NOSACONN
Building Cultural Exchange Between New Orleans & South Africa
The Juneteenth Festival, taking place June 18-19, in Washington, D.C., announced performances by David Batiste and his son, Damon Batiste this week. The festival commemorates a pivotal moment in American history, honoring the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas, who learned of their freedom two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Three years ago, President Joe Biden elevated Juneteenth to a federal holiday.
This year’s event, slated at the historic National Mall, provides a poignant setting for a day steeped in reflection aand celebration with a diverse array of performances. Louisiana Music Hall of Famer David Batiste, a luminary in funk and jazz, has been an influential figure in New Orleans’ music scene for decades. As the founder of David Batiste and The Gladiators, he has indelibly shaped the modern funk genre. His soulful melodies resonate with the essence of New Orleans. David’s performance is anticipated to pay a powerful homage to both Juneteenth’s legacy and the musical roots of his beloved hometown.
Sharing the stage with David will be his son, Damon Batiste, a distinguished musician and cultural ambassador. Damon is deeply committed to fostering cultural connections between New Orleans and Africa. His organization, the New Orleans South Africa Connection (NOSACONN), underscores these ties, emphasizing shared history and cultural bonds.
In addition to the Batiste family, the festival boasts a diverse lineup of talented musicians, including jazz sensation Terri Lyne Carrington, R&B artist Avery Sunshine, blues guitarist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, hip-hop artist Rapsody, soul singer Leela James, gospel powerhouse Kirk Franklin and more. The Juneteenth Festival will not only commemorate the historical significance of the day but also celebrate the enduring legacy of African American music.
The Batiste family’s participation underscores the profound impact of New Orleans’ musical heritage on the broader American cultural landscape. David and Damon Batiste’s performance is poised to be a highlight of the festival, offering a dynamic blend of traditional New Orleans sounds. “We are honored to have David and Damon Batiste join our phenomenal line up for this year’s Juneteenth Festival,” said Maria Jenkins Juneteenth Festival Organizer. “Their music and cultural contributions embody the spirit of Juneteenth, celebrating freedom, heritage, and the unbreakable bonds within the African American community.”
Grammy Award Winner Blues Man Bobby Rush will also be making an appearance. The festival is free to the public. For more information about the festival and the full schedule of events, please visit the DC Juneteenth website.
HONORS AT CUTTING EDGE MUSIC CONFERENCE
The festival, detailed at DC Juneteenth marks a significant occasion in American history, celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas who learned of their freedom two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Three years ago, President Joe Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday. This year’s event will be held at the historic National Mall, providing a poignant backdrop for a day filled with reflection, celebration, and a rich array of cultural expressions.
Louisiana Music Hall of Famer David Batiste, a seminal figure in funk and jazz, has been a tremendous force in the New Orleans music scene for decades. As the founder of David Batiste and The Gladiators, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of modern funk. His deep, soulful music resonates with the spirit of New Orleans, a city renowned for its vibrant musical traditions. David’s performance is expected to be a powerful homage to both the legacy of Juneteenth and the musical roots of his hometown.
“We are honored to be performing with my Dad at the White House park over Father’s Day Weekend as we do so in honor of David Russell Batiste Jr., my brother ‘the musical genius’ as our musical phenom first cousin Jon Batiste said as we laid Russell to rest last October,” said Damon Batiste, CEO of NOSACONN. “It’s part of our legacy in a sense as my Dad, who influences future musicians, brought a group of young people from New Orleans to perform with him for the Obamas in the East Room of the White House.”
David Russell Batiste Sr. Receives Well-Deserved Honor from Offbeat Magazine, Plus NOSACONN South Africa & Lundi Gras News
“Great to see Pops get his props,” said Damon J. Batiste of “NOLA’s Royal Family of Music,” the Batistes.
Coming off the unexpected news of the Senior’s loss in September of 2023 of his first child and namesake, talented and versatile musician David Russell Batiste Jr., the award is inspiring news for the legendary music that some say initiated the funk sound with the family’s first band, “David and the Gladiators.”
Offbeat Magazine’s January edition cover page with Batiste’s trademark symbol the melodica speaks volumes even alluding to famed nephew and melodica player, Jon Batiste, who is weeks away from possibly adding six more awards to his five Grammys from among 20 nominations received to date.
