Frenchmen Street Krewe

Saints Ready to REPEAT

2011-01-06T14:05:00.002-06:00

The "WHO DAT!" Nation is ready to welcome the Saints back into the playoffs this year as they start the defense of their Super Bowl Champion title. I've already booked my tickets to NOLA for Super Bowl weekend and hope to see the Frenchmen Street Krewe there at another VIP party at Vaughan's!

We're Finally Approaching Bill & Pat's Mojo Level...

2010-05-17T14:09:00.003-05:00

While the main man in the pic is certainly Bert Cotton, guitarist in Bonerama, Peter and I can be seen in the background of the photo hanging in the VIP area of the pit in front of the stage. Typically, only Bill and Pat score this level of anonymous celebrity. ;-)

This photo is from French Quarter Fest 2010 and is posted on Bonerama's website at www.boneramamusic.com.

Ready for the Saints playoff run...

2009-12-22T13:53:00.002-06:00

Ladies and gentlemen, get your black and gold ready. The Saints are going all the way this year. Just ordered my jersey and am ready for Dolphin Stadium in early February.

Despite the recent loss to the dreaded Cowboys, I still believe.

My Louisiana Music...

2009-09-18T08:46:00.002-05:00

Just subscribed to OffBEAT Magazine (which I love) but am perplexed by the conspicuous absence of Leroy Jones on the CD that was included with this month's magazine. Th back of the CD jacket reads, ""My Louisiana Music" was created in an effort to share the soul-stirring sounds of Louisiana with the world. These are performers you can see on any given day in clubs and at festivals all across the state. Many of them are Grammy winners -- all have won our hearts." Signed, Mitch Landrieu, Lt. Governor

Hmm. Wouldn't you think Leroy Jones would be one of the most obvious choices to include on a CD intended to "share the soul-stirring sounds of Louisiana with the world?

Artists on the CD include:
Kenny Bill Stinson, Henry Butler, Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience, Christian Serpas & Ghost Town, Bonerama, Racines, Kenny Neal, Irma Thomas, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Don Rich, Amanda Shaw, Shamarr Allen featuring Kermit Ruffins, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Irvin Mayfield & Ellis Marsalis, Mahogany Brass Band with Gospel Dedicators, Paul Sanchez, James "12" Andrews & Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, John Boutte

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

A Year-end Promise

2008-12-12T15:48:00.005-06:00

I have been so bad about keeping this blog up-to-date. Hoping to turn over a new leave and get everybody else to contribute regularly as well!

In complete random order, here's what I am thinking about today:

Saints suck --- once again this is a team that underperforms against all our high -- and maybe unreasonable expectations. But I really believe they should be performing at playoff level. Arguably the best quarterback in the league in Drew Brees, one of the best breakaway players in the game in Reggie Bush, a solid if not spectacular group of running backs, decent offensive line and what should be at least an average defense. Yet, here they are out of the playoffs again. WTF! Lat night against the Bears was the worst. No offense in the 1st half. Spectacular third period and choking in the 4th only to lose in OT.

On the other hand, the Hornets rule. Hitting their stride now.

Abita Amber -- for some reason my liquor store stocks every Abita brand but Amber. Another WTF? Got to speak to management!

New Year's Eve -- should be a blast. Kevin, Corina and kids & Noam, Elise and Max will be joining us in New Orleans for a fun-filled week. Bonerama, Kermit, Soul Rebels and John Boutte in town -- so should be a lot of fun.

Bin 504 -- Kevin and I picked the next batch in October in Paso Robles, CA. So Vintage 2008 is in the barrel and ready for release in spring 2011. Kevin and I have been having samplings over the last few months, and getting a lot of positive feedback. We think! Or else everybody's just being kind!

2009 Festivals -- hoping everybody will be coming to New Orleans multiple times in 2009. Between Mardi Gras, French QuarterFest, Dorothy and John's wedding, JazzFest, Satchmofest, Voodoofest and the usual every week festivities, start marking your calendars today! And remember, plan ahead so you can start your weekend at Vaughan's on Thursday night.

Missin' NOLA today...

2008-11-05T10:02:00.010-06:00

I'm in "post-election party mood" and figured if I can't be there today, I'd post a few old photos and reminisce...

A NOLA Night in NYC - August 23

2008-08-25T13:21:00.006-05:00

This past weekend, Lincoln Center hosted an outdoor concert for the 25th Annual Roots of American Music Festival. Saturday's event was called "The Heart of New Orleans" and on the bill was some of New Orleans' greats ... Hot 8 Brass Band, Shamarr Allen, Marc Stone, Irma Thomas and our very dear friends, John Boutte, Leroy Jones, Todd Duke and Peter Harris!

It was a perfect night. Weather was beautiful, and the crowd was feeling the vibe. I got there about 6:30 and was met at the side of the stage by Lee. He gave me a wrist band so I could hang backstage with them and watch the show from there. When I saw John, he ran at me and just about jumped into my arms (quite the greeting, I must say!). Can't believe I haven't seen him since FQF!

John, Lee, Todd and Peter took the stage at 7pm. Lee was absolutely brilliant, Todd amazing and John, well, was sheer perfection. Even though he was a bit under the weather and felt like he was only at 70%, he really was at 200%. Incredible!! They opened with Louisiana 1927 (of course, I cried), and also did Good Neighbor, Sisters, Broke Down the Door/Treme Song, Door Poppin', Southern Man, Lipstick Traces, Skylark and then he did it ... American Tune, a cappella. Again, I cried like a baby. He had mentioned earlier that he didn't think he had the voice to do it, but he found it ... and the crowd went nuts! It was really an amazing sight to see 200+ people standing and staring in awe at the power of his voice. They closed with When The Saints Go Marching In.

I drove the boys back to their hotel after the show - everyone was exhausted ... Lee had played the Hall on Friday and was on about 3 hours sleep, Todd was spent and as I mentioned, John wasn't feeling well. But, I have to say that the car ride was one of the funniest moments I've ever spent with those guys. John was on fiyah!! Todd said he wished he had a tape recorder so he could capture all of the John-isms that were flying out of his mouth. We laughed so hard and so much in such a short period of time. It was just silly and great and I wished that moment could've gone on forever...

It was such a fun and wonderful night, and it made me realize even more how much I love NOLA, love my friends and how much I am missing them both.

A Side by Side Comparison: The Gelfond vs. The Broussard Uniclutch

2008-08-19T09:54:00.003-05:00

This Just In: The Broussard Uniclutch Leapfrogs The Old-Fashioned Gelfond

2008-08-18T15:40:00.002-05:00

Hot off the wires today.

SatchmoFest Part Deux

2008-08-09T07:34:00.002-05:00

A few other memories -- Lee doing "The Signifying Monkey" at what's the name of that place again across from Mona Lisa whose name I always block out?; Carol fighting for our rights at Drgaon's Den; and hearing Ivan Neville, Ian Neville and George Porter at The Balcony Club.

So Sorry I Missed It!

2008-08-09T03:44:00.002-05:00

Had a GREAT time in Sydney, but thought often of my friends attending Satchmo Fest.

The hotel I stayed in Sydney served tots every morning for breakfast and because of the time difference between Sydney and NOLA, it is possible that we were all eating tots at the same time.

First Dispatch from SatchmoSummerFest

2008-08-06T21:05:00.004-05:00

First off, to our great SatchmoFest friends, Kevin, Ed, Maria, Noam and Elise -- you get a pass this year, but never again! You missed another amazing experience -- and the only thing that would have made it better would have been your presence!

So where to start? Great music, great food, great friends, great wine....I guess that about covers it! And a full krewe including Brent, Carol, Jon and Dorothy, Steve and Linda, Kim, Barri and Ellen, Bill, Pat, Lee and Katja.

Here's a fast rundown:

Friday -- a pre-release party for Bin 504 at 822, followed by the SatchmoStrut down Frenchmen Street and dinner at 13, a trip to Preservation Hall to see the great Leroy Jones and Katja Toivola at Preservation Hall, followed by a rejuvenated Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers at Blue Nile.

Saturday -- tattoos at Electric Ladyland, great music at SatchmoSummerFest, dinner for 14 at Marigny Brasserie, Soul Rebels at Blue Nile and a late, late, late night at 13 (featuring the world premiere of "King Tot".

Sunday -- more music at SatchmoFest (including a wonderful performance by the Helsinki Connection, dinner at Maximo's, and a late night tour of clubs including a live recording by Marlon Jordan, Glen David Andrews at DBA and a vocalist doing headstands at the Apple Barrel.

And Monday including bike riding in the Quarter, drinks at 13 and a wonderful evening at Kermit's place featuring George French and Germaine Bazzle.

So what have we left out? A thousand and one memories of friendship, laughter and general silliness including Gaby sitting in the front row during Lee and Katja's performance; the unveliling of King Tot and The Tot family; Bill and Pat's postcard; the hotel pool; the conspiracy theory at Marigny Brasserie; dancing at the Blue Nile; closing down 13 and playing In the Waiting Line 50 times; the signed Bonerama poster; Bin 504!; making wedding plans with Jon and Dorothy; Hogshead cheese; Treme, Shmarr Allen....

Hoping others can help fill in the blanks and contribute their pictures.

Thanks to everyone for another splendid, splendid time. Wish we could do it every weekend!

Wow!

2008-07-20T14:12:00.001-05:00

Wish I had been there, Kevin. From the pictures looks like you had a great view!

Troy is playing Taste of Lincoln on July 27 here in Chicago. And, of course, the Rockford Labor Day Festival.

It's a real shame he won't be at Satchmofest this year.

And it's a real shame you won't be there either!

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue Own Hollywood!

2008-07-18T15:29:00.007-05:00

OK, so maybe it was only about 120 people, and only West Hollywood, but based on the energy generated during the set, from the band and the crowd, I'd say Troy and his band have an open invitation to the Key Club.

Orleans Avenue was not the headliner. They were the second of three bands to perform on the evening. Most people seemed to be waiting around for the funk band, Lettuce, who was set to perform after Troy so when Troy first arrived on stage, the crowd was friendly, polite and certainly not prepared for what they were about to hear. An hour later friendly and polite turned into a downright frenzy reminicent of what it is like to see Troy at the Blue Nile or DBA on Frenchmen street. Even the members of Lettuce were shaking their heads in disbelief at Troy's trumpet solos. And I have to say that Troy seems to be even better on the Trumpet, which is hard to imagine. His trombone playing was powerful and amazing as always, but man, something about his trumpet solos last night. 80+ years of trumpet playing, from Louis to Wynton, burst from Troy's horn in small, but brilliant, doses. I will admit that living in the Los Angeles area I starve for New Orleans music so I was really, really ready for this show even if I only found out about it a few hours earlier. Therfore my objective senses may be scewed, but I believe that if the trumpet giants in jazz heaven were looking for a gig last night to view from above, their sites were probably set on West Hollywood.

Chicago Blues Festival

2008-06-09T11:57:00.006-05:00

Had a lot of fun Sunday at the Chicago Blues Festival. Torrential rain most of the day, but clouds broke and sun came out just in time for John Boutte, with newlywed Todd Duke on guitar.

