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A woman in a light-colored dress stands clapping on stage, while another woman in a dark dress sits at a piano. A man speaks into a microphone behind a podium with flowers on it. The setting appears to be a church or hall.
Mahalia Jackson standing in front of a microphone; ca. 1954; photographic print possibly by Sam Rosenberg The William Russell Jazz Collection at the Historic New Orleans Collection, acquisition made possible by the Clarisse Claiborne Grima Fund, MSS 520.3286.1
23rd Annual Bill Russell Lecture

Mahalia Jackson

The Queen of Gospel Music

April 20, 2022, 6–7 p.m.

Williams Research Center
410 Chartres Street

With a career spanning 40 years, Mahalia Jackson is widely considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. She was a trailblazer whose devotion to God and singular voice changed gospel music forever. For the 23rd annual Bill Russell lecture, Dr. Mark Burford, Dr. Valerie Francis, and vocalist Andaiye Alimayu present a night of lecture and music to celebrate Jackson’s extraordinary life and career.

Watch the Lecture

Watch and listen to Andaiye Alimayu perform at the 23rd Annual Bill Russell Lecture.
A man stands at a podium speaking, with a black and white historical photo projected in the background. The venue is labelled The Historic New Orleans Collection.
A speaker presents a slideshow in a dimly lit auditorium filled with seated attendees. The audience watches intently, and portraits hang on the walls. A person stands at the podium, while another sits on stage next to a piano.
A group of people joyfully celebrating with a woman in a white dress at the center. They are smiling, clapping, and appear to be in a festive mood, set in a room with chairs and columns.
Photos by Amber Johnson, HNOC

Speakers & Performers

Dr. Mark Burford

Dr. Valerie Francis

Andaiye Alimayu

Vocalist

Support

The Bill Russell Lecture is sponsored by
The Derbes Foundation

The William Russell Jazz Collection

The work of a prolific jazz collector, producer, historian, and photographer comprises one of HNOC’s largest collections related to New Orleans jazz.

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An elderly man stands in a dimly lit room holding a small blue and white bird in one hand. He is wearing a light-colored shirt and dark pants. Cardboard boxes are stacked in the background.

Past Lectures

Wednesday
April 15, 2026
6–7:30 p.m.
27th Annual Bill Russell Lecture

Syncopated Siblings: The Music of Cuba and New Orleans

Hear the shared musical legacy of Cuba and New Orleans in this lecture and concert featuring author and historian Ned Sublette, joined by legendary percussionist Bill Summers and his supergroup, CUBANEXION.
Signature Program, Lecture, Live Music
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View of a Cuban folk dance where a man dances among women wearing floor length dresses and holding tamborines.
Tuesday
April 8, 2025
6–8:30 p.m.
26th Annual Bill Russell Lecture

Women of Preservation Hall

The 26th annual Bill Russell Lecture returns with an exploration of women’s musicianship and history at Preservation Hall.
Signature Program, Lecture, Live Music
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A close up black and white photograph of "Sweet" Emma Barrett playing the piano during a performance at an unidentified venue. She wears an embroidered skull cap that reads "Emma Bell Gal".
Wednesday
April 10, 2024
6–7 p.m.
25th Annual Bill Russell Lecture

Lineages

An exploration of musical mentorships featuring the New Orleans–based music and arts collective Alluvium Ensemble, with remarks by composer Roger Dickerson.
Signature Program, Lecture, Live Music
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A pianist in a suit plays a grand piano on stage in front of an audience. The audience appears attentive. The painting captures the elegance and focus of the performance scene.
Wednesday
April 12, 2023
6–7 p.m.
24th Annual Bill Russell Lecture

The Banjo at the Crossroads of New Orleans and the Caribbean

A conversation about the history of the banjo, an instrument that embodies the centuries-old cultural exchange between New Orleans and the Caribbean.
Signature Program, Lecture, Live Music
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A vintage banjo with a wooden body, white drumhead, and four strings, resting on a white surface. The instruments metal brackets and tuning pegs are visible, giving it a classic and rustic appearance.
Wednesday
April 28, 2021
22nd Annual Bill Russell Lecture

When You Hear That Beat

Through a combination of lecture and musical performance, musicians and scholars—including a full brass band—will recount the history of this distinctive sound, exploring the introduction and evolution of musical styles, changes in instrumentation, and how the tradition gets passed on. 
Signature Program, Lecture, Live Music
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A black and white photo of a lively street parade featuring a marching band playing brass instruments and drums. The musicians wear white shirts and hats. A crowd of spectators surrounds them under a partly cloudy sky.
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