Batiste added that his father is not only a musical trailblazer for the Batiste Family, but other musicians as well. “Having just celebrated his 75th birthday in September, It’s great to see that he is still at it, bringing joy to the hearts of people,” said Batiste. “Music is not labor, it’s all creative love that brings healing.
He lives in the moment of the music to bring about positive transformation.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient hits the stage at the end of the month for Off Beat Magazine’s special awards show at Tipitina’s New Orleans January, 24, 2024. Batiste is just back from his 86th round trip visit with inland flights from Johannesburg, to Durban and Cape Town, South Africa.
In Loving Memory of
David Russell “Russ” Batiste, Jr
David Russell “Russ” Batiste, Jr. age 57, departed this life on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Russ, as he was affectionally called, was a multi-talented Legendary New Orleans Drummer and member of the Batiste Family.
Relatives, friends of the family, Faculty, staff, students and Alumni of St. Augustine High School, friends of NOSACONN, members of New Orleans Music Union, United Way, Urban League, New Orleans Jazz Museum, employees and guests of Sweet Lorraines Jazz Club, Maple Leaf Bar, Le Bon Temps Roule Bar and Music Club, Dmac’s Bar and Grill, WWOZ New Orleans 90.7, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Howlin Wolf, Children’s Hospital Imaginarium, Ostendorf, Tate & Barnett LLP and Ehlinger & Associates, Communities of Bunch Village and The Batiste Music Family from Little Farms, and Jefferson Parish School District are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 10:00AM, at Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 2015 Louisiana Avenue, New Orleans, LA, Fr. Ajani K Gibson, Celebrant.
Visitation will be held from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM with recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 9:30AM. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Visitation will also be held on Monday, October 9, 2023, 5PM-7PM. Jam Session begins at 7PM at Professional Funeral Services Inc, 1449 N Claiborne Avenue, New Orleans, LA
Russ leaves to cherish his loving memories, his mother and stepfather, Newman & Patricia Johnson; Father, David Batiste, Sr; his Children, Christopher Prosper, Darrell (Myra) and Nareal; devoted best friend, Joyce LeBlanc; 2 Grandchildren, Elizabeth and Mariah; his siblings, Tasha & Damon (Johanna) Batiste, Lakisha Johnson, Eboni, Jamal, Chanelle and Ryan Batiste, Aaron Duncan, Monique Paul-Santiago, Mirinda Paul-Bell, Tish Allen-Deemer, David Guys, Carol Morgan, Jackie & Anthony Johnson, Alfred, Shawanda & Catina Matthews; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David, please visit our floral store. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Professional Funeral Services – New Orleans on Oct. 6, 2023.
2023 RUGBY WORLD CUP WINNERS
South Africa have played at 8 of the 10 Rugby World Cup tournaments, having been unable to compete in the first two tournaments due to a sports boycott during the apartheid era, and have won 50% of tournaments in which they participated. Following the end of apartheid, they hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup and won the tournament, they were champions again at the 2007 tournament in France. The Springboks then made history when they beat England in the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan despite losing a pool stage match.[citation needed]
They again made history in 2023 when both finalists lost pool matches.
The Springboks have the most tournament wins at the Rugby World Cup – having won 4 times – although they have participated in fewer tournaments. In addition to this, they are the only rugby team to have won every World Cup final they have played in.
Mayor Cantrell Issues Statement on Passing of Russell Batiste
NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell today issued the following statement on the passing of Russell Batiste:
“I want to offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of New Orleans’ own Russell Batiste,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
“The music created by the Batiste family dynasty helped define the cultural legacy of the City of New Orleans and will continue to inspire people across the globe for generations. The memory and genius of Russell Batiste will live on in the knowledge that the sounds he created brought joy and happiness to countless lives. May he now rest in God’s perfect peace.”
"NOSACONN-BRED AFRICAN PRINCE HEADED FOR ASIA, DEPLOYED AS A PROMISING YOUNG SOUTH AFRICAN DIPLOMAT"
His name is Radebe Lungile, all the way from the last town of the KwaZulu-Natal Province, Kokstad, now Living in Durban, same Province of South Africa. He refers to himself as a Prince of Irony, particularly because of how much of a Paradox his background is from his Present and future.
He is one of Actively promising young South African Talent spotted by Damon J. Batiste, the Founder and President of New Orleans South Africa Connection of the USA. He has been selected by the Best Diplomats organization based in New York to participate in the United Nations Diplomatic Simulation Conference to be held in Thailand Bangkok, in November 10th – 13th. He is currently actively raising for the associated travel and accommodation costs for the Trip and is open to all heartfelt contributions to the cause of his Journey which may be Life changing as he approaches the peak of his Leadership Journey.
