Library donations to Irvin Mayfield jazz project questioned

[Miguel]

This caught up to Irvin professionally.

In February (2016), the satirical Muses parade mocked “Irvin’s Heavenly Cash.”

In June, WWL-TV revealed that, in 2012, Mayfield billed a five-night, $18,000 stay at a Ritz-Carlton hotel in Manhattan to the library foundation; that sum included a $1,400 breakfast.

In July, Mayfield resigned from the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra as its artistic director and a board member.

http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/e...a6ff1.html

In November they took his name off the club.

Irvin Mayfield takes final bow at Royal Sonesta

Even on the final night that Irvin Mayfield played at the Bourbon Street club that has borne his name for the past seven years, he was at home.

With easy smiles for his band, the Purple Disrespect, and quick calls for drinks, Mayfield sat for the last time at the organ in the tiny stage in the corner of Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse. His foot -- bare, save for a grey sock that matched his T-shirt -- pumped the instrument's pedal while a Halloween costumed crowd filled the club's seats Monday (Oct. 31). Hundreds more filed past the doors of the Royal Sonesta.

If this was the final night for the club where he'd labored for the past seven years and filled with guests as notable as Stevie Wonder, he was going to go out swinging.

"This is quite a historic evening," said John Diaz-Cortes, who serves as programming associate for New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, where an embattled Mayfield recently resigned as artistic director. "So yes, I'm going to be drinking a lot."

The audience laughed nervously and raised their own glasses as the Playhouse mic switched hands, landing with Royal Sonesta general manager Al Groos, who watched the night's performance from a front-row table.

"We just heard this is going to be the last night for Irvin tonight. I just wanted to come tonight and say thank you, Irvin," he said to additional cheers of the sentiment. "Thank you for creating all these magical moments in the city of New Orleans. ... Thank you for bringing jazz back on Bourbon Street."

The Jazz Playhouse, which will continue on at the Royal Sonesta without the Mayfield name or his help in booking acts, first began when the New Orleans trumpeter was 31-years-old. It was his second foray into club promotion after a deal soured with Ray's Over the River in the months before Hurricane Katrina did her own work to wreck the place atop the World Trade Center.

"After Ray's," Mayfield told music writer Keith Spera when the Playhouse opened, "I learned a lot about what didn't work. I learned it's better to do it yourself."

For Mayfield, doing it himself was partnering with the Royal Sonesta and a six-figure investment. He joined the short line of musicians who have held their own on the storied New Orleans street, and the result was a beautiful, crimson club with a poster of Mayfield's face on the wall, his own name scrawled into its logo and a menu that offers things like Irvin's Milk and Cookies.

For the past seven years, Mayfield has overseen and performed at the venue, which proudly boasted the partnership until cracks started showing in the musician's facade.

In 2015 came the first of several reports that the musician had, as a board-member, spent lavishly from the coffers of the New Orleans Library Foundation. In the year since, additional allegations of scandal have tarnished his local stardom, a far fall for the man who had to address rumors that he was considering a run for public office when Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse first opened.

Neither Mayfield himself nor the hotel's representatives have expounded upon the reason for his exit, but it's impossible to deny the past year has taken its toll.

On Monday, Mayfield was subdued, saying hello to a few audience-members with his hand holding the wide base of his red wine glass like a snifter. He offered a tight-lipped smile when Groos turned his back on the pirates, Las Vegas showgirls and gladiators of the Halloween audience to tell the band to "have fun."

The group covered wide ground, using songs from Michael Jackson, Al Green, Steely Dan, Gnarls Barkley and Drake to connect with the Bourbon Street crowd. Meanwhile, they traded hot solos and Mayfield called for more shots and additional plates of his namesake cookies.

Later, they tried another cover, this time from Kendrick Lamar.

"I am a sinner who's probably gonna sin again," Mayfield and his band sang. "Lord forgive me. Things I don't understand."

http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2016...house.html

He could be facing serious legal charges:

According to WWL's David Hammer, multiple sources have confirmed that federal authorities have questioned them about Mayfield's involvement with the library foundation.

http://www.wwltv.com/news/investigations.../251574794

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That said, he's still performing locally.

Irvin Mayfield Verified account
‏@irvinmayfieldjr

The lineup for @JazzFest was announced this morning. Make sure to catch my performance on Thursday, May 4th.

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Statement he issued last April:

...At this juncture in my life, I have made the decision to step down from my post as Artistic Director of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, effective immediately. I will turn my focus to my first love -- music. To the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, which remains dear to me, I wish much success in the future.

I do not believe that I have violated any law. If I played a role in creating a distraction from NOJO’s mission, I sincerely apologize. I respect all those who may not agree with my past direction or personal judgement, as I recognize their passion as well. We did not anticipate the misunderstandings and resulting opposition that has been wrought upon ourselves and those who have supported us. We hope for a time when we can all focus on what is here and how it can best serve our community. I will always be committed to a shared purpose of improvement for myself and this place we all love -- New Orleans.

https://www.facebook.com/IrvinMayfieldJr...8210791884