Music-As-Medicine

In NOLA, many senior individuals in our community face declining mental health, loneliness, and social isolation. The New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic & Assistance Foundation’s NOLA Music Masters Band is comprised of some of New Orleans’ foremost professional senior musicians, who perform live for audiences 65+ at senior care facilities and universities.

This program is made possible by the generous support of the Humana Foundation.

Social isolation and loneliness are serious health concerns for older adults. The NOLA Music Masters band — a group of local professional musicians aged 65 and older — brings live performances directly to senior care facilities throughout the Greater New Orleans area and to Xavier University, creating meaningful moments of joy, connection, and community.

Every musician in the band is 65 or older — performers who understand firsthand what it means to use their music to build community and connection with their audience.

Live music reduces depression, anxiety, and loneliness in older adults and creates a “third space” for connection between performers and audiences.

The band brings live music to senior facilities throughout Greater New Orleans, with additional performances hosted by Xavier University.

The NOLA Music Masters – from left to right:
Wes “Warmdaddy” Anderson, Ricky Sebastian, Big Chief Alfred Doucette, Brian Stoltz, Mark Brooks

Cole Williams,

NOLA Music Masters Band Leader

Cole Williams is an award-winning Jamaican-American broadcaster, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actress, producer, and community organizer known as The People’s High Priestess and, increasingly, as a Soul Queen. A classically trained musician whose sound draws from soul, blues, gospel, and world rhythms, Williams has performed at venues and festivals including New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Blue Note, World Café, and Joshua Tree Music Festival. Her voice has appeared alongside artists including Aloe Blacc, Somi, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, and Nickodemus. As a producer, her work can be seen in commercials for The Law Offices of Chip Forstall. Williams is also the founder of the Greater New Orleans Citizens Relief Team and host of the New Orleans Music Show on WWOZ 90.7 FM.