This Young Mind is also an active contributor to the Nosaconn Organization with his Web Development skills and is the head project manager for our upcoming “TALENT LEAP PROJECT” which is aimed at the heart of New Orleans – South Africa exchange in Culture, Arts and Economics and will consequently change Millions of African and American Youth’s lives in gaining more about talent monetization and finding wholeness and strength in Cultural Diversity. He also Founded a Smart Database called Geleza Mzansi Online Applications and collaborated with one of America’s bright minds and author Lucien Lewis, the Smart Database collects and processes South African High School Students’ Data and processes it towards Higher learning institutes of choice and the relevant Scholarship companies looking to invest in the Education of South African Youth.
In his embryonic journey in Social Entrepreneurship and leadership he has touched and directly impacted hundreds of South African Youth Lives and continues to strive to learn more So he can impact more, hence as Nosaconn we are strongly Invested and Confident that Lungile’s Journey to Asia will open up more doors for him to capacitate his sphere of impact and Influence so he reaches out to impacting more youthful minds. Continue Rising Young Lion, America loves and believes in you, we see you. Damon J. Batiste, Nosaconn President.
WHEN FULFILING THE CAUSE PLEASE USE "ASIA DREAM" AS YOUR DONATION REFERENCE
NOSACONN INVESTS MORE IN TECH TO IMPACT MORE YOUNG AND ALREADY-ESTABLISHED TALENT.
Nosaconn invests more in Web Development to update its systems with an ultimate aim to impact and cater for more young and already established Talent. As the name suggests, the organisation has yet again Partnered with South African Young minds to take it’s Talent impact scale to the next level. With Radebe Lungile being the project lead in the Development of this New Concept of Talent monetization working closely with an experienced South African Recording Artist, Lumka Fabulous who is invested as a Social Media and PR manager of the Project along with American Bred Lucien Lewis who contributes as a UX designer in the Project.
It’s optimism at highest levels, as the overall Team composition is Led by the President of the Organization itself Damon J. Batiste, a legatee to a renowned Batiste family of iconic Jazz Musicians. More updates on the project will be put up as everyone gears towards it’s soft launch.
'Essence of Africa' series highlights New Orleans-Africa connections and Batiste family of musicians with concerts and mini film festival
BY JAKE CLAPP JUN 29, 2023
New Orleans South African Connection (NOSACONN) will host its second “Essence of Africa: NOLA Edition” series this weekend, highlighting New Orleans’ relationship with African nations with concerts and a mini film festival. Started by musician Damon Batiste.
NOSACONN works to promote tourism and cultural exchange between New Orleans and African countries.
NOSACONN will partner with Louisiana-born film producer Aaron Williams to present a mini film festival and Q&A sessions on Saturday, July 1, at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. The event runs 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The series program starts Friday, June 30, with a walking tour of the French Quarter, including Madam John’s Legacy, which will end with a reception at A Gallery for Fine Photography hosted by Damon Batiste and his father, David Batiste. That night, NOSACONN will host concerts at Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club on St. Claude Avenue and at the Maple Leaf. The show at Sweet Lorraine’s begins at 9 p.m. and will feature New Orleans trumpeter and singer Sir’ Chantz Powell and his band The Sounds of Funk. And starting at 10:30 p.m., Russell Batiste will headline a Batiste Family Spotlight show at Maple Leaf.
And on Sunday, July 2, members of the Batiste family of musicians, including Jamal Batiste and Ryan “Shaggadelic” Batiste, will perform a tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop at 9 p.m. at Sweet Lorraine’s. They’ll be joined by New Orleans’ Mike Bass and soul singer Larry Watson Jr. and saxophonist Austin Paul Jr., both from Pensacola, Florida. There also will be guest DJs playing amapiano, a house music genre from South Africa.
Virtual presentations on African cultures also will be streamed July 3-5 via nosaconn.com.
Essence of Africa isn’t affiliated with the Essence Festival of Culture taking place Thursday through Sunday in the Caesars Superdome and the Convention Center. And Essence Fest will highlight African artists at this year’s event, including a day dedicated to Nigeria’s film industry on July 1, with film screening and panel discussions focused on Nollywood.