John was in an exceptional mood...said he was really happy and that he loves Chicago. Played a slightly bluesier set than usual -- after all it was the blues festival! And Todd was smokin' on guitar, lots of blues riffs -- and his lovely bride was backstage with him.

Highlight of the show was Louisiana 1927, which he closed with. Basin Street Blues, Good Neighbor, Sisters some of the other highlights.

Couple of really grainy cameraphone pictures to share. My real point in posting them was to show the amazing juxtaposition of John and Todd with my office building in the background! Needless to say, since I park under that building the commute was pretty short!

Following John's great show, I raced over the catch the second half of Davell Crawford. Davell was simply amazing. He said he plays jazz festivals and gospel festivals all the time -- but blues festivals? Not so much.

Which made his performance all the more amazing! He just burned, playing piano, electric piano and organ. Back up singers, smoking guitarist -- the whole band cooked.

As I was leaving, I heard a young woman say "that was the best blues I heard all weekend."

To steal my favorite word from "Almost Famous" -- it was "incendiary."

Picture Memories From JazzFest Weekend One

2008-05-11T13:54:00.010-05:00

More From Weekend Two

2008-05-11T13:49:00.006-05:00

Jazzfest -- Weekend Two Highlights

2008-05-11T13:24:00.003-05:00

Greetings, everybody. Apologies for being so tardy in my postings. Probably take a few postings in all to capture all the memories, but here is the first downpayment, with a primary focus on music!

Six outstanding days of music, beginning on Tuesday when Noam and Elise arrived. Check this out for a first night: dinner/Hornets games at Vaughan's; Treme Brass Band at Ray Ray's; Dragon Smoke (Ivan Neville, Eric Lindell, Stanton Moore and guests) at DBA; nightcap at Donna's to see Kid Chocolate with special guest including Maurice Brown! A night to remember!!!! Plus late night delicacies from Nelly Deli.

Wednesday highlight: Troyfest 08 in Bill and Pat's neighbor's backyard. Only snafu, no one remembered to bring a PA and there were no lights! So we listened to the band in the dark with no vocals! Other than that...a splendid time was had by all! Lovely dinner at Maximo's with beignets to follow.

Thursday: we biked to JazzFest, weather was glorious. Highlights were Bonerama on the big stage; Deacon John who did a tremendous big band show; Steve Riley who once again did a shout out to Renee and me; and the Nightcrawlers who rocked the house (and are going back into the studio shortly).

Friday: another beautiful biking day. Highlights included The Bluerunners, Soul Rebels, Trombone Shorty at Congo Square, John Boutte, and Michael Franti in the rain!

Saturday: it poured all night..and we were fearful that Jazzfest might be cancelled. But the weather broke about 12:30 and it was a glorious day! Highlights included Alejandro Escovedo on the big stage when the weather was way iffy early in the morning, the Storyville Stompers, the Crescent City Allstars featuring James Andrews, Troy Andrews and Walter Wolfman Washington, the beautfiul Stephanie Jordan, and a tribute to Max Roach featuring Shannon Powell,Herlin Riley and Jason Marsalis.

Sunday: Crowd was huge. Music was amazing. Highlighs included the Derek Trucks Band, the Raconteurs, Santana, Rebirth, Snooks Eaglin, Ivan Nevill's Dumpstaphunk, Jonathan Batiste and Sonny Landreth.

Leaving out so much stuff...Eric Lindell at One Eyed Jack's, California Pizza Kitchen, Hornets game, Mona Lisa, gumbo, hangin' with Noam and Elise. And multiple tots at 13.

One item of note: an invention -- The Gelfond -- was created one day one by Noam. Pictures to follow...but it is the seminal move for navigating one's bike down a narrow alleyway or through the bike maze at JazzFest.

Continuing the journey: Saturday at FQF

2008-04-20T12:42:00.002-05:00

Actually, we missed most of it as we spent about 6 hours in 13. It has become tradition to spend at least one day during a festival in 13 and we certainly didn't break tradition this time. Thanks to newcomer, Mindi (if I spelled her name wrong, tell her so that she'll visit the blog and correct me), who forced Peter and I to shoot the photo -- by shooting it herself -- that will eventually become the label for bin 504 (anyone who doesn't yet know what bin 504 is, please read prior blog entries, but shame on you as you've been out of touch too long). After much merriment at 13, we headed to the main riverfront stage to listen, dance, and scream to the Soul Rebels. Just another one of those amazing moments that you never want to end. It was so good that I felt like I was about the explode. Then I realized that although the Rebels were that good, my close to combustive state had more to do with my needing to go to the bathroom. Turns out Maria was in the same state so we headed to the long porta-potty lines to relieve ourselves before heading the DBA to catch John Boutte with Leroy Jones and Todd Duke. While in my stall doing my thing, I hear from the next stall over, "Kevin, can you hear me?" Yes, I thought, and so can everybody else.
"Yes, I can hear you"
"Oh my God, this is disgusting! The bowl is completely full, I can't sit down"

At this point, I probably should have offered to switch porta-potties with her, but since I was now laughing so hard that was becoming difficult to finish my own business, I think I said something like, "That sucks!"

She then gave me, and anyone else nearby, play-by-play, of what she was doing to successfully complete her mission. I will spare everyone the details, but suffice it to say that it involved some interesting, and creative, maneuvers and definitely some good aim. I am sure it looked a bit odd when I exited my stall laughing hysterically, but anyone who may have heard our exchange probably understood. Those who did not hear our exchange probably understood a little better when Maria exited her stall laughing just as heartedly. That weirdness behind us, it was off to DBA.

Because of the long bathroom lines, Maria and I figured we would be last to get to DBA. Turns out, we almost beat everyone there. Ed and Debbie were there at the same time because we later compared songs, but we did not see them and they ended up heading out to dinner. Maria and I got there and hooked up with Bill, Pat, and eventually Carol. Peter and the rest of the gang went back to 822 to help Boz unload equipment for Sunday's crawfish boil. John, Lee, and Todd put on a great show and we hung out with them for a little while after the show before regrouping at 822 to share stories and drink some wine before making our way to 13 for dinner. For those of you counting at home, that's 8 to 9 hours at 13 on that Saturday. See, it's not all fun and games down in NOLA, sometimes we have to put in our regular work shifts.

Missing Shoes!...

2008-04-18T11:15:00.002-05:00

I thought I left my shoes in Peter's place last weekend and when I asked him to send me any pair he found laying around, this is what I received...

Damn my feet hurt today.

Can it really get any better? -- Addendum!!!

2008-04-18T10:59:00.002-05:00

FORGIVE ME!!! How the hell could I forget to mention Bill and Pat in my last post? I'm blaming it on Boz and too much moonshine last Monday morning! My apologies!

Can it really get any better?

2008-04-18T09:40:00.006-05:00

French Quarter Fest was my second tour of duty in NOLA with the Frenchmen Krewe (despite feeling like it was my twentieth...love you guys) and I find myself asking, "can it really get any better than it was last weekend?" Funny, but I asked myself that same exact question after Satchmo Fest last August. And the answer I'm most comfortable with is YES...and NO.

Every weekend was or will be unique even though the names are familiar. From friends -- Peter, Kevin, Kim, Maria, Barri, Leroy, Katja, Carol and Boz -- to performers -- Trombone Shorty, Bonerama, Treme w/ Uncle Lionel, Hurricane Brass Band w/ Leroy and Katja -- to places -- 13, dba, Blue Nile, Electric Ladyland, Rays, Vaughn's, Donna's -- to...well, you get the point. NOLA is both incredibly familiar and unbelievely new and fresh every time I now visit. Traditions are taking shape (Crawfish Boils MUST be one of them!!!) yet spontaneity rules. Friendships are intimate without effort or expectations. The one word that most closely describes our time together?...MAGICAL.

I'll be blogging more thoughts (with my shirt ON...thanks, Kev!) and will post a few pics shortly. Miss you all already and can't wait for Satchmo Fest 2008 to arrive.

Happy FQF Fest 2008

2008-04-15T23:05:00.004-05:00

Things didn't look so good when I was stuck in Dallas on Thursday. Two flights to NOLA had already been canceled, I was booked on an evening flight and on the standby list for the late afternoon flight. 9,000,000 others were on the standby list, too. Soon, the rest of the evening flights as well as the 10 am Friday flight would be canceled. The bar was packed with folks rooting for others to make the flight, but secretly hoping that they wouldn't...or was that just me? I was prepared to rent a car and drive to dallas and would have probably still made it to Vaughn's in time for the last set. The other option was to fly back to the OC...Ok, that wasn't really an option.

I made the flight. It was a party. Everyone was ordering alcoholic beverages (which AA would not comp...bastahds!) and talking about the music they would see at the festival. By the way, the airlines should add more flights to NOLA if for no other reason than to increase alcohol sales. Maybe that will turn things around for them.

Made it to 822 to find Ed with his shirt off -- weekend theme for him ;-D. But it was ok as the air conditioning was out at 822 and it was August-like hot that day so I understood. I considered joining Ed in shirtless living, but I thought that might be a bit weird. By Sunday night, that would have registered so low on the weirdness scale that I would regret not doing it.

Ed put his shirt on and we went to Maximos for dinner. We were headed for Coops, but saw that Maximos had reopened so we gave it a shot. After that, it was off to frenchmen for John Boutte and Paul Sanchez, to 13 for a beer and then off to Vaughn's with Bill and Pat. At Vaughn's we hooked up with Carol and later with Peter and Kimberle. I think we did something after Vaughn's and I am sure it had something to do with Frenchmen street and 13, but I don't remember

Friday was one of those days that I didn't want to end. The music, the company, the weather, the bloody mary followed by a "few" cold Abitas all made for a nearly perfect afternoon. If not for my face peeling off due to the sunburn I obtained, I would have deemed it the perfect day, but my flaking face is a small price to pay. I love the first day of events like Jazz Fest and FQF. So much promise and anticipation. Everything just seems to look, sound, and taste better. Not even Gabby could have ruined the first Friday of FQF, but that would have been a much larger price to pay than my burnt face.

Not bad for the first day...and there is plenty more to publish...stay tuned.

More Pics from Nola

2008-03-07T18:41:00.002-06:00

Boz Shares His Etouffe Recipe

2008-03-01T13:56:00.002-06:00

Use the link below to see Boz explain how to make his special Crawfish Etouffe!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-soRPhIihU

Another Amazing Weekend!

2008-03-01T13:13:00.003-06:00

A bit tardy in posting but we threw a surprise pre-birthday party for our pal Leroy Jones February 15 in New Orleans weekend. Totally shocked him!

He knew Kim Adkins was coming down to celebrate with him. What he didn't know was that I would be there, along with my good pal Jim Lee, along with Carol, Katy, Boz, Bill, Pat, Greg Stafford and a cast of assorted other NOLA characters would be there to greet him too! He arrived at 822 thinking he was picking up Kim to go out for dinner and out we sprang! It took him quite awhile to catch his breath.

