Jimmy Anselmo

On February 13, 2016, at age 71, Jimmy Anselmo held the first in a series of benefit concerts to raise prostate cancer awareness and funds for research. A cancer survivor himself, Jimmy knew how important early detection is, and he knew he had the expertise and ability to help get the word out — while raising vital funds for research. 

Jimmy owned and operated Jimmy’s Music Club in New Orleans for decades. “Jimmy’s Club was legendary,” says four-time Grammy nominee, Michael O’Hara. “He created this atmosphere where you could just be yourself. As a club owner, he would bend over backwards to make sure you had everything you need.” 

Thousands of musicians – from just-staring-out locals to well-known international acts – played the stage at Jimmy’s. And Jimmy became friends with many of them. Although he sold the business more than 20 years ago, he kept all the friendships and relationships he made along the way. He kept his love for producing live music events too. It’s in his blood. 

Jimmy was surrounded by live music all his life. His father was in the night-club business. His sister and brother-in-law had a club on Bourbon St. (Jimmy bartended the 2:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. “jam session shift” there after his tour with the Navy.) And eventually there was Jimmy’s – where hundreds of thousands of people attended shows. Music brings people together. That was clear. And Jimmy had a way of bringing the right acts to bring those people together. 

Now Jimmy uses the connections, the relationships and the expertise he’s developed over his lifetime to bring people together for great causes – prostate cancer awareness, being only one of many. He loves producing these shows. He says: “We all get together, everybody has a good time, and the money goes to a good cause.” 

He’s using a lifetime of experience to help save lives and build a better future for all of us. That’s what makes Jimmy Anselmo a Peoples Health Champion.