leaf.