Great dinner -- Boz cooked an amazing crawfish etoufee that he spent about five hours preparing. Oysters, appetizers, salad, birthday cake...the red confetti was especially delicious (another story that has to be explained). Only downer was Katy's dad passing out...first time we ever had an ambulance at 822. But it was only a scare...and he's doing fine.

Long story short...but the evening broke up at about 6:30 am when Lee, Katya, Kim, Bill and Pat headed home -- not sure I remember a night with more laughs per minute. Our sides literally hurt by the end.

Pics will follow -- a night for the ages!

Thursday night was spent at Vaughan's, 13, and Praline Connection -- Kermit was at a private but Steve Walker and Kid Chocolate put on a great show.

Friday day, before the big party, we visited the Wilson Charter School, our adopted school in Broadmoor. Another wonderful experience...the gratitude of the school for Ketchum's contribution could not have been greater. We left with a wish list of school needs, which we know our Ketchum team will fulfill.l

Saturday was Jon Boutte at DBA and Lee and Katja at Preservatio Hall. Both in fine, fine form. John greeted us with apologies for not joining us at dinner the night before...apparently even he had heard about the experience. Highlight was him thanking both Bill and Pat for their support...Pat, especially, for suggesting a new song to Paul Sanchez commemorating a very special memorial service in New Orleans last summer.

Sunday was a wonderful relaxing day at 13 with another hilarious dinner at Katja and Lee's house. See picture above!

A very, very special weekend of bonding and friendship, hilarity and, as always, great, great music.

Crawfish Fest in NJ...

2008-02-15T13:42:00.000-06:00

Don’t know if anyone is aware of this event but on May 30, 31 and June 1, the 19th Annual Crawfish Fest will be taking place at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ. Performers include:

Bonerama
The Radiators
The Funky Meters
Guitar Shorty
Allen Toussaint
The Nappy Brown Orchestra
And many others…

There’s also going to be a ton of Cajun food and they’re even serving Boudin Balls! Check it out at: http://www.crawfishfest.com/

Who’s with me?

Guess Who? Once Again....

2008-02-10T14:29:00.000-06:00

For sheer chutzpah, you cannot beat our pals from Galveston -- Bill and Pat. Here they are at Mardi Gras with the good Doctor.

Looking forward to hanging with them and getting groupie tips this weekend in New Orleans.

"Break Out Your Beads...continued"

2008-01-16T07:08:00.000-06:00

Oh, and I forgot to mention that for the encore, the Kings of Crescent City band second lined through the aisles of the Rose Theater. That broke the formality of the evening and definitely injected a bit of the NOLA vibe. If they bring this show to your city, DON'T MISS IT!

"Break Out Your Beads..."

2008-01-14T16:27:00.000-06:00

The headline in the NY Post proclaimed it and Fat Tuesday arrived early in The Big Apple this past weekend. A proverbial all star line up of NOLA musicians -- aptly named the Kings of Crescent City -- blew us all away!! The performance was at the Rose Theater, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center and the band included:

- Victor Goines on clarinet and soprano sax
- Marcus Printup on trumpet
- Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews on trumpet and trombone
- Wycliffe Gordon on trombone and tuba
- "Papa" Don Vappie on banjo and guitar
- Jonathan Batiste on piano
- Reginald Veal on bass
- Herlin Riley on drums and percussion
- Wendell Pierce as host and narrator

The program, musical selections and narration focused on four of the original Kings of Crescent City -- Joe King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet and Louis Armstrong. I won't bore everyone with an exhaustive list of the numbers they chose but the combination of musical talent and superb narrative brought together NOLA's history and paid marvelous tribute to four men who changed the history of jazz and left a legacy which we all are privileged to still enjoy today.

It was a bit strange at first to see this ultra cool group of jazz artists in suits and ties on stage at Lincoln Center with music stands and sheet music but within the first several measures of the opening number, it was clear that although the atmosphere was more formal and dignified than most any club we frequent down in the Quarter, the experience would be something very special and unforgettable -- and as comfortable as sitting together with them in a private club. It was truly magical.

My favorite part of the performance was how the narrative helped to bring the whole thing alive. Garnering insight into the lives of the legends who wrote and/or performed the music we were treated to that night made me feel closer than ever to the essence of what makes NOLA jazz the most incredible form of music on the planet, IMHO.

Kevin tells me the performance might be broadcast on radio or Internet radio in the future so hopefully we'll all get to taste the magic one more time!

Photos from Wilson Elementary in NOLA

2007-12-01T17:54:00.000-06:00

Photos of Miss Connie and Miss Shiela, Kimberle and the whole gang celebrating.

A Really Special Day in NOLA

2007-12-01T17:37:00.000-06:00

The Ketchum Finance Directors held their annual meeting in New Orleans from Monday night through Thursday. Kim and I got to participate -- wonderful evenings on Frenchmen Street (Spotted Cat, Apple Barrel, DBA, 13), lovely dinners at Tujauques and Cafe Amelie, but the real hightlight was the day all 35 of us spent volunteering at the Wilson Charter School in Broadmoor.

Under the direction of Miss Sheila (the principal) and Miss Connie (board president), our group painted windows, repaired doors and screens, helped with arts and crafts, moved boxes, read to the children, put up bulletin boards -- and above all else, tried to give the teachers and the students, all of whom had been displaced, and many of whom had been out of school for a long, long time a sense that we cared. It was an amazingly inspirational day.

When we debriefed later the entire group agreed to adopt the school and continue to do what we can to help ensure its success. Ketchum CFO, Rob Lorfink, who heads the group pledged that this will be a sustainable activity.

I can't even put in words how grateful I am for Ketchum's continued support of our beloved city. I think this is about the fourth or fifth big meeting we have had down there.

This one was truly extra special. Don't think any of us will forget the experience for a long, long time.

Maximo's is re-opening

2007-11-24T11:55:00.000-06:00

Spotted a sign on lower Decatur yesterday that says Maximo's will be re-opening soon!

That may not mean much to many of you, but for Kevin, Corinna, Renee and me, it means a great deal.

Maximo's was our favorite New Orleans restaurant for many years -- incredible atmosphere...musicians everywhere. Once spotted the amazing drummer Elvin Jones, who drummed with, among others, John Coltrane, seated at a table with one or two Marsalis brothers. Kermit was always there, along with various Iguanas -- everybody was there.

But the best parts of it were: Jane, our favorite waitress (and eventual guardian of 822 Governor Nicholls); the wine list (huge and wonderful); and the incredible Italian food (especially the daily ravioli specials!). Not to mention the decor featuring tons of black and white jazz greats photographed by the famous Herman Leonard.

I must be boring everybody out of their minds, but it was a truly magical place and we spent so many nights just laughing and laughing there.

And it's coming back. Let's hope with all the magic intact!

Apologies to Everyone!

2007-11-24T11:39:00.000-06:00

Been way too infrequent in my postings! Will try to make up for lost ground!

Today is Saturday, two days after Thanksgiving and I am posting from New Orleans -- where the big topic of conversation is, in this order: the weather, LSU losing to Arkansas, the weather, what's wrong with da Saints, the weather, the Bayou Classic, and, the weather.

Reason is that the temperature the last few days has been in the 40's and 50's. It's been blustery and overcast and the locals and everybody's been just a little off.

Nonetheless, the quarter looks great! Shoppers filled up the streets on Black Friday and seem to be out in force (although a little light because of the weather).

We've had a great time here -- a real old-fashioned family vacation. We piled into the car on Tuesday and drove the nearly 16 hours from Oak Park to New Orleans...great fun, everyone got along great! Arrived late Tuesday. Spent Wednesday around the Quarter, ate oysters at Desire (which we always do on day one!) and then went to see the Hornets play the Pacers at the Arena, followed, of course, by beignets at Cafe du Monde. Really good time...the Arena is quite nice and seeing Jon Cleary play outside before the show reminded me how cool this place really is.

That and pre-Thanksgiving shopping next to Jason Marsalis at the Winn-Dixie on Tchapatoulis!

Cooked out traditional turducken for Thanksgiving along with all the trimmings. Renee brought us all to tears by offering an individualized toast to each of us, listing what qualities we all had for which she was thankful. She spent the afternoon writing all of it down and it was a truly memorable moment.

Friday was shopping day and movie night. All of it an effort to make sure the kids feel like this is as much their home as Oak Park. Think they truly feel it.

Have not seen any music, although it is all around us...Hot 8, Soul Rebels, Kermit, Rebirth -- they are all over the place. Lee and Katja in town, as is Kimberle. Hoping to see them all today or tomorrow, perhaps around the Saints game.

Ketchum Finance Team is coming to town Monday night for three days of meetings, highlighted by working at a middle school in Broadmoor on Tuesday. Looking forward to that.

Also, never posted but Claire(my 14 year-old) and I made it down just before Halloween for VoodooFest. Good time. Mostly Claire's bands (Plain White-Ts, Gym Class Heroes, Cute is What We Aim For). But she agreed to watch Troy play, too! the band was smokin'! Did their rock n' roll show. james on sax was particularly hot, although Linda Eatherton and I would probably disagree over what kind of hot he was!

All in all the city looks good, feels good and is ready for everybody's return visits.

Much more to come!

JazzFest 7 days again...

2007-11-15T12:00:00.000-06:00

http://blog.nola.com/living/2007/11/neville_brothers_tim_mcgraw_co.html

17 years and counting...

2007-10-20T19:06:00.001-05:00

on behalf of elise and myself let me say that we could not be happier for you both. that is a true blessing and i say that because the only two things i ever have had for 17 consecutive years are my son and my baseball glove.

on behalf of myself let me also add how impressed i was with the obvious thought and care and time peter took to get especially dressed up for renee on this most special and auspicious of occasions. if i am not mistaken the dead giveaway to the formal dress code was the johnny cash black jeans reserved instead of the usual blue jeans. nicely done!

but for real, your celebration sounded like a truly memorable way to spend such a special occasion and you have all of our best wishes now and for the future.

the newer, cleaner quarter may take some getting used to - i am holding out hope that the clean-up initiative did not affect clover grill TOO much; that would really ruin the effect.

Anniversary Weekend in Louisiana

2007-10-16T21:45:00.000-05:00

Renee and I just returned from Louisiana where we spent our 17th wedding anniversary.
We started in NOLA on Thursday night, where we had a very special meal at Gallatoire's. Our waiter, and sommelier, Mark (shown with us below) was a big fan of Paso Robles wine. When he found out that Kevin and I had been bottling there five days earlier, he rolled out the red carpet. Amazing meal, and all the wine stewards, treated us like celebrities. We promised bottles of Bin 504 for everybody!

After another day in NOLA, we headed out Saturday morning to Lafayette for Festivals Acadien, the best Cajun festival in the world. Each year a band called Les Traiteurs, made up of some of the best Cajun musicians around, play a charity gig there. Their picture is below. Some of you might recognize the guitarist. He's Sonny Landreth, clearly one of the best guitarists you'll ever hear. He opened up Eric Clapton's Crossroads festival this year...and is probably best known as the guitarist on John Hiatt's classic albums, including "Slow Turning (thanks Bluesgirl!)." Amazing slide guitarist...just draw-dropping. Well worth checking out his solo albums.

