Dr. Michael White is an accomplished, multi-faceted New Orleans-based clarinetist, bandleader, composer, musicologist, jazz historian, and educator widely regarded as one of the leading authorities and culture-bearers of traditional New Orleans jazz music. He has performed in over two dozen foreign countries, played on over 50 recordings, received countless awards, made multiple national television appearances, and been featured in major media publications.

In 1980 White began teaching Spanish at Xavier University, while he maintained a career as a gigging musician. His relationship with the university would grow over the years and led him to being awarded the Rosa and Charles Keller Jr. Endowed Chair in the Humanities—a position held until his recent retirement.

Dr. White does extensive work hosting workshops and teaching New Orleans music, including guest coaching at the Julliard School of Music. Since 1995, he has served as the main consultant for traditional jazz for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. In 2002, he began producing the Culture of New Orleans Series at Xavier University, a highly successful program featuring more than two dozen lectures, concerts, and film presentations featuring the authentic traditions and people of New Orleans.

The Original Liberty Jazz Band was formed in 1981 by clarinetist Michael White as an effort to preserve and extend the authentic traditional New Orleans jazz style. After the passing of the older members, several younger musicians—including several descendants of early generation jazz families— filled in the ranks. The Original Liberty Jazz Band has often been cited as being the best, most authentic, and most exciting traditional jazz band in New Orleans today.

The Original Liberty Jazz Band has toured and performed all over the world at festivals, universities, and concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Hollywood Bowl, Wolftrap, Kennedy Center, Apollo Theater, Playboy Jazz Festival, DC Jazz Festival, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and countless other venues.

The band is featured in the documentaries Liberty Street Blues and Maroon. Dr. Michael White and the band have frequently been profiled on television, on radio, and in the press. The group has appeared on several acclaimed recordings under Dr. Michael White’s name.