"The Silverbook...draws its essence from the echoes of Congo Square..."
–Harold Battiste
Our Mission
The mission of the Congo Square Jazz Orchestra (CSJO) is to explore the Congo Square contributions to American Music and the Music of the world, post transatlantic slave trade.
Freddi Evans, in her book “Congo Square,” states that “In 1786 Bishop Cyrillio (Cirilo Sieni) issued a pastoral letter that denounced “Negroes who at the vespers hour, assembled in a green expanse called ‘Place Congo’ to dance the Bamboula and perform the rites imported from Africa by the Yolofs, Foulahs, Bambarras Mandigoes, and other races.”
In the 1790’s five forts were developed in consideration of potential battles.
Congo Square is located in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is bordered on the Southeast by Rampart St., on the Northeast by St. Phillip St (or the imaginary St. Ann), on the Northwest by Essence Way (or the Municipal Auditorium), and on the Southeast by Basin Street (or the somewhat imaginary St. Peter).
Freddi Evans, in her book “Congo Square,” states that “In 1786 Bishop Cyrillio (Cirilo Sieni) issued a pastoral letter that denounced “Negroes who at the vespers hour, assembled in a green expanse called ‘Place Congo’ to dance the Bamboula and perform the rites imported from Africa by the Yolofs, Foulahs, Bambarras Mandigoes, and other races.”