Another favorite, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, played Saturday night at a club called the Blue Moon Saloon, a great place to hear live music. Steve, who is a great friend of ours, and one of the best accordion players around, can be seen below smooching with Renee. The band smoked Saturday night! Just rocked the house.

That car shown below was our rental for the weekend, shown here piled high with treasures we bought on our annual pilgrimage to a shop in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, which you can see in the background. That's usually our final stop on the way back to New Orleans, right after brunch at Cafe des Amis, one of our top ten restaurants. You'd know why if you ever had the andouille cheese grits!

By the way, the quarter looked great! So clean it practically sparkled...you can get the idea from the picture below of the great balcony on Dauphine.

Needless to say, we left very reluctantly on Monday morning!

Bedroom Aging?

2007-10-09T14:00:00.001-05:00

Perhaps a few words of explanation might be in order. Kevin (aka Deano) and I just returned from a wonderful weekend in wine country -- Paso Robles, California -- where we bottled our first vintage. We call it Bin 504. Some of you might remember we picked half a ton of grapes in Paso two years ago. Since then it's been aging in in a friend of ours barrel room in Paso. On Saturday we blended and bottled the wine. We experiemented like mad scientists, but eventually agreed on a 90% cabernet, 5% malbec, 5% merlot blend.

One of the things we learned this weekend was about "bottle shock" -- all wine tends to go into a bit of shock after it is bottled. It will be about four months more before that bottle shock ends and the wine is able to be fully enjoyed.

(Although the shock of being in Kevin's bedroom may mean the wine will take longer to recover. At least we all know the temperature in that room will never get too warm, if you know what I mean.)

So get ready, everybody, a bottle of Bin 504 is in your future -- and will soon be on sale in New Orleans. Although we have absolutely no objectivity, in our humble opinion, Bin 504 is more than drinkable. It's a real in-you-face cabernet blend.

More to come!

First Vintage of Bin 504 has been bottled

2007-10-08T23:00:00.000-05:00

Barrel aging is important, as is bottle aging, but not many know of the most crucial stage of the aging process...bedroom aging. This stage is very important for expanding the versatility of our wine. In the coming weeks, not only will these 26 cases hold the day's mail, the kid's homework, and both clean and dirty laundry, but they will also endure countless profanity-laden outbursts from me as I stub my toe on them attempting to walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Talk about your bottle shock.

More pictures and stories to follow.

pictures from friday

2007-09-30T21:47:00.001-05:00

Where is Everybody? How is Everybody?

2007-09-21T14:22:00.000-05:00

I am writing from Philadelphia today. Here for a new business pitch...interestingly enough, in a building right next door to where Dorothy works. Been here for 24 hours and we still have not yet connected. Sure we will, though.

Meeting friends here, a special birthday surprise for Zoe, the wife of my best friend from high school. Haven't seen Jim and Zoe for a couple of years so this weekend should be great.

As I am writing, a tropical storm is bearing down on the Gulf Coast. Let's all cross our fingers that there is no damage...and that if it does hit New Orleans, that all levees hold.

Oh, and that the Saints get back into form on Monday Night!

Looking way forward to next Friday night. John Boutte and Trombone Shorty on one night. Think we have something like 25 people in our party next Friday. Let's bring lots of cameras and use this blog as photo central!!!!

RE: So, what did you do Saturday night?

2007-09-11T16:08:00.000-05:00

Bonfire at the beach, but it was close. We were going to dress like Shakespearean characters and go clubbing.

So, What Did You Do Saturday Night?

2007-09-09T12:33:00.000-05:00

New show K-Ville on Fox to be set in NOLA...

2007-09-04T15:59:00.000-05:00

Not sure whether this show will be what the city needs but check out the preview here: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid909858652/bctid909953053

The official site (where you can watch the entire first episode) is here: http://www.fox.com/kville/

The show premiers September 17th on Fox.

And this just in...

2007-09-03T19:14:00.000-05:00

On Friday evening, Kevin and Corina were spotted at the West Coast Jazz Party in Irvine listening to the likes of Terry Gibbs and James Moody and although neither of these guys is from New Orleans, it is true that Troy Andrews played this party last year so they've got that going from, which is nice.

Weekend Gossip From Our Far-flung Network of Blog Correspondents

2007-09-02T14:43:00.000-05:00

Reports from our vast network indicate that :

Bill and Pat were spotted at 13 and DBA, among other joints. Photographic evidence to follow, one would assume.
Noam and Elise were positively identified as being in the crowd in Washington, D.C., listening to The Treme Brass Band. Unconfirmed rumors indicate that Uncle Lionel may have shown his new grill to Elise. Unknown is whether Elise still made it to see Hugh Masakela with Noam, or whether Elise stayed behind with Unc.
And in Chicago, Peter and Renee were seen eating gumbo at Wishbone; dodging paparazzi at the Chicago premiere of Kamp Katrina, a documentary of life after Katrina in the Bywater; and later at Fitzgerlad's where they saw a rare performance outside Spotted Cat for The New Orleans Jazz Vipers, who were opening for Marcia Ball.

More details as they become available!

Shocking new evidence revealed today on the story that just won't go away!

2007-08-31T14:35:00.000-05:00

Bring It, Dude!

2007-08-31T06:48:00.000-05:00

Meanwhile, rumors of long-lost photographic evidence continue to surface. Our crack research team will be all over that today if I, I mean they, can find the time.

In the meantime, it wasn't obvious at first, but if you take a good close look at photos from the recent Larry Craig press conference, a mysterious man in a pink hat appears near the photographers.

about that other cheek

2007-08-30T22:00:00.001-05:00

that's why i'm worried about where the OTHER hand is (for further reference, see shared hotel bedroom scene between steve martin and john candy in "planes, trains and automobiles."

AND FURTHERMORE

it takes a weak legal case indeed, when counsel must invoke springsteen to save your bacon.

so furthermore and heretofore, this is not over. this is not NEARLY over. to quote yet another great moment in american filmography, was it over when the germans bombed pearl harbor?!

Turn The Otter Cheek, Mr. Gelfond

2007-08-30T20:54:00.000-05:00

Ladies and gentlemen, I'll be brief. The issue here is not whether I broke a few rules, or took a few liberties - I did. But you can't go blaming the man on the grassy knoll, who if memory holds true, was, in fact, Mr. Bruce Springsteen, for the behavior of one sick twisted individual. For if you do, then shouldn't we blame the whole of JazzFest? And if the whole JazzFest fraternity is guilty, I put it to you, Mr. Gelfond - isn't this an indictment of our entire American society? Well, you can do whatever you want to us, but we're not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America!

Besides, my hand is clearly visible on your right shoulder. An error in judgement, yes. But an impeachable offense? Hardly.

in my defense...

2007-08-30T20:38:00.000-05:00

...and before we move on to that contest right away, let's all scroll back down to the picture, the infamous "pink hat" photo.

i submit to you that the picture (and indeed the head covering) is a fraud.

i submit to you that if you will note, our own "Krewe Chief," a Mr. P. Fleischer, is exhibiting a wide stance, one that looks remarkably similar to the one described by the senator from the great state of idaho as his preferred position when charged with committing an act of questionable taste.

i submit to you that in this photo, Mr. Fleischer's hands are somehow mysterioulsy not visible.

therefore, the image is clearly a fraud and the so-called "pink hat" was placed not only placed there by a Mr. Fleischer (rather than this writer) but he did so with the help of a second party barely visible on the grassy knoll behind us.

i implore all honest and decent citizens to demand the removal of this fraudulent image.

Contest #1

2007-08-30T17:13:00.000-05:00

Tell Us What You Think Maria Is Thinking:

Is it....

a.) Guess what I'm doing right now?

b.) $1,000!

c.) Meet me in the backroom, Uncle Lionel!

d.) Wipe me down!

Contest #1

2007-08-30T15:54:00.000-05:00

Tell Us What You Think Maria Is Thinking:
Is it....
a.) Guess what I'm doing right now?
b.) $1,000!
c.) Meet me in the backroom, Uncle Lionel!
d.) TRY ON THE GREEN ONE!

Contest #1: Tell Us What Maria is Thinking?

2007-08-30T14:56:00.000-05:00

Tell Us What You Think Maria Is Thinking:

Is it....

a.) Guess what I'm doing right now?

b.) $1,000!

c.) Meet me in the backroom, Uncle Lionel!

d.) ___________ (You fill in the blank! )

Clearly, AKA Sammy, you've forgotten Jazzfest 2006 when you blazed the trail for pink hat wearers everywhere

2007-08-29T20:14:00.000-05:00

New Orleans Lullaby

2007-08-29T15:14:00.001-05:00

Our NOLA Mission Statement

2007-08-29T11:04:00.000-05:00

i want my next bumper sticker to read...

2007-08-28T21:53:00.000-05:00

Ray Nagin - WTF!

Enough said

Must See TV...

2007-08-28T08:23:00.000-05:00

CNN: Special Investigations Unit
Watch it:

08:00 PM ET 2007-08-29 CNN

From DirecTV website:

This is citizen journalism at its finest -- from some very young citizens. Reporter Soledad O'Brien and filmmaker Spike Lee gave some Gulf Coast teenagers their own video cameras to record their stories of life after Hurricane Katrina. The result is the new episode "Children of the Storm," a poignant and inspiring collection of survival stories. Even if you don't care for documentaries, you need to check this out.

no matter how far you go...

2007-08-27T21:04:00.000-05:00

As the old saying goes, “do you know what it means to miss new Orleans” [a plaque with those words hangs in my house, maybe yours too]. Here’s another one – no matter how far you go, you’re never far from new Orleans.

My much more than better half and I were on the fly in Europe this summer and experienced a couple of run ins with NOLA. First in the south of France, while just minding our own business walking near the shores of the Cote D’azur, what do we happen upon? No, not Bridgit Bardot (I’m pretty sure she couldn’t even fit on the beach much less lay on the beach) but a straight from New Orleans Second Line (the heavy dose of salt air prevents me from recalling who it was but you’d know them). On a later leg we concluded that Venice is the Italian New Orleans. All water jokes aside, it had the same soulful feel, look and array of artisans and food and characters and whatnot.

Just a few days after our trip we took in Joan Osborne at a DC club (if you put aside that one commercial song she is really quite a good white soul songstress). It’s a club with tables and having gotten there on the late side we took our seats at just about the last available spot with a table already occupied by three other couples. Just as I looked up after sitting down with our tablemates I find two of the couples wearing JazzFest attire and the third couple also turned out to be regulars. Thus ensued an evening-long conversation at the breaks comparing past Fests and other NOLA moments that had been experienced independently but now shared as if it had been experienced together in the moment.

It was just another reminder that no matter where you go you are never far from New Orleans.

Having said all that, for all my love for NOLA, you will never - and let me emphasize NEVER - find me there in a pink hat.

Bravo!

