BA offers ‘Mardi Gras party in the Sky’
The airline is searching for jazz talent to play aboard their first direct flight to New Orleans
To launch their new route to New Orleans, British Airways is on the hunt to find and showcase three undiscovered jazz musicians. The airline is looking for “the next Louis Armstrong” to perform during a sky high gig on a VIP party flight to the home of jazz – the three winners will ‘busk’ to 150 guests on an exclusive charter flight, scheduled to co-inside with Mardi Gras weekend. As well as the live in-flight entertainment, guests will be treated to a Louisiana inspired Creole menu and shake signature cocktails with mixologists ‘flaring’ on board.
Grammy winning singer, songwriter and pianist Jon Cleary and double MOBO award-winning saxophonist YolanDa Brown will judge the entries, and Brown and singer Nicole Scherzinger will also be playing on board.
Entrants will need to be aged over 21 years old and able to travel from London to New Orleans on February 24 and are asked to send in a video, up to five minutes long, of them performing. The best buskers will each win a pair of seats on the flight, three night’s accommodation at the Hyatt Regency and Mardi Gras VIP grandstand parade tickets.
YolanDa Brown said: “New Orleans is known across the globe as the home of jazz - even the airport is named after Louis Armstrong! We are really excited to take three of the best new and emerging jazz musicians to the festival and help us get the party started on board. ”
Jon Cleary, who will be performing at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in January, said: “As someone that was born in London and grew up in New Orleans this new bridge between these two wonderful cities is very exciting, and it’s a privilege to be involved. I look forward to hearing the talent that’s to be part of the celebration. Here in New Orleans, celebration and music are something we’re famous for!”
The deadline for entries is 17.00 GMT on January 25, 2017 – click here for details.
From March 27, 2017 British Airways will launch a four times a week service from Heathrow to Louis Armstrong International Airport and will be the only airline flying direct between Europe and New Orleans.