New Orleans Jazz Museum to Screen Award-Winning Documentary Made with HNOC Support
“What We Can Know About Edmond and Basile” was named 2026 Humanity Documentary of the Year by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.
On February 20, 2026, What We Can Know About Edmond And Basile was named 2026 Humanity Documentary of the YearOpens in new tab by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH). The documentary, directed by Sascha Just, documents the artistic legacy and modern rediscovery of two 19th century Creole composers: Edmond Dédé, a free man of color, and Basile Barès, a man born into enslavement.
The Historic New Orleans Collection—which partnered with OperaCréole and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in conjunction with Patrick Quigley of Opera Lafayette to host the world premiere of Dédé’s lost opera, Morgiane, in 2025—provided support for the project, with several HNOC staff included in the film’s credits:
Jari Honora, historic consultant and HNOC family historian
Dhani Adomaitis, historic consultant and HNOC program coordinator
Additional acknowledgment of thanks to HNOC staff:
Daniel Hammer, president and CEO
Amanda McFillen, director of audience engagement
Amy Williams, manager of programs
Amanda Frentz, senior communications strategist
Margit Longbrake, senior editor
New Orleans Jazz Museum Screening & Concert
In celebration of the film’s LEH award, the New Orleans Jazz Museum will host a special screening at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The screening will be followed by a brief conversation with the director and an intimate concert by Oscar Rossignoli, who will perform rarely-heard music from the film alongside his interpretations of lost and unfinished works by Dédé and Barès.
Tickets are $10 advance or $15 door and are available on the New Orleans Jazz Museum website.Opens in new tab
The film will also be available to stream for free from March 27 to April 1, 2026 via this link.Opens in new tab
About the Film
The new documentary film, What We Can Know About Edmond And Basile, directed by Sascha Just, is a story of hidden histories and a resurrection. Its stars are 19th century New Orleans composers Basile Barès and Edmond Dédé. Barès and Dédé were Creoles of color—Dédé a free man, Barès born into enslavement. The film features, among others, contemporary pianist Oscar Rossignoli and Givonna Joseph, the current artistic director of OperaCréole. Watch the trailerOpens in new tab
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