2007-08-27T17:02:00.000-05:00

Well put, Kevin! This anniversary has stirred up so many emotions for me and I know for a lot of others. How the hell we could be in this sorry ass shape two years down the road is astonishing. I continue to see it as a complete failure of leadership. Not only did the levees and the Army Corps fail us, our so-called leaders at every level have failed us -- repeatedly. What a difference an activist Mayor, a strong Governor and non-idealogue President could have made.

But as one who always sees the Abita half-full, I blieve that ultimately the life force of the city will prevail and the good times will roll again. But how long it will take until New Orleans is off life-support is anybody's guess. Until President Obama is inaugurated, I reckon!

In the meantime, we can all share our passion and our love for the city, support its musicians and encourage others to do the same. And, I hope, put some pressure on our leaders to try a new approach -- fucking lead or get the fuck out of the way!

Chris Rose on NPR

2007-08-27T13:01:00.000-05:00

I just listened to Chris on NPR (
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13966248). Great piece. I live the negative attitudes towards New Orleans everyday here in "sunny" CA. "Those people are nuts to want to go back", "Isn't the crime worse, now?", and, the most fucked up thing I've heard, "The city is just not relevant anymore" (At least this person once thought it relevant). These comments make me angry, but trying to explain my views has been a problem, until I heard Chris. Now I have a new strategy: Instead of anger, I'll show pity for those who don't get NOLA. No more wasting energy trying to convince everyone how great the city is. Those who can be convinced, like all of you who might read this, will be so based on my positive energy toward the city and by my being a new orleanian wherever I am. Hell, most folks around here can't get past the fact that there is humidity in New Orleans and that people actually walk from points A to B. I really do feel sorry for them.

Reason #364 Why I Love Barack Obama

2007-08-27T12:48:00.000-05:00

Obama: U.S. Can't Fail New Orleans Again
By BECKY BOHRERThe Associated PressMonday, August 27, 2007; 11:22 AM
NEW ORLEANS -- Democrat Barack Obama said Sunday the country cannot fail New Orleans again and that as president, he would keep the city in mind every day.
"The words never again cannot be another empty phrase," he said in front of one of the few rebuilt houses he saw on a brief tour of the city's Gentilly Woods section. "It cannot become another broken promise."
Obama is the first of several presidential candidates from both parties who are set to visit New Orleans in connection with the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on Wednesday. President Bush also is expected to mark the occasion with a trip to the Gulf Coast.
Obama, whose day began at First Emanuel Baptist Church, said that long before Katrina, the nation had failed to lift up New Orleans, a city with persistent struggles such as poverty and poor public schools. He said that cannot happen again and that Americans have a "collective responsibility" to each other.
"Racial discord, poverty, the old divisions of black and white, rich and poor, it's time to leave that to yesterday," he said.
"In rebuilding, we've got an opportunity to do more than put up a foundation that for too long failed the people of New Orleans," he told congregants. Some snapped photos of him at the pulpit with their cell phones.
"In rebuilding, we've got an opportunity to build something better, a foundation that can put up with a lot, upon which the children of New Orleans can build their dreams."
Progress since Katrina has been slow, mired in bureaucracy and marred by fingerpointing among federal, state and local officials. Some small businesses are struggling, houses remain empty in vast sections of the city and people are frustrated.
From several residents, Obama heard about poor infrastructure and the slow pace of home rebuilding grants. He walked past empty lots overgrown with weeds rising above his head and saw Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers and signs advertising services such as mold remediation.
"I just feel like we've been forgotten about," resident JoAnn Fleming Bradley told him.
The Illinois senator criticized Bush for what he said was a lack of urgency in rebuilding the city. "I can promise you this: I will be a president who wakes up every morning and goes to bed every night with the future of this city on my mind," Obama said.
He outlined a plan he said would help restore the region by:
_providing grants for community policing in New Orleans, which has struggled with violence since Katrina;
_offering incentives such as loan forgiveness programs to try to attract doctors and college students;
_ensuring displaced residents who want to return have a place to stay;
_creating a national catastrophic insurance reserve, which he said would help homeowners struggling with their premiums.
At least two other leading Democratic candidates, Hillary Rodham Clinton and John Edwards, also have outlined rebuilding plans and touched on similar themes.
"Part of the problem, I'll be honest with you, I just don't think there is a sense of urgency in the White House, where the president is cracking the whip, day in, day out, and saying, 'Why is it that we're not getting this done?'" Obama said.
"I mean, you think about the amount of attention that's been devoted to Iraq. 'All hands on deck.' I don't get that same sense that there's a focus on getting this work done," Obama said.

Trombone Shorty Hits the Big Time!

2007-08-27T12:08:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Kim, for the link to today's fabulous story on Troy Andrews.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/default.htm

Cool Photo Gallery from the Washington Post

2007-08-27T12:02:00.000-05:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/gallery/070823/GAL-07Aug23-85466/index.html

From Sunday's Washington Post

2007-08-27T12:00:00.001-05:00

Still Singing Those Post-Katrina Blues
By Teresa WiltzWashington Post Staff WriterSunday, August 26, 2007; M01
NEW ORLEANS -- In a funky, crowded, smoke-filled bar in the French Quarter, locals are passing a tip bucket 'round the room, while singer John Boutte whoops and hollers, banging on his tambourine, crooning tales of regret and rage over the havoc wreaked by that witch Katrina. Adding his own spin to an old Randy Newman song, "Louisiana 1927":
President Bush flew over in a airplane . . .
President Bush said, "Great job, good job!
"What the levees have done to this poor Creole's land . . . ."
Backstage, in between sets, the Virgin Mary gazes down from her perch on the wall while the bar's managers count the proceeds, every single, every fiver, every ten-spot, counting aloud, one, two, three, four . . . $147. They count again . . . $147. And then hand the loot to Boutte, the son of seven generations of musicmaking New Orleans Creoles.
"I'm rich," Boutte says sardonically, fanning out the bills in his hands like a deck of cards.
Two years post-Katrina, it's like this for the city's musicians: New Orleans may be the music mecca, the birthplace of jazz, the place where you go to get your juice. But it's no place to make money.
"People tell me I should get the [expletive] out," says Boutte, at 48 and 5-foot-3, a bronze-skinned, bellicose, curly-haired Pan.
"Hell no. Why should I leave? This is my home. My ancestors' bones are here. . . .
"They've squashed my joy. But I'm not extinguished yet."
* * *
Nearly 4,000 New Orleans musicians were sent scattering after Hurricane Katrina hit on Aug. 29, 2005. Many of them have been trying to return ever since. Today the soul of the city -- its rich musical legacy-- is at risk.
"Everything is shrinking," says David Freedman, general manager of WWOZ-FM, a public radio station in the city. "In the clubs, you get the impression that all's back to normal. When you start scratching the surface, it's smoke and mirrors.
"So many musicians have not come back. How many can we lose before we lose that dynamic? To what degree do we just become a tourist theme park?"
By industry insiders' estimates, a third of the city's musicians, like Boutte, have found a way back home for good. Another third, like Lumar LeBlanc of the brass band Soul Rebels, are doing what he calls "the double Zip code thing," parachuting into town for gigs and then heading back to temporary homes in Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles. The final third, like blind bluesman Henry Butler, stuck in Denver, have yet to make it back.
Among the double Zip-coders is Ivan Neville, singer, songwriter, keyboardist, son of Aaron. His mom's house was washed away. She passed in January. His dad settled near Nashville. Neville relocated to Austin, jetting in and out of New Orleans a couple times a month. As for making a permanent move back home?
"I don't see it," Neville, 48, says between sets at the Maple Leaf in the city's Uptown section. "Not in the near future. The spirit of New Orleans is alive. But it will never be the same again."
How do you measure loss? So much is gone now, so much will never come back. There are tangible ways, of course: High schools lost their caches of musical instruments. Fifty public schools remain shuttered; enrollment is down 40 percent. With the loss of schools comes the loss of teaching jobs, work that musicians counted on to pay the rent between gigs. With the loss of students comes the loss of a future generation of musicians. (This year, the state passed legislation requiring that art and music be taught in the public schools.)
"Is New Orleans's music scene coming back?" says Bill Summers, 59, a percussionist and voodoo priest who's played with Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Sarah Vaughan, Madonna and Sting. "Yeah. And no. Baby . . . it's very sad."
Says Deacon John Moore, 66, an R&B singer and president of the local musicians union: "We've been reduced to beggars in the streets. Begging for tips from the tourists. . . . The competition is so keen among musicians, they'd do almost anything for exposure."
Life was always tough for New Orleans's musicmakers: Decent pay was scarce, with musicians, desperate to make a buck, scrambling for whatever they could get, underpricing other musicians.
The waters rushing in from Lake Ponchartrain obliterated already fragile support systems. Neighborhood-based Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, once the backbone of New Orleans society, helping their dues-paying members with burial and hospital expenses, have been displaced. Eighty percent of the city flooded; more than 200,000 homes were destroyed in the process. Rents have close to doubled since the storm; a one-bedroom apartment that once could be had for $500 a month now goes for more than $800.
The upside to calamity, if there is one, may be artistic. "Post-Katrina, everybody is getting in touch with their New Orleans roots," says singer-songwriter Paul Sanchez, co-founder of the country-rock band Cowboy Mouth. "We all lost more than we can ever articulate. And as artists, it's our job to articulate that loss."
Deprivation still abounds. You see it in the FEMA trailers parked outside Katrina-ravaged houses. You feel it in the bulldozed lots of the Lower Ninth Ward, where homeowners have scrawled on the handful of remaining homes: "DO NOT DEMO. WORK IN PROGRESS."
You hear it in the music, from trumpeter Terence Blanchard's funereal "A Taste of God's Will: A Requiem for Katrina" to Cowboy Mouth's CD, "Voodoo Shoppe," to Boutte's melancholic cover of Annie Lennox's "Why."
You read it in the death notices.
In the past year, New Orleans's music community has buried at least 19 of its own -- and everyone seems to keep a running tally from the obituaries. This summer, within a week of each other, five musicians died: R&B singer Oliver Morgan; jazz saxophonist Earl "the African Cowboy" Turbinton; musician and jazz poet Eluard Burke; R&B vocalist Issachar Gordon; jazz percussionist John Thompson.
George Brumat, the owner of the legendary jazz club Snug Harbor, died in July of an apparent heart attack at 63. Jazz virtuoso Alvin Batiste passed in May, also of a presumed heart attack, at 74. Just after Christmas, Dinerral Shavers, 25, a drummer with the Hot 8 Brass Band, was shot in the back of the head while driving with his wife and children through the streets of New Orleans -- a victim of the city's crime rate, which escalated at an alarming rate after the hurricane.
"These are Katrina deaths," WWOZ's Freeman contends. "It's stress. They were fragile. And this pushed them over the edge."
* * *
There are, of course, programs created to help musicians and to "preserve" the legacy of New Orleans, efforts both private and public. There's the Musicians' Village, where native sons Harry Connick Jr. and Branford and Ellis Marsalis partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build 70 single-family houses in the Upper Ninth Ward. There's Sweet Home New Orleans, a collective of 14 not-for-profit agencies serving New Orleans musicians. And there's a grandiose, but so far stalled, $716 million proposal that involves restoring the Hyatt Regency Hotel and building a massive National Jazz Center and park.
"We have to think big," says Irvin Mayfield Jr., artistic director of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. "Build an institution that's going to survive any hurricane. The country needs to get behind something audacious."
But the hardest thing to preserve is something that can't be purchased. It is that which New Orleanians so desperately want to preserve: the feel of the city, that NOLA mojo, the likes of which can be found in Bullets, a crowded little Mid-City joint. Inside, trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and his band, the Barbecue Swingers, are jammed against the window. A steady stream of sports is playing on the TV, but no one pays much attention.
In spirit, Bullets is as far from the tourist-laden French Quarter as you can get. Here, it's buckets of Miller Lite and chicken wings served alongside Ruffins's gritty, greasy swinging "trad jazz" -- traditional jazz. The crowd is more boomer than youthful, with seasoned souls sporting tees that read "We Survived Hurricane Katrina" and "New Orleans: Proud to Call It Home." A grizzled gent leans over a newcomer, slyly uttering the post-Katrina pickup line du jour: "I really want to show you the Ninth Ward."
As the sun sets, a man comes in peddling homemade tamales; another hawks cellphone covers and disposable cameras. Tattooed white kids arrive, while a contingent of Creole matrons stands in the center of the room, arms folded, looking just a little bit aloof. Until they start to dance as one, getting down and dirty with the beat.
A man scratches away on a washboard as band members sing in Creole and English, catcalling and ululating. Everybody, it seems, knows the words, and they sing along, loud and strong, filling the tiny club with a sense of goose-bump-raising communion.
I cry Hey mama
In the morning time
Yi-Yi-Yi
"Only in New Orleans," Ruffins chants, laughing and laughing. "Only in New Orleans."
* * *
This is the city that spawned Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson and Sidney Bechet, Randy Newman and Master P -- not to mention a long line of famous musical families: the Marsalises, the Nevilles, the Batistes, the Toussaints.
Folks like to brag that New Orleans is the northernmost tip of the Caribbean, a sentiment that has little to do with geography. It's a sensibility, evident in the food, the culture, in the French and Spanish surnames, in the old folks who cling to Creole, an Africanized French patois.
New Orleanians have always celebrated the mixing of genes, the blending of races and cultures into a potent ancestral gumbo. All this informs the music here, marinating it in nostalgia and a sense of defiant joy. New Orleanians are peculiarly tied to place, ever cognizant of history.
Drive by Congo Square, and without fail, a local will remind you that it was here that the slaves played their music on Sundays, drumming away their worries, and where a slave could earn enough extra money to buy freedom. Where the Creole orchestras played in brass band concerts -- many of whose members were the black sons of rich white fathers who sent them to Europe to be educated.
"In New York, you learn jazz, you learn the blues," Paul Sanchez says. "In New Orleans, you're born into it. Baby comes out the womb chasing the rhythm."
He's waxing lyrical as he tools around the Lower Ninth Ward, cruising in his green minivan.
"I tell you, this place is magic," Sanchez says. "I say this with sadness in my voice."
For Sanchez, scion of the city's working-class Irish Channel neighborhood, life pre-Katrina meant 16 years of touring the world with Cowboy Mouth. Partying like a rock star. He had a wife and a house, cash in his pocket. Then the water wiped out everything he had. Everything, that is, but his wife.
Back in the day, it was sold-out gigs at the 9:30 club in Washington. Now he's no longer with Cowboy Mouth, and when he's not playing for tips, Sanchez is driving from city to city, playing house parties for $750 a pop, hoping for the random club gig. Being "formerly of" a once-popular band gets you only so far.
Sanchez was in Atlanta recording a Cowboy Mouth album when the storm hit. With nowhere to go, the band booked a bunch of gigs and hit the road. But playing with the band now felt like "a cartoon," so he left. For three months, he and his wife hid out in Belize, too battle-scarred to move back home. Eventually, they made it back, renting out a spot in the Lakeview area.
His music has changed: It's slower, sadder, resolute, seasoned with both bitterness and hope, rooted in New Orleans traditions and themes. Now he's collaborating on a new CD with his buddy, Boutte; he spends a lot of time hanging out with blues and jazz musicians.
"At 47, I don't have to prove to anyone that I can rock," says Sanchez, a man with a fondness for old-school fedoras. "I played rock-and-roll. Now I play New Orleans music. There's definitely a freedom in that."
* * *
At 21, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews is one of the lucky ones. Where others have struggled post-Katrina, his career is taking off: He played with the Neville Brothers on Letterman. He made his acting debut on NBC's "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." For the rest of the year, he's got 19 gigs booked, touring the country with his jazz-funk-rock-pop band, Orleans Avenue.
When Katrina hit, Andrews was a 19-year-old wunderkind on break from touring with Lenny Kravitz. He fled with his family to Dallas, 10 crammed in his Volvo, wondering and worrying if other family members made it out, too.
He didn't stay away for long. New Orleans grounds him. Specifically, it is Faubourg Treme that feeds him -- reputed to be America's oldest black neighborhood, which nurtured the musical talents of the Rebirth Brass Band, 19th-century Creole classical composer Edmund Dede, Kermit Ruffins and Louis Prima. The neighborhood that nurtured Andrews.
Here, high-water marks along the wooden shotgun houses and shuttered nightclubs give mute testimony to the flood. Few residents returned, but today, under a highway overpass, against a backdrop of murals of long-gone jazz greats, a group of men gathers as it does every day, sitting on metal folding chairs, trying to reclaim a little bit of community. Most of them don't live here any longer.
"These," Andrews says, pointing at the men as he pulls up alongside them in his oversize SUV, "are the last that's left. This is the soul of the neighborhood."
He rolls down the window. "Hey, Dad. Do you need anything? You hungry?" His father, James, smiles at him, shakes his head.
This is where Trombone Shorty comes to touch base, to get his "laugh on," to run errands for his elders. To remind himself not to get a big head. To remind himself of the importance of reaching back, to pull along other musicians who aren't as fortunate as he.
"New Orleans made me who I am," Andrews says. "I can't leave it.
"I need New Orleans. And New Orleans needs me."
var comments_url = "http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/23/AR2007082301413_Comments.html" ;
var article_id = "AR2007082301413" ;

