The Making Of The Nomad Jazz Festival
We sat down with Leslie Spira Lopez, Founder and President of The NoMad Alliance and publisher of NOMAD Magazine, to talk about the genesis of the NoMad Jazz Festival and the role of The Alliance in creating a sense of place and shared purpose withing the NoMad, NYC community.
Through its initiatives, The NoMad Alliance is giving people a portfolio of opportunities to come together – whether it’s for a business alliance, or through the arts, local commerce, and public programming – to preserve the spirit and connectivity of the neighborhood. The Alliance has become a way to foster that vibrancy and give its varied stakeholders a shared identity in what has truly become one of New York City’s most sought after and celebrated districts.
This month’s inaugural NoMad Jazz Festival is a rich and creative example of how The NoMad Alliance is putting a spotlight on the neighborhood’s energy and history. In a city as fast-paced and ever-changing as New York, it’s easy for a neighborhood to lose its soul, Lopez told us. “Community-based initiatives provide the continuity, connection, and creativity that enable a place to thrive.”
What inspired you to create the NoMad Jazz Festival?
Music has always been a source of joy and connection for me — going all the way back to my childhood — whether it was free concerts in Central Park or during college on the lawn in the Boston Commons. Jazz in particular, holds
a special place in my heart. The New Orleans Jazz Festival became a personal tradition. It was the kickoff to my summer every year. It is also where I met my husband Mark after a few years of attending. The next year, we got engaged at the festival, so it’s no exaggeration to say jazz changed my life.
The idea for the NoMad Jazz Festival has been in my heart for a long time. I shared this dream publicly at our first NoMad Alliance Gala in 2017, envisioning it as a way to give back to the community and bring people together through the power of live music. Unfortunately, life took a pause, like it does for many of us, when I had to step back to care for my aging parents. Then the pandemic shifted all priorities. But the dream did not go away. It only became more refined.
The dream was reimagined when Janet Luhrs from The Jazz Gallery reached out to propose a collaboration for their 30th Anniversary. It was a match made in heaven. The timing was right, and the spirit of celebration — both theirs and ours — created the perfect alignment. It also felt beautifully serendipitous, as my husband and I are celebrating our own 30th anniversary this September. Jazz, for me, has always been intertwined with love, life, and community and shared values.
Rio Sakairi from The Jazz Gallery stepped in as our music curator, and in January, we brought on Miriam Dalaei Fodera to join The NoMad Alliance and serve as the Festival Director. Miriam is no stranger to Madison Square Park; she had worked there for years producing Mad Sq Music and brings not only expertise but a genuine love for music in public spaces. With Rio and Miriam onboard, the festival began to take shape as something truly special.
Creating the NoMad Jazz Festival is more than a personal passion, it’s a way to fulfill the original vision of The NoMad Alliance: to foster culture, collaboration, and a sense of place. And as the Alliance grows, the festival will help to ensure its sustainability by offering a joyful, impactful, and lasting way to celebrate our neighborhood’s legacy and future.
How will Madison Square Park enhance the festival experience?
It’s not only one of the city’s most beloved green spaces, but also the heart of NoMad. It is surrounded by architectural beauty, vibrant foot traffic, and a mix of old and new energy. Hosting the Jazz Festival there makes it accessible and organic. It invites everyone in — residents, office workers, tourists, and families — to share a musical moment in a beautiful setting. The Park turns the festival into an open embrace.
How did you select the programming for the festival, from the headliners to community partners?
With Rio curating the lineup, we knew we wanted a balance of world-class talent and artists who reflect the heart and soul of contemporary jazz. The programming highlights artists who are pushing boundaries, while staying rooted in the communal and improvisational essence of the genre. The lineup includes renowned headliners like Lizz Wright and Ravi Coltrane, alongside rising stars and collaborative performances that make the festival feel alive and evolving.
Equally important was involving our neighborhood’s cultural institutions and local businesses. From day one, we envisioned the festival as more than just a stage. It’s a neighborhood celebration. That is why we’ve partnered with local cafes, shops, galleries, and community organizations to offer extended programming and build excitement throughout the area.
What has been the most exciting or challenging part of launching a festival of this scale in a bustling NYC neighborhood?
The challenge is thrilling. Seeing the idea come full circle, from a dream shared at a gala to a full-blown festival in one of the city’s most dynamic parks, is deeply gratifying. The most exciting part is the energy: every meeting, every conversation, every new partner adds another layer of momentum and meaning. Bringing together the founding partners for this shared mission has been incredible. I have worn many hats during NoMad’s rise from Board Trustee at Madison Square Park Conservancy to Founder of The NoMad Alliance, to Board Member at the Flatiron NoMad Partnership and member of The Jazz Gallery. Now we are all working together to produce this festival while supporting the overlapping of each of our missions under one big hat! It couldn’t be more gratifying.
Of course, the logistics of producing a multi-day music festival in the middle of Manhattan are no small feat. But we have built a fantastic team, and the shared enthusiasm across the board — from artists and businesses to residents and city officials — has been overwhelming in the best way. Every hurdle reminds us why this matters.
What are your hopes for the first NoMad Jazz Festival?
My hope is that the inaugural NoMad Jazz Festival will be a spark — something that invites people to see NoMad with fresh eyes and to experience a sense of joy, connection, and cultural depth. I want attendees to feel both uplifted and included, whether they come specifically for the performances or stumble upon them during a lunch break in the park. I want to continue our shared mission from all of our founders to keep lifting the communities of all of our constituents and for New York City as a result.
Another inspiration for me has been the Montreal Jazz Festival, which I first attended in 1994. It left an indelible mark. The majority of the festival is free, with a few ticketed events, and it transforms the entire city into a musical playground. That model — where music is woven into the fabric of urban life — is what I’ve always dreamed of bringing to NoMad. Last year, I had the privilege of meeting Alain Simard, the founder of the Montreal Jazz Festival, at a book signing for his memoir, ‘Je Rêvais d’Un Festival (I Dreamed of a Festival)’. We spoke for a while, and what stayed with me was his philosophy of the ‘democratization of music’ —making it accessible to everyone. That ethos is exactly what we are striving for. By offering a world-class, free festival in Madison Square Park, we’re inviting everyone — regardless of background or means — to be part of this cultural moment.
Do you see the NoMad Jazz Festival becoming an annual tradition? If so, how would you like to see it grow?
Without question. This is the beginning of a tradition we hope will grow year after year. I envision expanding to multiple venues, and outdoor stages, adding educational workshops, artist talks, and deeper partnerships with other cultural institutions. Eventually, I would love to see the NoMad Jazz Festival take its place among the great city festivals — distinct in voice, intimate in feel, and powerful in impact. There’s truly no place like NoMad!