Imagine an atmosphere with free-flowing jazz music, passionate musicians and the spirit of New Orleans.

At 8 p.m. Saturday, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra will be bringing the zeal of New Orleans to Eisenhower Auditorium in its concert, "New Orleans: Then and Now."

Trumpeter and composer Irvin Mayfield said the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra was founded toward the end of 2002 and beginning of 2003.

Mayfield said the jazz orchestra made it part of its mission from the beginning to tour and provide an authentic representation of the music native to New Orleans.

"In New Orleans, music is ingrained into the culture," Mayfield said. "You can bring a tuba and a clarinet into the street and start a riot playing 1920's music."

Mayfield is excited to bring his passion and love for jazz to Penn State. He said this is a concert that requires everyone's participation.

"Jazz is now an art, and we require the audience to complete part of our piece," Mayfield said.

Even though jazz music might be perceived as ancient and old to a society that thrives on bubblegum pop and rap, Mayfield said the orchestra has some of its greatest jam sessions with college students.

"You cannot market to college people -- they let you know when they like something and when they don't," he said.

In addition, students can expect to really feel the Mardi Gras spirit.

Mayfield said it's an emotional celebration.

"We have a certain way that we celebrate," he said. "That's how we relate to jazz."

The important reason for people, especially students, to come is because it's just a "hip," thing to do, Mayfield said.

"These are the moments where you hear great music and eat great food, and you feel like you really lived," Mayfield said.

"If you are a college student and missed out on the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, that would be crazy."

Audience members can expect a variety of really light and heavy music pieces, Mayfield said.

The concert will cover a context of everything going on in the world, including the tragedies brought on by Hurricane Katrina.

Marketing and communications director for Penn State's Center for the Performing Arts Laura Sullivan said Penn State is especially lucky to have the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra perform this concert right before the day of Mardi Gras.

"It's going to be great fun to warm up on a cold winter night with some hot jazz, and you really don't get any better than the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra," Sullivan said.

"The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra plays the traditional kind of jazz that a lot people can love and enjoy. I'm sure they will give a great performance."

Sullivan also said Mayfield will host a question and answer session before the concert that will give audience members a chance to ask him questions about the orchestra and its members.

Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and tickets are also available to buy online.

"Irvin has been very upfront about his role as the ambassador of Louisiana and sharing his stories about Hurricane Katrina," Sullivan said.