New Orleans Jazz Fest CEO Departs Ahead of Annual Event

Longtime staffer Sarita Carriere named interim leader as festival preparations continue

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:04pm

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The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation has parted ways with Chief Executive Officer Blake-Anthony Johnson, just weeks before the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is set to open on April 23. The foundation has tapped longtime staffer Sarita Carriere as interim executive director while final festival prep kicks into high gear.

Why it matters

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is a major cultural event that serves as the primary fundraising engine for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, which uses the proceeds to underwrite cultural, educational and economic programs across Louisiana. The leadership transition comes at a critical time as the festival prepares to return after a pandemic-related hiatus.

The details

Johnson, hired in January 2025, led the organization for roughly 14 months. Board chair Rachel F. Cousin described Johnson's departure as a "mutual decision ... as he transitions to other opportunities," while Johnson said he was "proud of what we have accomplished together over the past two seasons." Carriere, a finance and accounting pro who has been on the foundation staff since 2014, will now steer final preparations for the festival, which is scheduled for April 23 to May 3.

  • The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is scheduled for April 23 to May 3, 2026.
  • Blake-Anthony Johnson was hired as CEO in January 2025 and led the organization for roughly 14 months.
  • Sarita Carriere was named interim executive director in March 2026, less than a month before the festival is set to open.

The players

Blake-Anthony Johnson

Former CEO of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, who departed the organization in March 2026 in a mutual decision.

Sarita Carriere

Longtime staffer at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, who was named interim executive director in March 2026 as the organization prepares for the annual Jazz Fest.

Rachel F. Cousin

Board chair of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.

Quint Davis

Founder and producer of Festival Productions, which partners with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation to produce the annual Jazz Fest.

AEG Presents

A co-production partner with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Festival Productions in overseeing the logistics, booking, and staging of the annual Jazz Fest.

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What they’re saying

“We have parted ways with Blake-Anthony Johnson as he transitions to other opportunities.”

— Rachel F. Cousin, Board chair, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation

“I'm proud of what we have accomplished together over the past two seasons.”

— Blake-Anthony Johnson

What’s next

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation has said it will share updates publicly on the leadership transition and that festival production will continue as a joint effort with its co-producers in the weeks leading up to the event's opening on April 23.

The takeaway

The departure of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's CEO comes at a critical time as the organization prepares for the return of the iconic Jazz Fest after a pandemic-related hiatus. The foundation's ability to navigate this leadership transition and deliver a successful festival will be closely watched by the local arts community and festival attendees alike.