New Orleans In Chicago!

2007-08-25T09:50:00.000-05:00

Saw a great New Orleans tribute show last night at beautiful Millenium Park in downtown Chicago. Featured act was The New Orleans Social Club, which features among others, the great New Orleans piano player Henry Butler, Ivan Neville and guitarist Leo Nocintelli of the late, great Meters.

Joining the Social Club were Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews -- who was astonishing as always on Trombone; John Boutte -- who did a bring-the-house-down version of "Why"; Irma Thomas; Chicago's own "Queen of the Blues" Koko Taylor and the Hot 8 Brass Band.

Lots of great moments -- particularly when Koko, John and Irma were dancing together during Saints! And when Troy was hanging with Henry Butler. Crowd was second lining and having a ball.

Lots of heartfelt tributes to New Orleans from the announcers and everybody involved. Felt like New Orleans in Chicago for a few hours at least!

By the way, John spotted me in the audience, which added to the fun!

From the "Are You Kidding Me?" Department

2007-08-24T17:46:00.000-05:00

President to mark Katrina anniversary
Posted by Washington bureau August 24, 2007 2:34PM
By Bruce AlpertWashington bureau
WASHINGTON -- President Bush will be in New Orleans on Wednesday to observe the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the White House has announced.
It provided no details of the president's itinerary. The visit will be Bush's 13th to the New Orleans area since Hurricane Katrina struck on Aug. 29, 2005.
Bush's trip will follow visits to the city by five presidential candidates seeking to succeed him in 2009. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., running second in polls among Democratic contenders, will address the First Emanuel Baptist Church at 1829 Carondelet St. on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and later go on a walking tour of a New Orleans neighborhood.
On Monday, Democratic front-runner, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., along with former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., will appear at a Katrina summit organized by Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., at the University of New Orleans. Also appearing will be Republican presidential hopefuls Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, and U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif.
White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said that Bush continues to follow through "on his commitment to help local citizens rebuild their lives and communities on the Gulf Coast.
He said that the federal government has provided more than $114 billion for relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts, over $96 billion of which as been disbursed or is available for states to draw from.
In addition to a stop in New Orleans, Bush is also slated to visit the Mississippi Gulf Coast on Wednesday, Johndroe said.

Katrina Anniversary Coverage

2007-08-24T17:42:00.000-05:00

Katrina anniversary TV coverage kicks into high gear

By Dave WalkerTV columnist
Katie's already been here and Brian and Anderson are on their way, so you know the K+Y2 anniversary is knocking.
Following is a selected overview of planned network coverage of the Gulf Coast's recovery, such as it is, two years after It. (Local news-providing broadcasters have plans of their own, to be detailed in Living later this week.)
What follows are the tentative and subject-to-change network plans, as supplied by network publicity departments to varying degrees of detail.
ABC The network's branded coverage -- slogan: "Katrina: Where Things Stand" -- begins at 7 a.m. today (Sunday) on WGNO-Channel 26 with a "Good Morning America" report by correspondent Jim Avila on the state of mental health in New Orleans. The coverage continues at 10:30 a.m. in the "Voices" segment on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," which will feature Pass Christian, Miss., native Robin Roberts discussing her involvement with the Pink Hearts Fund, an organization founded by a survivor of both breast cancer and Katrina who has helped other similar survivors. At 5:30 p.m., "World News" Sunday anchor Dan Harris will report on Lower 9th Ward residents struggling to rebuild, and Avila will report on the St. Rita's nursing home trial.
On Tuesday's "Good Morning America," Avila will examine the Road Home mess. On Wednesday's "GMA," Diane Sawyer and Roberts will co-anchor the show's anniversary coverage.
Also Wednesday, "World News with Charles Gibson" (5:30 p.m.) and/or its Webcast will feature reports from Steve Osunsami (violent crime in the city) and Avila (levees). Later, on "Nightline" (delayed a half-hour to 11:05 p.m. due to extended local news on WGNO), Harris reports on coastal erosion.
CBS Tonight at 6 on WWL-Channel 4, "60 Minutes" repeats Morley Safer's story about Dr. Anna Pou's prosecution. The "CBS Evening News" (5:30 p.m. weekdays) plans a Katrina anniversary series to run throughout the week, for which anchor Katie Couric visited New Orleans last week. Two stories by Harry Smith, tentatively scheduled to run Thursday and Friday on "The Early Show" (7 a.m., WUPL-Channel 54) examine recovery obstacles and rebuilding volunteerism.
"48 Hours Mystery" has been in town working on two episodes -- one apparently about the murders of Dinerral Shavers and Helen Hill, the other about the St. Rita's case. Airdates for both are not set.
CNN "Children of the Storm," the result of a yearlong project overseen by Soledad O'Brien and filmmaker Spike Lee, airs at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Eleven local teenagers were outfitted with video gear to tell their own recovery stories for the program, which repeats at the same time Saturday and Sept. 2.
With its title star reporting live from New Orleans, a special edition of "Anderson Cooper 360" titled "Katrina, Two Years Later: Keeping Them Honest" will air at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Fox News Channel Reporters Jeff Golblatt and Kris Gutierrez will file live updates from New Orleans throughout the day Wednesday for Fox's regularly scheduled news programming. Story topics are expected to include recovery progress, relief funding allocation and levee repair. During "Studio B with Shepard Smith" (2 p.m.) and "The Fox Report with Shepard Smith" (6 p.m.), Trace Gallagher will report on New Orleans recovery challenges. Also on Fox, Marianne Silber will look at "voluntourism" in Mississippi.
HBO All 270 minutes of Spike Lee's documentary "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts" will rerun at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
NBC At 9 tonight, the cable network CNBC premieres "Against the Tide: The Battle for New Orleans," a documentary analyzing the New Orleans business community's recovery. It repeats at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Tuesday, Brian Williams will anchor the "NBC Nightly News" from Waveland, Miss. Wednesday, he's here -- for the 14th time. Also on the story: NBC New Orleans Bureau correspondent Martin Savidge.
The Weather ChannelAt 4 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 1) on "Forecast Earth: This Week," host Heidi Cullen will revisit New Orleans to take stock of recovery efforts.
Public radio A special edition of "American Routes" -- titled "After the Storm IX: Recovery Routes" -- airs at 6 p.m. today on WWNO FM-89.9. Profiled artists include Irma Thomas, James Andrews, members of the Rebirth Brass Band and Lionel Ferbos.
At 8 tonight, WWNO will air "Routes to Recovery," a documentary by American RadioWorks, a segment for which will examine the recovery role of the city's vernacular culture, including brass bands and Mardi Gras Indians.
The week's Katrina slate for NPR News, carried by WWNO, is full. Stories will air on most of the network's news programs (and reviewable after the fact, as always, at www.npr.org).
Expected coverage highlights: On Monday's "All Things Considered" (4 p.m.), Wade Goodwyn reports on the nearly 100,000 Katrina evacuees still in Houston. On Wednesday's "Morning Edition" (5 a.m.), Pam Fessler tracks recovery dollars. Thursday, "Morning Edition" profiles Recovery School District Superintendent Paul Vallas. On Friday's "All Things Considered," Ari Shapiro looks at New Orleans' criminal justice system, and Noah Adams profiles Eddie Bo.
TV columnist Dave Walker can be reached at dwalker@timespicayune

