The mission of CHELLE! Music, is to present known and lesser known music, dance and theater arts of New Orleans, by developing, preserving and producing live and recorded performing art works, and teach a curriculum of New Orleans music, from Spirituals to Storyville to the Mardi Gras Indians, in various educational settings. CHELLE! Music creates programs that promote intercultural communication through the arts, with application well beyond the arts.

World renown Mike Renta jamming with CHELLE! And Friends at California’s Great America “Taste of Orleans” Festival.

World renown Mike Renta jamming with CHELLE! And Friends at California’s Great America “Taste of Orleans” Festival.

Hey CHELLE! And Friends special “Friends”. We are back at California Great America Saturday and Sunday beginning this weekend for the month of July and August!  Lots of great bands and food!

"Whether leading a children¹s Mardi Gras parade or headlining the 'Queens of New Orleans" Music Festival, CHELLE! & Friends’ blend of music delights audiences of all ages."

Linda Lucero
Yerba Buena Gardens 		 
"Chelle has put together a dream team of accomplished performers. This group completely rocks! They've been a hit every time we've worked together."

Russ Jennings, 
Soul Productions
 
 		  

 

Ask 20 people how to define the music of New Orleans and you’ll get 30 answers. It could be jazz, funk, soul, Creole, Cajun, or gospel, Caribbean, African, Zydeco, rock or the chants and stirring rhythms of Mardi Gras Indians. 

New Orleans native, and Oakland's own "Queen of New Orleans Music", MICHELLE JACQUES along some "very special friends" take all of these influences and a few more, and stir it into this stewpot of musical gumbo that is sweet, spicy, aromatic and definitely intoxicating. 

CHELLE! and Friends is made up of some of the most distinguished and accomplished musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area. CHELLE! And Friends perform music that is vibrant and alive with the driving voices of artistic director and founder, Oakland's "Queen of New Orleans Music" MICHELLE JACQUES, RHONDA CRANE, JAY LAMONT and BRYAN DYER, DONNA VISCUSO and ERIC SWINDERMAN on guitar, KEVIN SCOTT on bass and MICHAELLE GOERLITZ on drums.

 

 

 
Just want to send you and your wonderful friends big appreciation for bringing the good songs and vibes to the people last Friday. I've seen you all a bunch over the years but think it was the first time for many in the audience and y'all had it lit!
Thanks for celebrating with us!
 
Preston Justice
Friday Nights @ OMCA
Oakland Museum Of California
YERBA BUENA GARDENS

YERBA BUENA GARDENS

"We hope you had a great Valentines Day. Last weekend was definitely memorable according to Toliver, Rupak and Tenere.  Both nights were packed …and CHELLE and Friends called out all the spirits last Saturday night. One member was so overcome, she bought 16 memberships for all her friends that night. Birdland has that effect sometimes on membirds. But 16 memberships???, That's off the Birdland radar. And another that night offered Birdland another baby grand piano. That's cray cray."

Michael Parayno, Birdland
 

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