Jesse McBride presents "The Next Generation"

Created by Harold Battiste Jr., AFO (All For One record company) became the place where the 2 nd 50 years of New Orleans Jazz was documented. In the sixties, AFO documented the works of Alvin Batiste, Ellis Marsalis, Harold Battiste, and James Black to name a few. AFO also has a reputation for recording and presenting young musicians before they reach the 'Big Time' as Harold would say.

After a period of being dormant, there was a re emergence of AFO in 1989 with the return of Battiste to New Orleans. The Next Generation concept began with the recording of Victor Goins, Nicholas Payton, and Brian Blade ect... The first "Next Generation" recording featured John Ellis, Nicholas Payton, and Jason Marsalis to name a few. The current band is under the direction of Jesse McBride with a new crop of young talent.

The "Next Generation" has been compared to Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers as in to spread the message of Jazz. The "Next Generation" however spreads not only the message of Jazz in New Orleans but also a forgotten history. The focus is on the music of New Orleans jazz "The 2nd 50 years". Documenting the music of Ellis Marsalis, James Black, Harold Battiste and others along with the spirit of New Orleans music through events of the 1950's to present day. The music is more of a Musical History Lesson through today's most promising young stars and a songbook of New Orleans forgotten legends. Today pianist Jesse McBride currently leads the band. McBride is a young Protégé of Battiste and is determined to help keep modern jazz of New Orleans alive.