Some Favorite Satchmofest Memories

2007-08-24T17:24:00.000-05:00

Courtesty of Linda and Steve Eatherton!

The Elysian Trumpet

2007-08-24T16:49:00.000-05:00

The Elysian Trumpet, hand-built by David Monette, the modern master of trumpet design, is dedicated to the memory of Irvin Mayfield, Sr. and all of the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

http://www.elysiantrumpet.com/

Let's See Where The Presidential Candidates Stand On This!

2007-08-23T13:23:00.000-05:00

$7.6 billion expected for New Orleans levees
Posted
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — State officials say the Bush administration will propose $7.6 billion for improving New Orleans levees next year, but Louisiana might not be able to afford its share.
Gov. Kathleen Blanco and Louisiana Congress members said the president is expected to submit the request to Congress in February to upgrade the levees to protect against a 100-year flood.
State officials project Louisiana's portion would be about $2.6 billion, though, based on a historic 65-35% cost-share.
Coming up with that "would be nearly impossible," Blanco said.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has sufficient funding to make repairs and improvements until fiscal year 2009, according to Donald Powell, federal coordinator for Gulf Coast rebuilding. He said the $7.6 billion funding for the levees and more drainage would be requested as part of the fiscal year 2009 budget process.

Powell's spokesman, Evan McLaughlin, said the true cost-share wasn't yet known and that the federal government would fully pay for certain repairs.
Republican U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal, who is running for Louisiana governor, said the federal government should pick up more of the cost since post-Hurricane Katrina flooding proved the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' assurances that the levees were sufficient were false.

Local jazz DJ from NOLA

2007-08-23T12:56:00.000-05:00

I recently found out that one of the DJs on the jazz and blues station, KLON (www.jazzandblues.org), is either from New Orleans or has spent a great deal of time there. He played a great set of NOLA music last weekend. I am attempting to contact him to see what, if anything, he is going to do on his show on, or around, the anniversary date. Keep y'all posted.

Happy Anniversary!

2007-08-23T07:49:00.000-05:00

This picture was taken, believe it or not, on August 29, 2005 -- the day Katrina hit. 'nuf said.

A Free Pass

2007-08-23T07:38:00.000-05:00

I hear ya...I hate it, too, when celebs do a drive-by...political candidates, too, who have all used New Orleans as a photo backdrop and then abandoned the city. But I am totally prepared to give Brad and Angelina a free pass. First, they are down-the-street neighbors and I may have to borrow some sugar (or an Abita) sometime. But, second, this really seems to be an ongoing cause for them and their love of New Orleans seems genuine.

Just for fun, I may do a rogue's gallery of Presidential candidates who have posed for photos, then cut and run!

As Kevin and I would say in our best Boston-ese, the fuckin' bahstads!

Brad Pitt aims to keep focus on Katrina recovery

2007-08-22T09:55:00.000-05:00

Generally speaking, I'm not a fan of Brad Pitt or any celebrity who hitches their publicity wagon to a cause for self-serving reasons. However, given he and his wife own a home in the French Quarter, perhaps he's sincere and can help to make a positive difference in New Orlean's fight to rebuild.

Ed

By Russell McCulley
Tue, 21 Aug 2007, 03:13PM

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Calling Hurricane Katrina a "man-made disaster," actor Brad Pitt said on Tuesday he remains committed to helping the city recover from the storm.
Nearly two years after the August 29, 2005 hurricane, the "Ocean's Thirteen" star said he was at times dismayed by the pace of recovery in New Orleans, where he and partner Angelina Jolie own an elegant townhouse in the historic French Quarter.
Pitt was in the Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood to tour an ecologically sustainable single-family home being built by Global Green USA, an environmental group he backs.
The actor praised the house in the Holy Cross area of the ward as a "small victory" for efforts to rebuild the city, but said, "it's hard to find an overall victory when you see how slowly everything is still moving. And Katrina was a man-made disaster. This house is a man-made solution."
Pitt said the city's flood-protection defenses must be restored before displaced residents feel confident enough to rebuild.
"We've got to push to get these levees taken care of in the correct fashion," he told reporters at a news conference in the hurricane-ravaged working class neighborhood.
The house that Pitt toured, loosely modeled on the distinctive New Orleans "shotgun" style of long, narrow homes, will generate almost all its electricity from 28 roof-mounted solar panels, said Global Green USA president Matt Petersen.
Global Green hopes to use the house, which should be completed this fall, as a prototype for the neighborhood. Built not far from the banks of the Mississippi River and raised by three feet on concrete pilings, it is above sea level.
Some in the area, which was not as badly flooded as others in the city, are rebuilding. But a lack of funds have kept most from starting fresh.
Levee repairs are ongoing and engineers differ over how the new levees will fare in a major storm.
The environmental group has pledged to create a residential community of "green" structures, including an 18-unit, low-income apartment building near the Mississippi.
Pitt, 43, said the redevelopment project could help encourage people whose homes were destroyed in the storm to return and rebuild in a more environmentally conscious fashion.
"We knew we couldn't bring back the families and friends that were lost, bring back the heirlooms, the pictures," Pitt said. "But maybe, in the process of rebuilding, we could build something smarter, and create a better way of life for those people who live here."

Check This Cool Site Out!

2007-08-21T17:57:00.001-05:00

This is a pretty cool new site for inspiration!

http://www.24nola.com

Some Upbeat News From The New Orleans CVB

2007-08-21T17:51:00.000-05:00

NEW ORLEANS CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU ISSUES “STATE OF THE CITY” REPORT, AUGUST 2007Two years after Katrina, New Orleans’ vital tourism industry celebrates successes, looks to the future with optimism
NEW ORLEANS – August 9, 2007 – As the nation prepares to commemorate the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on August 29th, the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (New Orleans CVB) is reflecting on the extraordinary progress achieved in the past two years for tourism—New Orleans’ number one industry, largest employer and a critical force in rebuilding the areas of the city that still are in recovery.
The resurgence of the tourism industry began in early 2006 with a strong return of Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center re-opening after a multi-million-dollar renovation and the first citywide convention—the American Library Association. Progress continued in the fall with the return of cruise ships, many successful meetings including the National Association of Realtors®, and the reopening of the Louisiana Superdome, which is now considered one of the most memorable nights in NFL history.
In 2007 alone, New Orleans has safely and successfully hosted more than one million visitors for ESSENCE Music Festival, Mardi Gras, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, French Quarter Festival, major sporting events, cultural festivals, corporate meetings, large citywide conventions such as the American College of Cardiology, Risk & Insurance Management Society and more.
Today, airlines are adding new flights to Louis Armstrong International Airport; the city has one of the freshest hotel products in the country; the French Quarter is cleaner than it has been in decades and we continue to receive extremely positive testimonials from visitors. Major corporations such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Southwest Airlines and others are investing in New Orleans’ hospitality industry; new restaurants are opening; festivals are enjoying record-breaking attendance; armies of college students and volunteers are traveling to the city to participate in life-changing “voluntourism” projects; and the New Orleans CVB is aggressively booking leisure and convention business for the future.
“The rich New Orleans cultural experience that has existed for hundreds of years is alive and well,” said Stephen Perry, president & CEO of the New Orleans CVB. “In the coming weeks, as areas of the recovery are scrutinized, and the focus may be on more negative than positive stories, we want to remind everyone that New Orleans also is a city where soul PROVED waterproof … a place of hope, resilience and life. On behalf of the entire hospitality community of New Orleans, we extend a profound thank you to every individual visitor, travel professional, volunteer, executive, meeting professional, meeting attendee, exhibitor, organization, corporation and association that has supported us and participated in the rebirth of one of the greatest destinations in the world.”

For the full release, check out:
http://www.neworleanscvb.com/articles/index.cfm/action/view/articleID/1313/typeID/1

Uncle Lionel Gets Around!

