Blake-Anthony Johnson (Photo: Andrew Collins)
Blake-Anthony Johnson, president and CEO of the Chicago Sinfonietta, will leave the orchestra on January 1, 2025. He will take the role of CEO at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation.
A self-taught cellist, Johnson has performed with leading ensembles on both sides of the Atlantic. He was mentored by Michael Tilson Thomas at the New World Symphony. This New Orleans role allows him to connect with his family roots.
Taking place each April and May, the festival attracts nearly 500,000 visitors over its two-week span. Though centered around jazz, the festival hosts a wide range of programming. 2024’s headliners included Neil Young, Hozier, Jon Batiste, and Bonnie Raitt.
Johnson joined the Sinfonietta in March 2020. He navigated the orchestra through the COVID-19 pandemic, avoiding furloughing staff or musicians. One cornerstone accomplishment was his widely hailed introduction of Pay-What-You-Can ticketing. Under his helm, the orchestra has seen increases in revenue, budget, musician base pay, and staff.
In his relatively short time in Chicago, he became a central figure in the city’s art scene, taking leadership roles in advisory committees for city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and embarking on international arts delegations.
The Sinfonietta was founded in 1987 by the respected and innovative conductor Paul Freeman. Under the leadership of music director Mei-Ann Chen, the Sinfonietta has continued to be an industry-wide leader in vibrant programming and a steadfast commitment to diversity — both in its lineup of artists and in its audience.
The orchestra will present two more concerts in 2024: Culture Chronicles (Nov. 21 and 22) and Holidays of Joy (Dec. 19). Johnson will remain engaged with the orchestra as its executive advisor as it seeks out a new executive director.