2007-08-21T17:43:00.000-05:00

From the Louisiana Weekly

New Orleans style jazzfest in Norway
By Thor A. Nagell, Contributing WriterAugust 13, 2007
Every summer, 100,000 people crowd together in a tiny town on the west coast of Norway to celebrate jazz, New Orleans style. One week a year, the sleepy town comes to life, and inhabitants and tourists join together in a weeklong jazz splurge, all headed by "Uncle" Lionel Batiste from New Orleans.
The little town called Molde is known mainly for two things - roses and jazz. The town slogan, "the town of roses'" should perhaps be changed to "the town of jazz," as it is host to one of the oldest and most renowned jazz festivals of Europe. Molde International Jazz Festival was established as early as 1960 by local enthusiasts and has been arranged annually ever since, this year for the 47th time.
The local jazzfest has managed to put its hometown on the map in European and international jazz circles, and despite its small scale, it continues to draw major international names to its stages. Jazz musicians from every corner of the world (and especially the U.S. seem to have a fondness for the festival, from Mr. Jazz himself, the venerable Miles Davis, headliner for the festival back in 1984, to Oscar Peterson and his trio who visited in 1987. Ray Charles has played at the charming outdoor scene of "Romsdalsmuseet," a museum for the region of Romsdal with idyllic, old log houses surrounded by picturesque ponds and birch trees. In 1996 Bob Dylan played for a record-breaking crowd of nearly 10.000 people at the museum grounds, joining the ranks of other headliners such as Sting, Paul Simon, B.B. King and Eric Clapton.
Post-Katrina collaboration
Some of the major names at this year's festival were Elvis Costello and New Orleans soul icon Allen Toussaint. Together they gave a fabulous concert at the old museum, surrounded by greenery and log houses.
The concert was almost identical to the one they did in support for the victims of Katrina. After this concert they collaborated on the album "The River in Reverse," which features seven Toussaint-classics together with five new tracks they made together, as well as some tracks signed Costello.
Other names at the festival this year were Steely Dan, Chick Corea & Gary Burton, as well as a long range of other American, Norwegian, European and African musicians. The festival had a total of about 60 different concerts at 12 scenes and an additional 12 concerts for free at two different scenes - one outside the Town Hall and another in the small "Alexandra" park with thousands of roses, adjoining the harbor.
Looking to New Orleans
While Molde is without a doubt Norway's jazz capital, there is even less doubt that the jazz-loving Norwegians look to New Orleans for inspiration. One popular establishment is called "Perspiration Hall" - humorously named after Preservation Hall on Bourbon Street. Furthermore, the festival is officially opened by a popular and crowded street parade - local musicians and dancers, the manager of the festival Mr. Jan Ole Otnes, the traditional "artist in residence," all appear in the street parade - even the Prime Minister of Norway once danced his way through the streets of Molde, proving once and for all that white men can't dance, according to local reverberations of the event.
Leading the way in the parade, we find "Uncle" Lionel Batiste - a familiar face to the regulars of the festival. Born in 1931, he has become the "granddaddy" and trademark of the festival, even appearing in marketing campaigns. When we ask him about his role in the festival, he hurries off to retrieve an issue of the local newspaper, featuring a big picture of himself and the festival manager on the front cover.
"I love being here in Molde and enjoying the music, the atmosphere and the friendly people. And I love dancing in the street parade," says Batiste.
It is perhaps no surprise that he enjoys his role as a front figure, seeing as he has been an artist and entertainer for more than six decades.
Batiste first started playing bass drum with the Square Deal Social & Pleasure Club in his home neighborhood, the Tremé, at age 11. In Norway, he has been collaborating with acclaimed singer Tricia Boutté and the local Ytre Suløens Jazz Ensemble, with whom he made the recording "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" in 2001. Batiste himself, like so many other New Orleanians, lost his home when Katrina hit, and feels thankful that his jazz-loving friends in Norway warmly welcome him every year.
Make jazz, not war
For the sixth consecutive year, Norway ranks first at the United Nations' quality of life survey. Social Security systems provide parents with one-year paid maternity leave, and medical care, including hospitalization, is free for everyone.
The working stock is guaranteed a minimum of four weeks paid vacation every year, which means that residents of Molde and neighboring towns often take an entire week off to enjoy the jazzfest full-time. Perhaps this is the reason why serious crime is practically absent, even during the crowded and at times alcohol-fuelled week of music. The peaceful festival-goers are effectively watched over by friendly and unarmed police officers, as all police are unarmed in regular duty. This approach seems appropriate for the occasion, as Norwegian festival-goers seem more interested in making jazz, than making "war."

Frecnh Quarter Brass Band Schedule

2007-08-21T17:32:00.000-05:00

More from the "wish we could be there" file!

By OffBeat staff
Friday evening second line parades begin at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Bourbon Orleans Hotel on the 700 block of Orleans Street.

Concert begins at approximately 6:20 p.m. on the steps of the Louisiana Supreme Court Building, 400 Royal Street.

Schedule as follows:

August 17
Soul Rebels Brass Band

August 24
Storyville Stompers

August 31
Pin Stripe Brass Band

September 7
Treme Brass Band

September 14
Bone Tone Brass Band

September 21
Algiers Brass Band

Sunday Editorial From the NY Times

2007-08-20T14:36:00.000-05:00

With the two year anniversary of Katrina rapidly approaching, the situation in our beloved city continues to be untenable, as described in an editorial in Sunday's New York Times. There will likely be a ton of coverage of New Orleans two years later in the media over the next few weeks.

Editorial
New Orleans Still at Risk

Published: August 19, 2007
How quickly the sense of urgency flags. Even as Hurricane Dean heads toward the Gulf Coast, New Orleans is frighteningly far from being prepared to withstand a storm with even a fraction of Katrina’s power.
As John Schwartz reported in The Times on Friday, New Orleans is still a city very much at risk. The task of rebuilding its rickety system of levees has proved hugely difficult, while the government’s efforts have been far less than what was promised and what is needed.
The Army Corps of Engineers has taken a piecemeal, disorganized approach to the reconstruction of the city’s defenses. It built up a defensive floodwall on the east side of the Industrial Canal — to protect the largely abandoned Lower Ninth Ward — while leaving the more heavily populated Gentilly neighborhood on the west side exposed behind a lower wall. Other projects — in particular, floodgates erected in relative haste to protect more prosperous neighborhoods — have raised charges that the corps is more concerned about the rich.
And though most of the task remains to be done, the corps seems to have lost its sense of urgency. The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, which experts say funneled floodwater into the city, has not been closed off. The corps says it is waiting for proposals from contractors to do the job, which might not be finished for years.
The corps says it aims to build up a defense system able to withstand a 1-in-100 storm by 2011. But that is still four years, and four hurricane seasons, away. Moreover, it will require more money from Congress: the plan is likely to cost about double the more than $7 billion that has been appropriated so far. But many members of Congress seem to have lost their enthusiasm.
Tens of thousands of battered residents who abandoned homes and lives are not going to return until they can be assured that they will be safe, while the people who stayed are still at risk. Two years after Katrina, that is shameful — and not what President Bush, Congress and the corps promised.

Frenchmen Street Daily

2007-08-20T13:08:00.002-05:00

Welcome everyone!

Our original blog at http://frenchmenstreet.blogspot.com/ has some great stuff on it for those of you who care to read about the group's past adventures.

What A Wonderful World - Leroy Jones

2007-08-20T13:08:00.001-05:00

A great ending to two great days of music!

Newest Member of the Krewe

2007-08-20T11:57:00.000-05:00

Hope that was the first of many visits for you with our Krewe, my friend. Lots of good stuff coming up. New Orleans Social Club here in Chicago Friday. John Boutte and Troy in NYC on the 28th. Also learned that the New Orleans Jazz Vipers will be opening for Marcia Ball here at my local club, Fitzgerald's, in beautiful Berwyn, Illinois.

Hope you will feel free to keep posting pictures, videos and any thoughts on all things New Orleans. took the liberty of grabbing a couple of your You Tube postings here already as you can see!

Livin' la Vida NOLA!

2007-08-20T08:22:00.000-05:00

Once again, thanks to everyone who made Satchmofest 2007 a most incredible and enjoyable experience! New Orleans is a special place...made even more special by the experience that was shared and the friendships that were formed during that magical weekend. Some notable "firsts" for me: the tattoo, tots at 13, Peristyle, Abita beer, Ray's, Donna's, second line, boudin, breakfast at Peter's place. Can't wait for the next excuse to head down there!

NOLA_Satchmofest - Leroy Jones at Peristyle

2007-08-19T13:43:00.001-05:00

Another great video from Ed!

NOLA_Satchmofest_Troy

2007-08-19T10:29:00.001-05:00

from ed's youtube postings

2007-08-18T17:07:00.000-05:00

Seems to be in working order! Let's have at it!

2007-08-18T16:24:00.001-05:00

Welcome!

2007-08-18T16:17:00.000-05:00

Testing out this new blog for all our old and new friends who share our love of the greatest city in the world, New Orleans, and especially our favorite part of town, Frenchmen Street.

I will try to post a few pictures to make sure it all works as it should and then send out notices for everybody to join!

Frenchmen Street Krewe

Saints Ready to REPEAT

We're Finally Approaching Bill & Pat's Mojo Level...

Ready for the Saints playoff run...

My Louisiana Music...

A Year-end Promise

Missin' NOLA today...

A NOLA Night in NYC - August 23

A Side by Side Comparison: The Gelfond vs. The Broussard Uniclutch

This Just In: The Broussard Uniclutch Leapfrogs The Old-Fashioned Gelfond

SatchmoFest Part Deux

So Sorry I Missed It!

First Dispatch from SatchmoSummerFest

Wow!

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue Own Hollywood!

Chicago Blues Festival

Picture Memories From JazzFest Weekend One

More From Weekend Two

Jazzfest -- Weekend Two Highlights

Continuing the journey: Saturday at FQF

Missing Shoes!...

Can it really get any better? -- Addendum!!!

Can it really get any better?

Happy FQF Fest 2008

More Pics from Nola

Boz Shares His Etouffe Recipe

Another Amazing Weekend!

Crawfish Fest in NJ...

Guess Who? Once Again....

"Break Out Your Beads...continued"

"Break Out Your Beads..."

Photos from Wilson Elementary in NOLA

A Really Special Day in NOLA

Maximo's is re-opening

Apologies to Everyone!

JazzFest 7 days again...

17 years and counting...

Anniversary Weekend in Louisiana

Bedroom Aging?

First Vintage of Bin 504 has been bottled

pictures from friday

Where is Everybody? How is Everybody?

RE: So, what did you do Saturday night?

So, What Did You Do Saturday Night?

New show K-Ville on Fox to be set in NOLA...

And this just in...

Weekend Gossip From Our Far-flung Network of Blog Correspondents

Shocking new evidence revealed today on the story that just won't go away!

Bring It, Dude!

about that other cheek

Turn The Otter Cheek, Mr. Gelfond

in my defense...

Contest #1

Contest #1

Contest #1: Tell Us What Maria is Thinking?

Clearly, AKA Sammy, you've forgotten Jazzfest 2006 when you blazed the trail for pink hat wearers everywhere

New Orleans Lullaby

Our NOLA Mission Statement

i want my next bumper sticker to read...

Must See TV...

no matter how far you go...

More Essential Reading from The Washington Post

Bravo!

Chris Rose on NPR

Reason #364 Why I Love Barack Obama

Trombone Shorty Hits the Big Time!

Cool Photo Gallery from the Washington Post

From Sunday's Washington Post

New Orleans In Chicago!

From the "Are You Kidding Me?" Department

Katrina Anniversary Coverage

Some Favorite Satchmofest Memories

The Elysian Trumpet

Let's See Where The Presidential Candidates Stand On This!

Local jazz DJ from NOLA

Happy Anniversary!

A Free Pass

Brad Pitt aims to keep focus on Katrina recovery

Check This Cool Site Out!

Some Upbeat News From The New Orleans CVB